If you've come here looking for a daily dose of crazy, you've come to the right place.
Your Title, Is Um, Vital!
For this week’s edition of Works For Me Wednesday, participants are supposed to share a blogging tip.
I am going to offer a few tips that have worked for me! And a few that work for me as a reader, too!
1. Your title, is um, vital. A few months ago, I wrote a post entitled Wet T-shirt Contest. That post has sent tons of visitors my way thanks to Google. In addition to the whole Google title tip, I have to say that I am more apt to click on a catchy title than something ordinary. A catchy title is more apt to catch the attention of readers, especially if your post is featured on Blogher. I’ll click on a catchy title every. single. time.
2. Comment frequently – I’ve never met a blogger who didn’t welcome and appreciate comments. In addition to getting comments, it is important to GIVE comments. Commenting is a great way to make URL friends and I’ve found that responding to comments is a great way to engage with your readers.
3. Keep a running list – Sweet mercy, the list has saved me time and time again. I have so much running around in my head, the blog fodder often gets lost in the madness, so I’ve found that making a note of the idea is always a good idea.
4. Turn the music off – I’m not a big fan of a music box on a blog. When I’m reading a blog, the last thing I want to hear is some 80′s mess playing in the background. Or 90′s for that matter. It’s distracting to your readers if you ask me.
5. Post Links – When your daily dose of crazy involves watching an embalming, or your child swallowing a penny, you should link back to it every now and again. Visitors and new readers to your blog will enjoy older posts that perhaps they wouldn’t take the time to scroll through otherwise.
Thanks for stopping by From Inmates To Playdates! I hope you have a lovely Wednesday. Visit THAT familyfor more bloggy tips!
Music is my number 1 gripe about some blogs! I’m on a crusade to stamp it out…
Love your title – and I can see how Wet T-shirts might be useful too
Struggler´s last blog ..Buying Boden, for Less
I think our comments “crossed in the mail”!
Down with music !!!
Struggler´s last blog ..Buying Boden, for Less
Julie, these are fabulous tips! Thank you so much. Ditto on the music!
I completely agree about the music! I keep the speakers off on my computer so I’m not surprised by music on blogs!
I’m a new blogger and already linking back to earlier posts, hoping new readers will go back. It’s a great tip!
Titles are what befuddle me the most about blogging. Emails as well. That’s the thing I like better about food blogging, the recipe is usually the title.
Micha´s last blog ..Top Twenty Tuesdays: the things that remind me of high school edition
Music is my biggest gripe as well!
I get the most hits on a post I wrote titled “Legal Stimulants”. I have a feeling that most of the peole who show up are disappointed that it is a post on how to make your own French Vanilla Creamer.
Alea´s last blog ..Blogging Advice From a Student Teacher
Thanks for these great tips! I have to work on catchy titles; I tend to write very simple and descriptive titles. Accurate but not exciting. I didn’t realize how important it was to snazz it up!
Avivah @ Oceans of Joy´s last blog ..More sleep for your baby (and you!)
Thanks for sharing about the importance of catchy titles – this is something I need to do. I’ve always done simple but descriptive titles; they’re accurate but not going to pull someone in. I’m going to work on this now!
Avivah @ Oceans of Joy´s last blog ..More sleep for your baby (and you!)
Ha! Yesterday, I was checking out some new blogs and heard a sound. I thought about it for a few minutes, got up, looked around my kitchen, out my back door… It was the darn blog. Drives me crazy.
Becca´s last blog ..From the backseat…
Great list of tips. I will agree with you and everyone else that music is the pits. I do a lot of post scheduling so I don’t have to worry about forgetting what I wanted to post. =)
I too have had some hits due to some interesting titles, but was kinda’ creeped out by some things that people google and find me! =)
Kaye´s last blog ..WFMW – Free Books to Review
I will agree with everyone else on the music part…awful. And I’ll second commenting. That’s one reason I surf around through WFMW. Not only do I get some great tips, but usually get more traffic to my site and some people actually hang around (and become friends!).
Great list.
Kaye´s last blog ..WFMW – Free Books to Review
great tips including some I never thought of like linking back thanks
GREAT tips……I have another – if you post pictures on your blog that pertain to your post – title your pictures accordingly – ie: If I post a recipe for Halloween Cupcakes or Beer Cheese Dip I save my pictures as “Halloween Cupcakes” or “Beer Cheese Dip”….I can’t tell you how many hits I get on my blog from people googling/searching photos!!
TidyMom´s last blog ..Beer Cheese & Buffalo Chicken {Dips}
Great tips! I don’t post, but the only “clever” subject on an e-mail that I can remember coming up with was “Sweeter By The Dozen” when Annabelle was born. You are really gifted in this department, Julie. I love reading your posts – titles and all!
Thank you for the great advice. I completely agree with #4. Music on websites is soooo annoying.
Amen on the stinking music! The most annoying part of coming up on a blog with tunes is the fact that the player to stop it is at THE VERY BOTTOM of the blog!
Gaaaaaah!
I hate it!
And I love music!
So good tip!
Also……something that really bugs me.
Blogs that have weird colored background and almost blinding text! If I can’t see what’s written down….I’m outta there!
Good list!
wanda´s last blog ..Miss G goes to Indy
Hi! first time here! You have a very cute design! Those are great tips! I love the music one, and I guarantee I’ll never return to a blog that autoplays music.
marybeth at http://www.babygoodbuys.com´s last blog ..Walgreens: Huggies Diapers for $2.99 Next Week
I agree with you and than-you for sharing your tips!!
Stopped over from WFMW. Great tips! I’m curious, how do you know Google sent readers your way with your “Wet T-Shirt Contest” post??? Is there a way to track that?
I like the idea to link back to old posts that your readers may have missed. I’m going to try that!
Great tips….I totally agree with all of them, especially the catchy title thing. I always read the ones that sound interesting first!
I detest music on blogs, drives me nuts.
I love your list Julie! You hit all the fabulous points!
Thanks for the tips!
I am with you on the music too.
I need to work on the titles–sometimes I bother and sometimes I don’t.
Great tips!! And here’s a big “amen!” to #2 …
Hope you’re having a super weekend.
~ Joy
Joy´s last blog ..“Men Without Pants” on Game Day
I agree, I hate it when music automatically plays when i click on someone’s blog or website. Nothing makes me click away faster.
I agree – I hate it when music starts automatically playing when I click on someone’s blog/website. Nothing makes me click away faster!
SkylarKD´s last blog ..Making doll clothes – quick hat and diaper