New to SITS? Welcome!! Go read this to get started.
Welcome to the weekly blogging tip and comment game! This week I’m talking about key components every blog should have.
You decide to start a blog. You think of a name, sign up with Blogger or WordPress or some other platform, write a few posts and start spreading the word. What else do you need to do? Here are Five Things Every Blog Needs:
- A link to your RSS feed. I am shocked at the number of blogs I visit that don’t have a prominent “Subscribe to my Blog” link at the top of their sidebar. I recommend using Feedburner and enabling their “SmartFeed” (under the “Optimize” tab). This sets your blog to publish one feed that is compatible with any visitor’s feed reader.
- Social media buttons. It’s critical to have a link at the top of your blog so people can follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook. These days many people use Twitter and Facebook as their feed reader. I know that I don’t visit my Google Reader as often as I used to because many bloggers I follow update Twitter and/or Facebook whenever they have a new post.
- An “About” link. I don’t want to have to read through half your archive to get a feel for who you are. My first connection with you will be your most recent blog post, and if I want to know more about you, it should be easy to find out. Create a new page/post that tells your readers who you are and what your blog is about, then put a link to that page in a prominent spot in your sidebar or navbar.
- A “Related Posts” widget or plugin. I’ve written before about the benefits of deep-linking. When you have someone at your blog, you want to draw them in and help them get to know you. At the end of your posts you should use a widget or plugin that automatically displays related posts from your own blog. Some examples are LinkWithin (works with any platform) and Similar Posts (for WordPress only). The TopPosts sidebar widget is also excellent.
- Social Media Sharing Buttons. Give people a way to share your posts with others — and a reminder to do so! Try Sociable, ShareThis, or Tweetmeme.
Now, let’s play a game! Here are the rules for the SITS Saturday Sharefest:
- Leave a comment here with a link to one of your best blog posts (or just your main URL if you prefer).
- After you leave your comment, visit the link of the person who commented BEFORE you.
- Comment on their post and be sure to say “Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest” in your comment.
Now, go leave some comments! And please visit my blog — Mom, Reinvented.
Want to subscribe to SITS and get an email each time we post? Just click here.
And, as always, when you see this:
LEAVE A COMMENT.
Wow, I feel really behind the times between the feeds and the social networking! Am I the only one in the world without an account on Facebook or Twitter? Thank you for the great tips.
.-= Samantha´s last post: Taking Some New Directions in Writing Online: The Great Revenue Share Experiment =-.
Fabulous advice! Tell me it’s not almost Sunday already.
Wow. Good advice here, and advice I’d actually been looking for. Thank you!
.-= tattytiara´s last post: If I don’t use this font to write the title I won’t win the Superbowl. =-.
so helpful! thanks!
so helpful! thanks!
so helpful! thanks!
so helpful! thanks!
Happy Snowy Sunday sharefest new englanders! http://serenityville.blogspot.com/
.-= Serenityville´s last post: Reverse Culture Shock =-.
Ooo.. I think this is my best post so far!
http://pokeintheeyewithastick.blogspot.com/2009/11/bottle-feeding.html
.-= Emma´s last post: Father Christmas =-.
Here is a link to my most current challenge – December Shredding! (The Jillian Michaels workout where she promises 30 days, 20 minutes a day, 20 pounds lost) – come join me! I need all the support I can get.
http://morethana-mom.blogspot.com/2009/12/shred-it.html
.-= More Than A Mom´s last post: The Shred ~ Dec 5 Update =-.
This was an awesome post. Thank you!!!
I think all my SITStas will appreciate a free jewelry giveaway by PONO, a fashion house featured on Gossip Girl, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, etc! Sharing the love:
http://www.prettyshinysparkly.com/pono-giveaway/
.-= Kristina (Pretty Shiny Sparkly)´s last post: Trend Alert: Eggplant Evening Bags =-.
Thank You – - Thank You – - Thank You – - Thank You – -
Oh did I say THANK YOU!!!
Once again you are amazing!!!!! Thank you
.-= hannah´s last post: =-.
Checking in today! I was at grad school all day yesterday!I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
.-= Nicolasa´s last post: Christmas Tradition Number 3- Christmas Eve Present =-.
Wow, thanks for the info. I’ve been blogging for about three months and I only had one thing. I’m starting with your list right away.
Have a great weekend.
.-= 38traci´s last post: Day Ninety – Nine or Let it Snow, Let it Snow =-.
Happy SIT sharefest Day!
http://betteroffwithcats.wordpress.com
Yeah.
I’m late.
So what!?
I’m going visiting anyway! Yeay!
Great post with some great tips. Thanks! I just did a post with some ideas on how to help out or give a little service to women this season or year round. Hope you come by for a visit! Alisa
http://www.apinacolada.blogspot.com
Thanks for the tips. I just did a post about how to help out or give a little service to women this season or year round. Hope you come by for a visit! Alisa
http://www.apinacolada.blogspot.com
Thank you for the tips, you guys are so fabulous. It’s like there really ARE secrets in your sauce. Yum.
http://serenityville.blogspot.com/
.-= Serenityville´s last post: Reverse Culture Shock =-.
