It’s time for the ubiquitous “best of 2007″ lists, so why not one for Copyblogger? I’ll go ahead and do a round-up of the year’s best-received posts, with a bit of commentary on what was notable from each month.
So, if you missed anything from 2007, here’s a second shot at it. While you do that, I’ll have time to figure out what to write for next year (don’t worry, I’ve already got a pretty good idea).
Let’s get started by going way back to January of 2007.
January
I kicked off the year with the SEO Copywriting 2.0 series, and then proceeded to break one of my New Year’s resolutions by putting the term linkbaiting to a public vote. You can read the verdict here.
By the way, I broke my resolutions just for fun, all except for one. I never once used the word kerfuffle on this blog in 2007.
Whoops.
Other notable posts:
- Introducing the A*I*D*A Formula for Blogging
- Permission Marketing 2.0
- The P.T. Barnum Guide to Online Publicity
- The David Ogilvy Playbook for Business Blogging
February
February started out with a bang thanks to The 5 Immutable Laws of Persuasive Blogging, and then shifted into the Build a Sticky Blog series:
- Differentiate Your Blog or Die
- Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?
- Are You Leaving Your Readers Out of the Conversation?
- Let Cicero Build You a Sticky Blog
- Five Steps to a Truly Unique Blog That Attracts Readers and Revenue
March
After finishing up the Sticky Blog series, I had no idea what to write next. So, on a late night in early March, I decided to write a post about grammar (boring) and then went to bed. I guess the headline spiced things up a bit, because when I woke up the next morning, the post had gone HUGE on Digg, Reddit, Delicious, Stumble and a bunch of blogs from all over the world. This post brought in more traffic than anything else I’d written on Copyblogger up to that point.
Other notable posts:
- Headline Remix Madness – Part One and Part Two
- Why the A-List Doesn’t Matter
- Zen and the Art of Remarkable Blogging
April
In April I took a late ski trip, and the first-ever guest posts appeared on Copyblogger. Chris Garrett and Roberta Rosenberg allowed me to take a break with my family, and made me realize that this blog is more interesting when more voices are involved.
Other notable posts:
- A Simple Four-Step Strategy for Developing Content That Connects
- The Benjamin Franklin Guide to Marketing Your Business Online
- Five Common Headline Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
May
In May, Copyblogger got a huge design makeover from Chris Pearson, and then Chris retooled the old design and released it to the WordPress community. Also, Muhammad Saleem came on board as a regular guest writer and asked Is it OK to Write for Digg?
Meanwhile, I did a whole series on metaphors:
- Become a Master of Metaphor and Multiply Your Blogging Effectiveness
- Metaphor, Simile and Analogy: What’s the Difference?
- Magnetic Blogging: How to Use Metaphors to Create Irresistible Content
- Do Your Metaphors Rock?
June
In June I decided to see if I could work the whole grammar angle again. This time, I used a 60-year-old headline (Do You Make These Mistakes When You Write? is a slight twist on the classic Do You Make These Mistakes in English?) to see if I could get the attention of all these new-fangled social media users. The stampede from Digg, et al was bigger than the last one, which goes to show that some headlines always seem to work.
Other notable posts:
- Is Beer the Key to Remarkable Blogging?
- Writing Headlines for Regular Readers, Search Engines, and Social Media
- Blueprint for a Brilliant Blog Launch
- Go Big or Go Home: Why Being Bold is Critical to Getting Noticed
July
In July, I cranked out a different kind of post about writing, and it’s become my favorite. It was a spur of the moment thing, and while it certainly leaves out some important things (most notably lots of reading), it was designed to make a point.
Hopefully it did.
Other notable posts:
- Blogging is Dead (Long Live Value Blogging)
- IKEA Content: How to Lose Your Readers in Two Minutes or Less
- Two Techniques That Help You Embrace Brevity
- Are You a Courageous Blogger?
August
In August, the guest writers really shined. Mu kicked it off with a post about lists, Ryan Imel hit two home runs with How to Become an Authority Blogger and If Your Blog Disappeared, Who Would Miss It?, and Michael Stelzner explored writing productivity.
