Myth Busters: Shattering 7 Blog Myths
My dear Blokesters. There are a lot of blog myths that are pure nonsense and this post was written to dispel some of those beliefs.
Granted, there is no shortage of blog tips out there that will help you to:
- Be a better blogger.
- Get the most out of your blogging experience.
But these are only just guidelines and nothing more because there are very few hard and fast rules of blogging. The blogosphere is just as varied and complex as the real world and there are no one-size-fits-all answers.
Myth #1: You Should be Posting Every Day
Bullocks! Lately a lot of readers are complaining their newsfeed/email boxes are clogged and that they are suffering from information overload. I agree, so my advice is to write quality posts, consistently.
That means not necessarily writing every day (if you can write quality stuff every day then by all means go for it). But write only when you have something important/intelligent to say and try to adhere to a schedule.
So if you can only post something good once a week then there is nothing wrong with that, but do try to post as consistently as you can. Of course there will always be exceptions (such as suffering from illness, going away on holiday, family responsibilites, etc.) so it might not always be attainable.
If you can’t write regulary then explain to your readers why you won’t be writing as often as you would like. They will understand and wait for your return. But if you don’t let them know what’s going on with you then they will assume you have abandoned your blog and unsubscribe.
Here’s a Tip: Use Twitter to make short announcements like I do. It’s perfect for keeping your readers informed and be sure to put it somewhere prominent in your sidebar or footer where they can fnd it.
How often you post also depends on the type of your blog. For example, business or news blogs such as TechCrunch have to post every day because of the nature of the beast. But for personal blogs/online diaries you should not feel obligated to blog that often, and you should only post when you really have something of value to say. Only you and your readers can make that determination for yourself.
Myth #2: Quality vs. Quantity
This should be a no brainer. The clear answer to that is obviously quantity quality content wins every time.
Sure, a lot of a-list types still insist on blogging continuously every day, all day long. They want to saturate the SERPS and keep Googlebot crawling back for more.
Some like Robert Scoble are mad twittering machines battering at the keyboard faster than a speeding teleprompter, but recent events indicate that even he may be reconsidering that notion (maybe).
(Read Myth #1 again)
So when you write always ask yourself this question: does this post add any value to my readers and to the blogosphere? If the answer is no then maybe you should reconsider hitting the publish button, re-write or delete the post, go watch some TV, grab a beer, read a book or make love to your spouse (not necessarily in that order).
Myth #3: All Blogs MUST Have a Niche
The fact is most blogs are just personal blogs/online diaries and they are not interested in making a buck. SO my advice is if your blog is not a business or a professional blog like mine then anything goes.
But if you are trying to create a business blog, make a name for yourself or to establish yourself as an authority on a topic then you should adhere to your chosen niche and stick to it.
Keep your business blog and your personal opinions about confrontational issues separate. So if you want to rant about things like politics, religion, philosphy or the battle of the sexes then get another blog for that.
Myth #4: Write Articles, NOT Posts
Well if that were true then I guess a-listers like the Doc, Gilmore, Scoble and Winer should have quit blogging a long time ago. There’s a rumour going around lately that we should all be writing white papers instead of just making posts on our blogs.
That rumour of course was started by none other than Mr. Usability — Jakob Nielsen. (You can read my response to his post by clicking on the link). So given what I said above — that most blogs are personal blogs/online diaries, I find that notion just a little odd.
Recently Darren Rowse wrote a article post here called Leave Out the Parts that People Will Skip which I followed up with Writing Less is More, More or Less.
So what’s the bottom line? We should be making an effort to write our posts less wordy and shorter, not into a convoluted thesis. And besides, blogging is supposed to be a conversation, not a podium for making speeches.
There are exceptions of course as there always are, such as if you are writing tutorials like I do (or if you really intend to write a thesis). Tutorials can be naturally long due to the nature of the beast and there’s no getting around that.
But the bottom line is there are so many different types of blogs (and posts) that like all myths, there is no simple one-answer that fits all.
Myth #5: Bloggers only comment on the News
Well… that’s not (necessarily) true either:
“Blogs enable us to comment on the news. Sometimes we are the news, and sometimes we even scoop the news… Blog Bloke
Myth #6: You can Fake it ’till you Make it
Every day I see new bloggers promoting themselves as experts in their chosen niche. A lot of them, for example, are blogging about the topic that I invented - i.e. the topic of blogging.
Believe me when I say that it’s not very difficult for me to figure out who the wannabees are from the real deal.
Fact: Knowledge comes from education and experience, and since there are no blogging degrees currently being offered, that just leaves… well, you know. So get some knowledge first before you try pass yourself off as an expert, and above all — don’t plagiarize.
Myth #7: Caveat Emptor – it’s Ok to Make Money any way you can from Blogging
I’ve discussed this on my blog on many occasions so I will not get into any great detail except suffice it to say – you should blog with integrity, or don’t blog at all.
Have I missed anything?
UPDATE: This post has been recently updated and was featured by Geek News Central on the Tech Podcast Network. Thanks Todd.
