These are things I personally feel will help your blog. You may disagree with some, and if you do feel free to leave a comment with your feedback! The more people that weigh in on these topics, the more information we will all have to help make decisions on which of these 10 things to use/not use!
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It's annoying. We all hate it. I can't read the numbers. Is that an H or an 8? My guess is you have no idea you have it on.... Here's how to fix:
2. UPDATE May 2015: I have removed this item because it is no longer relevant.
3. Confirm you aren't a no-reply blogger.
Use this tutorial. Note: If you have Wordpress, there are a couple of other ideas you can use...
Use this tutorial. Note: If you have Wordpress, there are a couple of other ideas you can use...
Wordpress Users:
1. Create a gmail account if you don't already have one, and login through Blogger.com. Then start at step 4 of this tutorial to be sure your email address is connected when you leave comments.
2. When you leave a comment, include your email address. I know lots of people include their URL anytime they leave a comment, well, why not leave your email address too!
If you aren't sure if you are no-reply or not, feel free to leave me a comment with your email address written in the comment. I'll email you back and let you know yes or no.
4. Take something off before you leave.
I was a PR major, if there is one thing I learned that was valuable it is to shorten everything. If you think it is short, go back and make it shorter. Being concise is key. So before you hit publish, remove one sentence, or one paragraph or one word. Remove something that isn't necessary for that post to make sense.
"Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory." -- Coco Chanel
5. Remove the Nav Bar at the top of the screen
Tiny little change that opens your blog up and makes all the difference in the world.
Tiny little change that opens your blog up and makes all the difference in the world.
How To Remove Nav Bar:
If you are a blogger that uses "read more" I would love for you to stop doing that. Some of my favorite blogs utilize "read more" and I'll still click and deal with it but only because I'm totally 100% addicted to their blog and content (i.e. The Londoner). But I hate it.
I realize it skyrockets page views, but I just feel there is more to blogging than page views, such as keeping loyal readers happy and coming back!
7. Make sure your links are a different color than your post text
This may be silly to some people, but I prefer to have links stand out, otherwise your readers may not realize you're even linking to something. If your text is black, make your links orange (or any color other than black).
This may be silly to some people, but I prefer to have links stand out, otherwise your readers may not realize you're even linking to something. If your text is black, make your links orange (or any color other than black).
8. Personalize your blog
Show your face. I've noticed that personalized blogs do much better than anonymous blogs. It is hard to form a connection with a blogger when you have no idea what they look like. Again, personal preference here.
Show your face. I've noticed that personalized blogs do much better than anonymous blogs. It is hard to form a connection with a blogger when you have no idea what they look like. Again, personal preference here.
9. Smaller is better
Massive fonts, gigantic header, column widths that don't fit on a standard screen size causing your reader to scroll back and forth while reading.... Smaller is better. When in doubt, pick the smaller size.
Massive fonts, gigantic header, column widths that don't fit on a standard screen size causing your reader to scroll back and forth while reading.... Smaller is better. When in doubt, pick the smaller size.
10. Get your posts organized and categorized
I suuuuuuuuuck at this. I am terrible. I never label my posts. I never categorize things. I always forget to update my Saturday Sessions tab. If you aren't sure how to label your posts, I have a tutorial on it! Your readers that are looking for something specific won't jump through hoops to find it, so make it easy for them. Don't be like me, get to labeling!
I suuuuuuuuuck at this. I am terrible. I never label my posts. I never categorize things. I always forget to update my Saturday Sessions tab. If you aren't sure how to label your posts, I have a tutorial on it! Your readers that are looking for something specific won't jump through hoops to find it, so make it easy for them. Don't be like me, get to labeling!
So, what is something simple you would recommend that everyone go do right now to improve their blog?