H! Here I am again. I was just reading about the 5 things a blog needs and trying to soak them all in. I have tried implementing a feed burner into my blog before, but “someone, I can’t remember who”, said that they are mainly used when you start getting more visitors to the blog. I haven’t gotten “established yet” even as far as Google is concerned. I’m not even sure how that works. Anyway, with only 11 followers I figure it will be a while. I haven’t even figured out how to work the tags and labels yet for my blog. I thought I had, but even when I use words from the title, or 1st paragraph, I get on line and look them up and my blog still doesn’t show up. The only way I have found my blog is by actually entering the Name of my blog, (which kind of defeats the purpose of tags and labels it would seem to me. As you can see, I’m not very computer literate and it takes a while for things to soak in, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks from this “newbie”.
PJ
.-= PJ´s last post: Yea! I’m So Excited! =-.
I love your suggestions, am working on the reader and added twitter, and will do an introductory page and favorite posts links. Thank you for all the help! you guys are the bestest
.-= Serenityville´s last post: Reverse Culture Shock =-.
As always fabulous tips and you have reminded me that I haven’t added LinkWithin onto my blog since I changed hosts and my URL. I also better check that Feedburner is on ‘smart feed’.
I heart you. Truly I do.
.-= * TONYA *´s last post: ARTWORK GIFT WRAP =-.
Great tips and hints … definately off to have a look at what I can add to my blog. TFS!
Marcia
http://www.shabbymum.blogspot.com
.-= Marcia´s last post: Him vs The Princess =-.
Great ideas and hints … Off to see what I can add to my blog. TFS!
Marcia
http://www.shabbymum.blogspot.com
.-= Marcia´s last post: Him vs The Princess =-.
One of the posts I’m most proud of: A Bill of Rights for Parents of Kids With Special Needs.
http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com/2009/06/bill-of-rights-for-parents-of-kids-with.html
Oh, and since it’s hard to pick just one, this recent post I did about my father unintentionally wearing a hat with a pot leaf on it was kinda amusing: http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com/2009/11/nice-hat-dad.html
.-= Ellen´s last post: Holiday giveaway: Win a really pretty necklace =-.
A day late, yet again! LOL
My “best” post, based on traffic, is a simply how-to for easy burp cloths from recycled pillowcases
http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?p=17
I’m happy to report that I (think?) I’ve hit all those 5 areas, but I’m worried now my RSS feed is too far down! Maybe I should try and move it up…
I visited Kristen’s blog above, she has a super cute post on making your own burp cloths out of old pillow cases… complete with awesome pictures!
Here is one of my most favorite posts: Chuck Norris Does Not Sleep. He Waits. http://www.bustedplumbing.com/2009/10/chuck-norris-does-not-sleep-he-waits.html
.-= Busted Kate´s last post: Settling Your Muddy Water (And Other Random Chinese Sayings) =-.
Excellent ‘reminder’ to get these up onto your blogs! I have three (that I maintain regularly) and I’m finally getting all this up onto them! I’ve always had a ‘subscribe’ section – but only recently realized the important of the ‘related posts’ .. That is my next plugin to download! Thanks!!
.-= Christine´s last post: Always Get the “Weird” =-.
Oooh! Oooh! Forgot I had a “Share” !!
Please help support our hometown heroes with Sears’ Heroes at Home Gift Registry! http://bit.ly/8BXdaL
.-= Christine´s last post: Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry =-.
Great post!!
Cool tips, I’ll have to check them out when I’ve had more than 2 hours of sleep!
.-= The Mrs.´s last post: Best of 09 – Day 8 =-.
Great tips! You’ll be happy to know that I actually do them all!!
Still trying to build up readers though!
http://www.afterthealter.com
.-= Jen @ After The Alter´s last post: Taking A Break… =-.
You’ll be happy to know that I do all 5!!! I am still trying to build up my readers so I hope it all helps!
http://www.afterthealter.com
.-= Jen @ After The Alter´s last post: Taking A Break… =-.
Glad I already haves these 5 things on my blog. Makes me feel like I’m doing something right! Great post
Glad I already have these 5 things on my blog. Makes me feel like I’m doing something right! Great post
.-= Naseya´s last post: Guest Blogger: Relax…your standards that is =-.
Wow! Those were some awesome tips! I added feedburner and Sociable right away. Thank you so much!
.-= Jenn Erickson/Rook No. 17´s last post: SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR THE SITSTAS: challenging the notion that good things come in small packages =-.
Great tips!! I always enjoy the info on Saturdays!!
.-= Debbie smith´s last post: Good Friday VIA DOLOROSA =-.
Every Saturday my blog benefits because of your fantastic tips- thank you!
Your site appears chic and helpful. Just like a good neighbor. I am glad I stumbles across you.
.-= Christina Henggeler´s last post: A Rose By Any Other Name =-.
Hi there! Thanks for the wonderful tips. I’m trying to take steps to grow my blogging community, and I seem to be in the right place. I’d be honored if you’d stop by to visit, leave a comment and truly let me know if there’s something you see that could be improved upon! I will, over the course of the next week, take into account all the things I’ve learned here today. Looks like I got my work cut out for me!!! Happy Saturday!
This is great information! Being a blog novice I need all the help I can get! Thanks for sharing.
Kathleen Coleman recently posted..Accidental Life Lessons on a Snow Day
Took me a long time to incorporate all these things. This is good advice for new bloggers.
Charlotte recently posted..CHARLOTTE INN
great advice i will have to sit down and implement them.
Sara recently posted..Lava Tree State park