Ok Ive had my fair share of blogging for fun, as added content to a website, as a complement to main business and now I'm thinking of starting a blog and taking it all the way. What are the main points to consider to: a) get visitros/readers? b) get visitors to suscribe via email? c) make money off advertising?
Thanks for the answers: Ok so we have 1. Unique and interesting content 2. Links from other sites 3. Unique and interesting design Would you get links from other blogs? Or from directories that list your blog in terms of popularity? What are the blog directories out there, worth submitting to? Would you buy a theme for that or use one of the free ones out there with the numerous footer links?
unique and remarkable content if you're to stand out from the rest of the blogger's from your niche. a unique or highly customized free wordpress theme, that stands out and helps you build a brand make a posting schedule and follow it it religiously write in a personal, refreshing manner. people like to relax while reading, if you don't know what I'm talking about, read a few popular blogs like pro blogger, blog herald, skelliewag.org etc. learn the art of social media guest post on popular blogs etc etc You can't go pro over night, there's a lot of factors involved. For more in depth reading on the subject, read my blog in my signature.
Adding to what sharkyx wrote. Or warning about "buying" a high priced theme. I have been working with a client on a custom WordPress install for over a month now. He was (or still is) very consumed with all the different Plugins he wanted and the look of the blog. Some of the plugins were duplicates of others or performed the same function WordPress already performed. He paid for a custom header based on one high priced theme only to change to another theme that the custom header looks terrible on. I don't know what he paid for the themes and the custom header, but what he has paid me for my time is running out, yet he hasn't even got one post on the blog yet. The point is that the "look" isn't that important as is the content especially at first, find a simple free theme that can easily be customized at least at first. Get the blog established concentrate on that first then worry about the the look later.
Excellent tips! And fabulous blog... I'm still reading I understand where you are coming from but also being a regular blog reader in various subjects I think the design and look of a blog is VERY important. Thanks for your input!
If you have money for a custom theme...usually under $100...I would definitely go original. However, if you're trying to keep it frugal (like me), you could always look for a more unique free template. I got a 3-column free template, with a customizable header. So...that makes me look somewhat original...and it was very cost effective for me. I'm trying to make money around here, not spend it.