It can happen to anyone.
You start a blog thinking that you're going to change the world with your words. Believing that you're going to make an impact in the blogosphere.
But what ends up happening is that people don't take you seriously.
And to be completely honest, it's all your fault.
I'm not saying that you wasted your time, but there were some things that you overlooked. Things that you should have avoided — and since you didn't, they seriously made you look … amateurish.
Does that mean it's too late?
Nope. But in order for people to take you seriously, you have to look like a pro.
Because when you at least look like a pro, readers will start taking you, and what you say, more seriously. So, exactly what do you have to do to look like a pro?
Read on.
9 (Pro) Defining Tips That Helps You Create a Blog That Gets Read
To be completely honest, there's an ocean-sized gap between what pro bloggers do and what amateurs do.
But here's the thing: it does't have to be.
And luckily for you, I'm going to share some key tips to minimize that gap and give you a fighting chance online.
Ready to learn what they are?
Tip #1: Put Up A Professional Photo (1 Hour – 1 Day)
Believe it or not, image is important. Not just in blogging, but in life as well.
Let me share a quick story with you.
Back in the summer 2014, two men decided to conduct a social experiment on homelessness.
In this social experiment, they created a video to see how many people would be willing to give that homeless man money if he were dressed up in a suit. In almost all instances, people gave money to him when he was in a suit. In fact, some gave him more than he was asking for.
But, when he tried to ask for money in ragged and torn clothing … no luck.
So what does this mean?
Simple.
How you look, plays a significant role in if people pay attention to you. That's why, as a blogger, you want to look as professional as possible in whatever pictures you share.
Sue Anne Dunlevie does this extremely well with her blog. Here are some images she uses to maintain that professional look:
Images like these make a huge difference in bringing some professionalism to your blog.
What To Do Next
- Take a head shot of yourself. Preferably something with a clear background (though not mandatory) that you can use on your about page, in the sidebar, etc.
- Due to technology, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get this done. You can easily get this accomplished with a smart phone or even a tablet and some good lighting.
Tip #2: Create An Avatar For Leaving Comments (5 – 10 minutes)
Do you know what the worst thing is that you can do for your brand?
This …
If you have any goals to build a popular blog, or become a popular blogger, this is a foolish mistake that you can't make.
[tweet_box design=”box_06″]Creating an avatar, not only helps you look more professional, but also increases your branding.[/tweet_box]
For example, my friend Don Purdum does this very well.
He uses the same avatar every time he leaves a comment somewhere.
And keep in mind that when you leave comments on different sites, having an avatar helps represent you and your brand.
How?
Because if you comment often, and it always contribute to the conversation, people will start recognizing you — and possibly even visit your site.
Hard to believe that a little image like that can be so important, right?
What To Do Next
- Create your own gravatar. Assuming you have your professional photo done, this article by WikiHow provides great step-by-step information on how to create a gravatar.
- Make sure you get noticed. There are certain things you can do with your Gravatar to make it memorable, branded and click-worthy — and Ramsay Talpin shares all of those in this post.
Tip #3: Modify Your Post Title and Description (10 – 15 minutes)
Want to know one of the things that really make you look like an amateur?
When your meta-description isn't customized.
For example, when I did a Google search, I found this for one of my posts:
Want to know how that happened? Because I foolishly left the meta-description blank. And because I did that, Google decided to automatically extract what it wanted.
The end result? What you see in the image above.
You don't want that, do you?
*shakes head*
Mistakes like this makes you look like you really don't know what you're doing. And if potential readers see that, what's the chances of them clicking to read it?
None! Doesn't even matter how enticing the headline is.
So, from that point on, I make sure to customize each post. Here's how I modify everything on SEO by Yoast:
What To Do Next
- Customize Your Information. Whatever SEO program you're using, make sure you customize the information that you want Google to display — and readers to see.
- Watch Your Length. If possible, try to make sure your title and description aren't too long.
Tip #4: Include Links To Some Of Your Related Posts Within Each Post You Write (15 – 30 minutes)
This is probably one of the best ways to cross-promote some of your previous posts.
But don't overdo it.
The last thing you want to do is be too over-bearing with the content you link to.
Instead, link to related content that could be an additional resource to readers and help them get more clarification on that related post.
For example: Ann Smarty did it beautifully in a post she wrote on Ms. Ileane's blog a while back:
What she talked about in the post was linked to a previous post that Ms. Ileane wrote a few years back:
See how it's done?
This will help get you some points with Google and possible traffic to that post you linked to.
What To Do Next
- Link responsibly. Every post you write is an opportunity to cross-promote previous posts that you wrote. Before you hit publish, read over your post and look for opportunities that you can link to related posts that your readers may enjoy.
