I’ve been struggling a bit lately with content. Part of that has to do with a huge shift in my business and a refocusing of my blog that’s not yet complete. I’ve not wanted to waste my reader’s time with posts that aren’t up to par, so I’ve not been posting as much lately.

But reading this post, things somehow came together and I’m ready to write again. Not sure how it happened, but thanks Lorelle.

Blogging on off-topic subjects can attract new readers, but honestly, does it?

Sometimes, sometimes not. If you are writing about the free-wheeling singles lifestyle in your area, trying to motivate people to the social activities there, you may be attracting traffic looking for a more “intimate” experience, shall we say, than you intend. Once they arrive, attracted by “social” keywords, they find out you don’t have what they want, how long do you think they are going to stick around? Hmmm?

You want to attract serious potential customers and readers, not those looking for what you don’t really offer. Besides, the attraction of these visitors due to keywords not really associated with your purpose skews your statistics. Boosts them, but skews them.

It’s a fine line, searching for new readers, keeping the ones you have happy, and helping your blog grow while staying true to its purpose, but a truly successful blog and blogger stays on track.

It’s definitely less stress when you stay on a focused topic. :D

But then, how do you accomplish anything in life without a plan? How did you buy your first car? Get through school? Buy a house or find a rental? How did you get a job or change jobs?

We don’t float through our lives like leaves in the wind – at least, I hope we don’t most of the time. We make plans and we follow those plans, changing the direction when the plan needs changing.

So you plan for your blog’s content, if you want your audience to return for more and return because they know you are the source.

There is nothing wrong with babble blogging. That’s where blogging began. I love online diaries and journals. It’s a fabulous way of expressing yourself, your creativity, and your dreams. But if you want to blog seriously, for money or reputation, then you have to become known for something.

It’s up to you to decide what that something is. And part of your plan.

You’re welcome, so, what?, great, grand, uh, wonderful, rockin’, gravy. =)

I write a how-to blog aimed at women who want to start a successful blog and navigate all the options available to them.

The first thing a blogger has to understand when they’re starting up is that their blog has to have some sort of purpose and a well-defined area of expertise. Otherwise they won’t get very far and they won’t have authority with any search rankings or, more importantly, any readers.

And I do hope that you are getting permission from those who want their content translated. Not all do, as translated content does come under copyright protections. :D

Chris: The need for attention often exceeds common sense. :D Yes, people think these topics will bring in new readers, and yes, they have, but I don’t expect this trend to continue as there is now a glut in that market topic. I say leave blogging tips to bloggers who consistently write blogging tips. I don’t take my car to be worked on by my gynecologist, nor would I expect my mechanic to know much about plastic surgery. Go to the right expert for the right information.

Jason: Thanks, um, duh, well, sorta, kinda, well, wow, cool, awesome. :D

I wrote a post about you on my make money online goldmine blog. Thank you for sharing.