Written on July 30th, 2005 at 12:07 pm by Darren Rowse
31 days to building a Better Blog
update: see a summary of all of the post in the ‘31 Days’ series here.
August is going to be a frenzy of Blog Tips here at ProBlogger.net.
Starting Monday I’m going to turn up the ‘Blog Tips’ volume to 11 and am going to attempt to vomit onto you everything I know about how to make your blog better. Each post will be in a normal category but also in a new 31 days to building a better blog category also.
In a sense it’s nothing different to normal (there are hundreds of blog tips in my archives already) but I’ve noticed recently quite a few bloggers are in a bit of a slump with their entrepreneurial blogs – lacking inspiration, slipping in their posting frequency and even considering throwing in the towel.
Whilst it’s every blogger’s prerogative to let their blog slowly die – I’d like to be a part of giving bloggers a shot in the arm (or a kick up the butt) and hopefully in the process give them the motivation (and practical know how) to get their blog reaching it’s potential (whether that be financially or in some other way).
So we’ll be revisiting some old tips, coming up with some new ones and hopefully will all improve in our blogging as a result.
All I ask of you as readers is that you join in the frenzy of Blog Tips. I do not and will not know everything there is to know about blogging – but I have a suspicion that the wider ProBlogger community does. The only way to get at this communal knowledge is to make a commitment to share what we each know.You can do this in two ways:
1. Leave comments on the blog tips that I post here. ProBlogger is increasingly becoming a place of conversation and group learning. I learn so much from you and hope that you continue to teach us via your comments.
2. Post your blog tips on your own blog and let me know about them. If you’ve learnt something about blogging recently the rest of us want to hear about it. Post it on your blog and then email me with the title and URL. I will attempt to post something every day or two with a summary of the blog tips that have been written.
3. Suggest a Topic for me or someone else to write a Blog Tip on. To do this simply leave a comment below. I won’t guarantee it’ll be answered by me – but if you see a question and would like to tackle it on your own blog (see #2 above) feel free to do so.
I’m looking forward to the learning that we do as a community in August!
update: see a summary of all of the post in the ‘31 Days’ series here.
77 Responses to “31 days to building a Better Blog” - Add Yours
Cary
July 30th, 2005 2:04 pm
Sound’s like August will be an interesting month at ProBlogger…I’m looking forward to it.
Dave
July 30th, 2005 3:34 pm
Yes, sounds like its going to be good. Look forward to hearing your tips, old and new.
Lets see if the Summer downturn can be halted!
Yzabel
July 30th, 2005 3:57 pm
Looking forward to it as well–even if I probably won’t have much to bring myself in terms of “useful tips”.
haospoke
July 30th, 2005 4:11 pm
i am a blogger in china,My English is not very well,but i Rss your Blog and read it everyday, By your Blog–i know how to be a good blog,and how to earn money.haha
thanks
PS-my Bandwidth is Limit this month
John (SYNTAGMA)
July 30th, 2005 5:54 pm
Yes, Problogger has become something of a club these days. Long may it flourish. I’ll put my thinking cap on.
John (SYNTAGMA)
July 30th, 2005 5:59 pm
Forgot to mention : here’s a chapter of a book on Blogging in a Crisis by Robert Scoble and Shel xxxxx (forget last name). Worth a read.
John (SYNTAGMA)
July 30th, 2005 6:01 pm
Drat! Blogging in a Crisis
Blogsavvy | Professional Blog Consultant, Blog Consultant, blog consulting, Business blog consultant, Education blog consultant
July 30th, 2005 7:06 pm
[...] oney through blogging or ‘problogging’ as a whole… doesn’t matter. 31 days to building a better blog will see Darren Rowse: “ [...]
Yvonne Foong
July 30th, 2005 9:30 pm
hey! fascinating! will keep my readers updated on this. U’re so generous, Darren.
Neuro
July 30th, 2005 11:27 pm
Sounds like this will be the place to hang in August. As a new blogger who was turned on to blogging and Problogger by Taughnee from The Alaska Blog, I am finding that there is so much I need to learn. I really have enjoyed your useful information so far. I look forward to seeing what new information I can pick up. Let em rip!
Blogging Blog » Darren’s 31 Days to Building a Better Blog
July 31st, 2005 12:43 am
[...] for Darren Rowse’s readers on Problogger.net. He is going to feature a series called 31 Days to Building a Better blog, which will highlight some tip [...]
