How to be a better blogger!

Blogging has become the buzzword these days, and almost everyone who uses the internet has a blog. Under such circumstances, it is not enough to be just another blogger, but you have to be an effective blogger, and following are some of the tips that I have found effective in my journey as a blogger :

1. It has been said enough times by enough bloggers on enough blogs. But I guess saying it once more will only underline the importance of the statement : Content is the King.

You want people to come to your blog, spend some time there and then want to come back again. That can only happen if your content is worthy of their time. So, before anything else, focus on your content.

2. The looks. Though the saying tells you not to judge the book by it’s cover, but ask yourself – and answer honestly – what is the first thing you notice about a blog or a site. If your answer was the colors and the layout, then your answer is similar to most normal human beings that are surfing the internet.

It is easy to give your blog a special look by using one of the many free templates available on the net, or by getting a paid one. And, the truth is, it is not really hard to customize one yourself once you get the hang of it.

3. Getting it out there. Once you have set up your blog and created your content, you want to get your blog out there. This can be done by joining one of the various traffic exchange sites like BlogExplosion, BlogMad, BlogAdvance, etc. or one of the many community sites like MyBlogLog, BlogCatalog etc.

Also, if you are a member of any social networking sites or forums, it might be a good idea to use your Blog url as your signature. Just make sure that you are not seen as a spammer. I am sure you don’t want to be an effective blogger at the cost of being universally disliked.

Using your blog url as your e-mail signature, car bumper sticker, or on your t-shirt is a good idea too, if you think you can carry it off.

4. Updating Regularly and Frequently. In the beginning I used to blog only when I felt like it. That way I got readers but they never knew when they were to come back. So, I had very few repeating visitors.

Then, I made a schedule, and started posting accordingly. That not only provided a frame to the readers, but helped me update my blog regularly, and I was forced to quit procrastinating and had to blog.

5. Comment and reply to comments. Comment on blog posts that interest you and those that are that are relevant to your posts. Take time out to reply to comments on your blog. This will create a community-like feeling between you and the readers of your blog. That can only be good. Right?

Though these five tips are quite basic in nature, but if followed they will definitely lead you, and your blog, in the right direction.