Tip #5: Make Your Theme Look Awesome (3+ hours)
As a blogger, what's the last thing that you want?
Think about it.
If someone reads your blog, chances are, they read other blogs too, right? Other blogs that probably talks about the same topics you talk about, wouldn't you think?
If that's the case, how will you or your content, be remembered if you look like everyone else?
That's why you need to make your theme stand out.
Whether you have a free theme or pay for a premium one, you want to create a unique, memorable brand and experience for people.
What To Do Next
- Make It Consistent. Whatever theme you choose, start by changing the logo, colors, font, etc. You want the theme to look nothing like the default version and more like something that customized. Small changes can make a HUGE difference. Just look at the awesome job Henneke did with her theme.
She took it from this:
To this:
Tip #6: Add a Favicon To Your Site. (10 minutes)
Branding is very important in blogging.
Something as simple as a favicon can really help your blog stand out.
Here's a screenshot of Ms. Ileane's blog. In the top left corner, you can see her favicon logo.
Clearly you can see how much more brandable that it, compared to a filler image, don't you?
What To Do Next
- Upload Your Favicon. This could be a custom image or even a picture of yourself for the time being, as long as you have something uploaded — and Chris Hufnagel from WPBrain, has a great post to guide you through the process.
Tip #7: Make It Easy For Readers To Subscribe (20 – 45 minutes)
Subscribers are the lifeblood of your blog, correct?
That's why you need to take every opportunity to get them to subscribe. The problem many bloggers have, is that they don't make it easy for readers. They either:
- Have no call to action
- Hide it all the way in the footer
- Make you solve a CAPTCHA puzzle before you're able to register
It's difficult to build a list that way.
The easier you make it for readers to subscribe, the greater the chances are they will.
Take Quick Sprout for example. They make it very easy and very well known that they want you to subscribe, don't they?
What To Do Next
- Be effective. Create effective bribes in all of the key places. Sidebar, at the end of each post, on the about page, etc.
Tip #8: Include a quality image with each blog post. (30+ minutes)
Want to know something?
Creating and using original images are just as important as creating original content.
Think about it.
You wrote an absolutely remarkable post on a topic you know your blog readers want to know. Your headline is captivating. Your entire post is filled with practical information.
But, here's where you lose some points.
Your image is not only uninspiring, but it's something 10 other bloggers used as their feature image in the last month.
No bueno.
You NEED to make sure that your images are just as, or more, unique and original as your content. And that's exactly what Adam Connell from Blogging Wizard does. He creates images that makes him and his post, completely original:
So does Dre Beltrami from The Branded Solopreneur:
Create. Original. Images.
What To Do Next
- Figure out a “theme” for your images that's not only appealing, but will help you stand out. More importantly, make sure to stick with that “theme” for all of your images — that's how you'll rapidly grow your brand.
Tip #9: Write Headlines That Tickle The Curiosity Of Readers (1+ hours)
You can never stress how important headlines really are.
They're that. Darn. Important.
Because a headline could be the the difference between whether someone stays on your blog and reads your post, or doesn't even bother to waste their time.
That's how important headlines are. For example, let's do a quick comparison, okay?
Compare these two headlines:
Which one of these two would entice you to read their post on content marketing?
Clearly the second headline is more enticing because it's playing on the notion that we've been lied to this whole time — and don't actually know it. And the only way to know the truth is to click the headline and read the post.
How about a trickier one:
Which headline would you click?
Personally, the first one entices me more because it's saying, “Hey, I ignored the advice given by experts and I still got great results.”
That's just enticing enough to get me to find out what tips were ignored to produce those results.
Don't you agree?
What To Do Next
- Scour a few popular blogs and look at the headlines they create. Study them and if they have an outstanding record of attracting readers, create your own set of headline templates to always go to.
- Analyze them. Regardless of what headlines you come up with, put it through headline analyzing tests you'll find on CoSchedule or AMInstitute to determine if they're good enough to draw attention.
Smart Bloggers Don't Make These Amateurish Mistakes
I know. I know.
As a blogger, there's so much bad advice out there to really know what to follow, right?
But you know what?
Your entire blogging existence can evaporate instantly if you make (or continue to make) these amateurish mistakes.
That's why you want to avoid these mistakes at all costs. That's why, even as a new blogger, you don't want to look like a new blogger. That's why it's important to follow these tips and make it seem as though you've been blogging for a long time.
So take another look at these tips above.
If you haven't done them yet, get on it.
Don't delay.
Because if your goal is to look like a pro, these are the building blocks you need to take to get eventually there.
Did we miss anything? If so, please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. Are you still looking like an amateur or do you look like a pro? Also, please share this post with your friends and readers as well. I'm almost certain that they don't want to look like an amateur either.