How to Have a Winning Combination of Blog Factors

By: | October 25, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , |

Bloggers can find the right combination of successful blog factors.You do everything the articles say to do.

You research, write, edit, publish, promote.

You know you have a strong writing style.

Your teachers told you in school; your friends and family tell you now, so you are mystified when your posts get a lukewarm welcome reception.

Perhaps you are doing everything right in isolation.

This post is based on the theory of blogger Gertrude Nonterah who explains that characteristics of a strong blog independent of each other are not sufficient.

According to Nonterah, there are seven factors that go into having a successful blog, and you need all seven because none of them alone will be successful.

What are the seven? Her answers may surprise you.

Gertrude Nonterah knows her stuff. She is a respected member of the blogging community and has guest posted for Sue Anne Dunlevie’s Successful Blogging.

[bctt tweet=”Nonterah increased her blog traffic 135% by following the technique described in this post.”]

Factors That You Need in Order to Have a Successful Blog

1. An About page that answers three questions for your readers. Your About page should explain:

  • Who you are: Give background information about yourself. Readers seek connections when they blog. They want to know there’s a human being behind all those words. Let them know who they are connecting with.
  • Who you help: This will help you focus your reach. Who is your intended audience? For example, I blog about blogging. There are 450 million blogs in the world. Are all those site creators my intended audience, or am I just trying to get my writing to appeal to new bloggers? You need to think about who you want to focus your efforts reaching.
  • What you do for those people: In my case, I focus on three actions that I hope will help my readers. I try to empower my readers to engage their own readers, improve their content, and increase their traffic.

2. A way to collect Emails. For self-hosted bloggers, this is easy. Sumo.me has a wonderful opt-in box that is free to use. You are able to change the font style and the colors to grab the attention and interest of new visitors to your site.

According to Bryan Harris, also a guest author for SuccessfulBlogging.com, you should wait until they have gone 25% of the way down the page, and then have your optin box come out. That way readers have time to digest what they are reading before you try to collect their Email address.

If you are not self-hosted, capturing Emails from visitors you will not otherwise see again is not so easy. My post  How to Easily Increase Your Page Views with an Email List explains how to do itHowever, you want to make sure the legality of you capturing Emails, which the post explains how to do, is not in question.

I solved it this way. Before I self-hosted, when a new visitor to my site complimented my blogging tips, I let them know that I offer similar blogging tips regularly, so I would take the liberty of adding them to my Email list. On my Email it lets them know they can unsubscribe at any time if they don’t want to receive my Emails. Hardly anyone has ever removed themselves from the list.

Nonterah explains the importance of an Email list. Suppose you want to contact your readers without publishing a post, you could do it if you had their Emails. Reasons include trying to sell them your product or service or simply trying to forge and maintain a connection with your readers.

3. A picture of you: This tip is not unique to Nonterah’s method. A strong headshot which you use across your social media is important for branding.

4. Quality content: According to Nonterah, you need a blog niche. This is important in order to have Criteria #7. You need to have a theme that your blog is about. You should focus on helping readers with a problem, and your blog posts should be about how. Successful blogs solve problems for their readers or entertain their readers.

5. Strong headlines: Readers won’t click your link to read a word of your post without a strong headline. Strong headlines are so important in my recent post about 31 tools bloggers can use, eight of them were devoted to writing strong headlines.

6. Links: Your posts should have links to your older posts that are relevant to your current article. By clicking links to older posts, readers will stay on your site longer, which lowers your bounce rate, and get information they may not have already read.

You should also have links to other writers with relevant information. You will be empowering your readers, gaining credibility for yourself, and strengthening a connection with another blogger.

(Note: If you follow this blog and would like access to links from other bloggers in your niche, put your blog URL and blogging niche in the comments section of the Link Exchange.)

7. A Pinterest account: Nonterah is specific in how to use Pinterest, in conjunction with these other factors, in your post.

  • If possible, make and verify a Pinterest business account. She explains the pins work as advertisements thanks to a recent change Pinterest just implemented.
  • Make your pins long, at least 700 pixels or as close to that as possible.
  • Join Pinterest group boards.

(Note: If you follow this blog and would like an invitation to pin to our blog’s Pinterest Community Board, please write in the comment section to this post that you’d like to pin to our group board, and I will send you an invitation.)

Conclusion:

Clearly, if you are going to take Nonterah’s advice, you need to focus on those seven factors for a successful blog. Nonterah says do not prioritize them.  You need all seven to be successful.

Nonterah increased her blog traffic 135% by following the technique described in this post, and you can too if you follow her suggestions.

Please share this article so newer bloggers and bloggers struggling to find that winning combination of factors that equals blogging success can benefit from Nonterah’s tips.

Did any of Nonterah’s tips surprise you? Number 1 asked you to state who you want your audience to be and what you want to do for them. Who are your readers? What do you want your blog to do for them? I look forward to your views.

