tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77287911253245387262024-12-18T19:25:04.631-08:00Nose Droppings<center>The inner workings of just your average curious mind and the green matter that happens to escape. Point and laugh, judge for yourself or just plain ol' pick fun at me!</center>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-29301072540179685512013-07-11T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-11T07:30:00.378-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 29: Develop A Plan To Boost Your Blog's Profile And Readership
Review | Reflect
This was a significant subject in Darren's book. He had a lot to say about it, but I'm going to put in a few things you can work on to get you started.
Questions to ask.
1. How much time do you have to spend on blogging?
2. What is it you wish to accomplish?
3. Where are your readers coming from?
4. Describe you ideal reader.
5. What is the strategy you want to use?
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-29989895159361045622013-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-09T07:30:02.991-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 28: Write A Review Post
Reviews! Oh, let me count the ways!
First you need a product/service. Make sure the product is relevant to your blog. (Yeah, I know it's self-explanatory)
So let's go down the checklist of making a review post though, informative and entertaining.
1. Give an opinion. People want to know--did you like it? I say put it at the top making it easy because while you might have skimmers, most Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-82985819062219043432013-07-04T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-04T07:30:00.633-07:00Happy 4th!
Despite any political affiliations I'd like to say Happy Fourth of July!
AND because it's a Holiday....
I'll be taking the day off and returning to our regularly scheduled posts on Tuesday.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-91419116389521817072013-07-03T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-03T07:30:01.114-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 27: Hunt For Dead Links
The Hunt For The Red October
My first thought was me going through hundreds of posts clicking on links for verification would be like a movie I remembered...hence the picture.
Why do we want to do this?
1. Readability ~ If a reader is searching through your awesome content and your links are dead, that's rather disappointing. They see your blog as unreliable.
2. SEO rankings ~ If google Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-62533453784334183482013-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-01T07:30:02.966-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 26: Improve Another Blog
Darren asks...when did you help another person's blog get better?
Ummmm...just now!
Okay, really, why should you improve another person's blog? Can you see the benefits of reaching out, helping another person, connecting, and gaining a potential reader?
I remember the first time I got to help another blogger and it was a wonderful feeling! We connected and it's been a wonderful Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-11163482563877915422013-06-27T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-30T16:37:01.838-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 25: Ask Your Readers A Question
Asking readers questions is a fantastic way to grow your blog.
1. It gives readers a sense of community
2. Readers feel engaged.
3. Reader comments give you a means of entering into conversation with them.
4. Question posts are good for helping you gauge where your readers are at with certain topics.
5. Reader answers can fuel future post ideas.
Some bloggers might be scared the questionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-50337620867914570012013-06-25T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-25T07:30:00.973-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 24: Use A Magazine To Improve Your Blog
Intriquing. What do magazines have to do with blogs?
Well, to me, blogs have rather that magazine feel with their informative articles and beautiful or interesting pictures. So we can learn a lot from old media. Respect your elders!
1. Pick a magazine. Hopefully one in the genre you blog about but others can give you ides too!
2. Thumb through it. Tag what catches your eye.
3. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-92132564083322269002013-06-21T19:30:00.000-07:002013-06-21T19:30:00.105-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 23: Call Your Readers To Action
Click Here
READERS! Here are some Calls to Action
1 ~ Make your own blog amazing! GET DARREN'S eBOOK.
2 ~ Make a call to action for your readers!
Most readers are passive. Especially when there is no call to action. You might get 1% to make comments. But there is an art to the CTA request.
Mix in some of your own personality, make it pretty, make it easy and be clear on what to do. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-12836189235900561202013-06-19T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-19T07:30:03.772-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 22: Pay Special Attention To A Reader
Haven't we gone over this? Well, maybe we have in Day 5 and maybe it's just really important to let your readers know you care. Which is what Darren says in the book. He says...When you create space on your blog to highlight readers in some way, the impact can be quite profound--particularly if you do it regularly.
Now, of course Darren doesn't forget the start-up people. He say if you have Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-79466489478075646572013-06-17T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-17T07:30:00.030-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 21: Conduct A Policy Review
This was my first WTH question to Darren. Policy for a blog? Oh hell YES!
Darren goes into all the legality that made me a bit confused until he explained it at the very end. He didn't make it sexy, so I am.
Here's why policies are sexy~
1. Policies help keep decisions easy when you have situations come up. &Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-64389614067023188712013-06-13T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-13T07:30:02.869-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 20: Leave Comments On Other Blogs
I feel the need to warn you...this needs to be done the right way with the right frame of mind.
Do not expect people flocking to your blog--
Give value on your comments even on your competitors blog.
Do it because you have something to say.
Do it because you want to contribute.
Do it without expecting others to give back.
You have the added benefit of researching your competitor, keeping Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-1946378172988727822013-06-11T22:24:00.001-07:002013-06-11T22:24:37.553-07:00How To Build A Better Blog Day 19: Write An Opinion Post
Wrong on so many levels
You've got one, don't hide it.
Opinion's that is.
Now I've seen obscene opinions and I've seen boring clinical opinions. I've seen opinions that think they are opinions but really are trying to please everyone. Wishy-washy opinions and OMG opinions flow in that too. So here's a novelty--be authentic.
You have an opinion. Even your opinion's have Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-54347633825513089912013-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-07T07:30:01.651-07:00How To Build A Better Blog Day 18: Create A Sneeze Page For Your Blog
Photo Credit: Greg's One! via Compfight cc
As in don't sneeze or you'll miss it?
As in nothing to sneeze at? Hmmm....No.
Darren made-up that term for "...a page that propels people deep into your blog by highlighting the best posts you've written."
