Making the Grade – What Makes a Blog Post Successful?
With Blog Paws only a couple of weeks away, it naturally got me to thinking of all things, blogging, which led me to the realization after self-analysis of the top basic rules to follow when creating a good blog post, that I was mediocre at best and needed to give myself the “Imperfect Blogger Award.” Or, if you prefer, “The Flawed Blogger Award,” or “The Blogger who Just Can’t Conform to the Golden Rules of Blogging Award,” or just simply, “The Bad Blogger Award.”
Now before anyone gets in an uproar, after all, I am up for a Nose-to-Nose Award from BlogPaws for Best Blog Writing, let me explain. For those of you that blog, I’m sure you have seen the “must do” guidelines for being a good blogger and how to create a perfect post. The lists vary, but there are a few suggestions that seem prevalent amongst all those giving advice, with the first one being that ever powerful acronym, SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization. In real estate terms, that would mean location, location, location, but for a blogger, it means keywords, keywords, keywords.
Basically, a blog post and title should be rich in key words that trigger search engines like Google to bring your post to the top of the page rankings when people are looking for a relevant topic, product or service. So, if you are blogging about a review you are doing for NVR Miss Litterbox, you better include those words in the title and not something generic like “My Cat Fluffy Meows About her Bathroom Habits” and think that will drive traffic to your site for people who genuinely want to read a review about NVR Miss Litterbox.
This photo is taken from the NVR Miss Litterbox review that I did last year – I must have done a good job with the keywords, because I am still getting feedback on this post.
That’s odd…. I don’t know how my book that would be the perfect Mother’s Day gift got in this shot of Zee in the kitchen…
My feeling is this – you are all intelligent human beings and I respect your time. I try to make my posts as entertaining and compelling as possible, but if you don’t want to read them in full, or at all, then that is your prerogative and I don’t begrudge your decision either way. There are plenty of blogs that are written in a variety of styles – some with less content than mine, and yes, believe it or not, some written with more content than mine. I am not going to bend on this one and humbly except my “C-“ with no intention of changing my style to conform to the cookie cutter, sound bite world we live in. And, to my credit, I do fill my posts with a lot of great pictures to keep the topic interesting and not one big, long article, which brings me to the next bit of advice that is given to have good blog posts. Pictures…
If there is one area where I can easily say I follow the golden rules of being a good blogger, it’s with pictures. No matter what the topic, I always make sure to have at least one or more great photos, as a matter of fact, watch this:
Gratuitous picture of adorable kittens that has nothing to do with the post at hand, other than to momentary distract you from the overwhelming length of this post. These kittens do not pertain to my life at all and I have no idea who they are, other than being cute… .
The last “to be a good blogger rule” that I break on a weekly basis, giving me a pitiful grade of “C” is the one that suggests you must blog every day to keep your reading audience. People, I’m sorry, but my cats and my life is just not that interesting, not to mention, I work a full time job and can barely keep up with posting twice a week. I do my very best to be relevant and keep up with things, but just how many national this and that days and themes are there? I pick and choose the ones that are important to me, but I leave the rest for other bloggers who do it so much better than me. Not to mention, if you don’t want to miss any of my elusive posts, all you have to do is subscribe to my post notifications and that problem will instantly be solved.
Between all the causes, themes, and everything else to keep up with in the blogging world, sometimes it’s just too overwhelming and I want to say, “Calgon, come take me away!” (Remember that commercial?)
I love an editor like Peanut who tells me to take a break from blogging and play Fairyland on Facebook instead… Priorities people, priorities…
Oh we should definitely get that award, the Imperfect Blogger. We just blog for the fun of it and we just love reading about all the cats and dogs in blogville and see how they are doing and we do love giving support to all those animals that need it . So guess we blog for different reasons that other people. We just like to try to put a smile on people and cats and doggie’s faces.
Have a great day.
Marg – I can’t think of a better reason to blog. For that, you get my award for being a kind, warm, and wonderful person!
Clever, clever concept and an award that I LOVE, however, being “imperfect” myself, I am not going to be blogging about it, because I am also the “Queen of Procrastination”
As for SEO, yes, I agree, for product reviews I DO use it….anything else? “Fuhget about it” I was told that i”if I focused more on SEO’ I would have more people approaching me for writing gigs…if not being “authentic” will get me more writing gigs, then to that, I also say “fuhget about it.”
I do NOT blog every day, NOR WILL I EVER. I am one that believes that blogging every day is overkill, complete and total overkill. I like the quote “leave them wanting more”…..I commit to 3 days per week (Mon, Wed and Fri) which have been proven to be the highest traffic (BLOG READING DAYS). I am a believer that on the weekends (especially in the summer) people have other things to do. I save the remaining days for if something comes up that I wish to post on the blog.
