How to Apply SEO to Your Blog – One Blogger’s Process

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

As writers we all have our own unique way of doing things. The same is true of bloggers, we know that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a critical part of any successful blog, but the application can be different for each of us. I thought you would like to see this blogger’s process of applying SEO to my blog. 

What makes a Christian blog successful?

by Sue Schlesman @SueSchlesman

If you’re a writer, you probably have a blog. Or you’re thinking about writing a blog. Or you’re overwhelmed managing it. Or you’ve given up. Or maybe, you’re doing so well, your posts are going viral. (If so, I’d like to talk to you.)

Six Things NOT To Do When You’re Starting on Your Book (or Blog)

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

Why is it so hard to start a big project? Maybe it’s because it is so big that it seems daunting, or that it’s difficult to identify the best first step. 

Starting your book can offer the same challenges: how do you get started in a productive and confident manner?

Are There Places I Should Auto-Feed My Blog Posts?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Actually there are. 

And after teaching at a conference recently I discovered that a lot of bloggers are unaware of this audience-building option. So today I’m going to share some places where auto-sharing your blog posts are a good idea and some that are a less than helpful place to share. 

Tips to Creating Effective Blog Post Titles

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I spend a lot of time sharing other bloggers’ posts with my social media network. But spend even more time passing over valuable posts because my followers would have no idea what the post was about. So today I want to give you the basics of titling blog posts.

I pay a lot of attention to my blog post titles, and I often spend almost as much time composing them as I do writing an entire post.

They are that important!

35 Pictures YOU Can Take for Your Blog or Social Media

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I’ve shared several posts about where to find images for your blog. But one thing I haven’t covered is a list of images you could take with your own camera. I’m always on the lookout for images that I could use to illustrate a post. In my mind, I have a list of things I always need.

Today I’m going to write that list out and share it with you.

Before I start though, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to be professional photographer to take your own pictures. You can use a fancy camera, a point and shoot, or even your cell phone. Personally, I use my Nikon point and shoot and my iPhone 6 to take a lot of the images you see on my site.

Map Out Your Blogging Calendar with These 10 Tips

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

A new year means 52 new blog posts for us who are weekly bloggers. Some writers may be more adventurous and post more often, but I’ve found I need to blog just once a week to keep up with my schedule of writing, editing, and marketing. (If you can blog more, like Edie, I am rooting you on!)

When I plan what to write for my blog, I don’t worry about the number 52. Fifty-two posts is a lot to plan at one time. I focus more on the number 3. What can I write about in the next 3 months?

30 Ideas for a Blog Series

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

This special season of autumn ushers in some favorite traditions—sipping on pumpkin spice lattes or hot apple cider, collecting crimson leaves on cool walks in the evening, and dodging spider webs in corn mazes. Why not add a new tradition to your fall calendar? A blog series. 

The Basics of Successful Blogging

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I love to blog, and I try to share my love of blogging when I teach at writing conferences.

I also know that many of you aren’t such fans. Many try to love blogging because it’s a good way to connect with readers and build an online presence. Others, don’t even try to love it, but do it out of necessity. The rest are like me, and enjoy the process as well as the connections it brings.

5 Last Minute Blog Post Ideas

Don't ever get caught without a blog post idea again.

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

We’ve all done it. Waited until the last minute and we’re rushing to come up with a blog post idea, write it, and get it up. Sometimes it’s because life has gotten in the way, sometimes it’s just because we haven’t planned well.

The reason why we’re scrambling isn’t as important as what to do when it happens. Now is definitely not the time to beat ourselves up or panic. Instead, here is my list when I need a blog post fast.

Tips to Create a Blog Post that Goes Viral

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Having a post go viral is a blogger’s dream. But much of what makes it happen is a mystery.

Or is it?