Here’s some stuff I wrote:
- The David Lee Roth Guide to Legendary Marketing
- Do People Really Want Transparency and Authenticity?
- How to Get 6,312 Subscribers to Your Business Blog in One Day
September
September was the month when things went crazy, traffic wise. Every article aimed at the Digg front page made it, and so did random posts that I scribbled off without thinking about it (like the “click here” post). Sensing opportunity, Ben Yoskovitz shows up for one single guest post, which also hits the Digg front page. Finally, on the last day of the month, I turned 40. Along with my lost youth, it later became clear that the success of September had also ended Copyblogger’s run on Digg.
Here’s the list of posts that helped shatter all previous Copyblogger traffic records:
- Warning: Use These 5 Surefire Headline Formulas at Your Own Risk
- How to Write Remarkably Creative Content
- Writing for StumbleUpon: High Impact Content “Above the Scroll” in Four Easy Steps
- Does Telling Someone to “Click Here” Actually Matter?
- Do You Recognize These 10 Mental Blocks to Creative Thinking?
- Are You Using the Five Types of Links Properly?
- Ten Timeless Persuasive Writing Techniques
October
After the September traffic stampede, it was time to shift gears. The free Teaching Sells report was released, and on the day we launched the training program designed to move people away from relying on Google and advertising, Google lowered Copyblogger’s PageRank from 6 to 4. Once Google was made aware that I had not been selling links and didn’t deserve the penalty, my PageRank was raised to 7. Too late, however, as Google made the point better than I could alone. You need to control your own destiny, and never rely on Google as your marketplace or business model.
Other notable posts:
- How to Create Ebooks That Sell
- Here’s How to Stop Worrying About Google Once and for All
- The Butterfly Effect and the Environment: How Tiny Actions Can Save the World
- Six Common Punctuation Errors that Bedevil Bloggers
November
Another strong month for guest writers, which was a good thing considering I was swamped with Teaching Sells. Skellie, Anna Goldsmith, Sean D’Souza, Dean Rieck, Jon Morrow and Nathania Johnson all made their first appearance on Copyblogger. Hopefully some of them are coming back in 2008!
Other notable posts:
- Jazz and the Art of Improvisational Blogging
- 7 Warning Signs That You’re Drunk on Your Own Words
- The Nasty Four-Letter Word That Keeps You From Writing
December
To close out the year, I broke character a bit to rant about Facebook and Digg. The point I’d hoped to make is that VC-funded companies are not on your side, and the only media you can trust and truly profit from is that which you own and control. And honestly, the reason I decided to go ahead with the Digg rant was because I loved the headline. I guess only a word nerd like me gets excited about an alliterative set of four words, each with four letters, all wrapped up in a Wizard of Oz reference. :-)
Other notable posts:
- The Cosmo Headline Technique for Blogging Inspiration
- 58 of the World’s Greatest Offers
- Why Writing Like a College Student Will Kill You Online
- How to Use the “Rule of Three” to Create Engaging Content
Looking forward to 2008
It’s nice to look back at the year this way, because otherwise the memory of it is mostly a blur (at least for me… but remember, I’m getting old). Thanks once again to all of you out there for making all of this possible by tuning in to Copyblogger. It’s clear that I have the coolest readers around.
Enjoy the holidays, cherish the ones you love, and plan on accomplishing more than you think you can in the coming year.
It’s going to be another interesting one.
62 comments... add one
#1 Michael A Stelzner → 12.26.07 at 2:19 pm
Brian;
It was a real pleasure to be a guest blogger!
Looking forward to 2008!
Mike
#2 kid blogger → 12.26.07 at 3:14 pm
Nice blog and nice design. I am a subscriber long time ago and I see your blog growing daily. BTW do you want to exchange links with me? Hahaha, just joaking.
Marko
Kid Expert
#3 Lucy Dee → 12.26.07 at 4:17 pm
Thanks for this end of the year “wrap-up,” Brian. And also I want to thank you for all of your luscious and informationally-rich posts. I am in your “Teaching Sells” program and I am so excited to begin implementing the techniques. I wish everyone the best in their blogging career in ‘08!
