The 8 Habits of Highly Effective Bloggers

The 8 Habits of Highly Effective Bloggers

Reader Comments (306)

  1. I don’t believe there is a most important one. The one that springs to mind after reading your post is having a ‘thick skin’.

    Others will disagree with your opinion. Some may even personally attack you with their words. Having a thick skin and being able to respond positively and carry on is a trait bloggers need.

    Whether it is the most important one…that’s up for debate.

    Andrew

    • Andrew, you are absolutely right.

      I think it’s unfortunate (and quite rude) when people come out and attack someone for something they have written on their blog. We all have our unique styles and ways of thinking about things, and to be personally attacked for expressing your opinion is (to me) ridiculous.

      If someone has a different opinion than me – great! However, please don’t verbally attack me on my wall/website for having that opinion. [Do they realise they are damaging their own brands by being so critical and nasty.]

  2. I think being a life long learner and being analytical are a must when it comes to blogging. An effective blogger is open to learning – I learn something new every day even from so-called lower ranking blogs – there are educational opportunities in even the most unlikely places.

    An effective blogger knows that.

    Also, in order to create high quality content, you have to be able to analyze everything, including seemingly mundane events in daily to find meaning that can be shared in your blog posts.

    That’s how you keep things fresh and insightful.

  3. Holy crap, I don’t even *have* an About Me page. Thanks for opening my eyes to that little ditty right off the bat. And as a blogger who also has worked at home for years and years, it’s absolutely true about self-starting. And self-continuing, and self-stopping so you don’t burn yourself out in one day. Learn how you best work and then work that way.

    Thanks for a great post! And I second what Andrew said about the thick skin. Writing automatically begets rejection and blogging is no different. Everyone has an opinion so take people’s words with grains of salt and toss what doesn’t help you to grow either in value or production.

  4. For me, #7 and #8 are the most important. Getting myself started proactively, then sticking with it. And I find that as I get busier with all of my business projects, it gets harder to act on that new idea, to keep bringing new value in. But it’s critical.

  5. Hey Annabel,

    This is a powerful list you put together.

    Planning ahead is so important when there is so much distraction going around us. It is easy to set something on the side and check email. Oh wait! Just received a friend request or a lead just came in. All of this distracted me until I put a plan together.

    Awesome Job…
    Josh

  6. Thanks so much for these top 8 reasons for being a succsessful Top Blogger! I will implement these tactics into my own blog/website!

    Have fun making money!

    Thanks Rob!

  7. Very inspirational post, Annabel! In fact, you’ve inspired me to suggest a 9th habit: “Effective bloggers are provocative.” The only point you didn’t touch on is the fact that an effective blogger’s content has to be interesting, to represent a distinct and distinctive point-of-view, to provoke readers to think and to act (such as to return to the blog in the future).

  8. I couldn’t agree more with this point…

    “Just when you’ve got one element sorted out, something new gets released. Or becomes obsolete. Or mutates in 20 different directions.”

    Utter control and concentration are a must, clear all the crap away and just do it! I am still fairly new at blogging and its always challenging to write compelling articles. Its nice to get feedback on how more experienced bloggers get by. Being disciplined and having a set timetable for work and play is probably the best way to go.

  9. Annabel, great post, and great to see you over in these neck of the woods with your name in lights 🙂

    I agree with all of them, although when I think concise…I think writing with a scalpel more than writing short posts.

    I write 1200 word posts on most occasions, but then again I don’t post daily so I have a lot more to say 🙂

  10. Number 8 I think is the key. The ability to get work done when nobody is telling you what to do can be a hard thing to get used to, especially if you come from an office environment.

    Using lists and staying organized are a great way to keep control over your deadlines.

  11. This is an incredible list and I’m going to RT it now. I’m still a newbie, still learning about my niche and myself, finding my way s-l-o-w-l-y. But I love to read and write, and blogging is my favorite thing to do!

  12. I completely agree!! Especially the work at home thing. I find people don’t understand that I am ALWAYS working. It’s not a 9-5 job. It’s a lifestyle. Love the list! tfs

  13. Hi Annabel, You have cleared the confusion which grew up due to loads of tips which were inundated by a lot of sources, I have read a few points before as well.The writing skills and the analytical abilities really matter a lot, plus implementing what we think is I think the most important part of being a successful blogger.
    All of you guys publish great posts here which inspire many bloggers around the world.

    Thanks…

  14. Thank you for posting this! It is super helpful and encouraging. I retweeted it and e-mailed it to a few of my friends b/c I find it THAT useful. Thank you!

  15. thanks for all the tips. I guess I have been sitting a lot on the sidelines to learn as much as I can. I love to learn, but Faith without works is dead. Thanks for your inspiration to get more active with my blog.

  16. Excellent post, Annabel. My favorite is #1. You can follow all the other guidelines, but unless you’re actually practicing and publishing consistently, no one really benefits.

  17. Thanks for the inspirational post! I’d like to add that pro bloggers are also very passionate about what they do. That’s what keeps them going when times get tough.

  18. i like the insights 😉

    I think overall, all 8 need to be worked into your headspace and approach to blogging – leave one out the entire house of cards could come down 😉

  19. I think the greatest advice is to post EVERY DAY and keep posting. Except on the weekends. You have better things to do and hopefully your readers do too 🙂

  20. Hi Annabel,
    Great list. I’ll add one more thing to it.

    The successful blogger has to be pretty creative. It’s hard to write about the same topic 3 or more times a week without the copy getting stale. Great bloggers are adept at looking at the same topic from multiple, even off-the-wall, perspectives. It keeps everthing interesting.

  21. I think there is one deep problem with this post, which is that it assumes that all definitions of success are the same and that everyone wants the same thing. Your method of identifying the common factors among top bloggers is a consequence and leads you to inevitable conclusions.

    I think the era of everyone wanting to be an A-list blogebrity are over. There are now at least a dozen different very good reasons to blog, and rather than looking for the common factors among “top” A-listers, you want to look for commonality in methods of bloggers who are trying to do the same things as you.

    For example, I am not and have no intention of being, a Darren Rowse kind of blogger. My interest is in long-form, eclectic writing, working up towards books and a small community of very thoughtful readers rather than a mass market. So based on my objectives, which of your 8 rules work for me? Here’s the breakdown:

    3, 4, 7 and 8 apply to me. But to a certain extent, they are pretty much tautological at the level of “how to be effective in life in general” and have little to do with blogging in particular.

    1 is sort of true for me (I am prolific, logging at least a 100,000 words a year), but is not central. Paul Graham produces 1 post a month.

