10 Bloggie Tips to Follow

It's been a while since I've given any blogging tips, so I thought I'd share a few.  I hope they're helpful. :)

1.) Use pictures.  I can't stress this enough.  A blog entry with pictures is way more interesting than a blog entry without pictures, for some reason.  Try to include at least one image in every entry you write.

2.) Use paragraphs.  Whatever you do, don't post giant blocks of writing.  Nobody will stop to read them.  Nobody.  Usually blog readers have short attention spans.  They don't want to concentrate on looooong paragraphs.

3.) Keep things short.  It's easy to ramble on and on in your blog posts, I know, especially if you're writing about a passion of yours.  However, try to keep things short, not breaking a 2,000 word limit, tops.  The shorter your blog entry is, the more likely your followers will read on to the end.

4.) Don't act desperate for comments or followers.  Don't end every single post with, "Leave me comments! I love comments! And FOLLOW me and ask all your friends to follow me because I love followers omg omg please follow me! And here is my Twitter and here is my Facebook and here is my email. FOLLOW ME!"  Of course it's okay to ask for these things every so often, but try to avoid sounding desperate.  And if you like comments, don't just beg for comments.  Ask questions.  Interact with your readers.

5.) Use proper grammar and spelling.  Of course you'll mess up now and then.  I make little spelling and grammar mistakes all the time.  The most important thing is that you use spell check and you read over your work before you post it.  Get rid of as many little mistakes as you can.  If your posts are full of grammar and spelling errors, they will cheapen what you have to say and turn people away.

6.) Getting lots of views shouldn't be why you write.  Don't write for the views and the followers and the comments.  Write for you.  It might take a while for you to get any views and followers.  In fact, your blog might never be mega-successful.  You have to be okay with that.  If you're not blogging for the joy of writing, then you probably shouldn't be blogging.

7.) Write what YOU want to write about.  You might feel pressure to write about the latest Justin Bieber haircut or cute kitten picture, but don't feel pressured to write about what's popular.  If you have a love for elephants, then write about them instead.  Your blog is an outlet for you.  Write about what YOU want to write.  Otherwise, you'll get burned out very quickly.

8.) Write regularly.  This is essential if you want to gain any regular readers.  If you only write once a month or so, people aren't going to bother to check your blog and they won't become emotionally attached to your writing.  Try to write at least once a week, on a schedule if possible.

9.) Share personal stories.  The more personal and honest you are, the more people will feel like they know you.  I love reading blogs about people's lives.  Of course, not everything you write has to be about your life.  For example, this particular entry of mine isn't about my life, but I do share stories about my struggles and victories and memories throughout my blog.  These things will endear you to people and also help you to gain a relationship with your readers.  Plus, blog posts that include personal stories are often way more interesting to read than entirely factual blog posts.

10.) Be interactive.  Ask questions.  Host contests.  Reply to your commenters.  If someone comments with a question, answer them!  If someone sends you an email, respond.  They're taking the time to read your blog and talk to you.  Get to know your readers.  You may meet some nice people. :)
Anything else important I missed?