An avid Internet reader would immediately know whether to go through a blog article or not by just a casual glance. But tricks are always used to catch the attention of the reader.
Apart from eye-catching headlines to catch the attention of the reader, blogs are notorious for being lengthy, verbose, with meandering content and expressions.
An ordinary blog known to most readers would consist for more than 2000 words. A series of such blog articles are stacked one after the other. As a result, most people today shy away from it and prefer to browse through the headlines only before going deep into it.
How can blogs be as exciting as an article or forum? Read on to know more.
Blog Software
A number of blog softwares are available in the market today. For instance, WordPress, Blogger, Typepad, etc. are judiciously used by many bloggers. However, when a customized solution is used, it stands alone from the mass.
A good solution would cater to all features of a blog site, say comment section, archiving, multiple feeds, sub-pages, and user accounts, etc. An enterprising writer would be able to custom-make the blog site using these features on good solutions, such as OpenSource CMS.
Right Title Tags and Meta Tags
Often, carefully written blogs don’t find a prominent place in top search engines. This is mainly due to irrelevant title tags and Meta tags. Title tag for instance, should have ideal titles that go with search engine optimization (SEO) methods. The Meta tag for example, needs to have text related to the author, description, and keyword of the blog article.
Submission Techniques
Submitting a blog site needs careful analysis. Often, manual submission is useful that includes the XML sitemap. RSS or atom feeds can help in proper submission of the blog site to top search engines.
However, even though many try to maneuver submitting methods, an ideal way to improve the quality of a blog is to write original content with crisp comment and theories. Compelling content that struck a cord in the heart of the reader would instantaneously make a blog popular.
Blog Content
A well-managed blog write-up would always include the pros and cons of the concerned topics. Further, it would also highlight the conflicts of interest. The original content could be written in points while comments could be short, direct, and unbiased.
Instead of writing long, verbose text, a blog can be on an unsaturated topic that has not been discussed too much in the blogging world.
Look-n-Fool of the Blog Site
A blog site should be as attractive as any other site to ensure that readers read through it without getting monotonous. Some blog article can have images while others can have illustrations.
However, care must be taken to ensure that too much of Flash or movie strip are not used. The blogs with heavy graphics can be notoriously uncomfortable to the user. Apart from not falling into the etiquette of blogging, heavily graphic oriented blogs with buttons or gaudy banners don’t have much utility to attract readers.
Subject of the Blog Article
Blogs are personal articles on any interesting topic. Often, well-known personalities use this medium to express their thoughts. However, for a layman, using personal incidences can be quite boring. It is better to choose a topic which is basically generic but interesting nevertheless – interactive web design, game-based instructional design, etc.
Use Interactive Elements
Making a blog popular, marketable, or appealing requires some proactive actions from the part of the blog owner. For instance, readers would come to know about the blogger if he comments on other popular blogs, uses backlinks in different blog sites, and also posts the blog in popular forums.
Learn the Needs of Readers
Many readers feel that they would ideally read an RSS feed rather than a blog. If so, blog owners should ensure that the RSS feed is not jammed or crippled.
There are other users who prefer surprises. These can be in the form of prizes, tips, advises, etc. The readers want to learn in the process of reading the blog article rather than merely reading the comments and ideas.
Managing Comments
Comments are an integral part of blogging. The best way to ensure popularity of this aspect is through a two-way track-backer and open dialog session with the commentators. Often, comments help in making the blog article complete in itself and such an attribute is only possible to manage comments and conversations properly.
It is however good to ensure that comments are well according to the decorum of the forum. And that the blogs don’t contain inflammatory speeches or diatribes that can bring ill-feeling among the readers.
The Fun and Enjoyment
A blog is a personal way of expressions. Readers should ideally be having fun while reading the articles and comments associated with it. Rather than highlighting ordinary content voluminously, it is ideal to post few only – and let these few bring joy to the readers.