Filed under: *Best Articles, Blog Ethics, Featured Articles, Miscellaneous Blog Tips, Misguided, Twitter Tips, Writing Blog Content
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Excellent post! It has a lot of value to all of us personal bloggers who are addicts, yet still has plenty of substance to help out the pros and wannabe pros. Wonderful!
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Thanks Kirsten.
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I love it when you bust myths! It’s so satisfying! Kinda like those fun plastic bubblewrap bubbles–when they pop, it’s such a release!
Seriously, love your words of wyzdum!
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Thanks Kuanyin. This post is already one of my most popular.
Cheers!
…BB
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I’m afraid mine is another blog about blogging! I also have a gardening blog and a personal diary.
Do you think there’s much room for people like myself who don’t protray ourselves as experts but rather as beginners trying to help other beginners?
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Oh No! Not another one!!!
Unfortunately you are trying to compete in an already overcrowded niche. So send 25% of all your earnings to the godfather and all will be forgiven. Otherwise I will have to make you an offer you can’t refuse.
It think it goes without saying that when you offer to help others you are implying you have an expertise in an area don’t you think. Anyways, not to worry. I shall be adding you to my newsfeed so I can learn a thing or two.
This old dog still has much to learn. Thanks for dropping by and Cheers!
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Most of the advice about blogging comes from those who are looking at it from the terms of being the top in your area or making money. A lot of this does not apply to the general blogger who does not have these motives. I am glad you are busting some of the myths.
Even if you are blogging about a very common topic you can find your niche within the niche. I am talking about a niche in terms of providing for the needs of the community you are writing for - your particular group of readers.
I blog about blogging but the way I look at it I am helping you out BB by taking a just a few readers off your hands to ease your burden. I would help out more if I could :-).
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Well aren’t you the clever one. You can always try I suppose
Just don’t forget to pay your respects to the father of blogging about blogging. After all, you wouldn’t have a purpose to blog if it weren’t for mois.
On second thought, you can forget the homage part. Just send me 25% of all your Adsense revenue.
Cheers!
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Certainly, at current earning levels I should reach the minimum payout figure in 2017. If any longer I could bequeath it to you in my will.
I would also like to pay homage to the father of blogging. Thank you for all the trustworthy, down to earth and knowledgeable information you impart to all bloggers.
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Thank you Sue. I’ll take whatever I can get. (I also take IOU’s.)
All kidding aside, keep up the great work on the blog. You are a credit to the niche.
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Hi Bloke !
Yea, I highly recommend everybody to get on twitter even just for your new posts. You can use Twitterfeed or a WordPress plugin called Twitter tools to automate it. Even if you don’t want to share your daily adventures you there is great crowd out there that is to be watched !
Follow me at http://twitter.com/maniar
“Drink Beer then read a book” - hilarious ! (Yea I know - not in that order)
Jaffer’s last blog post..Of split personality and irresponsibility
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I like Twitter Tools mostly because it doesn’t rely on our newsfeed to get updated, which sometimes can seem forever. My Twitter subscribers are also growing it seems even faster than my newsfeed.
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Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on May 21st, 2008 3:31 pm:
So many Myths in one day
I am sure the Myth Busters will have a hard time catching up with you!
Great advice and nicely constructed list.
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Thanks Shamelle.
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Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on May 22nd, 2008 1:17 pm:
Brand new subscriber here and this was first to hit my inbox
Impressive so far, I’ll be back with each post
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..How Do YOU Spend For Advertising, Or Do You?
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Thank you Dennis and welcome to the Blokester community!
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Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on May 22nd, 2008 1:18 pm:
Great post Bloke. I haven’t blogged recently because my internet service has been down. Oh well, it’s back now so I’d better get blogging!! (sounds like a country dance, huh?) Teri
Tica Macha (Teri)’s last blog post..Sunrise Sunday
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Glad you are back online Teri and thanks. This place isn’t the same without you. Now where’s that ho down…
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Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on May 22nd, 2008 3:12 pm:
You shouldn’t trust everything you read online - thanks for the PSAs, BlogBloke!
It’s kind of sad when you see people pretend to know things. Some of the posts I’ve seen in the make money online and blog-about-blogging niches have made absolutely no since.
Blogging Tips and Tricks’s last blog post..How To Effectively Comment On High PR DoFollow/CommentLuv Blogs For Backlinks
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There’s been so many pro splogger clones these days that it’s hard to keep up with them all.
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Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on June 2nd, 2008 5:51 am:
I spent the last 2 hours reading through this blog. Love it… that’s it.
Just wanted to acknowledge you blogging skills about blogging. This is entertaining, useful and educational. I will try to apply the tips and tricks that I’m learning here in my Blog.
Thanks again and… Keep up the great work!
Satrian’s last blog post..Not Buenos Aires
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Thank you so much for the kind words Satrian and welcome to the community.
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Thanks for your articles dude! i love blogging, and when i`am visit your blog, there are so much information that i can learn more
thanks
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