    2, “concise” is violently and horribly wrong for me. Though I sometimes do quickbites, my readers have told me clearly they read me for my in-depth explorations, not pithy chunks. I moved my ‘short thoughts’ impulses to a posterous as a result.

    5, consistent/niche: again violently wrong for me. The best I can do to identify my niche is “eclectic” and there are subgroups in my audience who only read one kind of post. The unifying theme is not an objective and describable niche, but, I suppose, the consistency of my voice and analytical approach to anything I touch. But defining my niche as “my way of thinking” seems a tad self-absorbed.

    6. Plan ahead: again, I disagree. I plan ahead 1-2 steps on occasion, but mostly, for my type of blogging, plans are useless. But as Eisenhower said, plans are nothing, planning is everything. The art of agile decision-making requires planning, but only to prepare your mind for possibilities. What you actually do has nothing to do with what you plan, but the exercise of planning makes your real-time decisions smarter.

    I don’t mean this comment as a rebuttal of your 8 habits. I just think you need to very strongly qualify your list as “the 8 habits if you want to be successful in the sense of these specific model bloggers, who are all trying to do similar things.”

    Your advice does NOT apply to those working up to books (like me), those engaging specialized peers in a conversation (say advanced physics bloggers), people writing product blogs for a company etc. etc.

    Regards,

    Venkat

  22. Great post Annebal. Planning, persistance, focus, analyzing and research are key. I’d add Optimizing your content and Responding to comments to let you readers know their responses are valued and appreciated or their problems ( if there are any) are resolved. Thanks for list.
    Deb

  23. 5. Effective bloggers are focused and consistent

    I think that’s what’s most valuable. I’ve committed the error
    of writing about anything that floats my boat and got me nowhere.

    ‘Even when they write about something that seems to be off-topic, they relate it back to the niche they know their readers are interested in.’

    Thank you for mentioning that. I was assured.

  24. Excellent points established here. In fact, I had this very topic on my list of blogging subjects on my “to-do” list.

    I’d like to add as well, that successful bloggers are keenly self-aware. They know what their strengths and weaknesses are and how to work to/through them to achieve their goals.

  25. Thanks for the eight rules, and how about a ninth: avoid clichés — like “steep learning curve”.

    Why? Because a STEEP curve means something is very EASY to learn! It shows minimum time (along horizontal axis) for maximum stuff learnt (up vertical axis).

    Something really hard to learn would be the opposite: a long, very shallow slope — maximum time (horizontal axis) spent for minimum learning (vertical axis).

    It’s only because so many people in the West are innumerate that this particular misleading image persists. And according to Malcolm Gladwell (of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers) our spectacular mathematical inadequacy compared with countries like China, South Korea and Japan is most likely because their words for numbers are short and sweet, and logical. Whereas ours, relatively speaking, are cumbersome and irregular.

    Who would have thought that trouble with numbers arises from language?

  26. Great post Annabel!

    Very informative. You can see why “ProBloggers” are up their because it takes a lot of hard work to keep a successful blog running, especially if you use all of those points.

  27. @Venkat, even you have to admit that “The 8 habits if you want to be successful in the sense of these specific model bloggers, who are all trying to do similar things” is a horrible headline. 🙂

    CB readers are definitely smart enough to know that not every piece of advice is going to apply to every person. But there is no quicker way to put readers to sleep than to qualify everything you say to the extent that you’re no longer saying anything. IMO. I thought Pace Smith (who’s a very thoughtful and unusual person, and probably more of an outlier than even you are) put it really well in her post.

  28. @Gabriel, if you have a short amount of horizontal to gain a large amount of vertical when you’re climbing a mountain, is that an easy climb? No, it is a steep climb, which makes it a difficult climb. I’ve heard that before, that “steep learning curve” is a misnomer, but I don’t agree. A steep learning curve is when you have tons to learn and you need to get it it figured out soon, and that’s not easy for anyone I’ve ever met. And that is, in my experience, very much what a new blogger faces.

  29. Pretty good tips, Annabel. I’d like to add that successful bloggers have a distinctive, authentic voice that resonates with a critical mass of readers.
    Discovering and cultivating that voice takes time and effort. As does attracting the right readers. In the meantime, we write.

  30. Nice and useful list. I agree with these points and think the list is fairly complete.

    I’m sure many people will name their own obstacles as most important. For me that would be nr. 8, if I may read that as ‘no procrastination’.

    I also agree with Gabriel, although I do not think this is a platform for that sort of a discussion. Because ´steep´ is associated with ´difficult´ people use the word incorrectly. The function is learning over time, and if you learn fast, the graph is steep.

  31. This post and comments have added to my learning about blogs; the artistry , the differences, the mindsets etc and that is success in my mind. Being a newbie it is helpful to hear and see different perspectives as my own opinion about blogs is evolving! Thanks Annabel and loved your humor Sonia!

  32. @Sonia Simone, thanks very much for your reasons for accepting the usual interpretation of “steep learning curve”: it made me think again!

    Since such opposed interpretations (easy, or difficult learning) are equally valid given extra but different inferred values, perhaps it’s just not a useful image one way or another. . .

    Your understanding is “short time available” (for a lot of learning) which “therefore” makes it difficult. Mine is “short time taken”, which “therefore” makes it easy.

    What both have in common is that whatever it may be is LEARNABLE in the time available / taken, but any meaning beyond that is in the mind of the user. So I still think it’s a cliche to be avoided!

  33. Wow!

    Thank you for today’s blogging tips – It’s a good inspiration for me as a blogger – I read a lot of other blogs to help me learn what I can do better.

    I just wanted to thank you for today’s inspiration.

    Cheers!
    Caleb

  34. Great post!

    I came across copyblogger when I was looking for sites that could help me in my ad agency copywriting job. Now I’ve started a personal blog to keep my writing sharp outside of work. It’s been incredibly helpful. Thanks for all the great tips and advice.

  35. A very nicely written post – anyone who plans to learn what makes a successful blogger should keep these in front of them all the time.

    Consistency
    Sticking to your point
    Analytical

    Those three are the top 3 that i always keep in mind, eversince i started blogging.

    Thanks for the post again 🙂

  36. I just hit the 1st anniversary on my blog this week so I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s transpired during the past year. From my viewpoint I think 5 – Focused and Consistent, 3-Analytical and 2-Concise, were most important for me.

    I agree with Fanny and Muhammad about passion. That’s what got me started and that’s what keeps me going. If I ever lose it for my subject or readers I might as well call it a day.

  37. I agree that ALL of these matter, but the one that I didn’t used think was all that important (and was proven wrong about) was being prolific and writing consistently.

    When our Daily Axioms blog went from one story every week or two to 5 stories a week, we were not only able to increase our readership, but my blog writing skills grew much more. Nice article!