Chris
July 31st, 2005 1:40 am
Darren,
Thanks for the 31 days of better blogging and for encouraging people to post their knowledge on their own blogs with a link from your site. Brilliant idea!
I’ve learned a lot in the short amount of time I’ve spent looking at your site. I’m looking forward to learning more. Checking out some of your other blogs has given me some ideas that are very promising.
My Internet Marketing And Promotion Blog » Blog Archive » Building A Better Blog
July 31st, 2005 3:12 am
[...] Building A Better Blog July 30th, 2005 by Mark Darren has made the invitation and is about to embark on a mission f [...]
» 5 Blog Traffic Tips BlogLogic.net
July 31st, 2005 7:51 am
[...] Traffic Tips Darren Rowse of Problogger.net fame has a very enticing post up called 31 days to building a better blog where he states “All I a [...]
Craig
July 31st, 2005 9:00 am
I haven’t been posting on my usual blogs. Near complete loss of motivation to do so. It could be said that depression pamphlet post suits me down to the ground. I lose interest so easily in one topic or another. Its only been engaging in conversation on something new that has required thought that has me posting at all. And now that I’ve settled that topic in my mind I’m bored again. I’d rather comment on others blogs than post on my own.
Some tips on maintaining goals would be useful. It’s so easy to lose sight of the direction your heading at times.
Tips on blog design and editing tools. A poll on what people use perhaps.
I’d also like to see thoughts on thinking beyond the blog into CMS software.
Mark Lavercombe
July 31st, 2005 10:34 am
great news! a month of tips and hints, that hopefully helps not only those of us with a blog, but those of us with a website!
(i have found many tips transferrable to my review site :-) )
thanks as always darren
Kashif
July 31st, 2005 2:27 pm
Problogger is one of my favourite. I will be sticking around to get over the tips and imply them on my blog(s)
John (SYNTAGMA)
July 31st, 2005 10:17 pm
A Bloggy August
Kim Dushinski
August 1st, 2005 12:58 am
I can’t wait! Thank goodness August starts tomorrow =:)
ProBlogger is the ONE blog I always check in with even if I don’t have time to browse through MyYahoo for everything else. And it is worth every minute too. Thanks Darren.
» Strategic Blogging: Blog Tips - ProBlogger
August 1st, 2005 11:06 am
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August 1st, 2005 1:29 pm
[...] f Problogger, August 1 is the day to get on board, with Darren Rowse staring a new series: 31 days to building a Better Blog.
[...]
31 Tage um besser zu bloggen - kloeschen.com >>
August 1st, 2005 7:05 pm
[...] rojekt gestartet, 31 Tage ein besseres Blog zu bauen. Wir machen alle mit! Mit seinem Aufruf, weitere Tipps und Anfragen in seine Kommentar [...]
Dominic Foster » Blog Archive » Day 1 - Roundup
August 1st, 2005 8:21 pm
[...] n interesting. It all started reading my rss reader first thing this morning and seeing a post from Darren Rowse. I remember back in April 2000, sittin [...]
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August 1st, 2005 10:50 pm
[...] ncy and even considering throwing in the towel. That is why he has decided to turn up the ‘Blog Tips’ volume to 11 and tell us everything he knows ab [...]
jim
August 2nd, 2005 12:24 am
I look forward to it! I’m happy, and thankful, to see this flurry of problogger activity after yoru vacation, it’s obviously rejuvenated you!
Cheers
WiRED.Pod » Blog Archive » Blogging Tutorial From ProBlogger
August 2nd, 2005 1:52 am
[...] blogging conference or what so ever, why not attend an online tutorial or participation on How to build a Better Blog from ProBlogger. WiRED Tags: events, [...]
kloeschen.com >>
August 2nd, 2005 4:28 am
bloggen zum lernen – blog to learn
click here for the english version
Man muss nicht unbedingt schon ein Experte sein, um über ein Thema zu bloggen. Ich habe vor kurzem ein Blog über die Bundesliga gestartet, nur um endlich mal mitreden zu können.
In einem Seminar habe…
Andy Beard
August 2nd, 2005 5:53 am
“This post by Darren Rowse over at Pro-blogger came to my attention a little earlier today – I am always hungry for new tips.”
My own contribution is a great new 24 page report on keyword research. (important for SEO, your categories and Technorati tags)
Looking forward to some great material. Maybe after it I will take the plunge and switch blogging solution.
