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31DBBB Day 31: Next Steps

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 31DBBB Day 31: Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve made it to Day 31.

Hopefully you’ve found some of the challenges over this last 31 days to be useful. Thousands have completed the program over the years and I’ve heard so much great feedback, but there’s one thing I’d like to share with you today on the podcast.

What’s the key to really getting the most out of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog? And how do you do that? I share all!

You will need a calendar set up somewhere so make sure you have one you can use before you get going with today’s challenge. Nothing will change if you only think about it, so we’re going to ensure you’ve got the tools to keep on going the way you have and to really get stuff done. It’s all about keeping active, so I’ll help you put some strategies in place to do just that.

I’m also going to share what the format for the usual podcasts will be and where you can find more activities to keep you busy and your blog the best it can be.

Thank you so much for joining me this month, and I hope you enjoy today’s episode.

Click here to listen to day 31 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

31DBBB Day 31: Next Steps

The post 31DBBB Day 31: Next Steps appeared first on @ProBlogger.

The ProBlogger Podcast: Digging into Statistics

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 The ProBlogger Podcast: Digging into Statistics

Almost the last day!

While yesterday we looked to the future to build a plan to find readers, today we’re going to dig into our stats to find out what kind of effect the last 29 days have had on our sites. What can you see is different after the changes you’ve made?

Some of you will be seasoned pros at looking at your stats, but if you’re newer to blogging and want some starting points, these are the metrics I recommend you keep track of regularly as you go on with your blogging.

In the show notes I also link to a post I published recently that gives you an overview of how I use Google Analytics to do this kind of investigation, and I’ll describe how and why these are the metrics I choose to keep tabs on.

Every month or so I go through each of these and compare them to the previous month (I give you a quick tip on how to do this easily), and also think about how I can recreate successes in content, on social, and how well other types of traffic are doing.

Today we’ll also go a little deeper into channels to look for trends, behaviour, and other hints that will help us keep the trend on the up.

If you are indeed in the newer camp, please don’t fret about stats. It can be easy to get disillusioned in the early days, but we all feel small when we start out! Most successful blogs go for 2-3 years before they hit a tipping point of sorts. We discuss that a little more in today’s podcast also.

So open up Google Analytics and take a little dig with me. Feel free to share your most popular post from the month in the comments too – you might be surprised what has worked better than you thought it would!

See you tomorrow for the wrap up of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Podcast.

Click here to listen to day 30 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • Filtering out Google Analytics Junk to Read Your Numbers Better
  • My Five Favourite, But Often Ignored, Google Analytics Features
  • Analytics: Moz
  • The Beginners Guide to Blog Analytics: Mack Collier
  • 10 Amazing Blogging Insight Your Analytics Can Tell You: Hubspot

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

The ProBlogger Podcast: Digging into Statistics

The post The ProBlogger Podcast: Digging into Statistics appeared first on @ProBlogger.

How to Develop the Right Plan to Grow Your Blog’s Readership

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 How to Develop the Right Plan to Grow Your Blog’s Readership

We’re getting to the end of our time together, and in these last few days I like to look to the future and see how we can use what we’ve learned over the last few weeks on our blogs.

Today’s challenge is a simple one, although it might take you a bit of time, but it shouldn’t be skipped. We’re going to switch from creating content and the day-to-day of building community with our readers, and do things that are a little more long-term and strategic.

Today is all about growing your readership. I’ll discuss some of the drawbacks of focusing solely on content (as in a “build it and they will come” idea), and why it’s not going to do you any favours if you blog on a whim without a focus.

I’m also going to give you guidance when it comes to where you spend your time, who you are talking to, and how to find readers who will love your blog and what you do. I’ll tell you how to make a list that focuses on these things, and how to figure out what opportunities there are for you to join those readers and make an impact where they already are.

We’ll also have a look at where you are now and if the habits you currently have are serving you. And if they’re not – well, I’ll guide you through how you can make a change to blog to the right audience more effectively.

We’re almost there! Let’s go out with a bang.

Click here to listen to day 29 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • Finding Readers: Strategies for Building Your Audience in 2015
  • How to Find Readers for Your Blog
  • 5 Ways to Attract More Readers to Your Blog: Social Media Examiner
  • No Blog Traffic? Here’s a Simple Strategy to Seduce Readers: Copyblogger
  • How to Get the People to Your Blog: Fat Mum Slim

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

How to Develop the Right Plan to Grow Your Blog’s Readership

The post How to Develop the Right Plan to Grow Your Blog’s Readership appeared first on @ProBlogger.

31DBBB Day 28 Writing Challenge: Write a Review Post

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 31DBBB Day 28 Writing Challenge: Write a Review Post

It’s writing challenge day!