  38. This is a great post and yet I also agree with @Venkat that it is written with the assumption that success means the same thing to all. This can be discouraging for people who are inspired thinkers but do not have enough time to Blog and Blogs like this can intimidate them from ever trying because they don’t think they can commit to being prolific and consistent and yet it doesn’t mean they don’t have anything to offer.

    I wrote more about this on my Blog: http://mindfulmarketers.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-you-cannot-blog-regularly-then.html

    Meanwhile, I would add to the list that effective Bloggers are visionaries who write for a purpose beyond getting followers. They will write even if no one reads (which doesn’t mean they don’t market themselves effectively or don’t pay attention to the needs of others) because the writing will lead to something bigger like a book or workshop material and touch the world in many other ways.

  39. *If YOU can write YOU can make money

    Every once in a while I come across a marketing article that isn’t the same old crap, the same old Clickbank hype, the same old article marketing, the same misleading make a quick buck tips that don’t really work.

    And today is one of those days.

    If you can write… really write on your own (Not copy and cut and paste someone elses work) you can make money.

    No Website Required.

    Here is the article for you to learn “How to” make money writing. It’s on Hubpages (In my opinion the best free RevShare site).

    I didn’t write it… and yes there are a few affiliate links in the article (That’s how HubPages works).

    But if you are new to online marketing, looking for a way to make money that does not require you to host your own site, and is completely legitimate then give it a look.

  40. As a new blogger, I did all those things you wrote about at the beginning with so much excellent help out there.

    Thank you for steering me in the right direction with these great points – for me, persistence is the key. I must work very hard to keep enticing new readers and build my following.

    copybogger is a great help to us all. thankyou!

  41. “Most effective bloggers tend toward short posts. They also divide their copy into short paragraphs, and use bullet points or numbered lists to keep the reader scanning. They use compelling subheads so readers can scan for the information they need.”

    I must be in the minority, the two blogs I read the most often have extremely long but well written posts. They have “hooked” me by their superior writing styles. Blogs that are mostly links and offer little original text don’t draw me back over time.

  42. Thanks to all of you for these amazing comments and to Sonia for publishing my post and fielding all the comments while I was sleeping here in Australia. I couldn’t have hoped for a better response.

    For the record being persistent is the number one key to success in blogging and just about anything so when in doubt just keep plugging on. Psychologists call it ‘grit” and describe grit as being able to stick to a job and keep at it for a long period of time despite setbacks. They’ve found that having grit is more useful when it comes to achieving your goals than intelligence.

    I think nurturing these traits will help you gain success in life in general, not just blogging.

    Thanks for the excellent additions of being passionate and having your own voice. Let’s do it:)

  43. G’Day Annabel,
    After a couple of months of trying, I’m about to publish my first blog. Your advice is both valuable and timely.
    Mine is a business blog–unequivocally. So may I add , for business bloggers at least
    *have a clear business focus
    *have a clearly defined target market
    *blogging is a sales tactic not a total marketing strategy
    and, of course, for every blogger
    “make sure you have fun.”

    Regards

    Leon

  44. @nix, I don’t think that blogs with mostly links and little original text would appeal to very many of us. I can think of one very successful blog that completely blows the “concise” point, which is Dosh Dosh. But Maki hasn’t posted since December, sadly. If you’d like to share your two long-post favorites, I’d find it interesting!

  45. @gabriel There is no one thing in any part of “blogging” that is difficult. It’s the sheer amount of information that has to be mastered, and the time you have to master that information is decreasing.

    Honestly, this is what it’s like in the startup world as well. If you can’t hang with that game, you have no business playing. It’s brutal, but that’s the ground truth.

  46. Great post…my focus is on points # 5 and 8. Without 8 you’re out of business. And 5 gives people a reason to read.

  47. Here is a simple tip. You can recycle old content. I have been blogging for six years now. While I have retained many of my readers new ones show up all the to time. So every so often I roll out an old post.

    Most of the time it is very well received and has helped to secure new readers.

  48. @Dave D, I agree with that. There’s no one step that’s truly all that hard. (OK, learning to write well is hard. But that can be worked around with partnerships.) But there are so many steps, all coming in at once. Once you’ve mastered it, it’s not bad at all. But getting there is tough.

  49. Annabel

    All of these are great points as collectively they are what sets the best bloggers apart. For those that are blogging as their business or revenue stream, I would like to add that they are good business people and have a sense of how to run a business. That is another trait that brings success in blogging for business.

    4, 5 and 7 are my favorite points above. Great article!

    @SuzanneVara

  50. Dave D and Simone – Maybe knowing your limitations and subbing out the the bits you can’t do to people who can should be on the ever-growing list:)

    Jack- That is a good tip and I should do it. But there are so many new ideas I have too so I need to focus constantly on what’s going to please my readers most.

    Leon – And having fun too. That’s priceless, thanks.

  51. Hi Annabel, I admire you for churning out an advice blog post with soul. Like you said, adding such stuff on top of the existing millions aren’t easy.
    There is one thing I still cannot figure out: do we pick a topic or does a topic choose us? I am in the middle of figuring out what my topic is and I have started wondering if the latter is the case – I write blog posts, look back, and try to find if there is any path that appears by connecting the seemingly random dots.

  52. Spot-on list, Annabel! 🙂 #4 is especially important for me. Approaching life with the outlook that you can always learn something new can directly correlate to how prolific you are. Basically, if you don’t take experiences for granted (no matter how boring or mundane), you gain a sense of appreciation for life that benefits your writing abilities.

    On a semi-related note, “Negative for negative’s sake” blog comments tend to make me chuckle. I’ve noticed that nonconstructive criticism always reeks of the same attitude: “I know what I’m doing. I’m successful, and I don’t do what you suggest/agree with your methods.” Besides the fact that such readers also usually miss the point of the blog post, it demonstrates a disinterest in learning. In the long run, I personally don’t see how such negative attitudes facilitate success or productivity.

  53. Hi Annabel, I enjoyed your post. I’ve just started blogging as a prequel to my product launch and what realy surprised me is how much I’m enjoying it. Yes it’s a hard slog but I am noticing an improvement in a really short pace of time in the quality of posts and the time it takes. I think its the kind of joy you get out of a job well done regardless of how difficult it is and also the cumulative nature of blogging. The thought that if I keep up this pace I’ll have 100 quality articles on my topic in a few months.

