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.
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And, as always, when you see this:
LEAVE A COMMENT.
Happy Saturday! I hope everyone has a nice weekend! Here is the link to one of my favorite posts!
http://www.showmethemom.com/2009/08/your-mom-got-arrested-for-what/
-Shannon
.-= Shannon´s last post: Let It Snow! =-.
Twitter: melissaloves
says:
I am enjoying being at home all day in my pajamas. I appreciate this rare occurrence more than I have in my entire life!
Hope everyone is having a great weekend =)
xoxo
.-= Melissa´s last post: Dear Santa… =-.
Happy Saturday all! I don’t have much of a post up today. If anyone is stopping by, I’d suggest this post as a way to start. . . http://diaryofamadbathroom.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-is-what-happens-when-you-dont-take.html
.-= DG at Diaryofamadbathroom´s last post: My Blog Needs Fiber =-.
Looking forward to a Cosmo TONIGHT!!!!!!!!! xo
.-= Lori Schmidt Lutze´s last post: you’re the bomb =-.
Happy Saturday Sharefest everybody…great tips! Can’t wait to snuggle up by the fire with a cup of cocoa.
.-= Mesohongry´s last post: Let it Snow. . . Let it Snow. . . Let it SNOW! =-.
Too little to late? THought I would give it a shot anyway… one of my favorite posts… how I ended up in Norway. : )
http://tressainnorway.blogspot.com/2008/06/flash-back-how-i-ended-up-in-norway.html
.-= American in Norway´s last post: Emails from Santa…. Tis the season… =-.
These are good tips! I’m going to do a few of these things right away.
Here’s a fun post about my recent honeymoon:
http://laughloveeaticecream.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-honeymoon-recap.html
.-= Carrie´s last post: The Best of 2009 =-.
Happy Saturday, everyone. Slept most of the day and am now at the bookstore writing. Hope you all had a better first day of the weekend than I did.
.-= Renee´s last post: The Saturday Photo(s) Part IV =-.
Great post! I’m just back on Twitter (after boycotting it for months) so I’ll have to link up to my blog. Thanks for the advice!
.-= CynthiaK´s last post: I hope no one was videotaping… =-.
Stopping by to say hi
Stopping by late today…but I’m here! It’s snowing out and is beginning to feel like Christmas! I love it! And I love being a mom! Stop by and check out how I KNEW I was officially a mom at http://www.mommyologist.com
It’s snowing outside and it is gorgeous! Stop by and visit me and read all of the little clues that let me know I was officially a Mom!
http://www.mommyologist.com
I’m really late posting today – but I’ve been sitting by the fire all day
.-= MamaOTwins+1´s last post: lets TOAST or ROAST for my 100th post =-.
Finally Checking In for Saturday Sharefest. Stop by my blog and enter my first giveaway http://blog.spalibrations.com/2009/12/spalibrations-grand-opening-giveaway.html
.-= Coniqua´s last post: Spa Party of the Month: Sole-ful New Year =-.
So late… sorry. I’m just going to go with my whole blog as I’m not sure which is my favorite post!
I never really thought about the “About Me” section that way. Guess I should re-think mine. I’m just linking to my most recent post, about visiting Santa at the Embassy in Beijing.
http://emailfromtheembassy.blogspot.com/2009/12/dr-santa-closet.html
.-= Donna´s last post: Dr. Santa Closet =-.
Happy Saturday everyone!
http://gammasharon.blogspot.com/
.-= Gamma Sharon´s last post: GRANDMA’S HANDS (From an email) =-.
dudes… Im late… please forgive and come over for some ice cream
Happy Saturday to all!
http://gammasharon.blogspot.com/
.-= Gamma Sharon´s last post: GRANDMA’S HANDS (From an email) =-.
I keep trying to leave a comment and then can’t find it. I hope about 3 of these comments to show up when I am not looking.Lol
Happy Saturday!
http://gammasharon.blogspot.com/
.-= Gamma Sharon´s last post: GRANDMA’S HANDS (From an email) =-.
I give up!
.-= Gamma Sharon´s last post: GRANDMA’S HANDS (From an email) =-.
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith
Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ~Mary Ellen Chase
Hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday filled with happiness galore! : )
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last post: Timeless at BranchCreek Church =-.