For some of you, this will be “business as usual”, as review posts are already part of your repertoire. For others, it will be something quite new.

In today’s episode we discuss why review posts are even something to consider. They can be useful for many reasons, not just for the reader who may be researching a decision, but also for you and your blog too – not the least of which could lead to monetization. I built my first commercial blog 100% around reviews!

We’ll also discuss the reasons for and against having reviews on your type of niche blog, and the types of reviews you could do depending on your regular topics.

And last but not least, my top tips for how to make your review great – there’s plenty here for everyone, whether you think a review would fit on your blog or not. Try it and see!

Click here to listen to day 28 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • How to Write a Must-Read Product Review
  • How to Write Amazing Product Reviews
  • How to Write Genuinely Useful Reviews Online: Lifehacker
  • Tips for Travel Writing: The Guardian
  • 7 Tips for Writing Good Online Reviews: Better Business Bureau

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

31DBBB Day 28 Writing Challenge: Write a Review Post

The post 31DBBB Day 28 Writing Challenge: Write a Review Post appeared first on @ProBlogger.

Update Your Blog’s Archive Pages (including Broken Links)

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 Update Your Blog’s Archive Pages (including Broken Links)

We’re going on a link hunt, we’re going to catch a big one!

Today’s the day to check everything that might be turning readers away from your blog, but don’t be overwhelmed – it’s not as onerous as it sounds.

Over time, you’re bound to have some broken links. The sites you link to shut down, change their link structure, move their URLs… anything can happen. It can be bad for readability, but also for SEO.

In this episode I will explain how best to find the links that are broken, whether you are a beginner or have an established blog. Small steps in this instance will help you tackle what might be a huge task (but worth it in the end!). I also go through what to do when you find the broken link, and what you can do while you’re there on an old post

I also go through a few tools that will help you on your expedition. Check the show notes for links to each, and happy hunting!

Click here to listen to day 27 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • One Activity You Should Do On Your Blog Every Day
  • 3 Important Questions To Ask About Posts in Your Blog Archives
  • Updating Old Posts On Your Blog
  • 7 Old Post Revival Techniques You Won’t Believe You’re Overlooking
  • 25 Reasons Why Google Hates Your Blog
  • How to Find and Fix Broken WordPress Links: Elegant Themes
  • Website Weight Loss: Fix Your Broken Links: About Tech
  • Website Broken Links: Why You Should Fix Them: Dave Lucas

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

Update Your Blog’s Archive Pages (including Broken Links)

The post Update Your Blog’s Archive Pages (including Broken Links) appeared first on @ProBlogger.

How Improving Another Blog will Help You Improve Yours

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 How Improving Another Blog will Help You Improve Yours

Today I want to challenge you to help another blogger to achieve their goals in some way – and I’ll explain in the podcast how it has a knock-on effect of helping you improve yours.

There are many ways you can help another blogger along their path, and I outline quite a few in today’s episode. Some are big and some are small, but perhaps the easiest way to identify one is to work out how you would like to be helped, and offer that to someone else.

There’s really no limit to what you can do.

Click here to listen to day 26 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • How to Help a Fellow Blogger: You Baby Me Mummy
  • Five Ways to Connect with Fellow Bloggers: Daily Blog Tips
  • Why Bloggers Need to Support Other Bloggers: The Wetherills Say I Do
  • 10 Ways to Promote Other Blogs: Crafterminds
  • Seven Steps to Writing a Successful Guest Post: Michael Hyatt

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

How Improving Another Blog will Help You Improve Yours

The post How Improving Another Blog will Help You Improve Yours appeared first on @ProBlogger.

31DBBB Day 25: Ask a Question

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 31DBBB Day 25: Ask a Question

Today is another writing challenge, but it’s one that need not take much time at all. In fact, it might be the shortest post you’ve ever written!

Very simply, ask your readers a question.

In the episode, I detail the benefits of writing this kind of post – things like how it can increase blog stickiness, how it can help you gauge where your readers are at, how to tailor your content from what you’ve learned, how it even helps your post rank higher in Google searches.

And if you’re new, or concerned that you won’t get much of a response, take heart! I explain how it can still be useful even if you only get a handful (or less!) of answers.

I also go through 12 tips and ideas for asking readers questions on your blog, so you will come away with plenty of ideas to help you nail today’s challenge. I’d love to see what kinds of questions you ask your readers, so feel free to leave a link in the comments to your post and we can check it out.

Click here to listen to day 25 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • The #1 Question You Should Be Asking Your Blog Readers: The Blog Maven
  • The Essential Guide to Creating a Survey Your Readers will Love: Blog Tyrant
  • 8 Questions to Ask to Get to Know Your Readers: Wise Ink
  • Know Your Audience: 8 Questions You Need to Ask: Mass Transmit

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

31DBBB Day 25: Ask a Question

The post 31DBBB Day 25: Ask a Question appeared first on @ProBlogger.

