Reading is one of the most important inspirational sources for bloggers. The more I read, the more ideas I get about tools to try out, things to research, topics to write about.
I read a lot. Especially online. I currently subscribe to 392 RSS feeds via Google Reader. I recently started sharing interesting articles I read in my Google Reader and I also share articles via my Twitter and my StumbleUpon accounts.
I also read books. It is good to rest your eyes and get away from the screen for a while. It helps to get fresh ideas, a different point-of-view and another perspective on Internet topics.
I just finished reading Blog Blazers. The book features interviews with 40 different bloggers. I only knew 10 of the bloggers before I read the book so it was great learning about the new bloggers and how they run their blogs.
Some interesting blogging advice from Blog Blazers
Here are the top 5 things that the 40 bloggers in Blog Blazers mentioned about their blogging.
- Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. New bloggers are very eager and push very hard. Then after some time posting frequency starts to slow, then you see the famous “sorry i haven’t posted in a while” post. Blogging is a lot of work and it takes up a lot of your day. It is not about writing one key-post, it is about performing day after day. Be available to your visitors and build loyal readers one by one.
- Show your face, make your blog personal. Always incorporate your own thoughts and analysis. Personal opinion counts and person behind the blog makes the blog stand out. Take a side, give your opinion, state something. Don’t censor yourself and don’t be afraid.
- Share insights. Don’t mistake content for reporting what other bloggers are writing about instead of adding something new. There are too many blogs that are just sharing things already out there. You need to add value. Go one step further than others and use original data and interviews.
- Learn to edit yourself. Some bloggers spend more time editing the material than writing it. Good writing is tight and your final draft should be around 30% shorter than the first one.
- Create opportunities for yourself. Blogging is one of the most effective ways to build your authority, name recognition, and personal brand. Most benefits bloggers get are not from direct advertising on the blog, but from opportunities they get because of the blog such as book deals and speaking engagements.
What I’d like to see in Blog Blazers
All the bloggers were asked the same questions. That is fine, but there were no follow-ups. So some bloggers respond with a one line answer, some respond with 10 lines. In many cases I would have liked to see a follow-up question asking for more details on what the blogger just mentioned. A two-way conversation which would expand on the answer, and explain it would have would have brought Blog Blazers book to another level.
Conclusion
Get a Google Reader account, subscribe to the RSS feed of your favorite sites and read daily. While you’re there subscribe to HowToMakeMyBlog.com RSS feed as well. Also make sure to pick up a book here and there. Blog Blazers is a fine recommendation for all bloggers.
Just read as much as possible, and note the interesting things that you may want to research and write about on your blog. You will no longer be stuck without ideas and without inspiration for your upcoming blog post.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Good stuff – especially about editing! I hate visiting blogs with misspelled words and grammar errors. Also, I love Blog Blazers, it’s a good read!
Marko, I’m subscribed to over 90 blogs and thought that was a lot until I read here that you’re subscribed to 300 blogs more than that! Wow, that’s amazing. Thanks for sharing the numbers. Specific information like that teaches me a lot more than all the generic advice in the world.
Thanks for all comments!
@Daphne – I subscribe to lots of stuff but as you see further down in comments @adam subscribes to 700+. It all depends on your interests and your passion…
good points! especially #1 & #3.
I havent written in long time & find it hard to write my thoughts into words!
I used to be a sprint blogger in my old blogs. I would post several times a day for a month, and then started posting once every couple days. Finally, I stopped posting all together.
Great read, we see a lot of bloggers repeating what has been said before. While that’s not always a bad idea – I think they should at least give a different perspective/argument NOT say the very same thing in different words.
Great post Marko, I do the same thing and am also lucky enough to have industry email daily updates for more inspiration
i agree with your post and it is great advice for all types of inspiration. I read A LOT especially with 700+ subscriptions in Google Reader and lots of sci fi books.
Thanks for the review of Blog Blazers. I think the key to finding new ideas for my blog is to be always alert to new and interesting things. Everywhere I go and everything I read or watch inspires me with new ideas.
My problem now is time to write them!
Heh, wonder if I had tons of time to write, if I’d be stuck for ideas? That’s how it works, right?
Hi, thank you for sharing this!
I’ll definitely look to order and read this e-book!
You’re right – reading can inspire you to find your next great idea. I have a burgeoning feeds to read on my google reader. Guess how I arrive at this particular post of yours. Yeah, through my reader.
You have this thing for giving something extra for your readers. I keep reading this on your blog like a mantra. Perhaps the editor(s) of the Blog Blazers should have first read up on you before unleashing the book on the public. If there’s one thing to take away from reading your posts it’s this commitment to extend yourself for your readers. I hope I can this ingrained in my blogging system the soonest possible time.
Thank you for the example you set and yes, the inspiration too.
@jan_geronimo – Thanks for the nice words, glad you found my blog and glad I was able to help!