Take care
Andy
Brent
August 2nd, 2005 6:34 am
Darren,
When I started my site a few weeks ago, I created a press release for the launch. That was one of the most difficult things I have done in relation to blogging!
I could use tips on creating press releases that will get noticed.
Blog Cookbook
August 2nd, 2005 7:14 am
31 days to a better blog
Darren Rowse (aka Problogger) has decided to dedicate the month of August to providing helpful tips to bloggers.
His blog is always a great read for anybody even remotely interested in the world of blogging, but this month could be even more interest…
» 31 Days to Better Blogging Starts Now! TurboBlogger.com
August 2nd, 2005 7:17 am
[...] e kool-aid. Like the Twelve Days of Christmas, only much better, today marks the start of Darren’s 31 Days to Building a Better Blog. As Darren sta [...]
Russell
August 2nd, 2005 7:57 am
Here is a tip. Yellow on white is impossible to read.
HART
August 2nd, 2005 8:53 am
If you click on your “Creative Commons License” … I do not understand what “non-commercial; You may not use this work for commercial purposes” really means.
Aren’t you using stuff for commercial use – even in an information blog such as this – to create traffic and generate commercial revenues from the adsense clicks?
I say it’s a thin line that you are either crossing or not crossing, and that’s my reason for not using it. Maybe you can discuss your thoughts about it, and the realities of what this all means for bloggers and informational websites.
Take care.
HART
Easy Bake Weblogs » 31 Days to a Better Blog
August 3rd, 2005 4:45 am
[...] f=”http://andywibbels.com/”>
Andy Wibbels
Darren’s doing a month of blogging tips and tricks. Tune in.
[...]
cyDome
August 3rd, 2005 5:38 am
Tippschwemme für Blogger
Darren Rowse hat im problogger dazu aufgerufen, Tipps zum Thema Bloggen abzugeben. Er wird an jedem Tag im August auf die interessantesten Beiträge verweisen. Da der problogger inzwischen wohl einer der bekanntesten englischsprachigen Blogs zu diesem…
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August 3rd, 2005 4:27 pm
[...] Blog Tuesday 2 August 2005 @ 11:27 pm ProBlogger is going to run a serial article on how to make your blog better. I h [...]
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August 3rd, 2005 11:03 pm
[...] problogger.net/”>Darren Rowse, Problogger, heeft vanaf 1 augustus een campagne gestart 31 Days to Building a Better Blog 31 dagen waarin discussie, dia [...]
Just Relax! :: :: August :: 2005
August 4th, 2005 2:26 am
[...] kmark” title=”Permanent Link: “>
August 3, 2005
Posted under: Summary
31 Days To Building A Better Blog It’s nice to have someo [...]
A Walker
August 4th, 2005 5:15 am
I am so grateful that you are doing this. I’m an accidental blogger, if you will. I kept a private political blog for five years which eventually prompted a reader to hire me to create a blog and content for his business.
I have no clue what I am doing and feel that, whatever I’m doing, that I ought to be doing something more or something different. Thus, though I am drowning in links and research gathered over the past few months to provide the grist for articles, I lately find myself off surfing and meandering about instead of cranking out posts. I think the most discouraging aspect is the lack of comments. Or perhaps it is just burn out.
Oh well, thank you and I shall sit back and study the pros – a designation I unfortunately can not make claim to.
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August 4th, 2005 10:54 am
[...] 4
Ok we’re flying now – 4 days in with just 27 to go in the 31 days to building a better blog project! If you’re fee [...]
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August 16th, 2005 7:56 am
[...] I’ve been watching Darren Rowse’s 31 days to a better blog experiment growing continuously each day with helpful hints and tips from around the blogosphere. [...]
Jason Moffatt
August 17th, 2005 5:28 am
Wow, first time here.
This site is quickly getting “Bookmarked”, and I’m searching for my sponge right now so I can soak up every bit of blogging moisture possible from around here.
What a resource. Thanks Darren
http://your-credit-score-n-you.blogspot.com/
August 17th, 2005 6:18 pm
Hi,
I would like to learn as much as possible on how to promote my blog.
I have a personal request also as I am forced to make a living on my blog.
I look forward to the combined wisdom of all those who post here and ofcourse from Darren.
hats off and thank you,
Sincerely,
Edward
Footsteps in the Mirror » 31 Days To Build A Better Blog
August 18th, 2005 12:36 pm
[...] Even though it’s a bit late in the middle of the series to show you this. It’s still something worth reading anyway…and they have some pretty interesting reads. [...]
