After spending last weekend soaking in the inspiring classes at the Casual Blogger Conference, I started thinking once again about my role as a blogger and what makes a blog successful (or not). I recently read two articles entitled What Makes a Successful Blogger and What are the Elements of a Successful Blogger which both had some interesting ideas. But they both brought up the same question in my mind–a question that I have asked and been asked multiple times. What defines “success” in blogging? Is it page views? Subscribers? Sponsors? Money?
If success in blogging were defined by the page views or the amount of money made per month, then I fear that many of us would fall in the “unsuccessful blogger” category. I know I would. I am often shocked to hear that other bloggers view my blog as “very successful” when in reality my numbers are quite a bit lower than most. However, I do consider my blog a success, and so success must have to do with something more than numbers.
Here are just a few key elements of a successful blogger in my book. A successful blogger has:
Passion
Whether you are writing about your kids, your garden, what you cooked for dinner last night, or how to make kites with your kids (—>shameless plug! I am being featured today on Skip to My Lou Craft Camp!) you must be passionate about it. Love what you are doing or don’t do it. Talk about those things that you are passionate about. I have read many blog posts about things that were not within my typical realm of interest, but the passion and the enthusiasm caught my attention. Passion is contagious.
Authenticity and consistency
This past weekend, I sat in on a panel of bloggers discussing How to Find Your Voice. I loved the comment from one of my fellow class attendees. She said something along the lines of, “When I met you yesterday, I felt like I recognized you. Your voice in person is just the same as your blogging voice!” Be YOU on your blog. Don’t try to be someone or something that you are not. I could never be as witty and creative as MamaKat or as compelling of a writer as Heather of the EO. So I don’t try to be. And that’s ok. I’m not a comedian. I’m not super intelligent. I’m me. And I hope that when you visit my blog, you will always find ME here.
Focus and goals
Why do you blog? Is it to keep your out of state family up to date? Is your goal to make money? Or maybe to build up your writing or photography portfolio? Do you blog to learn, blog to connect, or blog to teach? Whatever your focus, stick to it. Set goals (we all have room to improve) and stick to a schedule.
Relatability
When you sit down to write a post, instead of asking yourself “What should I write about today?” ask instead “What do my readers want to hear today?” Be relatable. Be human. I love this quote from Liz Strauss:
“Humanity is what’s compelling. We’re all hungry for a connection that makes us feel real.
Quality content that serves real human needs served up by a real human being is the combination of three things: head, heart, and practical meaning. Put them together and a blog — or rather one who writes it — can make a reader feel inspired, moved to action, and wholly alive.”
Community
Successful bloggers develop a sense of community within their sites. Whether it is in the form of responding to comments or chatting in a forum or on Facebook, I love bloggers who connect in real ways with their readers. Some of the connections I’ve made through blogging have been some of the most satisfying friendships I’ve ever had. And I am way more likely to visit the blogs of people I have made a connection with.
What makes you view a blogger as “successful”?
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Great advice, thank you. I have a mini following at best but the one thing I do hear is that I write like I speak so one point for me.
loved your post, I’ve been thinking along the same lines..wondering what defines success and what my goals are with blogging.
great photo, I have one almost the same over at my blog! I loved meeting you, and I agree, you are the same as your voice here, I felt like I knew you already.
this was a great post. Thank you. :)
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Impulse Buys =-.
Great advice, thank you. I have a mini following at best but the one thing I do hear is that I write like I speak so one point for me. :)
Great tips, especially about building a community. Love your blog frog by the way.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Fave Links of the Week =-.
You make me feel “successful” at Mona’s Musings With A Hint of Romance. I learned some time ago that passion is the key for “finding your voice”. When I really asked myself what that would be for me several months ago, it led to a refinement of my “thesis” or “voice”, to the topic of MARRIAGE. I then realized how few bloggers (actually I haven’t found any others yet) focus on strengthening the relationship between husbands and wives, how strongly I felt about that, and how much I could share from my own romance and study. It has worked in that readers are sincerely appreciative and responsive and in that I have joy satisfaction in the composition and podcasting. It’s a niche that I am so thilled to fill. And again – it just came from asking: What do I love and get excited about? Answer: My husband!
.-= Mona´s last blog ..Fit For A Queen =-.
To make money blogging, post everyday and get interactive with other niche blogs. The best way to do this is to take the title of your post, make a Google Alert from it and opt to monitor it as a feed in Google Reader. (free tools for all Googlers) Be keyword conscientious in selecting titles and categories, so that Google Alerts can only send targeted results in Reader. Then you’ll receive the posts of other blogs in the same keyword niche, where you can leave keyword anchor text backlinks to your daily posts. Say something smart and helpful to instantly attract visitors to your blog. Then, making your RSS and Optin or blog registration visible on your blog will entice visitors to subscribe. At this point a special relationship between RSS and Optin takes place, causing rapid growth of your optin list. If you don’t have an auto responder, use the Subscribe2 plugin for WordPress. (or any of the many optin widgets) There are ways to automate this, but never sacrifice content quality.
Loved this post & I couldn’t agree more! I know my blog doesn’t have a huge readership, but I blog because I love cooking & sharing that passion with others. I found that I just want to share what I learn & do in the kitchen as much as I want to spend time there cooking. ;)
.-= Denise @ Creative Kitchen´s last blog ..Time for grilling and the BEST sauce ever! =-.
Great post! :) I totally agree…success in blogging is very individualized.
Great minds… :) I can’t wait to read your articles!
For the record, I think I look hideously sleep deprived in that picture of us, but I love it anyway. I thought of that picture because to me it screams authenticity. :) I am looking forward to spending time with you in August, too. Let’s make a deal to hang out a little more.
Thank you for being YOU!!
I couldn’t agree with you more, lady.
And I shall forgive you for posting my HUGE MOUTH. (actually, I quite LOVE the picture because we look very happy-it did make me very happy to have a few moments with you)
I actually wrote about rhino insecurity recently, after the conference, about how focusing on the wrong things will make you insecure when really we’re all the same. And stuff. :)
I can’t wait to see you again in August. I love that you are YOU, exactly as you are, cause you are really GOOD as YOU :)
.-= Heather of the EO´s last blog ..This dentist thing ain’t half bad =-.
How ironic, I’m writing a three part series on blog growth! Today, I focused on the difference between followers and readers. When I expand further, I’m sure that I’ll be linking to this post.
Thanks for your insights!