31DBBB Day 24 Challenge: Use a Magazine to Improve Your Blog

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 31DBBB Day 24 Challenge: Use a Magazine to Improve Your Blog

A very easy and enjoyable task for you today: read a magazine!

Old media has the potential to help you improve your “new media” blog in any number of ways from marketing ideas to design ideas, to content ideas and more. I give a few areas to look out for as you’re browsing, but for the most part, in that first flick-through, just see what jumps out at you. What piques your interest, what makes you reach for your notebook to jot down a few things?

I give a list of items you’ll need for today’s challenge in the show notes, and some tips and questions to ask yourself to help you get the most out of this session.

The value of this exercise lies in stepping away from your own blog for a little while, and gaining some fresh ideas and perspectives.

Click here to listen to day 24 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • Improve Your Blog by Reading a Magazine – an Exercise for Bloggers
  • Why Reading Makes you More Creative: Creative Market
  • 10 Ideas to Get You Inspired to Write: BlogHer

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

31DBBB Day 24 Challenge: Use a Magazine to Improve Your Blog

The post 31DBBB Day 24 Challenge: Use a Magazine to Improve Your Blog appeared first on @ProBlogger.

How to Write a Post that Has a Clear Call to Action

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 How to Write a Post that Has a Clear Call to Action

Calls to action are one of those things you know you should include on your blog, but often get shoved to the end of the to-do list. They are important, but you’ll figure it out one day, right?

Well today is your day!

You would be surprised how many readers will do what you kindly ask of them, so if you’re looking for your audience to take a specific action, then be prepared to ask. Sign up to your email, share your post, write a comment – there are plenty of ways to gently guide your readers to take the next step, and this episode is the one that will show you how.

The goal here is to snap readers out of passivity. We’re all busy, we’re all time-poor, and sometimes we need a little reminding to not just click away to the next thing.

I discuss some of the calls to action you might want to consider – following you on your social accounts, voting in a poll, buying an affiliate product – the list is endless. You can only try, so today’s challenge is to write a post that contains a call to action. Gauge the reaction and take your blog forward with the knowledge you gain. What kinds of calls to action do your readers respond to? Do you see a higher rate of interaction when you ask directly? What other kinds of things can you ask them to do?

I know it can feel awkward to be so bold, but just try and see what happens.

Click here to listen to day 23 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • 12 Tips to Snap Readers out of Passivity with Calls to Action
  • Hook, Line and Sinker: 7 Tips For a Killer Call to Action: WordStream
  • How to Create a Great Call to Action: Amy Lynn Andrews
  • Call to Action: The One Thing Every Blog Post Needs (and How to Do it): Tweak Your Biz
  • 8 Types of CTA You Should Absolutely Try on Your Blog: Hubspot

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

How to Write a Post that Has a Clear Call to Action

The post How to Write a Post that Has a Clear Call to Action appeared first on @ProBlogger.

31DBBB Day 22 Challenge: Pay Special Attention to a Reader

ProBlogger-Podcast-Avatar-e1435233120862 31DBBB Day 22 Challenge: Pay Special Attention to a Reader

Today’s podcast episode is all about your audience, and how to make them feel valued.

If there’s one way to build a better blog, it’s taking care of the people who take the time to read and engage with you, therefore creating a space that both you and they love. And one way to take care of those people is to not only tell them they’re valued, like we did on day five by emailing them, but by actually showcasing them publicly. Tell them why you appreciate them, loud and clear!

In the early days, I regularly gave two pieces of advice: “make your readers famous”, and “love your readers to death”. Today your challenge is to do just that, and I’m here to tell you how. I also explain how it has a three-pronged impact on you and your blog and a few ways I’ve gone about publicly valuing my readers and the effect it has had.

As always, feel free to share on Twitter or here in the comments how you’re doing with the challenge – can you believe we’re past the three-week mark now?!

Click here to listen to day 22 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series on the ProBlogger Podcast.

Further Reading:

  • Make Your Readers Famous
  • The Power of Making Your Readers Famous
  • 10 Blogging Tips to Surprise and Delight your Readers: Lifestyle Fifty
  • The Philosophy of Great Customer Service: Derek Sivers
  • 6 Creative Ways to Surprise and Delight your Customers: Shopify
  • How to Crowdsource Awesome Facebook Posts from Your Fans: PostPlanner

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

31DBBB Day 22 Challenge: Pay Special Attention to a Reader

The post 31DBBB Day 22 Challenge: Pay Special Attention to a Reader appeared first on @ProBlogger.

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