Sincerely, Lucy
#4 David G → 12.26.07 at 4:34 pm
Gotta love the best of … year lists :)
I’m quite new to Copyblogger so this is a great page for people like me to start from.
Thx for the list.
#5 Sonia Simone → 12.26.07 at 4:49 pm
This is great, it’s like a whole little blogging tutorial all wrapped up. You ought to create an ILE with it.
:D
I’m shocked and dismayed that you would try to go a year without using the word kerfluffle, though.
#6 Brian Lash → 12.26.07 at 7:05 pm
Great summary, Brian. This is a neat opportunity to see if we missed anything, and to discover new content.
Happy ‘08!
#7 YouMakeMedia » Best of Copyblogger… → 12.26.07 at 9:56 pm
[…] “Best of Copyblogger in 2007.” A roundup of the copywriting blog’s best posts over the year. # […]
#8 SJ | RichGrad.com → 12.27.07 at 12:23 am
Ah… smart move! The thing about blogging is the good posts tend to be hidden away after some time due to the constant updating.
It’s good to bring them up for mention so that readers who have missed them can access them easily. I think I’ll just do that for my blog too. Thanks for the idea Brian!
#9 Small Business Marketing → 12.27.07 at 1:40 am
Thanks. Your blog has become one of my favorite stops. It was good to get a review of the highlights of the entire year.
#10 nomad4ever → 12.27.07 at 2:14 am
I enjoy reading copyblogger.com over a year now and learned a lot from it. The most recent example is your Best of 2007 list, I shamefully had to adapt/copyblog it and publish my own one. ;-)
Happy New Year!
#11 Top 10 Web 2.0 Приложения на ReadWriteWeb 2007 и The Best of Copyblogger | Web 2.0 HotMonitor Blog → 12.27.07 at 2:31 am
[…] […]
#12 After Christmas Link Love → 12.27.07 at 3:13 am
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 - Copyblogger goes month by month telling of great articles released throughout the year. […]
#13 Karin H. → 12.27.07 at 5:34 am
Hi Brian
Looks you had a full 2007 ;-)
Perhaps your post should be entered to the latest Middle Zone Musings Group writing project: What I learned from 2007? at my dear (turtle) friend Robert Hruzek blog?
Looking forward to 2008 and more time to learn from/with Teaching Sells
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
#14 JohnofScribbleSheet → 12.27.07 at 5:55 am
Its been a great year for CopyBlogger, Congrats!
#15 Miriam → 12.27.07 at 6:24 am
It’s amazing how you manage to keep on writing such amazing content. Your blog is a goldmine for aspiring writers worldwide. Thanks for 2007, and looking forward to 2008!
#16 ScribbleSheet Blog → 12.27.07 at 6:56 am
[…] Coppyblogger’s best of 2007. Its a been a great year for the blog, with tons of useful […]
#17 Ruchir → 12.27.07 at 7:10 am
Ah, it appears I didn’t read most of your best posts. Time to catch up…
#18 eddie purba → 12.27.07 at 7:13 am
you have very interesting website.
learn a lot
thanks
#19 27 de diciembre de 2007 → 12.27.07 at 8:30 am
[…] que paso en el 2007 en: Copyblogger, Smashing Magazine, Pirate Bay (crecen los números) y lo más buscado en motores de […]
#20 Collective effort restores David Airey.com :: David Airey :: Graphic and Logo Designer → 12.27.07 at 9:09 am
[…] I’ve been steadily picking up some copywriting tips over the past year, and whilst I still have a lot to learn, in this case I reckon I put them to good use (thanks Brian). […]
#21 Jesse Hines → 12.27.07 at 3:03 pm
Great site. I’ve altered the way I write my headlines a bit based on some of the articles I’ve read here on Copyblogger.
Your site is becoming a must-read. Keep it up.
