1. Lists are Good

Let's face it. Nobody reads 5000 word articles on the internet, unless they are looking for stuff to plagarise. Blog readers want concise, bite-sized easily-digestible information. Lists aren't just good, they were practically designed to benefit bloggers.

2. Traffic: Thy Name is Controversy

Many people will tell you that content is king. This is true. Content is favoured by search engines and websites wanting to link to you. For long-term traffic, rich and varied content is key.

For acing the social-bookmark viral traffic love, however, you need controversy. That means stuff people can argue with. Extreme opinion. Bear baiting. Pit bull fights. If content is the bread, controversy is the circus.

3. Be Yourself

Or be a fitter, wittier, more intelligent version of yourself. The thing you don't want to be is Steve Pavlina, Scott Allen or [insert multimillionare successful blogger here]. Why not? Because they already are themselves, and a lot better at it than you would be.

To put it another way, there are ten million Self-Improvement' blogs, ten billion How to blog' blogs, and countless gajillions of I want to be rich, so I'm blogging about successful keyword' blogs.

The web rewards innovative, original and creative ideas. So do something different.

4. Don't Delete Comments

Unless they are outright obscene/offensive. People like to argue and debate stuff. That's what makes it fun.

5. Proof-read your posts

There's a preview' button for a reason. Yes, I realise I am going to get slammed for some typo or another. But trust me, there would have been a dozen more if I hadn't proof-read it.

6. Make it worthwhile

Just because it's concise doesn't mean it's vapid, worthless or repetitive. You're going for a zen-master style of blogging here - short, succinct, and life-changing.

7. Avoid Meta-Blogging

Actually, don't. But avoid blogging about how successful you are before you're successful.

I'm not successful: I don't make enough to quit my job. Yet.

8. Community, Community, Community

If you get involved with other bloggers, they are much more likely to link to your articles. If you comment on forums relevant to your niche, the people are likely to take a look at your site. Blogging is about networking more than anything else.

9. Consistency

If I had a buck for every blog I've seen start strong and then die after a few weeks I would be rich enough to get rid of google ads and stop writing for Helium! Lots of blogs start slow and then get stronger. Many start strong and then the initial surge fades. The point is, you have to blog during the slow times as well as during the fast times.

Yes, I break this rule. Although, I don't have an internet connection, and you're still reading this!

10. All Rules can be Broken

Yes, these are rules of writing, and as we know all rules can be broken. Blogs can (sometimes) benefit from a hiatus, you can sometimes mimic somebody else in a cunning satirical sort of way, you can even write a 5000 word blog post and have it go viral if you are very lucky at least.

Just because you can cite one example does not make these rules invalid. There are quadzillions of failed blogs out there and the reason they fail can usually be linked to breaking one of the above points.

Learn more about this author, Suzanne Fleming.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for writing the best blog?
We want to hear your view. Write now!