BBS: 10 Ways to a Killer Blog

What follows are my UNEDITED notes from Robert and Maryam Scoble's presentation on 10 Ways to a Killer Blog.  They actually overdelivered and gave 15 tips.  When I'm able to, I will clean up and edit the list.

10 Ways to a Killer Blog
Getting noticed in the word of mouth network

1.    Blog because you want to; can give you power beyond belief; blog what you like and care about; passion keeps you going long term.

2.    Read other blogs; pay attention and figure out what you like, what style you like; talk back with bloggers; brings out a feeling of community and bond like no other for personal and professional support; become an authority on your topic in your marketplace

3.    Pick a niche you can own – be different; it’s a google world; the search bar is the interface to the world; everyone comes through the search field. If that’s the case how to they find you.  Searches are generally 1-3 words; focus on specific niche; The London Underground (example)

4.    link to other blogs; link posts; leave comments leave links, need to be consistent with your content; not one blogosphere – 100,000 blogospheres on every topic

5.    Admit mistakes.  Gain credibility

6.    Write good headlines.  Readers are scanners to catch eye and attention to stand out from the lists and search blogs; SEO tactic; add subheadlines

7.    Use other media. In addition to text use graphics, podcast, video, share your knowledge of the world in more ways; reading online 30% slower and less retentaion.  Pictures help them digest. Bullet points easier to read.

8.    Have a voice.  Passion and authority. Let people see you as a human.  Helps people connect to you. Talking vs. writing.  Write like you’re talking to one person.

9.    Get outside the blogosphere.  Go to conferences, go to meetups, connect in person.  Meet people.  Relationships become powerful; good stories to tell.

10.    Market yourself.  Blog URL on your biz card!

11.    Write well!  Don’t blog if you’re in a bad mood.  Break up your paragraphs.  Readers are scanners.  Short paragraphs.  Put the most interesting info at the top of your post.  Readership goes down as the story goes longer.  The headline and first paragraph determine whether someone reads your post or not.  Check your spelling and grammar. Develop your writing skills.

12.    Expose yourself.  What’s your style?  The line between safe and interesting. Don’t write like a press release.  Who are you?  Share a little bit of your personality.  1 or 2 out of 100 posts. Can create a more interesting connection with readers.  Tell stories about biz not “just the facts m’am”

13.    Help other people blog.  Share what you learn and help others get in the community.  Global voices online.  Bring new voices into the blogosphere

14.    Engage with commenters.  Participate with other bloggers.

15.    Keep your integrity.  “you are what you appear to be”  Disclose what you’re doing in relation to advertising, for example. Disclose who you are what what you’re doing.  Bloggers will point it out if you aren’t honest about what you’re doing.  You will be outed.  Have a way for readers to get hold of you.