10 Commandments for Successful Blogging

OK, by now you probably know that the most powerful tool you can have in your social media arsenal is your Blog.

Nothing will create a strong community and help you turn strangers into friends and into ambassadors (which is the way the way marketing works in the new Economy), like having a strong-based blog community.

The question is – how do you do it without losing your sanity? How do you get readers and build a community that will come back again and again for more?

Like in any of our programs in order to create it, you’ll need to follow the MG-SPI system. Those of you who are not familiar with it, MG-SPI stands for Mindset-Goals-Strategy-Plan-Implementation

So here are 10 rules for a successful blog:

1. Mindset – It’s not a sprint – it’s a Marathon

First and most important mindset that you’ll need to have is the realization that we are not talking about a sprint. If you wish to create a loyal community you have to take a long breathe and think about it as a Marathon run. Do not expect that things will happen within a month or even 3 months.

It took me more than 2 years before I managed to get a true community that supports each other on this blog.

2. Mindset – “So What” Attitude

Make sure that when you write you check your content under the litmus test of “So What”, which means – ask yourself if the content you are sharing your readers can USE today.

Put yourself in their shoes and check if what you offer is relevant to THEM. Help your readers to take action to accomplish their goals faster, better and easier. If it doesn’t – drop it and write something different that is VALUABLE for them

3. Goals – Know and (love) your readers

Your blog is your vehicle to get to know your audience better and create a relationship with them. Make sure that in each blog post you get closer to know better who are your readers? Once you get to know them better (and they know YOU better) start loving them.

Remember – in the New Economy everything is all about RELATIONSHIPS. The more you know and love your readers, the more they will know and love you and become your ambassadors.

4. Goals – Measure your success

From the start, set up the numbers that would allow you to check your success. From analysis of readers, comments, social shares, Google analytics traffic data and sales, you’ll soon start to get a feel for your blog and how popular it is and what it can do for you. As I said in last week’s blog post your numbers is your best friend on your road to success

4. Strategy – Be clear on your strategy

First of all, sit down and define what you are trying to achieve. Why are you blogging and what is the topic or subject that you will blog about? Don’t make the mistake that some businesses do, which is to write on everything and nothing.

A blog is extra value content and NOT a repeat sales message. So repeating old brochures or ‘cutting and pasting’ the marketing part from your business plan is not the way to go. Decide on your content strategy in broad terms and that will be a very solid first step into the world of blogging.

6. Strategy – Do the research about what to write

While there are many ways to come up with new content, here is a couple to start with.

First and most easiest – ASK your target audience what would they like to read on your blog.
Listen to clients. They ask questions every day that you could be answering for them via your blog
Use Google itself and see what suggestions Google gives you when you type in certain phrases your target audience is looking for.
Have a look at what people are asking you on a daily basis and look at the current queries you are dealing with in your inbox every day. Can they be the inspiration for your next blog?
Have a look at other publications/blogs/forums that are targeting your target audience and see what are the recurring topics

7. Plan – Create a content calendar

Sit and plan what topics will you cover when. Know what you will write about and what will you promote in this blog post. Remember that sometimes you will have to create a blog ‘ad-hoc’ depending on what’s happening in your industry. And it depends on the type of blog as to how often you should be blogging.

8. Plan – Be consistent

Create content schedule and stick to it. In your plan make sure that you have consistence. For instance, every first week of the month you write about topic #1. Every 2nd week of the month you do a video blog, third week of the month, you cover a case study and 4th week of the month you recommend a new book/product/video/program etc..

9. Implementation – Your House – Your Rules

Make sure you are managing your blog. Take responsibility for it and create the rules for your blog. What type of comments you wish to have, how should people comment, how often you moderate it (my recommendation – on the day of the blog post, as soon as possible approve the comments).

10. Implementation – Shine – above all… be enthusiastic. Have fun on your blog. Others will have fun too.

Now it’s your turn…

What topics would you like to read on this blog that would help you in your business?

Share it with us in the comment box below - What are your challenges and what would you like to learn about ?

As a thank-you gift I will send you an invitation to my new Webinar in the series of Women Do Business Differently

If you find this article inspiring, please SHARE it on Facebook, LinkedIn or retweet it, by pushing the button on the left, for the right channel, so more women could benefit from it.

Please share this article with your:



- LinkedIn connections
and blog readers...

Have a magical week! Vered