Okay…it rarely snows in Houston, but yesterday we made national news with out snowy day. Check out my montage.
.-= Mesohongry´s last post: A December to Remember! =-.
I’m late, I know… but hope you all had a GREAT time of blogging. Love the tips! I have half of what is suggested, so gonna spruce my blog up more!
.-= San´s last post: Power of Fasting =-.
So far this is my blog’s claim to fame. That’s right, the waffles: http://bigteethclouds.blogspot.com/2009/11/rationing-of-waffles.html
.-= Joey´s last post: Pack it up! =-.
Happy SITS Sharefest Day!
http://hipweddings.blogspot.com/2009/12/to-cake-or-not-to-cake.html
.-= Holly´s last post: To Cake or Not To Cake? =-.
Happy SITS Sharefest Day!
http://betteroffwithcats.wordpress.com
.-= Fallon´s last post: Slim-fast Makes Me Sick =-.
Thanks for the great tips!
Wanna read something kinda funny, check this out: http://www.copmama.com/2009/12/my-boy-wants-pink-camper.html
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
.-= Melissa´s last post: If I thought Monday was bad…. =-.
These are all good ideas!
Please feel free to check out my blog: justaudreyblog.blogspot.com
Late to the game today, but better late than never!
I got most of my decorating done, the tree trimmed, and some wonderful downtime in with my two favorite boys. I hope you had a great day too!
.-= Beth P´s last post: This year’s Thanksgiving Pictures =-.
Wow….it’s almost bedtime if I were some poor sap who goes to bed at 8:00 p.m. (Which by the way, I’m not knocking….having been there before.)
Have a great night everyone!
.-= Florrie Nuttall´s last post: Day 31 =-.
Thx for the tips. My blog continues to be a work in progress.
http://cocoa-mommy.blogspot.com/2009/12/comfort-food-day.html
Took my kids to the ballet…
Hello all…boys and ballet…only if Batman is wearing the tights?
.-= Julie´s last post: The Butcracker =-.
And to all a good night.
http://spotonyourpants.com/2009/12/butcracker.html
http://www.ineedprettythings.com/the-prettiest-holiday-cards/
Yours Truly,
Lady Lex
ineedprettythings.com
What a hectic week! So glad it’s the weeeeekend…just wish the weather was a tad bit nicer….:)
http://torijean.blogspot.com
.-= Victoria´s last post: Finally Getting There =-.
Have a great weekend everyone!
http://www.newlyparents.com/2009/11/29/pregnant-hot-flashes/
.-= NewlyParents´s last post: To Pee or Not To Pee: Where Is Your Aim? =-.
These are all great suggestions and some of them I’m still learning to implement.
.-= Jenn Brockman´s last post: Pole dancing doll? I have enough problems, Santa! =-.
great tips! i could definitely do more of this.. but have most of these down!
.-= floreta´s last post: Beauty =-.
Thanks for the great tips!
(Party Cake -my blog about all things party)
Great advice! I will have to add these things. Thank you!
Happy Saturday Sharefest everyone!
.-= Shelley´s last post: November ArtFire Group contest =-.
What a helpful site this is! Bless you!
That is excellent advice! I have 4 of the 5 items, off to fix that right now to make it 5 out of 5. I’d like to add – ditch the standard “blogger” about page – it’s tough for people to know who you are from that. I made a custom about page and linked the heck out of it and lots of people spend time there.
Thanks so much for all the great advice, I love these Sat. posts!
.-= Missy @ The Marketing Mama´s last post: Teasers and Links =-.
Thanks for the tips! I could use them…. I need to just get on top of my reading blogs—-I just NEED to find the time!!
Happy Saturday!
Twitter: divinemsmb
says:
Have a good night everyone!!!
.-= M´s last post: Oh Audrey Hepburn…please bring back the days of class… =-.
Hi have a great weekend…Im having a great giveaway on my blog check it out
http://tellloveandchocolate.blogspot.com/2009/11/tell_24.html
.-= Sara Walk´s last post: LOVE =-.
It’s technically Sunday here, but I hadn’t signed the roll call. Deuces!
.-= Lady J´s last post: Pantophobia… =-.
Happy Saturday!
.-= Lorina´s last post: Boba Organic Carrier =-.