Okay, that sounds like the wordpress plug-in for most popular posts or related posts. But a sneeze page doesn't seem to be exactly like Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-48760858136412672992013-06-05T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-05T07:30:01.648-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 17: Watch A First Time Reader Use Your Blog
Photo Credit: frequencyness via Compfight cc
I'm sure you get the idea!Invite a friend/family member/abductee in your home, in front of your computer and subject them have them read your blog!
Watch ~
Where they click.
What gets their attention.
how they navigate your blog.
After about 5 - 10 minutes ask them ~
What were their first impressions.
What did they think your blog Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-78327703945845744892013-06-03T07:30:00.000-07:002013-06-03T07:30:00.155-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 16: Solve A Problem
Solving Problems is a good way to get readers. Here's my question ~ Am I solving your problem with these posts?
If you can answer yes, then I'm doing my job!
So--this is going to be a LIST post. (Click HERE to go back and review Day # 2)
1. Solve your own problems.
My blog is Nose Droppings. Of course I'm going to pull out some really good problems and write about them! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-3426817218149308042013-05-30T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-30T07:30:01.597-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 15: Find A Blog Buddy
There are so many ways that a blogging buddy can improve your blog! Let us count the ways!
1. Feedback
Before publishing get that other opinion! Heck, even spelling mistakes can happen. Get your buddy to help!
2. Link Backs
Share link love! Awwww! Link posts with your buddy.
3. Motivation
Buddies help you stay focused, motivated, and special too! Sometimes, it just takes that one Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-7136606481462303702013-05-28T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-28T07:30:03.043-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 14: Update A Key Page On Your Blog
We are so busy writing blogs, that we forget about things like--updating our BIO, the About Page, References, etc.
Now if you like to keep all your posts relevant, you'll need to go back and update those older posts. Or you can be like me and enjoy laughing at myself way back when. A moment in history when I thought big hair looked good.
Once a year I'll look back at the past andAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-818329682534660732013-05-27T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-27T07:30:01.051-07:00Hug A Vet Day...Memorial Day Rememberance
It's not my unusual blog day, but it is the blog about my life and to ignore this day, for me, would not be possible.
This is my one day where I can stop and cry for those faithful, those still living, long past, and yet to come.
Those who give their lives for a purpose greater than themselves. Greater than us all.
There will always be conflict. And these men and women Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-72074123823154391192013-05-24T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-24T07:30:00.214-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 13: Take A Trip To The Mall And Improve Your Blog
Photo Credit: isayx3 via Compfight cc
First thing Darren said was "You probably think I've lost my mind".
I DON'T! That's BRILLIANT! I get to shop and improve my blog?! Wow, Darren, do you know your target audience or what! I know where your going with this.
People watching gets you understanding...people. Not only that but shops have great ways to get customer attention. Study it! As Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-32364031205370839852013-05-22T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-22T07:30:03.051-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 12: Develop An Editorial Calendar For Your Blog
Be like MegaMind! Think!
Today's ACTION ITEM includes follow through from Day #11.
1. Calculate how many posts you want to schedule for the week/month - whatever.
2. Whip out your calendar/excel spreadsheet/Google calendar - whatever - and plug in titles of the posts you want to write for each of your ideas from Day #11 on the specific days you want them.
3. Write a sentence on what Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-32700835499609773362013-05-20T23:12:00.001-07:002013-05-20T23:12:51.687-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 11: Come Up With 10 Post Ideas
My 10 post ideas I came up with!
Awesome! We finally get to a topic that I really can sink my teeth into!
This is an exercise that I will use every month! You want to plan your blogs or most of them so you can:
* Keep up blog momentum.
* Never run out of blog topics.
*Make efficent use of your time.
I've been told by Hubsopt that businesses with a blog get 55% more traffic than those Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-42043546149860994642013-05-16T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-16T07:30:00.941-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 10: Setup Alerts To Monitor What's Happening In Your Niche
Photo Credit: visualpanic via Compfight cc
This is all about the Google Alerts! Here's why you want alerts:
1) Ideas for posts.
2) Be aware of things if you're looked upon as an industry leader.
3) There might be info you to link to for your readers.
Remember Day 4? Where you analyze a competitors blog. Or Day 9 where you join a forum?
You want alerts so you can do this.
It'sAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-41233584624848403312013-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-14T07:30:03.301-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 9: Join A Forum and Start Participating
Photo Credit: mallix via Compfight cc
I grumbled about this, but then I found some awesome blogs of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I joined a community not because I had to find someone to follow and comment on, but someone who inspired me. One of them was Wendy McCance and her blog Searching for the Happiness. Wendy is inspirational in many ways and she just wants to help Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-66225295703879648972013-05-10T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-10T07:30:02.285-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 8: Choose A Social Media Space To Focus On
Darren says it best: "The days task is taking a logical, thoughtful approach to your blog's social media presence."
Here are my thoughts:
I use Facebook for friends, family and my author platform for reaching readers and connecting in a visceral way.
I use LinkedIn for my company and sometimes my author platform for connecting to contractors and peers.
Twitter is my main promotion Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728791125324538726.post-85540915044260453382013-05-08T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-08T07:30:00.207-07:00Build A Better Blog Day 7: Write A Link Post
Click HERE for Darren's Book!
Wait, wait, wait. Darren, didn't we already cover this? Ohhhh...it isn't about interlinking posts from your own blog. This is about linking to other blogs! Got it!
What we're doing is out bound linking today. I do this all the time, where I see great information and I link to another article because it's cool! I like to give credit and when I find a blog Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609531946245388872noreply@blogger.com0