  54. Isao – It took me a while to focus on one topic and I’m still experimenting with it. It is hard but just keep doing what you’re doing, keep writing and hopefully the waters will become less muddy:)

    Stefanie – I’m not sure what makes people leave negative comments either. I guess they feel very strongly about it and everyone is welcome to their opinion. Blogging’s an art and there’s no right way to do it or rule book we have to follow but I try to encourage people in their endeavours whenever I can. At the end of the day we’re all trying the hardest we can to do the best we can:)

    Kunle – Blogging is fun. I might be addicted to it but there are so many postive things that come out of blogging (learning, friendships, confidence, life change) that I think it’s a good thing!

  55. I like this advice, except for the part that states “Successful bloggers choose a topic and stick to it.” In my opinion, it is fine to have a blog about a multitude of different subjects, because at the end of the day, your unique writing style will be what draws a returning crowd. Excellent post overall.

  56. Nicholas – I’m definitely guilty of changing topics and now writing about two unrelated topics (self improvement and Internet marketing!) myself. But I have noticed that the top dogs are very good at sticking to the one topic. I hope what you say is true. I want to believe it and I know a few top bloggers who like you also think your voice is more important than your topic. Maybe diverse topics is an option but sticking to one topic a safer bet at least to begin with…

  57. Terrific article! Thanks for compiling all of those. I think they are all equally important actually. I hope I possess all of these, but with them all listed out together I’ll have to think about it now. I think all of this comes more easily when you have a passion for what you do as well. For instance, at my 9-5 job I might be content to learn what I need to to get by because ultimately I want to work from home. So my interest in learning is definitely higher when it comes to blogging and my retail website.

  58. I agree with Andrew. Having a “thick skin” is probably one of the most important traits.

    I have always known that being analytical is important, and I have been listening to my readers a lot, but I’ve stopped looking at the statistics. That’s because I became sort of obsessed with statistics. I looked at the statistics many times a day, and I tried to adjust my blog all the time.

    I’m currently having some time away from the statistics, and only concentrating on writing.

  59. I think I have some of the habits that you listed yet I am far from being a top blogger..

    But the pursuit continues 🙂 like always

  60. Really good post and I agree with all the points you have listed.
    It is sometimes hard to tame the ‘waffle’ factor, though, so I try to keep in mind the need to be a reader of my own ramble too!
    Persistence is the key!!

  61. Glad to see #3 on the list! I don’t think bloggers give this enough importance. Sure, there are lots of things to worry about and cover as a blogger and most of us would rather just focus on writing and communicating with our readers, but a lot of us don’t see that being intimate with your analytics is just another way of being intimate with your readers. They may tell you one thing but do something totally different on your site. Your analytics won’t lie to you if you know what you’re doing!

  62. @Sonia

    http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/

    Is the best example. Started a blog in his part time and just wrote good stuff and didn’t appear to be doing anything planned to get traffic or money really. Now he writes for Bicycling Magazine and has a major book release next month.

    In my opinion, there are lots of ways to get people to your site for a single visit through a link or search engine result. But the only way someone is going to return on a daily or weekly basis is fantastic writing.

  63. Great list! Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Steve Pavlina’s blog (www.StevePavlina.com) is incredible successful, yet is an exception to #2. I don’t think he knows the definition of “brevity.” 🙂 But his long writing is not filled with fluff or blather, either.

    One thing I think could be added to the list is “Effective bloggers let their personality show.” I read blogs that offer great how-to advice, but I LOVE blogs that are not only helpful and informative, but entertaining and a blast to read (Naomi’s IttyBiz.com is a good example).

    But this post and the 8 habits mentioned are an excellent resource for bloggers (and wannabe bloggers)!

  64. That’s a good distinction, Bonnie — Pavlina’s posts aren’t short, but I do find them concise. As you say, they’re not padded or fluffy. He just has a lot to say. I’d say the same about Maki at Dosh Dosh.

    Personality is one that I think you can do or not do, at your own discretion. I think it’s often much quicker to build a following around your personality, but then you have to keep showing up personally and it limits your ability to grow the blogging team.

  65. Great post! In order to be successful, I think bloggers need to embrace a bit of all those eight habits. In order to gain a loyal following, however, the writing must be strong and consistent. I encourage my clients to make a blog editorial schedule and stick to it. Like you say, even if it’s just two posts a week, make sure every Tuesday and Thursday, for example, you are posting.

  66. This is good advice. I like #3 best, although I think I’d reword it to say “Effective bloggers are engaged with their audience.” Blogs should always be written with people in mind.

  67. All good tips. I’ve learned that every one really ends up saying the same thing. You’ve phrased the variation on a theme but it’s important. I’ve learned by reading and re-reading and re-reading similar advice. Right now, my own blog is a bit out o’ date but I’m developing an editorial calendar for it and then will plan ahead to stick to it. I think bloggers should try to have an adaptable editorial calendar to provide a framework for the month ahead.

  68. Hi Annabel,
    I’m so glad you mentioned #1 – having too many tips to follow. I end up going in too many different directions at the same time. I frustrate myself trying to decide which widget to use. And then, after figuring it out and installing it, sometimes, it doesn’t work with my theme. Grrrr!!

    Fantastic reference article that I will return to. I’m still your biggest fan.

    And a shout-out to my friend, Andrew from comment number one. He just gave me that sage advice and I’m happy to see him at the top of the list of people who think this post rocks.

    Thanks for putting your time and effort into sorting out what makes top bloggers effective.
    Cheryl

  69. Great article, advice, and tips for the all around blogger. I started blogging with one idea in mind. That was to dispense my thoughts in one primary place. I have grown to love blogging and with that my passion for writing has returned. I find the single greatest help and hinderance is either an abundance of or lack of motivation. Behind that, providing quality over quantity will keep me coing back to a blog time and time again.

  70. Larry – Thanks for adding that: engage with your audience. It’s irreplaceable.

    Knowledge – Re motivation. Jut keep doing it a little bit each week and your blog will get better and your writing grow. Don’t give up – time is definitely on your side when you’re a blogger.

  71. @Jack – Thanks for the comment about bringing back older posts – I have a lot of new readers from the last couple of months and some of my older posts could be really useful for them.

    I have a hard time being concise but have gotten better … I always feel like I need to provide some sort of background story before I get to my point. People complain that I am too terse in my emails so maybe I should take some lessons from that for my articles 😉

  72. I agree on all your points. I also follow them :D. I think the most important trait a long term blogger can employ is consistent ethics. Being true to yourself translates into being honest with your readers. Honesty builds trust and everyone wins.

  73. Hi Annabel, thanks for the list. It is nice to find one’s path validated.

    Of the traits you highlighted, I most identify with “concise, ” “lifelong learner,” and “persistent.” Back in my internship days, I had the pleasure of having all of my assignments ripped to shreds by what I now see as an enormously most talented copy editor. The man changed my writing style and taught me to be concise.