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August 30th, 2005 9:19 am
[...] [This post is part of ProBlogger’s 31 days to building a Better Blog series.] [...]
Joel S. Hollingsworth » Problogger’s 31 Days to Building a Better Blog
September 25th, 2005 2:06 pm
[...] Sounds good to me. I’ve added Problogger to my blogroll, and I plan to visit often, starting with its 31 days to building a Better Blog post. [...]
Treasure Tables » 31 Days of Blogging for GMs
October 1st, 2005 1:22 am
[...] The Blogging for GMs project was inspired by the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog project over on ProBlogger. ProBlogger is one of my favorite non-gaming blogs, and the posts for that project (which ended in August) were so useful and so much fun to read that I decided I wanted to try something similar here at TT. [...]
mrbenning
February 7th, 2006 2:02 pm
Thanks a ton for all the info. It’s been helpful in getting my blogging vision together.
Free Upload
March 20th, 2006 12:17 am
I don’t like blogging but when i see all this, i think to start serious!
I don’t know why is hard to me to write some good articles.
Mal James
August 2nd, 2006 12:56 am
Great points on interactive writing for comments , I have been working on the Israel Lebanon War covering it for a TV Network as a Cameraman and have been wondering why so few comments , given the behind the scenes glimpse to covering events here . Your blog is full of great ideas and know that your newsletter will be being read on my blackberry on the frontlines
Thanks
Mal
Carolyn Manning
September 9th, 2006 9:03 am
Today marks the first post of my first blog, as well as my first serious read of your site. If what I ultimately have to offer is half as much as what you now have to offer, I’ll be able to consider it a job well done.
Scott Patterson
September 30th, 2006 12:18 pm
Dude,
This is kick ass, I will definitely be back for more… Woo Hoo!!!
Terry
November 18th, 2006 2:30 am
Not sure if it was mentioned but another thing some people are guilty of is NOT PUTTING A DATE AND TIMESTAMP ON YOUR ENTRIES! There’s nothing I hate more than surfing onto a blog and wondering if the latest entry is even relevent anymore.
Terry
Jason Pedersen
December 12th, 2006 11:33 am
Volume 11? Spinal Tap? :)
“This one goes up to eleven.”
The Golden Pencil: The Freelance Writer’s Resource » 31 Days to Better Freelance Writing
December 21st, 2006 3:19 am
[...] (By the way, I should give a nod of credit to Darren Rowse – this idea is a direct steal from his 31 Days to Building a Better Blog – thanks Darren!) [...]
Scott Patterson
December 21st, 2006 2:18 pm
Wow I am definitely bookmarking this site it’s brilliant :)
tagging along with techy’s and life’s » Blog Archive » blogging as a career
January 25th, 2007 5:26 am
[...] + 31 days to building a better blog [...]
stephen
February 3rd, 2007 8:58 pm
Thank you for this “31 Days” project. I’m working at getting my first blog off the ground. While most of your newer posts are helpful, this series and all of the offsite links you provided have given me so much know-how. I hope I’m avoiding the pitfalls that trap many first time bloggers.
Ryan
February 20th, 2007 1:50 pm
Thanks for all the tips, unlike other “experts” advice they actually work.
politicstime.blogspot.com
Mindtracks » Why blog?
March 8th, 2007 10:25 am
[...] On a similar note Darren Rowse has also started a series 31 days to building a Better Blog . His timing could not have been better as I am aware of a number of my students are sticking their fingers into the blog soup and quietly licking their fingers trying to decide what flavours are needed to add that little extra zing. blogging [...]
Graham Jones - Internet Psychologist
May 4th, 2007 1:06 am
The number one reason for blogging is to establish, build and enhance your reputation as “the expert” in your particular niche.
But to do that you need an “editorial plan”. Blogging is publishing and no self-respecting publisher of anything in print would ever start without knowing exactly what was going where – in advance.
In my blog on Internet psychology I have an editorial plan which provides “themes” for every day of the week; I have dates set in the future when I will write about specific “diary events”. Plus I have a plan for what I’m doing for the next month or so, which constantly gets updated.
The result – I can blog without the “fatigue” shown by some bloggers. Plus it just continues to build my reputation – readers know that every Monday, for instance, I focus on running a business online, Fridays are about social networking and so on. And because that reputation is there, I get the business. People book me to speak and to consult based on what they’ve read in my blog.