On June 15, 2014, I wrote a post called “Howto Know It’s God Speaking to You.” I created a graphic to accompany it that included a photo of my favorite place to read my Bible—on a porch swing at Edisto. The post contained a list of five ways I’ve experienced God speaking to me, so I superimposed the list onto the picture of the porch swing and my Bible. I posted it to Facebook and Pinterest. It got a few LIKES on FB and was repinned 20 or 30 times on Pinterest that week.

Blogging Dos & Blogging Don'ts

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Learn the basics of successful blogging

I love to blog, and I try to share my love of blogging when I teach at writing conferences.

I also know that many of you aren’t such fans. Many try to love blogging because it’s a good way to connect with readers and build an online presence. Others, don’t even try to love it, but do it out of necessity. The rest are like me, and enjoy the process as well as the connections it brings.

7 Things To Remember When You Host a Guest on Your Blog

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Copy and paste is technology’s gift to the writer. But that’s not all that is involved with using a guest writer’s post on your blog. Last month, I talked about how Friends Don’t Let Friends Blog Alone. This month I want to follow up with a simple but needed checklist for using guest blog posts. Not only do we want to enjoy blogging with other writers, but we want to make their posts for us as beneficial as possible to them.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Blog Alone

Friends don't let friends blog alone!

by Katy Kauffman 
@KatyKauffman28

Do you see blogging as an adventure? Although it’s a privilege to reach readers on a regular basis through a blog, the experience can be frustrating and solitary at times. It can be hard to pick our next topic and to find new readers. It can become lonely writing blog posts week after week. But it doesn’t have to be, especially if we have friends who blog.

Another Milestone on the Blogging Road—Are You Marking Your Accomplishments?

by Edie Melson 
@EdieMelson

Today is another big milestone in the life of The Write Conversation, and in my own blogging life.

And truthfully, I think it would be a shame to let it slip by without acknowledging it. ESPECIALLY because it wouldn't have happened without you all (my readers) and without my amazing columnists.

Blog Editing Checklist

by Edie Melson
@EdieMelson

Lately, I’ve notice more and more typos creeping into my blog posts. It’s not a fun thing to admit, but it’s because I’ve become complacent about editing. 

Oh I could blame it on being busy, or life getting crazy, but the truth is...I’ve gotten sloppy.

It’s easy to do. We’re a third of the way through the year, things are going well with my blog, and my concentration has been elsewhere. Still no excuse. 

So today I’m going back to the basics. I’m posting the checklist I use before I hit the publish/schedule button for a blog. It’s not a long involved process, but it will ensure those annoying typos become much less commonplace.

How Fast Should My Blog Grow?

by Edie Melson 
@EdieMelson 

There are lots of exceptions to how fast a blog can grow. All I’m giving you is reasonable expectations for blog growth. 

The most important thing to remember is that healthy blog growth is organic. There are times when it will race ahead and times when it will plateau. We can all find examples of blogs that have grown incredibly fast, but we should never judge the growth of our own blogs by the exceptions.

Tips to Map Out Your Blogging Calendar

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

A new year means 52 new blog posts for us who are weekly bloggers. Some writers may be more adventurous and post more often, but I’ve found I need to blog just once a week to keep up with my schedule of writing, editing, and marketing. (If you can blog more, like Edie, I am rooting you on!)

When I plan what to write for my blog, I don’t worry about the number 52. Fifty-two posts is a lot to plan at one time. I focus more on the number 3. What can I write about in the next 3 months?

Recycle Those Blog Posts!

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Everyone loves a good repeat. Am I right? We buy DVDs to watch our favorite movies more than once. We keep leftovers in the fridge for the next dinner. We revisit our favorite coffee shop, public garden, and stores.

The same goes for social media and blogging.

10 Beginner Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
(The Winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is listed at the bottom of the post!)

Blogging can be a great way to build a platform and connect with our audience—if we do it right. 

Doing it wrong can often do more harm than good. 

Today I’m going to go over some beginner blogging mistakes we all need to avoid.