As for content, I try to keep both of my blogs eclectic. I do use photos (however I am not blessed to have a live-in photographer like YOU DO 🙂 ) I feature rescue information, product reviews, National Days. videos, guest bloggers, casual fun stories.
Which leads me to another point. Many in the blogging world I feel look down on me because my writing style is the polar opposite of yours, I write in a CASUAL and CONVERSATIONAL style which keeps in line with my “casual and conversational” personality. I majored in Rhetoric (I was going to be a lawyer but became sidetracked), and I minored in Philosophy. Can I write deep philosophical musings? You bet your kitty butt I can, do I? NO. I prefer to let my (and what I perceive Cody’s personality to be) come through on my blog. This has led many of the “cat scholar-type writers” to turn up their whiskered noses to me.
I always HATED history in school (once again the opposite of you). I loathe writing with a zillion facts and figures to my blog will never take on a “text book” style.
Having said all of that, if that makes my blog “lighter, fluffier, sometimes insipid” so be it.
What I do excel in is writing in a way that fosters interaction, warmth, humor and making people feel that I am approachable which keeps in line with the person that I am.
I will NEVER, EVER conform to being a “cookie cutter” blogger, so if that means I will never have tens of thousands of followers (which it DOES mean) so be it. Numbers mean nothing to me, the quality of the interactions with my readers means the WORLD to me.
Caren – hug through the computer!! This is why I love you so much – you tell it like it is and beat to your own imperfect drum, just like me! I realize that everyone has their own style and their own reasons for how and why they blog, so truly there really is no formula in my opinion that works for everyone. I just find the best rule of thumb is to always be true to yourself and that is why I love your blog – you do make everyone feel like they are part of your family and are very approachable. And I would never think to look down on your blog – I like your casual style and actually have been known to be silly and fluffy myself – for me, it’s just whatever strikes my fancy at the moment!!! xoxo
((((hugs)))) back at ya and can’t WAIT to give you a REAL ONE at BlogPaws!!!!! Oh and BEST OF LUCK I hope you win the award!! xoxoxoxo
Love,
“Tell it like it is” Caren xoxoxo
Thank you Caren!! Can’t wait to see you and do some cat chatting in person!! xoxox 🙂
Until I read your post, I never thought (or knew) there were rules for blogging. I happily stumbled upon yours one day and LOVE it. I love your writing style. I feel as though we are sitting together having a cup of cuffee and talking about cats. If your posts were shorter, I’d feel as if I missed a good tidbit, thought, advice ….. There are never too many photos! I don’t need a daily dose of Deb (how’s that for a blog name?), I’m happy when I see an email telling me there is a new post. I’m impressed you work full time, have 8 little buddies, Dan, and find time to write, feed and play with everyone, AND scoop boxes. Awards are nice and I am happy to see you won’t conform to convention just to win because you followed someone’s ideas of blog rules.
Keep up the outstanding work.
Well, Kathryn, that certainly sums it up nicely and your comment is all the award I ever need. I truly appreciate that you enjoy sharing your cup of coffee with me so to speak and I love all the interaction and friendships I have made as a result of blogging. If I were to follow the rules, then it would seem as if I was cheating you out of a genuine relationship and what would be the point of that? Thank you so much for your comment!
Hi, Deb.I love your post. I agree that we should be free to do our posting the way we want to do it. I dropped down from 3 posts a week to 2 and it took a ton of stress off of me. I also don’t care much about SEO. I prefer to write like I’m just talking to my friends. Most of us are blogging as a labor of love and it should be enjoyable, not stressful.
Oh my goodness, Beverly – you are so right. When it starts to become a stressful chore and not something that is enjoyable, then it is time to make some serious decisions. Because I am blogging about a subject that is so close to my heart, it really is a labor of love like it is for you.
Deb, I’d say, on average, we’re about equal in our “bad blogger” rating, and I don’t think either of us minds that! When I began blogging I was pressed for time with family health issues and determined to keep to what unique content I had to offer, my artwork, but in time it was difficult to keep from sharing the articles and stories I’d always written so I added those and I’m kind of an organized jumble.
I often disobey the rules for headlines in the same style as you, but agree that images are all-important–especially when you’ve got such lovely and unique families as we two! I probably post too often which balances with your posting less frequently, but the image posts I share are an expression of a household of happy cats and my daily sketches and art are still fairly unique, and looking at beautiful, interesting or meaningful images touches our soul in a way that words don’t, on that non-verbal level we share with our animals, and it’s important to spread that level of visual communication.
Besides that, I have a list of customers telling me what to do and how to do it all the time, and this is where I do my thing! Apparently people like us both!
Bernadette – I think perhaps if I were an artist like you, I would probably post more frequently as well, because, as you say, they are visual images that speak to the reader’s soul where words are not necessary. My pictures are so integral to my story line because they really bring the words to life and I feel like everybody really knows who I am, and my cats are, as a result of it. It also gives me enormous pleasure to share Dan’s beautiful images – he really captures the very essence of a cat and I know the readers enjoy that.
There are times when I have to conform as well. I remember when I did my article for Cat Fancy – the final version was not really my true voice, but I do understand that sometimes it is necessary to follow certain guidelines in order to respect a professional relationship.
I am glad that people like us and don’t mind that we bend the rules!
Okay…so I’m not a blogger. I can’t even say I enjoy reading….but I LOVE your blog….so obviously you’re doing something right…..you little rule breaker you 😉
LOL Toni… there is nothing more that an author and blogger likes to know than hearing someone doesn’t enjoy reading!!! That being said, I feel very honored and privileged that you enjoy my blog!! 🙂
Well one of the bloggers crazy enough to blog daily at two blogs plus contribute to two others. Oh and a private newsletter. Since I haven’t figured out how to get 25 hours out of a day, I’m skipping blog days here and there. As far as rules go, I’m finding shorter is better because nobody has time to read and I’m big on social media sharing. Best of luck at BlogPaws! I so miss you but not sure if I can go with my step-daughter’s convocation in Boston.
Layla – I always marvel that you can come up with such creative posts on a daily basis – but two blogs and all the other stuff… whew… I couldn’t even imagine it!! I know that there are some times here and there that you blog with more length, which I actually enjoy. You weave a good story and always keep my attention. Hope to see you soon too – it’s been far too long!
Coming from a traditional journalism background, I still apply those principles (especially AP style), but in light of the shorter attention span, I try to keep my articles shorter and break them into shorter graphs for quicker reading. The Day Job (where I also write three or blogs), PAID (operative word) freelance work, and life in general get in the way of regular posting. Writing is hard, and I want what I post to be well done and grammatically correct. (At least you can go in and make corrections when you post online!)
Sally – very often the length and format of the blog is dependent on the audience it is intended for. Since my blog is more of a personal entity, I find that writing in a more freehand style works for me. If I were actually writing for a professional venue, I would definitely reign it in and keep it more to the point and concise. That is always a fun challenge for me as a writer – when I am given those homework tasks where it is requested something be 500 words or less. Or worse, those times when you are reduced to characters instead of words! I think that’s probably why I’m not a big fan of Twitter!
M says she’s just your average grandma with a kitty that she loves and only blogs because she likes to show me off and because she enjoys reading the blogs of others. We usually follow everyone who follows us. We try to read daily, but some weeks just slip by and we hardly read more than 2 blogs in the week. Our blog is haphazard. Sometimes I post on animal health issues – especially toothie problems cuz I had all my teeth pulled due to stomatitis. I feel I can help others going through the same situation – and I have helped a few other kitties because of the blog. But mostly, it’s just a fun thing. With mom’s health not being great, she spends a lot of time at home in front of the puter. In other words, M & D have no life – other than me., he he
Mariodacat – I always feel bad that I can’t follow people daily because I know people (and cats) put so much effort into their blogs. I try to make the rounds at least once a week, but it’s not always easy. I have found so many great new blogs from reading comments that have been left on blogs on I follow – I look them up and then I become a fan!! That’s how I found you, and I am so glad you enjoy my blog and find it interesting, informative, and full of cool pictures!
Oh by the way, we love your blog as it’s always interesting, informative and full of cool pictures. So keep it up.
there are rules???….who knew??? I am still working on what I wanna be in my blog when I grow up…thank you for the post so now I know there are rules
Well, Savannah… there are rules, but thankfully us kitties don’t care one wit about them. It’s the silly humans who create these guidelines, despite that us cats are just going to do what we want to anyway…
I suppose your definition of a ‘successful blogger’ depends on what your goal is. My goal is simply to share. I suppose if I wanted fame and fortune and oodles of cash pouring in, I’m totally doing it wrong.. but then again I’m not sure I want to ‘sell out’ and produce only content that someone is willing to pay for.
but heck, if they want to pay me to do what I do, by all means I’m open to that too 😉
I completely agree with you on that one, Connie. I made up my mind along time ago that I did not want my blog to look like a billboard, so oodles of cash pouring in is hardly something I am dealing with! Success is not always monetary – I feel an enormous reward when I know I have brightened someone’s day or taught them something they might not know. An endorsement for a product I truly believe in, well, that’s an entirely different story and I would definitely be interested in that!
If I had to follow the rules, I would probably quit blogging. I just run around and gather up information that I think is interesting, helpful, informative, inspiring or entertaining – and occasionally I’ll throw in a story about what’s happening in my world. But definitely no rules! 😉
Vicki – my favorite posts of yours are when you do throw in an occasional story about what’s happening in your world!