#22 The Brown Kid → 12.28.07 at 12:05 am
great site. great info. cheers to you in the New Year.
peace,
ron
#23 Success Begins Today → 12.28.07 at 12:43 am
The Top Five Bloggers of 2007…
The year 2007 is coming to a close and I would like to share with you my annual list of the top five bloggers who have impacted my life this year. 2007 seemed to be the year of the blog, with many great new blogs popping up in March and April.
I thin…
#24 Best of Copyblogger | Blog of Ronnestam → 12.28.07 at 1:40 am
[…] Copybloggers 2007 look back. […]
#25 Big List of 2007 Recap Posts » Small Business SEM → 12.28.07 at 1:58 pm
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#26 Bloggers Digest - 12/28/2007 - Get Elastic Ecommerce Blog → 12.28.07 at 3:43 pm
[…] Copyblogger has a similar top post roundup. […]
#27 All Freelance Writing | Freelance Friday - December 28, 2007 → 12.28.07 at 5:33 pm
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 - Copyblogger […]
#28 Kristi Holl → 12.28.07 at 5:46 pm
Thank you so MUCH for this round-up of articles. I’m fairly new to blogging, and you just presented me with a crash course of study. I love when I don’t have to re-invent the wheel! I’ve sold 35 books, but writing books and writing a blog are not the same thing, I’m finding! This one “best of 2007″ post will be a real education.
Kristi Holl
#29 Pay Per Click Advertising | Weekly Roundup for December 22 - 28, 2007 | Apollo SEM → 12.28.07 at 9:59 pm
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 […]
#30 Adam → 12.29.07 at 6:27 am
I do remember a few of them. An all in one post. Thanks.
#31 The Public Speaking Blog » Blog Archive » The Best of The Public Speaking Blog In 2007 → 12.29.07 at 8:57 am
[…] by Copyblogger, I have decided to do a round-up of this year’s best received posts with a little running […]
#32 Eric Feng → 12.29.07 at 8:59 am
Tks Brian for the genius idea of doing a best for 2007. just did mine, and it felt really good to review what was done for the entire 2007. hmm.. we should do it for our life too ;)
#33 tracy ho → 12.30.07 at 2:11 am
Great goal you have achievement of 2007 I will do goal setting this coming new year, 2008.
thanks a lot
to your advance success 2008,
Tracy ho
wisdomgettingloaded
#34 shy guy → 12.30.07 at 7:32 am
Hm.. I just like to read copyblogger..
Tips help me to gain more traffic..
Tq..
#35 Best of the ‘Sphere - 30/12/07 | TechnoMoney → 12.30.07 at 1:39 pm
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 from CopyBlogger […]
#36 Fubiz → 12.30.07 at 5:06 pm
Very nice selection!
#37 Are you ready for 2008? | Koka Sexton → 12.31.07 at 2:10 am
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 from CopyBlogger […]
#38 ) design collected ( :: links for 2007-12-31 → 12.31.07 at 4:12 am
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 | Copyblogger A round-up of the year’s best-received posts, with a bit of commentary on what was notable from each month. (tags: blogging copywriting writing blog tips resources reference 2007 copyblogger) […]
#39 beautiful Minds → 12.31.07 at 4:22 am
Happy New Year! Have a wonderful Blogging year ahead.!
#40 123+ Top Business Stories of 2007 → 12.31.07 at 6:02 am
[…] doesn’t just offer us a “best of” list - it’s a play by play of what makes Copyblogger a top blog (pick a list, any […]
#41 Over 120 Top Business Stories of 2007 → 12.31.07 at 10:14 am
[…] doesn’t just offer us a “best of” list - it’s a play by play of what makes Copyblogger a top blog (pick a list, any […]
#42 Arif Vakil → 01.01.08 at 3:31 am
Well, you’ve got the coolest readers around, only because you’re the coolest blogger in town. I always dreamed of being a writer and copyblogger is one huge resource which has got me back to writing.
Thank you so much. Copyblogger is making a difference to our lives.
