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Can You Commit? Blogging is an LTR

June 11th, 2010, 11:38 pm | Posted in General Ponderings, Your Blog | 18 Comments

I wanted to share a post from ProBlogger today.  I think it’s pretty fitting with the 30-Day Blogging Challenge.  Since we’re all dedicated to posting in our blog every day for 30 days… what happens if a reader wants to begin a long term relationship with us when those 30 days are over?  Are you willing to make the commitment to that relationship?  Are you going to continue posting regularly to your blog to keep your new found fan interested? I’ve already noticed a couple blogs I was following at the start of the challenge have already fallen out which is disappointing :(

Well according to Annabel Candy from Get In the Hot Spot, bloggers who are willing to be in an LTR with their readers are destined to become A-List Bloggers!  Here are some of the signs of an A-List Blogger according to Annabel:

  1. You have a professional blog design
  2. You have a well-defined topic and update your blog regularly
  3. You have built up a recognizable brand over all social media (and you’re at least showing a photo of yourself)
  4. You maintain high visibilty on the web
  5. You’re friendly and give valuable information freely
  6. You have a great writing style
  7. You know how to work your blogger network (that is you’re hooking up with other bloggers and building together)

I’m sure none of the 7 signs above are new to you.  These are all things you hear about building your brand and marketing yourself as you build your business online.

Check out all of the comments on her article. My favorite is:

“…I think there’s a difference between just having those seven signs and rocking those seven signs. I need to work on rocking them!”

How are we 30-Day Bloggers gonna rock the 7 signs?

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18 Responses to “Can You Commit? Blogging is an LTR”

  1. Follow me on Twitter:

    Great post Gwen. I like the idea of thinking long-term about my blog – this 30 day challenge is like a “jump start” (a short-term plan). But, for any business to be successful we also need solid long-term planning!
    Steve Sponseller´s last blog ..Innovation + Brownie Pan = Delicious BrowniesMy ComLuv Profile

  2. Follow me on Twitter:

    Gwen, You are absolutely right. A great and timely post. Long term relationships are the real gold-mine of customers. Cultivating that LTR with regular postings is right on. Steve, good points–nice to have the jump start, but need a long term plan too! Thanks!
    Bobbye Middendorf
    The Write Synergies Guru
    Bobbye Middendorf´s last blog ..Marketing According to TolkienMy ComLuv Profile

  3. Follow me on Twitter:

    Gwen ~

    Thanks for sharing Annabel’s post. She’s really zeroed in on the qualities and characteristics of A-List Bloggers!

    I’ve got a confession to make. When I first read the title of your post, I had no idea what “LTR” meant. It didn’t take me long, though to figure it out. :-)

    At this point, I’m not really certain if I’ve “nailed” it on my blog. When people stop by, they leave wonderful comments and seem to enjoy my posts. And that makes me smile … a lot. But I don’t think I’m anywhere near the point of having devoted or consistent readers that have committed to a Long Term Relationship with my blog.

    I’ll just have to keep blogging on! :-)

    Melanie
    #blog30

  4. Follow me on Twitter:

    Hi Gwen, wow, blogging every day for 30 days, that’s some feat! I’ve always tried to post regularly but it’s a really big commitment to write 200 words every day, and with all the other things we have in our lives. Good luck!

    Enjoy the journey.

    Mandy
    Mandy Allen´s last blog ..If you don’t have a go you’ll never know…My ComLuv Profile

  5. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to Mandy’s comment:

    Hi Mandy,
    Thank you. It’s not too bad once you get used to it. The biggest problem if staying on topic! If you ever decide to blog for 30 days I’ll be sure to stop by every day!!

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

  6. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to Melanie’s comment:

    Hi Melanie,

    It’s definitely something to think about. Maybe we have to blog long term to find some long term visitors!
    You have a lot of great advice, so I know you will have a devoted following in your niche.

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

  7. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to Bobbye’s comment:

    Hi Bobbye & Steve,

    Definitely need some long term planning – why waste all the hard work we’ve done over the past few months! The time is now to start planning while we have a bunch of others who are going to hold us accountable :)

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

  8. Follow me on Twitter:

    Hey Gwen,
    Thanks again for another great post. I clicked on all of the links in this post and received a lot of valuable information for doing so:)

    Wow…you say some of the people in the challenge have already fallen by the waist side?…LOL:)

    Well I do believe that those of us who finish the course will have a stronger bond when it’s all said and done. Thank you again for sharing this challenge with me.