Well!!!! As someone who’s never heard of SEO until now and who only blogs a couple of times a week at the most, I guess by any standard I am a D- or maybe D+ on a good day!! I started the blog eons ago and was much more wordy. I started because I wanted to write humour and I was encouraged by by a few friends who were kind enough to laugh at what I wrote! As I have got more involved in the pet blogging world I have cut down on the words and added more pictures; but I miss the words!! It gave me a buzz to put together a post that actually made me laugh!! Am I weird? Don’t answer that! lol.
I follow many blogs, but don’t always manage to get round to them all and comment every day. Everyone is different and I find it fascinating to see how people blog and why they blog. I don’t always join in every event and I pretty well do my own thing, so never think ahead regarding posts. I just do one when I have something amusing to say! I don’t tend to take on issues or causes as that is not what my blog is about, but totally support those who do.
It’s fun getting to know so many different people in the blogging world and I love your blog because a) you write brilliantly and b) your kitties are beautiful (enhanced by an awesome in-house photographer!).
That’s about it 🙂
love, Caro xx
Really, Caro? I am surprised that you have not heard of SEO, but I am quite grateful you have not, because I would not want you to change a thing on your blog! I remember when I happened upon CATachresis a couple years ago. I was instantly intrigued and hooked by the wit and brilliant style of your writing – like me, you had a handful of followers. Now, I am so happy to see how much you have grown and that people love the blog as much as I do. You continue to entertain me with each and every post and you and Austin are so creative!
I look forward to many more years of sharing the blogosphere together! xoxoxo
Thanks Deb, you are a great encourager 🙂 xx
Wow, we didn’t know there were blogger rules. And since we are cats, we pride ourselves in breaking rules. So we guess we can say we don’t follow any rules…blogging or not. 🙂
Island Cats… don’t you worry about those silly rules – you have enough to deal with in a day like naps, more naps, watching birds, eating dinner, and more naps!
Oh, I knew about the rules, but when they start to get in the way I give them a great big whap!
MOL… as usual Brian, right to the point with the best advice of the day!! 🙂
Being a non conformist is a Good thing! Zee & Zoey is one of my favorite
blogs. Don’t change a thing:)
Thank you Wildcat!! No plans for changes any time soon!
Oh how I needed this…! And it’s not just because of the crazy stress we put ourselves under as bloggers. It’s the terrible guilt I feel when I realize it’s been a week, maybe even two, since I’ve visited the blogs of people I consider to be good friends. Or I’ve visited but with such a fried brain that I just can’t make myself comment. Which is just as bad because these dear people then never know I’ve been visiting!
You’ve reminded me that it’s okay to be imperfect (she says while hitting the backspace key to correct the misspelling of “imprefect” – HA, some habits are just impossible to break!).
I think maybe I owe my friends an explanation of just how crazy life is right now, and myself a bit of a break before I go man. And maybe some forgiveness in the Type-A/Guilt Department.
Thank you for this.
Lisa – life is hard enough as it is without the undue pressures we put upon ourselves to do something that ultimately comes from our heart! Not all, but most of the blogs I frequent are people who love their cats and enjoy sharing stories and pictures about them – nothing more and nothing less. I never read them like a teacher or editor – that is, even though they may have spelling errors and be structurally incorrect, it doesn’t make me want to bring out my red pen checking for errors! Not to mention, so many blogs are written from a cat’s point of view and often with their own language! Like you, I enjoy them as an escape from reality and for the genuine bond and friendships that have been formed as a result of following them.
I feel the guilt for not visiting other blogs more frequently as well and often I am the one late with birthday wishes, or purrs of support when needed. But we have to be kinder to ourselves because we know that we are not the only one’s with a busy schedule or a stressful life – we need to celebrate our imperfections and I am glad I was able to do that for you when you needed it!
“go man”? Uh, that was SUPPOSED to be MAD. *sighhhh*
Welcome to my world, Lisa! 😉
As far as my own blogging? (Sorry, I know, third comment!) With my crazy work schedule, I couldn’t blog if I didn’t have structure. So yes, in that respect, I do “follow the rules” for my own sanity. I have pre scheduled posts for certain series I have – often months in advance. And that gives me breathing room so that if I need to miss a day or two or three, it’s no big deal.
As far as others’ blogs? You know, some of my faves are the ones that are an escape from reality – and I never pay attention to whether or not their SEO is being done correctly (no peeking at tags), or if they are terribly structured. Thankfully, rss feeds or readers will tell you when a new post from an author who does not blog every day is up, and I can run over and read. Do I mind they’re not “regular posters”? Not in the least.