Related Posts:

How to Build the Perfect Blog Even if You Don’t Know How

Sources:

http://www.myonlinebizjourney.com/simple-social-media-strategy/

  1. Melinda

    Good morning Janice. I got the baby involved in watching a movie, so I could talk to you!
    I guess I won’t ever be “successful” since I don’t do Pinterest. Sigh
    Oh well, I’m content just like I am. Thank goodness!
    Btw, I received this post 4 x again.
    I really like you, but that’s too much! Lol. The WP gremlins just like messing with me.
    Your BBFF, Melinda

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Melinda.
      Good news! This time it was my fault. I accidentally published the post before I was done editiing it yesterday before midnight. I wanted to publish it today at 2:00 am after I was done editing it. You have been getting my posts twice, so you received this article four times. The most recent one is the correct one. Thanks for reading what I wrote and writing.
      Janice

        • Janice Wald

          Hi Melinda,
          I am glad you liked my purple graphic. It looked good with the greenish locker! Thanks for noticing. I love when people notice my graphics! I put so much thought into them. Thanks,
          Your BBFF,
          Janice

        • Janice Wald

          Guess what, that purple graphic you liked won the Pinterest Game this week (it tied for first-place). You have good taste in graphics. See, I knew you’d do well on Pinterest. I really think you’d enjoy it. You could have a board for posts about gadgets like your terrible toilet, posts about furniture like your drawers…
          BBFF J

          • Melinda

            Cool! Congrats to you!
            Maybe sometime, with your constant encouragement I’ll try it for real.
            BBFF, Melinda

    • Gertrude

      Hi Melinda,

      Of course you can be successful without Pinterest – nothing is THAT exclusive ! LOL. I just use Pinterest a lot and generate a lot of traffic from there so I tend to recommend it to newer bloggers who simply don’t have the advantage of the search engines to bring that traffic.

      Enjoy the rest of your week.

        • Janice Wald

          Hi Melinda,
          Gertrude sounds very nice. It was nice that she wrote you. I like that she gave you reassurance about Pinterest.
          Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Melinda,
      Someone else on this post said they don’t do Pinterest, so I decided my next expert interview would be about the value of Pinterest. I think you’d have fun with it with all your purple graphics. Thanks for the inspiration!
      Your BBFF,
      Janice

      • Melinda

        Graphics are great fun, and purple ones are perfect! I just haven’t mastered the art of making them yet!
        BBFF,
        Melinda

      • Melinda

        WElcome for the inspiration!
        Yeah, I’d love to do more purple graphics. I just need to buckle down and study!
        But waaahhh! I doan wanna!!!
        You BBFF cry baby, Melinda

        • Janice Wald

          Pinterest is fun and easy and quick. I think I will write about just how much this Sunday. Thanks for the inspiration.
          Your encouraging BBFF
          Janice

  2. Jenn

    Hi Janice,

    I’m new here, just saw your post on fb 🙂 I would like an invite to your pinterest group. I’ve been blogging for many years, but I’m at a point where I need to decide to work harder or give it up. Your post is very informative, great points. (I’m following your blog now, too)

    -Jenn

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Jenn!
      Welcome to my blog. I have sent you an invitation to pin to our group board. Are you Jen R.? If yes, you received the invitation! Thank you for subscribing to my blog. If you are looking for new ideas to spruce up traffic, you’ve come to the right place! Once again, welcome. I look forward to getting to know you.
      Janice

  3. Gertrude

    Thanks a lot Janice for featuring my post on your blog 😀 I really enjoy Bryan Harris’ content and have put some of his advice to use and gotten great results and so to be mentioned in the same blog post as him is truly an honor.

    Enjoy the rest of your week !

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Gertrude,
      After reviewing your technique, I feel like you are a celeb here on my blog. I am so glad you like my write-up of your technique. Thank you for coming by and telling me. Your praise means a lot. Thank you for reassuring Melinda and following me on Twitter as well. You have certainly have earned my respect and that of my readers. I look forward to getting to know you better on Twitter.
      Janice

  4. GiGi Eats

    A great summary of necessary components for a blog – for all the beginner bloggers out there 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      HI Gigi!
      I think we were following each other around Facebook this weekend. Nice to see you here. Thank you. I am glad you liked my article and Nonterah’s post. I’m glad you found it helpful for beginners. Thanks again for the visit.
      Janice

  5. Barb

    I really enjoy all your blogging tips Janice, and although I have been blogging for a while now, today’s post is making me go back to scratch to make sure I have covered the factors Gertrude Nonterah goes through to help bloggers. Going over to check out her blog now.
    Thank you so much.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Barb,
      So glad you found my post and Nonterah’s tips helpful. You said very kind words about my blog, and I really appreciate them. It’s always my pleasure to help. Thanks for your visit over the weekend.
      Janice

  6. Maura Sweeney

    What a timely and helpful blog. I was finally about to create an opt-in box to capture emails and was thrilled to learn of your recommendation of Sumo.me. Great advice for bloggers like me who work hard and need innovative tips for growth. I’ll be back for more.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Maura,
      I am so glad you liked my article and Nonterah’s tips. If you self-host, the Sumo.me optinbox is easy, free, and effective. They even send you stats, so you have rock solid proof it’s working. Thanks again for your kind words.
      Janice

  7. Melinda

    Whew! Glad to know why 4 this time! I just wish we could figure out why the 2 every time??
    Keep on informing us, and helping us improve, please! Thanx. We love you, Janice!!
    BBFF, Melinda

    • Janice Wald

      Awww…. I read this comment last night when we were at dinner with friends. I know I shouldn’t have been playing on my phone but I was anyway. I started beaming! Thanks Melinda. The appreciation means so much.
      Your grateful BBFF,
      Janice

  8. Bun Karyudo

    This was interesting, as these kinds of posts often are. I wonder if some parts of the advice apply more to people with business blogs and ones that deal with specific issues (e.g. a particular medical condition) rather than general humor blogs. I’m not sure. Certainly there’s food for thought in Nonterah’s tips, though.