    My blog is technical in nature (it’s about mobile websites for smartphones), so if I don’t continue learning, the blog will be irrelevant.

    Persistence is also essential if one wants to have a long-lasting blog. Mine’s been up almost three years, and many times I’ve felt like moving on. Then, a news story or press release will grab my attention, and I have to write about it.

    Please let everyone know that persistence will pay off the most, and looking back, you’ll have a body of work that can really make you proud of your efforts.

    One other item I will add: it helps to have friends online. Be a friend to others and you will have friends back. That is how I was nominated to and became a finalist in the San Diego Influence award this year in the Blogger of the Year category. Another blogger won the award, but I won the votes. That can make a person feel very good indeed!

  74. Sharing all this about making and establishing the right Blog is really effective for me and definitely for other online ideas sharing people as well. So it is nice and new to me…

  75. I think it is hard to pick one thing that is most important. I think you have covered almost everything. I, too, have researched a lot of bloggers. One thing I will add is: being personal or a good storyteller. The blogs I enjoy reading are informative, yet also tell a story.

    I am not prolific at this point, yet I do find I have a running list of ideas to jot done. Unless I carve out the time, the ideas don’t get developed.

  76. Good list. A bit surface level, but you can’t really get down to the nitty gritty when it comes to discussing blogging, because there are so many different types of blogs. I do, however, agree with Venkat as well, that taking cues from “A-List” bloggers leads to some irrelevant conclusions simply because not everyone is looking to be an A-List Blogger, whatever that means. Granted, most of these suggestions apply to all bloggers, but the end all of blogging is to simply join a community and get your voice out there while informing people about something you’re passionate about.

  77. I think the most important keys are research and creating meaningful posts that are informative and useful.

    Focus on the topic of the interest, and keep track of the insights that come to you. There are a lot of things, thoughts and topics that would make effective blog posts. So many times it’s matter of tracking, collecting the thoughts.

    Very nice blog post. I enjoyed reading it Annabel. Thanks!

  78. All eight habits to your blog are great! One habit that a effective blogger should adapt is to “comment” on other people’s blog.

    Commenting shows that you enjoy reading other people’s blog and it also shows that you care for there opinion. It will help gain an audience that will encourage you to blog daily. This leads to a successful blog that attracts more viewers than imagined and benefits you in your writing skills.

    Thanks again, this blog is so helpful.

  79. I like this. I bookmarked it so I can read it again. Thank you!

    I will go with “concise” as the trait I have been working most on. How to say things I want to say… and be brief about it! It is a learning curve.

  80. I think persistence is the most important, not only in blogging, but in almost any endeavor. As long as you persist and learn and adapt as you go (quoting Einstein “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”) you will achieve your goal as long as you never quit!

  81. Hi there,

    I Just arrived from over at the Better Networker Tribe.
    Wow what a great resource this is. I love it here.
    I just kicked off my own blog this week and will definitely be coming here every day to learn as much as I can from you guys.

    Thanks so much for the value that you give here.

    Pete.

  82. Thanks for this wonderful list. I particulalry like the one about consistencey because I think it applies to entire process of blogging. Also, I totally agree with Andrew’s comment about having a thick skin. I thought of that too while reading your post.

  83. This article helped me immensely. I am in the process of developing my blog categories and outlines. Preparation is something I have invested a lot of time in, and know the rigor that will be involved moving forward. I appreciate you mentioning Seth Godin’s recent book Linchpin, I will pick up a copy this weekend and look forward to continuing my learning.

    Thank you Annabel your a credit to your profession!

  84. This is a great article! It really got me thinking. I’ve been trying to start a successful blog for, oh… a few years now, but I always end up putting it on the backburner in favor of the “flavor of the week” (i.e. other projects that catch my poor ADD-ridden mind and look more exciting).

    I have this horrible habit of never finishing what I start. Damn. So I’d say that, for me, Numbers 5 and 7 really hit me hard. I definitely need to keep focused and continue writing, writing, writing.

    As many wonderful people have said, “Success doesn’t happen overnight.” So true, so true. And something I constantly have to keep in the forefront of my mind, or else I will continue flittering aimlessly from one “new exciting” project to the next, never seeing anything come to fruition.

    Thanks for the advice! I will definitely take them to heart.

  85. Great post – we all can relate to trying on what successful bloggers have done – then trying something else – then trying something else – until we get that we need to go in our own direction.

    I share my blog with 7 other writers, I sent them the link to this becuase I have try to say this to them, but I think you say it so much better.

    Best of luck with your top blogging – you did make it to here which should drive your name throughout the stratosphere and over 100 comments is rockin!

    Catherine

  86. Great to see you here Annabel!

    I would say the most important trait is not to quit. Because the fact is, most people are quitters. Most people will not put in the hard work and time to: lose weight, get fit, get an education (and keep learning), become and stay self-employed…most people just won’t cut it.

    Not that that makes them “bad people.” Frankly, I think if someone is content to live an average life, there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes I envy them. But I’m just not that type of person.

    So if you stick it out, you will be ahead of the game for the simple reason that, most people don’t.

  87. Prolific writing may not be everyone’s cup of tea.The major stumbling block is that many cannot figure out what to write about.My idea is to stop debating and start testing out.Or simply start doing some research on your own or use a software to find good niche ideas

  88. As a new blogger but former long-time corporate journalist, I’d say #7 is the most important trait. But I define it in a slightly different way. I say stop caring SO MUCH when you blog. It doesn’t matter if you break all of the eight rules above in the beginning. It doesn’t matter if no one comments on your posts. What matters is that you believe in what you’re posting and want to continue to do and to learn to do it better, which you will if you continue.

    I think the most important elements of blogging are to care passionately about your topic, to want to learn more about it on an ongoing basis and to share what you learn with others.

  89. All of these are imporant there own way in the success of a blog, but the most important trait is to be a lifelong learner. The world changes constantly and so does marketing on the web, this is why we can never stop learning and adapting to the changes.

  90. Excellent Article, I think my own favorite bullet would be “just write alot” the more content you create the more pages your site has and the more indexes you will have on Google. Writing content comes first and foremost, write clear, concise content that adds value for a reader.

  91. I would say tip #5: be focused and consistent is the most important. If you’re writing about something you love, and you write about it consistently, than you’ve won more than half the battle.

    I mean, if you write about a passion – something that really gets you excited – than you will inevitably want to share that information with others, so this goes hand in hand with self promotion. And if you’re promoting yourself to other people who are excited about your topic too, they’ll probably share that content with even more people, which will lead to good things for your blog!

  92. Great Article!
    I think habits #1, #4 & #7 are the most important.
    If your willing to learn how to be a successful blogger, if your not already, you will learn how to become a successful blogger.
    If you combine that with Persistance and being a prolific writer you will eventually become successful blogger.
    Cade.

  93. Great post!

    I would love to be a better blogger but am also happy in the little area of the blogsphere I am in. I guess I closed myself off a bit though.

    If I was to start another blog I would definitely follow some of your tips.

  94. As a blogger who used to be very consistent and is not not consistent at all, I beleive consistency is the most important out of all the steps.

    Without consistency, you have nothing. Literally.

  95. Love the tips. Simple yet very effective!

    Working for yourself requires far more planning, dedication and direction, as there could be much more distractions.

  96. Analyzing the current situation, or to analyze the development of hot news in the media is very helpful in making the post. This is often done and the results are very helpful.

  97. the MOST important is the ability to drag your sorry arse out of bed in the morning and do some writing, that combined with persistence.

    great article, just started a blog and have ploughing a lot of time and effort into it. the article has given me renewed hope (through already having most of the characteristics) and by reaffirming views and teaching me something.

    Andy

  98. I’m loving the items you have listed, but one that I didn’t see that is important to me is to enjoy writing the blog. The enthusiasm to get the word out about your topic is a must to sustain the blog. I think the reader can detect if you’re just putting in the time or it you are really enjoying yourself. I love to read the ones where people love the topic and the process.

  99. Loved the article. Found it from reading Kristen’s blog, Dine and Dish (http://dineandish.net) I agree with all your points, but I think the most important point is #1, to write, and to keep writing. The more you write, the more you’ll find your voice, so you can really figure out what you want to write about.

    I love blogging. I don’t have a ton of followers. (My google rank is decent considering that.) My mom is my biggest fan and I’m ok with that, because I don’t see her very often and now she feels connected to me and my family.

  100. Well said, what more will I add, I have started implementing some of the things stated here, but I guess it’s still too early to judge since my blog is barely a monthy old

  101. Im Just start my blog about a month… what my kind of blogger? i think im little bit effective bloger… but i love learn more, so i will be get All the 8 habits… Hopely…

  102. I agree completely with the 8 habits; particularly with posting on a regular schedule and having a master plan. I just started my blog and plan to post once a week initially while sticking to a particular are of expertise. I currently freelance on Skillocracy.com and this fantastic website gives me a lot of time to devote to blogging apart from earning my living.

  103. i love all of your advices… but my most favorite is the lifelong learner and consistency…thank u anabelle 😉

  104. This is an excellent post and a real inspiration to bloggers both new and experienced! You have also demonstrated all 8 of the Habilts in your own blog.
    Very hard to choose the most important habit but being a lifelong learner and persisting with your blog seem to be very critical to successful blogging.
    Thank you — loooking forward to more great reading!

  105. I have really enjoyed this posting.
    Writing comes easy to me. That is why I love blogging as well, Especially if it is on topics that interest me now.
    I write on various diffrent topics of blogging and content writing.
    I also enjoy copy writing and need to write more on the subject.

    One problem I am having is staying consistant with my blogging. I have to go to my day job 10 hours a day, my wife is handicapped and I need to help her out a lot.

    Now that spring has sprung into action I have a lot of outside yard work to do as well as maintain a household. It is difficult to find the time to blog these days.

  106. Thank you all for sharing your ideas. I am a beginner, learner in blogging. This post & discussion going to help in a lot!

  107. Your right about what you say. However its not always easy to write daily. Thanks for the advice.

  108. I think all of the points are equally, if not identical in their importance. I am a neophyte to blogging and these tips are indeed an eye opener.

    I sometimes run out of juice and wonder if it is worth the trouble. And, being a health care practitioner, time is money and lots more particularly if you wish to spare some time for your family.

    Excellent post!!

  109. Well versed and sound advice from a master of the art!
    We can all say thanks for the knowledge give here and share it with others who are less fortunate.
    That is the most important idea we can have today to help everyone grow and prosper and multiply!
    Send this to everyone you know!

  110. I’ll second the “thick skin” comment. It always amazes me when people say things online that they would never dream of saying in person.

    It seems to be the same for any online media. I guess hate letters have always existed but the internet makes things much more immediate and relevant.

  111. I have just started blogging and have to say that I can relate to all that you have said. There is so much information that I constantly have to keep reminding myself to stay focused and stay on task. It is so easy to meander off and suddenly find that I have not posted anything on my blog for 3 or 4 days.

    So for me the most important habit is to stay focused and be consistent. I have to stay on subject and post everyday, regardless of what is happening around me.

    Once I can get this sorted out I can than move on to the next habit.

  112. I whole-heartedly agree with #4, the never-ending need to learn and adapt in our ever-changing world — both online and offline,

    This is the second post I have read here tonight. The first was Blogging Is Dead (Again). As I was reading it, I couldn’t help but remember how many times we were told that eggs were good for us, then they weren’t, then they were, etc.

  113. I agree that self-discipline is crucial for bloggers. You have to consistently motivate yourself to write. No one is there to tell you that you have to do it. You have to have the burning desire from within.

  114. I think consistency is most important. Do what you say you’re going to do when you’re going to do it. Don’t disappoint your following!

  115. Excellent info… I’m starting to realize there is a huge difference between simply writing and writing for an audience.

    One thing I do is try to imagine myself as a reader stumbling on my blog and try to shape the content to please the audience. Now the only problem for me so far is finding an audience.

  116. Hey there,

    Thanks for the post!

    You mentioned that the “first key to being a successful blogger is to write”. This is so crucial! From a readers point of view, it is so rare to find a blog that is well written. More that that; it is so rare to find a blog that uses grammar well and really seeks to engage the audience carefully yet- how do I say this without repeating myself?- engagingly!?

    I would clarify you statement to read: “The first key to being a successful blogger is to write… well”. There is so much bad writing out there. No, I’m not here to complain. I want to say, rather, that I do simply love good quality prose.

    Engage me! Lift my spirits with your words!. Sell me!

    Have a great day.

    Dave @ filmstank.com

  117. Being a self starter is extremely important. Luckily my online college courses introduced me to the idea of managing my own time with respect to deadlines.

    Being concise is essential, and you did that very well in this article. There are so many high quality, 1 page tutorials that if your post drags on unnecessarily, you’re guaranteed to lose a viewer.

  118. Of course it doesn’t hurt to read and comment on other blogs to keep you in a ‘blogosphere’ state of mind…

  119. The only two blogs I read on a regular basis are so different from one another. The bloggers are both very popular, even considered famous bloggers. One writes whatever comes to mind, hardly stays on the subject ,and her posts are long winded. Very long winded and fully of photos. I skim her blog posts. The other stays on topic and writes very brief posts with a photo or two. There is not enough content to skim. Personally, I don’t believe there is an algorithm for writing good blog posts. It is like anything else people sell, you write regularly and you either catch a wave or you don’t. You can be very trained and very talented, and never catch your wave. Or you can have no training and little talent, but somehow your surfing. It is so up to luck.

  120. All great points but I think being prolific is the one that really hit home for me!!! I am the usual creative type…big spurts of blogging and then…none for months…I am now commited to writing a post once a week…on Friday morning to be exact!!!

  121. Thanks for the 8 habits…..I feel I embody all of them, and I’m determined to keep doing what I love, which is living my vintage lifestyle and blogging away about it! Thanks for the confirmation that I’m on the right track.

  122. This is beyond brilliant, truly. Thanks for summing it up so beautifully for us. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed. I throw in the towel daily.

    So, yea, just a note of thanks!

  123. The only two blogs I read on a regular basis are so different from one another. The bloggers are both very popular, even considered famous bloggers. One writes whatever comes to mind, hardly stays on the subject ,and her posts are long winded. Very long winded and fully of photos. I skim her blog posts. The other stays on topic and writes very brief posts with a photo or two. There is not enough content to skim. Personally, I don’t believe there is an algorithm for writing good blog posts. It is like anything else people sell, you write regularly and you either catch a wave or you don’t. You can be very trained and very talented, and never catch your wave. Or you can have no training and little talent, but somehow your surfing. It is so up to luck.

  124. I appreciate your no frills honesty. The principas to being a successful blogger are the same as being successful at anything. Copyblogger is gaining my trust as a go to authority because your advice resonates with something deep inside of me. Thanks!

  125. I like the advice given by Kiesha to wirte on the blog as I am also trying to wirte something as a message to the people around the globe about environment. I work for an organisation which has an objective of Co2 emission reduction through renewal energy system.

  126. Thank you for this insight. I’m starting to notice that much of what you talk about here is very true. Blogging can feel like a lot of work but it’s also a lot of fun I’m finding out!

  127. Thanks for your tips… though I wonder, I want a successful blog as well, but what if the blog itself is not the most important but a tool or a door to something else? a window to show my work, my art, my craft. But I also want to make it more personal. How to be productive and successful in my blog when I also need several hours to create what I should be talking about in my blog: my arts and crafts? Blogging, and successful blogging takes huge amounts of time.. how to cope with doing everything only in few hrs a day? that is my main concern on the latest days…

  128. Number 5 is my biggest issue. Being clear on my topic and not being too broad and then having a publishing schedule. Those are two things I’ll be implementing this year to improve my sites.

    Btw – Australia is a great place to call ‘home’!!

  129. Gabrielle, a steep learning curve is one in which a great deal must be learned (vertical) before any progress on the problems at hand (horizontal) can be had. I suppose that it’s a matter of perception, but the ‘x’ axis does not have to refer to time. If I had to learn html, php, css just to put together a WordPress clone so that I could begin to learn SEO, effective writing, affiliate marketing and so on, that would be a steep learning curve. All work and no real progress toward the goal of making a dollar, entertaining, influencing or whatever else the actual goal of the blog was.

    The Orientals are smart. But they aren’t the only ones on the planet who can make that claim.

  130. “being curious and wanting to learn keeps you young and your brain active”

    This is indeed true. If you are curious, you are really eager to seek for answers you have in your mind.

  131. Effective bloggers discriminate. He knows not only what to write, but also what not to write. Effective bloggers leave some things unsaid.

    Jef Menguin
    Philippines

  132. for me i think it has to be “self starter” i know how i can be some times when i have some free time but two or three things that i need to do. like right now infact, i have alot of work to do on my new blog as well as a report for work but im sitting on the sofa reading copy blogger on my kindle.

  133. Hi Annabel, you captured all the qualities that an effective blogger should be. Thank you for sharing your insights. I admired those who are so effective despite their busy schedules. TIME…there seems to be always the lack of it when you are full time with many things. So then focus is very important. Lose it and you will find yourself spreading thinly over everything that wish to involve in. I think about hiring somebody to do all these blogging stuff for me but then I also see the importance of quality and to be effective, blogging must also be personal, sharing something that is coming from your heart. Thanks and best regards to you!

  134. Hi, I really liked this post because it reminded me to be persistant. One thing I would add great bloggers do is they drive traffic to their posts. The easiest way they can do this is by reading and commenting on other blog posts. This 9th habit falls in line well with your never stop learning habit because every blog I read I learn from.
    If you do write about driving traffic to your posts let me know, I will be sure to read it.
    I found your blog because I just wrote an article about Franklin Covey’s 8 habits and I looked up other similar posts like mine.

  135. This is very inspiring…and awakening. This is one of my favorite article here in copyblogger since I started reading most of them because this one made me share what I feel and what I think about the post. Thanks again. More power to your site!

  136. Thanks for all the tips. I find that I follow blogs based on what they have to offer that is of benefit to my own business. Very often I will see a photo of something and go to the blog just to see more and learn about the blogger. I like learning the personality behind the blog.

  137. I think being a lifelong learner and being persistent are the most valuable traits on the list. Constantly learning and growing gives fresh ideas and perspective, while persistence keeps us going down the same path and makes us win, even if we aren’t the best in our field.

  138. The bloggers that really capture my attention tell great stories, are expert in the use of metaphor, and include colorful examples. In short, in addition to the 8 tips you’ve provided they are killer writers–and I aspire to being one of them!

  139. Wow, #5 and #6 really struck a chord. I can sometimes fall into obsessing over the most (in retrospect) trivial things, when I should be writing or researching good content!

    Thanks for THIS good content …

    – Scott

  140. What a marvelous post. I liked it very much. Really all the points you mentioned here are quite important for the successful blogger. Thanks for reminding bloggers of many things like consistency, analysis and learning desired, which greatly contribute to the success.

  141. Thanks for providing the inspiration to keep working on my blog! It is a constantly evolving process and sometimes I need a little extra inspiration.

  142. I started a blog with just my close friends and it’s true that you need to write consistently to keep them coming back. I write humorous articles and most of my friends rely on my wise-ass stories to get them through there dreaded, miserable workdays.

  143. You did a great job of identifying and explaining some of the attributes and habits of effective bloggers. I think another great attribute of an effective blogger is having access to – and therefore writing about – exceptionally unusual news or information. I gravitate towards people who can show me/tell me/teach me something no one else has before. There is a real opportunity for bloggers to become newsmakers- it is precisely this idea that I think separates the good from the great.

  144. Wow- excellent post! I just started blogging less than a year ago and I’ve been vigilant about it. Reading your post made me smile because I firmly believe my readership explosion is due largely in part that I unknowingly have the 8 habits you wrote about. Excellent piece- I look forward to reading more!

  145. What more can I say? This whole list is enough to digest. I agree on every point.

    Hard working with a direction in mind is the only way to keep pumping out that content for successful blogging.

    I also think that working towards a bigger picture, defined with little increments of daily posting, drives our reticular activating sytem with ideas and hunches of that ‘WoW’ feeling.

    There are many niches out there in cyberspace that will continue to flourish with teeming fish of buyers. The niches I refer to are the evergreen niches such as: ‘Wealth, Health, and Lifestyle. For example, drilling down to the nitty grittys. Lets say with wealth:
    Working From Home, Forex, Business Opportunities, Internet Marketing, Public Domain.
    Health: Diet, weight loss, quit smoking, headache relief.
    Lifestyle: Mind, Body and spirit, pets, dating, online study courses and baby boomers.

    All Multimillion dollar industries.

    I also agree with being analytical because there is measuring and monitoring factor to find where the fish are coming from – like using a GPS system – plotting the exact location.

    Thanks again for a wonderful post.

  146. Annabel,

    I like what you’ve done here. I’ve always been obsessed with the way people function, mentally, who are effective.

    You do a great job of identifying some of the key components I’ve found as well, in studying effective bloggers.

    I especially align with brevity and conciseness. People don’t like superfluous crap, they like straight, to the point quality stuff.

    Love the title, love what you’ve done here.

  147. Great post! I think another crucial characteristic of a sucessful blogger is the ability to draw an audience in and captivate them. Bloggers who spit out numbers and advice without being personal won’t have the kind of devoted following that a conversational, honest, and personable author will. Reading a blog that actually sounds like it comes from a real person is both refreshing and more attractive than those that could have been written by any of 30 different people. Your blog has this, Brian! It draws me in every time!

  148. Hmm. Just when you think you have it figured out. I think this list is fantastic, I really do. It’s extremely helpful for us newbie bloggers.

    But the prolific blogging tip is what is throwing me. Some recommend you do exactly Annabel Candy is recommending…write, write, write, etc. You will become sharper and who can argue with the appeal of fresh content.

    The other side of the coin…what about quality over quantity. I’ve tried to shift my focus to posting only great, quality content. Afterall, readers are more likely to come back if I have impressed them with my work.

    So, yea, this confuses me. I absolutely think the more you write, the better you become. And, yet, I don’t want to drive away readers as they watch me go through growing pains as a writer.

    Anyway, LOVED the tips, thanks for a great article!

    • My advice, especially when you’re finding your voice, is write a lot (I’m a big fan of writing every day), but don’t publish everything you write. Choose the best 1-2 pieces each week to polish and publish.

  149. It’s great that what it takes to be a good blogger is the same as it is be a good writer in general. Excellent tips, especially the one about the ‘more you write, the better you get.’ When you return to your work from a few years ago, you can really see how far you have come – and with a blog you own, you can just repolish and reuse!

  150. Thanks for this. You are very good. Your work inspires me.

    I think that this is the best reason why blogs will remain a huge part of our evolution. It allows someone like me who is starting out, a chance to learn and reach out to writers with your gift.

    Im trying to learn all I could, and find my voice. Thanks again for sharing what you have.

  151. Consistency, passion, content and the art of finding something new to write about that non of the other bloggers in your niche has thought of writing about.

  152. Agree much! This article made me realized that I need to focus in everything I do. I blog when I;m in a mood of writing. I realized that if I wanted to be a successful blogger I need to follow what has been written in this post. Thanks!

  153. Annabel, this is such a great post – thank you!

    All of the habits you mentioned are very important, however as a branding strategist and business coach, I would have to say that being focused and consistent in the blog posts you write – is vital, especially if you want to build your credibility as an expert.

    Thanks again!

  154. Great advice to be a highly effective blogger! I have followed some of the ideas presented I find that the I am the most efficient and successful as a blogger is just like the first suggestion says to write a lot and to be consistent!

  155. “There’s too much advice to follow”
    A true point, I have been reading blogs lately, even with a few posts I read here giving advices, some even opposed the others while some were like “yeah, that’s how I would like it to be I guess”.

    To me in short, getting focused on audience, and being unique on topics written takes the quality attraction.

  156. They are all very important skills. If I were to weigh one more than another, I would say being prolific simply because if you don’t produce enough content, you won’t keep your audience engaged. You can do all the rest but if you can’t keep them coming back consistently then you’re a firefly in the night and gone by the time the sun’s up.

  157. My biggest advice is “be happy with what you wrote”. Following the golden rules is fine, but at the end of the day you need to write material that you would enjoy reading if someone else wrote it. Would you you read your own blog on a regular basis if it wasn’t yours?

  158. Fantastic piece of writing Annabel. As far as the most important trait is concerned, I would pick-up the Self-Discipline one. When you are Self-working/employed you got to set your own success standards and sometimes feel bad about it (when they aren’t met). Same goes with the day-to-day schedule.

  159. What an excellent post!

    These are all very important points. I especially appreciated being reminded about the importance of being prolific, consistent and being a lifelong learner.

  160. Now, that’s a great read. But, I don’t agree with your view on short posts. Sure, it makes life easy. But, I have received many emails on a couple of my posts where readers want a lot more information. They are fine reading a longer version of posts and may sometimes prefer it too.

  161. I think persistence is #1. Your giving your point of view and it might take a while for others to see it.

  162. Passion…for your topic and writing. I guess if one wants to sustain beyond first year then this is the most important requirement. Rest will follow. Best practices will be discovered/invented. Time will be created.

  163. “I also study how the most successful bloggers got where they are, and I pore over every word that they write.”<—me too.
    “too much advice”, yep – be strategic at all times. This goes for any business venture; build the business around YOUR strengths, rather than the latest marketing-hype (which is always bspush button solutions are inexistant) and you’ll succeed. You need to follow advice that vibes with your common sense. period.
    About writing a lot – I’m actually commenting a lot, in valuable ways, on the top-blogs, right now. That’s definitely a quick way to, get better at writing, but also to really get your blog up there.

    “Effective bloggers are concise”<——“make things easy to read”.
    “Successful bloggers choose a topic and stick to it.”<—-targeting their targeted audience. Snowball effect of glory if you keep doing that; compounding growth (which Einstein said is the most powerful force (?) in the universe.

  164. I think effective bloggers have a vision. They paint with their blog and notice every detail. They may pick a subject and stick with it, or they may decide it is time to move on. They know when the traffic is yet to come, and know when it’s passed them by.

    Personally, I suck at all of the above. I just write my subject and hope somebody wants to read.

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