Comments on: What Does It Mean to Be a “Good Blogger”?

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:54:11 +0000

Opinions are good, but facts are more important. Opinions on facts are great!
Of course there are times when ‘facts’ are obscure..
Example,
I had a guy reveal the whole Chemtrail situation to me a few months ago. Honestly, I thought he was a bit over the edge. So eventually, I begain researching it before I opened my mouth (not bad advice). I must admit, I am amazed and wonder what is going on…
Blogging is great of opening minds and awareness issues for sure.
Thanks for the post by the way.

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:55:39 +0000

Thanks for this great article. As I poke around, trying to find ideas to make my blog succeed, I find input like this very helpful. I feel as if my blog has plateaued and I’m looking forward to starting the next climb. Thanks.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:10:31 +0000

Hoctro- Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Since you have a far greater understanding of technical aspects than most and the content of your site is so technical, you would be forgiven in many cases for getting technical in your posts. However, knowing when to “back off” the tech speak could be a good thing.
Thank you again for adding to the conversation.

By: hoctro

hoctro — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:29:11 +0000

OMG, all of these five are so true. Glad somebody spell these top 5 out! I especially like the #2 point. I know my audience just need a quick fix, but sometimes I want to elaborare more on the technical side.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:00:56 +0000

Nestor- Thank you for your visit and comment- see, you’re already well on your way.
Kelly- I don’t think controversy is bad, but courting it for the purpose of increasing traffic is stupid to me. The momentary spike in traffic might lead to slightly better longterm traffic, but eventually readers will be able to tell when you are pandering to their bloodlust. Sooner or later, they’ll turn away and the rest of the blogosphere will know what you are up to as well… that whole self-policing thing again. AND… thank you for the compliment on the post.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 15:17:47 +0000

Great points Tim, and well written!
One other point I’ve seen before about blogging well is bringing controversy to your blog.
What are your thoughts about that? Specifically for business blogs..
I stay pretty far away from offending anyone, but I can’t help being a nice non-confrontational person!

By: Nestor Balce

Nestor Balce — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 17:31:08 +0000

Thanks for your pointers. I will be a better blogger, and send my appreciation to blogs I like.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 15:36:47 +0000

Valeria- Argh! As a “word nerd”, that always drives me nuts. Now I have to go hide my head in shame…
Isn’t that what my “editor” is supposed to keep me from doing? Ann?

By: Ann Handley

Ann Handley — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 15:36:04 +0000

Thanks, Valeria… duly fixed.

By: Valeria Maltoni

Valeria Maltoni — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:44:40 +0000

Tim,
I looked for your email address and could not find it. Just wanted to let you know you have a typo in the entry:
“Know your topic; too often, I come across blogs that are really poorly informed, now matter how well-written they may be.”
I think you meant to say “no matter how well-written…”

By: REBlogGirl

REBlogGirl — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 12:11:31 +0000

Excellent post. As a professional blogger myself I think one of the things most bloggers froget is to set goal (whether they are traffic, comment, lead or backlink goals) for each post. Have a goal, a plan to achieve that goal (i.e. start a blog war, emotionally engage readers, call readers to action, etc)and then measure your results. Blogging is just like every other marketing strategy- you have to plan and track your results.

By: Balaji M

Balaji M — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:28:55 +0000

Great article.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 05:15:42 +0000

Jeesh, sorry it took me so long to get to this today- was on the road visitng with a big parts supplier of mine. (Very cool day actually… I love new stuff.)
Lewis- Thanks. Every penny counts- I have two kids to eventually put through college.
Maureen- I agree with both of your points. Proper “link love” goes a long way towards fostering good blogger relationships. Fresh content helps to keep people visiting routinely. The only problem with that, is that the concept tens to scare away some potential bloggers who feel they couldn’t possibly provide constant content. Your idea of making it clear that posts maynot be fresh is a good suggestion. I try to do that by telling people the posts will be few or limited when I know I will be very busy or traveling.
Helmet Head- I thought the photo gave me credibility as a cycling industry wanker. Helmet hair and goofy tan lines are sort of the badge of honor. Along with the shaved legs, broken collar bone “bump” and scars from hip to ankle. (I have all of the above- for the record.)
Paul- I’m with you man, I’m with you. BUT… for a business/ corporate blogger, we do need to have a little focus in our writing. That said, I frequently write specifically for my self… as if you can’t already tell that.
Thanks all for the conversation.

By: Paul McEnany

Paul McEnany — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 02:33:59 +0000

As much as it is important to write for your audience, and believe me, I know it is, it’s most important to write for yourself. Not to say you should disregard your audience, but I think it’s best to just write what you want to write, not what you think you should write. It’s that authenticity that your readers want most, and that continuing passion will make those relationships more sustainable.

By: Helmet Head

Helmet Head — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 18:33:42 +0000

Lose the bike helmet, it makes you look like a rube.

By: Maureen Rogers

Maureen Rogers — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:32:08 +0000

Tim – Two other suggestions.
1. If you are citing someone else’s post or article,don’t just cut and paste the article and say “this is interesting”. By all means quote from it, link to it, summarize it – but also remember: we want to hear what the blogger has to say about the topic.
2. One of the great things about Marketing Profs, is that I can visit with confidence that there’ll be “fresh produce daily”. If you don’t update your blog daily (or thereabouts), you might want to post a list of the days you do blog. That way readers won’t be disappointed if they stop by and there’s nothing new.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:39:15 +0000

Tim,
You’ve got it! The check is in the mail.