3 Steps to a More Powerful Blog

A blog is just another web site. That means to make it effective, you need to do more than just blogging. You also need to keep the big picture in everything that you do to optimize the process toward your goal.

If you think you are not getting the most from your blogging, here are 3 steps to create a more powerful blog:

1. Offer variation
Ask the readers what they want to know about and blog about it. If you know a lot about the topic, write a series of articles so the readers come back again and again for more.

Don't limit yourself to one content format or structure. Some people are going to like interview format more than others. Offering variations in your blog posts can help you avoid boredom too.

You can also learn about the topics your audience likes most from the blog comments or through forums. The good news about this method is that, you don't have to worry about running out of ideas. And by answering questions, you also avoid getting writer's block. Just write the answer you'd give directly on the screen or on paper.

2. Redesign your blog template
Don't make it a ritual though. I notice some bloggers will change their blog layout every so often because they want it to appear fresh and new. As an owner you will put most concern on design, but few people actually care about it. They care more about your content and what you can do to help them.

The problem, this doesn't matter much to your bottom line. What you should pay attention to when redesigning your blog template is to align it with your blogging strategy.

If you are selling ad space, you should maximize it so you can earn more money. Some blog layouts are cool but they are too too colorful it distracts the readers from the ads and other more important parts in the page.

3. Gain inbound links
Just because you blog doesn't mean they will come. You have to make conscious effort to grow your traffic level and audience.

Blogging requires you to update your content frequently, but you also need to get the word out and reach new readers. There is no way around it if your want to grow your blog audience.

Even though you may not use search engine optimization as your main strategy, links are currency or votes about how good your blog is. Remember that links can get you direct referral traffic. And if those are from related blogs, you are likely to get new readers or even customers and clients.