Arif Vakil
Bangalore, India
#43 SJ | RichGrad.com → 01.01.08 at 7:04 am
And as promised, here’s mine…
The Best of RichGrad.com in 2007
#44 Best Blog Posts of the Year 2007 → 01.01.08 at 7:18 am
[…] Year 2007, Lee Odden’s Top Online Marketing Blog Posts in the Year 2007, Brian Clark’s Best of Copyblogger in 2007, Joost de Valk’s My 2007 Business Highlights, Rick Schwartz’s Rick’s Year End […]
#45 Business Channel - Business In Review → 01.01.08 at 12:03 pm
[…] doesn’t just offer us a “best of” list - it’s a play by play of what makes Copyblogger a top blog (pick a list, any […]
#46 Ming → 01.01.08 at 10:24 pm
Still my favourite blog Brian, but with a host of bloggers learning from you, it’s not that much of a longshot to number 2.
Consider it a compliment!
#47 Solomon → 01.02.08 at 1:28 am
Wish you a very Happy & Prosperous New Year, Brian!
I thank you for the comprehensive list of great posts from your enriching blog. I can’t thank you enough for the wealth of information you divulge to the benefit of all of us. I like to thank you and wish you and all the bloggers a prosperous and successful new year!
#48 Lecturas amenas → 01.02.08 at 4:20 am
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#49 Happy New Year Around The Blogosphere → 01.02.08 at 9:20 am
[…] must-see is The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 by Brian Clark. Going back through each month of 2007, Brian gives you a glimpse into the top posts […]
#50 The Best of 2007 | Freelancing Journey → 01.02.08 at 11:08 am
[…] last few days and wanted to offer up the links to two of the most valuable posts I found. One is The Best of Copyblogger in 2007. Brian Clark has even gone to the extent of reviewing his best posts by month. If you want to […]
#51 Best of Copyblogger » Riffs and Rants on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. → 01.02.08 at 11:53 am
[…] is a link to the Best of Copyblogger - really good […]
#52 claire stokoe → 01.03.08 at 5:38 am
Great article as always, I’ve read a lot of these posts but a few of them i have missed so look forward to catching up in 2008.
Happy New year Brian and Fellow Copybloggers!
#53 Advice Network Founders Blog» Blog archives » The 5 Immutable Laws of Persuasive Blogging → 01.04.08 at 6:33 am
[…] was checking out “The Best of Copyblogger in 2007” and found a gem that I felt I had to mention, even if I am 11 months […]
#54 Sazkul → 01.04.08 at 2:38 pm
I just like to read copyblogger..
Good tips and help me a lot..
#55 Toboc → 01.07.08 at 5:32 am
Brian,
Came across copyblogger this morning. happy to learn how social marketing works. looking forward to read more.
#56 Blogging Gal » Recommended Reading - Volume 2 → 01.07.08 at 7:09 am
[…] The Best of Copyblogger in 2007 - This list contains links to Copyblogger’s best posts of each month in 2007. If you’re unfamiliar with Copyblogger, this is a great way to introduce yourself to their fantastic content. […]
#57 Lana @ Talking Feather Communications » Blog Archive » Copywriting tips for online marketing success → 01.07.08 at 11:52 am
[…] I discovered Copyblogger today. Wow. If you’re interested in copywriting for online marketing, this blog by Brian Clark is a fabulous resource. Be sure to read The Best of Copyblogger in 2007. […]
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#59 7 Reasons Real Estate Agents Should Love To Blog → 01.14.08 at 9:20 pm
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#60 Surfing on the hard work of others: "Best of 2007" lists | Crankshaw on Tech Marketing → 01.15.08 at 4:32 pm
[…] Best of Copyblogger in 2007 (Copyblogger) Brian Clark’s best-received posts. […]
#61 David Airey :: Graphic and Logo Designer » Collective effort restores David Airey.com → 01.17.08 at 5:35 am
[…] I’ve been steadily picking up some copywriting tips over the past year, and whilst I still have a lot to learn, in this case I reckon I put them to good use (thanks Brian). […]
#62 Amalaki → 03.25.08 at 1:51 am
These blogging tips are great. The metaphor post was very useful.
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