But the blog only succeeds because of the rigours of editorial planning I learned as a magazine editor / newspaper journalist.
Smart Money Daily » Only 2 Good Reasons to Blog for Profit
June 23rd, 2007 6:09 am
[...] at ProBlogger.net is declaring August “31 days to building a Better Blog” and is writing a series of how to tips. He has also put out a call for blogging tips; it [...]
Matt Batcho
August 1st, 2007 2:24 am
I cannot wait to start. Like I have stated before since my friend and I started MindsOfWealth.com it has been an inspiration for us to learn and promote our blogs. If someone has an idea for my blow please feel free to send me an e-mail at MBatcho1@aol.com. Otherwise i look forward in participating in this series.
Talk to you soon.
Matt Batcho
David Ward
August 7th, 2007 2:06 pm
Darren,
I’m way behind in reading your blog and subsequently, my blog is suffering…coincidence? I don’t think so. I’ve somehow found myself not so motivated to blog everyday but here’s the strange part, my brain has been working overtime and I’ve got more blog ideas/topics than I know what to do with. I can’t wait to catch up and look forward to reading each days tips.
Strategic Blogging
August 9th, 2007 11:23 am
[...] as part of our 31 days to building a better blog series I thought it would be wise to start by talking about some big picture issues. Whilst these first [...]
Marc
September 8th, 2007 9:46 pm
Came across your website the other day. I’m interested in what you have to say and am going to go through the ‘30 day’ series in as close to 30 days as possible. Until now have only done the ‘this is my daily life’ type blogs. Am very interested in doing more with a blog. Thank you for your openess and generosity.
Socialbutterfly
December 20th, 2007 12:13 pm
Hello,
I just got to your blog and will look through your archives, etc. But, also wanted to leave a comment asking if you knew any resources where I can learn how to get better stats for my wordpress blog. Last I knew, Google Analytics didn’t work with wordpress. So, I was curious if you or anyone else knew of a different program or resource.
Thanks!
Hendra Rusly’s blog
January 9th, 2008 3:13 am
[...] of the website i found offers ‘31 days to build a better blog‘ might be able to help me building my understanding of the blog world. I am planning to post [...]
moonburst
January 24th, 2008 4:24 pm
Hi, just found this article while rummaging through your archives, guess I could use a little kick up the butt, not so much because I’m lazy (I can only blog on a limited time schedule) But, I will put your advice to good use. Time to go look now. Hopefully my blog will be better for everyone not just for my sake!!
Matt Smith
February 29th, 2008 5:16 pm
We are testing and reporting on many of these ideas on the Data Mining Lab blog. We are learning how effective each of the techniques are in comparison with one another.
James McGowan
April 7th, 2008 12:06 am
I just found this guide, and I hope to go through it this week, to help out my own blog.
Gaje Master
September 11th, 2008 12:19 pm
It has been over a year since the 31 days to build a better blog and I am still coming back. I decided to start from the beginning and run through the 31 day course to see what all I could learn from it.You will probably see a lot of comments from me since I will be reading your blog more often than what I have been in the last few months. I truly enjoy this blog and have learned a lot already.
Matthew Wheeler
October 23rd, 2008 4:16 am
I’ve been in the online money-making business for several years now, but have not put the time and energy into learning everything I needed to know to be successful. I shut down my website for good last month, just wrote it off as a failure I would never repeat again. I just found your empire, and am quite impressed; I feel a little more motivated to try a second time, but this time with a firm foundation of knowledge behind me. First a blog, then a site, then a franchise, and then…….
…the world.
Garry Stoppard
October 26th, 2008 4:39 pm
I’m newbie in money making. This guide is good for me, thanx!!
Courtland
January 16th, 2009 2:41 am
I have always found your tips about blogging to very informative and interesting. I have applied some if not most of your tips when I first created my blog. I like coming to problogger to see whats new in the world of blogging, and I recommend your site to all my friends.
Mark Davidson
March 17th, 2009 2:59 am
John,
Thank you for the tips. I have always found you insightful. Now if I could only find the time and energy to continue writing!
Mark
Chrysta
May 12th, 2009 11:30 am
I have a new blog site that I started on less than a month ago. The blog is one that discusses parenting topics and child oriented material. I know that there are tons of parenting sites out there, but this is a topic that I really love. With so much parenting information available on the internet, I am just wondering if there is something special I can add to help me stand out from the crowd…any suggestions?
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