    Oh yeah, I need to get one of those ribbons for my blog!

    I will be making some upgrades to my blog this weekend in preparation for another strong run next week:)

    Much Success,

    J
    The Cartoon Coach
    Carstarphen´s last blog ..How to Find a Niche in 3 Easy StepsMy ComLuv Profile

  9. Follow me on Twitter:

    I’m late posting on this but as usual can’t thank you enough for your on the spot info. Stuff that we need for sure. We’re half way through our 2nd blog challenge – it would be interesting to see if we could analyze our own blogs and see what we can do to improve them for the second half.

    Terrie

  10. Follow me on Twitter:

    I found Annabel’s list interesting to read as well. I do somewhat wish the first point to be less of a factor. There are countless blogs with ordinary layouts that have greater substance than some of the ‘pimped out’ blogs – some readers get conditioned to associating great design with greater value, and ordinary looking blogs with lower value.
    Having said that I’m going to work on my design incrementally over time because it simply is important.

    I think the 30 day challenge is great, but you make a good point, what is the continuation going to be like after it’s done.

    I think the most important point that is missing from Annabel’s list is simply the mindset of being in it for the long haul.

    Those that are in it for the long haul develop trust in their niche. I think the 30 day challenge helps jump start consistency and the real challenge starts after that: to keep it going.

    And when you’re in it for the long haul the other 7 things can take of it self more organically. I think if we blog to become an A-list blogger which kind of is a tempting goal, we’re probably on the wrong footing to start with.
    Peter Knight´s last blog ..The Lazy Way To Realizing Your PotentialMy ComLuv Profile

  11. Follow me on Twitter:

    Yea Gwen! Its a great idea and a bigger goal to achieve!!

    I’m not shure if I can get the 7 steps suggested. I suddenly think that my blog had not a definite topic, but about what I find interesting. (of course, it’s it main goal right now; is not about a business or fix idea. It’s the most personal one!!)

    Well, last sunday I make a post about your post. http://wp.me/pUxHH-3v Thanks for the ideas and I will be in a LTR with your blog (you are in my favorites tab right now!) Thanks for sharing.
    Gonzalo J. Suárez´s last blog ..Fascination: AlarmMy ComLuv Profile

  12. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to Gonzalo’s comment:

    Hi Gonzalo,

    Wow thank you so much! I read your post, I am happy to know I’m one of your favorites :)

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

  13. Follow me on Twitter:

    great blog I will be reading the rest this evening. I am new to all this so enjoy reading how I can improve and what I need to do

  14. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to nicola’s comment:

    Hi nicola,

    Good luck with your blog! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment here, I hope you enjoy it.

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

  15. Follow me on Twitter:

    Hi Gwen. This post is so true. One of the things I have learned during the 30 day blog is that I need to work very hard to define my niche. Pulling it all together and keeping on track. Perhaps the newness of all this has pointed out that I need some major adjustments if I hope to make any money with this. Thanks for all you have put into the past 30 days.
    william chaney´s last blog ..Mexican Style Pepper Shrimp in GarlicMy ComLuv Profile

  16. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to william’s comment:

    Hi william,

    I think that is what will make your blog successful, having a place where someone that is looking for information on a particular thing can go to. I think writing for 30 days helps you to figure out what you really like writing about and helps you to focus for sure. Good luck with your blog!

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

  17. Follow me on Twitter:

    Gwen, great post! I think one thing new bloggers can forget (and that I’ve also been guilty of) is that there are people on the other end of the connection. We can get busy with other things, forget to post and disappoint the very people we’re hoping to attract. It’s like dating someone who promises to call and then never does.
    Lisbeth Tanz´s last blog ..Networking! “To be or not to be an introvert or an extrovert- that is the question!”My ComLuv Profile

  18. Follow me on Twitter:

    In response to Lisbeth’s comment:

    Hi Lisbeth,

    I definitely agree and I love your analogy! LOL

    Thanks for visiting,
    Gwen

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