    • Janice Wald

      HI Bun Karyudo,
      Melinda commented questioning the Pinterest aspect. She is a humor blogger like you. I may be taking you too literally here but… I am not a business blogger or a specific issue blogger. I won’t deny, that if you are not on Pinterest, you can’t take advantage of Nonterah’s entire formula.
      Great to hear from you, by the way. Thanks for checking in with me this past weekend.
      Janice

  9. T.O. Weller

    Hi Janice! Great list of points!
    The one that’s got me is Pinterest. I keep hearing about how great it is for getting an audience, but I have no desire. Every time I try it, I just don’t “feel it”, if you know what I mean.
    What am I missing? I’m usually pretty open to new technology and social media … Pinterest has me puzzled.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi T. O.,
      Great to hear from you! I am glad you are back from your blogging hiatus. We were getting friendly before you took your break. Glad to see you back.
      As far as Pinterest goes: Did you read Melinda’s comment on this post? She’s not into Pinterest either.
      I am aghast! Yes, I said aghast! I am in love, an addict. It is like a euphoria comes over me, a state of relaxation, when I use it. Fun, creative, helpful to advertise my blog through my graphics, helpful to others when I share their pins… I don’t know. I wish I had more time for it.
      What I do know is after reading your comment and Melinda’s comment, I decided my next expert interview will be on the value of Pinterest. Thank you for the inspiration. Great to see you back in the “blogging game” again.
      Janice

  10. tech189

    Hi, thanks for the tips, do you recommend creating a pinterest account for my photography? I’ve never used pinterest, could you explain how it works?
    I also have another problem: whenever I add a link to an older post of mine, I get a pingback, how can I stop this?
    tech189

  11. Kathleen

    Janice, thank you for another awesome post, also thanks to Nonterah. I will be going over these points to spruce up my own approach. From reading the comments here it seems timely that you write on Pinterest. It is usually number one in generating my traffic. I am here right now because of your pin on my group board, that is how traffic is generated on Pinterest.
    Thanks again
    Kathleen

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Kathleen,
      That is true. Sounds kind of ironic when you put it that way. Thank you for reading what I wrote and writing me. I love to hear from you. I still plan on reviewing all your groups, by the way.
      Janice

  12. Corinne Rodrigues

    Great points, Janice. I like how you brought this post together.
    I love Pinterest and pinning but have no idea if it works in any way to bring traffic to my blog. So far I’m content to enjoy both separately.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Corinne,
      Great to hear from you! Thanks for all the exposure on Twitter this week. I am so grateful. I received so many questions about Pinterest, I think I will write about it assuaging all the concerns/confusions this Sunday. Thank you for inspiring me.
      Janice

  13. Pingback: How to Use Pinterest and Still Have Time to Breathe
  14. Just Plain Marie

    Curious – what did you mean by not being able to collect emails unless you’re “self-hosted”. I use Blogger and I have no problem with building my list with Sumome and Mailchimp.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Marie,
      Interesting.
      When I was on WordPress.com, before I self-hosted, I did collect Emails with MailChimp.
      I was told when I self-hosted that only self-hosted bloggers could use sumo.me since it’s a plug in, and WordPress.com users can’t install plugins.
      I gueess I am not familiar with Blogger in order to address it. However, I am happy to hear these things about Blogger users.
      I have a question for YOU. I started a StumbleUpon group. Someone said that blogger links can’t be stumbled since they come up as spam. Do you know if this is true? Thanks,
      Janice

  15. Diane Howell Topkis

    Hi Janice. I’m enjoyed reading your blogging strategies. I’ve been blogging for awhile but looking to increase traffic. Just catching up on some I haven’t read and will be trying some ideas. One is making better use of Pinterest.
    Would love to be added to your group board.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Diane,
      Thank you for the kind words about my articles and your interest in my Pinterest group board. I was hoping to keep it a perk for my blog followers. I took the liberty of adding your blog to the “subscribe” box.
      I got this message:
      Success! An email was just sent to confirm your subscription. Please find the email now and click activate to start subscribing
      If you could find the Email and click the activation link, I would be happy to invite you to pin to our group board.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Diane,
      Hi again,
      I tried to visit your site but couldn’t figure out where to put a comment.
      Janice

  16. Pingback: 13 Tips You Absolutely Need to Know that Will Make You See Wonderful Blog Traffic

Would you like to share your thoughts?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Instagram
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
Share
%d bloggers like this: