Growing Our Online Success from A to Z
News and Updates at Site Sketch 101
Today were going to do a group exercise and I’m going to give away some cash. I’m inviting each of you to post a comment defining and explaining one principle that can help to grow our blog or our online presence in general.
The first principle must begin with the letter A and be presented by the first person to leave a comment. The second principle must begin with the letter B and be given by the second person to leave a comment. If we make it through the alphabet then we’ll start right back up at the beginning and keep on going.
Start your comment with a single word or a short phrase that begins with your letter and then write a sentence or more describing what it means and why it’s important to our online success.
Every comment is another chance to win and on this coming Saturday at 9:00 pm I’ll do a drawing among all the participants and announce a winner on Sunday. All I ask is that you not post two principles in a row. You may post more than one success principle, but not back-to-back. If you post E then let someone else post F and then you may give G. If we start over, you won’t be able to use the same word or phrase that has already been used.
To provide you all with a very clear understanding of the format that I’m looking for, I’ll start the fun by providing the first principle of online success that will begin with the letter A.
Apart from the Crowd: I don’t believe that it’s good enough to write the same as everyone else, to have the same style as 50 other blogs, or to follow the trends that guide the rest of the internet kingpins. We need to be ourselves. We need to be unique. We need to stand apart from the crowd.
Now I’ve provided the letter A so someone jump in here with us and provide us with the letter B. I’ll jump in and come up with some also so let’s work together and see what we can all come up with.
Oh? You want to know what the prizes will be. Nothing crazy. Just something to help us have a little bit of fun. I’ll be giving away $20 cash.
Nicholas Cardot
Nick uses his blog Site Sketch 101 to express his passion for helping bloggers and webmasters connect with real people through brilliant designs, unique content, and genuine creativity. Nicholas Cardot has 199 post(s) at Site Sketch 101
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Eric B. said:
Boring content turns users away. If your content is useful, try to make it as interesting as possible. Be fun, add in a bit of humour, so you don’t end up sounding like an instruction manual.
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Ron Leyba said:
Comment With Passion – Commenting on other blogs is the fastest and quickest possible way to spread the word about your own blog. Valuable and passionate blog comments often pick up or attract immediate and soon to be loyal readers and subscribers.
As much as possible, comment on a “same niche blog” as yours. In this way, you will get highly targeted blog readers or like minded subscribers.
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Chanda | BizDharma.com said:
Do the new ! What new can you do, and if not possible how can you do the same thing in a new way. Can you do it faster, better, cheaper, smarter. Do it differently. It involves risk, great risk. But than who said you are supposed to win by repeating the old. Break the comfort zone, experiment, risk, just Do the New !
My Latest Blog Post: 7 lessons from the companies who make 6.5 million dollars using Twitter!
Ron Leyba said:
Engage In Social Media – There are lot of ways to engage with social media. As we all know, twitter and facebook do plays a major role. So start to utilize them and use them as your way to spread the word about you and your priceless blog. Just don’t over do it by pitching here and there. Do it in moderation.
My Latest Blog Post: Sikat Ang Pinoy
Dana @ Online Knowledge said:
Fight for success: The success will not come if we only wait. We should fight for it by do our hard work part to promote our blog in blood line.
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scheng1 said:
Great personality: A good blog reflects the personality of the blogger.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Helpful: Our material should be easy-to-use and apply for our readers. They should be able to benefit from it without hassle.
My Latest Blog Post: Growing Our Online Success from A to Z
HelpfulAdvisor said:
+1 for Helpful! It’s what I do!
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Jim Clary said:
Instructional posts is what most people are looking for. Teach them something and they will return.
My Latest Blog Post: Why Do You Blog? Part 2
Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Jack-of-all-trades, master of none!
Decide what you are good at and concentrate on your expertise to carve out your online success. Do not have too many irons in the fire (‘what belongs to everybody belongs to nobody’!). Be a serious blogger, not a dabbler!
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Gabe | freebloghelp.com said:
Killer content
That means your content should be as unique, informative, or entertaining as possible. And in many cases — all three!
The easiest way to do that? Knowledge of the actual subject + your personality + your opinion.
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Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Love your blog to bits!
You must love your blog and make it love-worthy so that others follow suit. Your love affair with your blog will determine your online success in more ways than one.
My Latest Blog Post: For Research Scholars: UGC-NET JRF/SRF is now 18k / 21k Rupees per month
Diane C said:
Maintain your site. Keep your site updated on a regular basis. Nothing turns readers away faster than going to a site that they liked only to find out that it hasn’t been updated in months.
Bloggeri @ Blogging Guide said:
Never quit. Strive and work at your blog as much as possible. Never quit and always remain positive and the success will come.
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HelpfulAdvisor said:
Over-deliver in your content. Great content will be of value to your human visitors, be juicy to search engines, and will create a relationship with your readers.
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Sara R said:
Open your ears!
Listen to what the community around you is saying. Take the good advice, and ignore the bad. Spend 10 minutes every week just seeing what the design community is passionate about or hates this week.
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Glen said:
Participate in your community.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Quarky: A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy: “Every man had his own quirks and twists” ~ Taken from Dictionary.com
It’s alright to be different and to express yourself in ways that others aren’t. Be yourself…even if you’re weird or have an idea that might seem unusual.
In fact it’s actually better to express yourself like this. If you just chase the crowd and act like everyone else then you’re not actually offering your readers anything that they can’t get anywhere else.
My Latest Blog Post: Growing Our Online Success from A to Z
Keith @ Business3.0 said:
Respect the end user (reader) if you do everything focused on the Reader, it will make your blog an actual community….
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Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
“Success is not in the trophy won but also in the race run”
So do not worry too much about becoming an instant hit, getting millions of page views and huge AdSense revenues and lose your sleep!
Enjoy the process. Derive pleasure from what you are doing. Success will come sooner or later.
My Latest Blog Post: For Research Scholars: UGC-NET JRF/SRF is now 18k / 21k Rupees per month
David | ilcantone.com said:
Trust is the key ingredient in buiding a successful business.
Just as an example, if you want to earn money with affiliate marketing your readers have to trust you.
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Seth W said:
Uniqueness!
Unique content, unique promotion, and unique designs are all part of creating a blog that people actually want to read and return too!
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Value
Consistently provide value with your content. Value your readers. Value those you blog alongside. Value.
My Latest Blog Post: Growing Our Online Success from A to Z
Niall Harbison said:
I think standing out when blogging is essential and we read a little bit too much in to what the big bloggers say and trying to perfect our blogs along the lines that has worked for the last 3 years. Who says your blog has to be scannable or a certain amount of words long. Just go wild and make your blog unique and stand out from the crowd because you’ll get far better results that way!
Eric B. said:
When things are going slowly, don’t give up! Don’t worry about getting millions of visitors, and you’ll get closer to that with some time.
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Eric said:
Work on every aspect of your blog. Work on making your blog you and work to make it aimed at what your readers are interested in reading and work to make it an enjoyable experience and teach them something.
But most of all… Work to make it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Nicholas Cardot said:
X-Ray Vision
Let your readers see who you really are. Be genuine with them. Be transparent. Make them feel like they have x-ray vision when they connect with you.
I’ve got nothing to hide and I’m hear to answer any questions for my readers. Are you the same way?
My Latest Blog Post: Growing Our Online Success from A to Z
Steven said:
YAAAHHHOOOOO!!!
Remember to have fun while you do it.
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Ron Leyba said:
Zoom Into The Bigger Picture – Always strike hard and give your best shot for the bigger goal you have. At start, if you aimed 500 unique visitors per day and you made it, then adjust your goal to much bigger numbers.
It can be a challenge to you and to your blog.
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Eric B. said:
Zoology is not something you should write about on a blog about sports. Be sure to stick to one niche.
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com said:
Attraction
Although not the most important attribute, it sure helps to have an attractive looking website that your readers love spending time at every time they visit.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com –> It is very important and great job for starting the game over for us. I appreciate that.
Ron Leyba said:
Become The Authority – Write a post or an article on a certain niche or field which is within your expertise.
Try to fill the gap or the missing dot or that niche and sooner, you will be considered as one of the authorities on that niche.
My Latest Blog Post: Sikat Ang Pinoy
Sat Chen said:
Connect with your readers – Email your reader once in a while to let them know you appreciate them engaging with the community
Ron Leyba said:
Deliver What You Promised
If your blog title is “how to blog” (like SS101), then you must have blog post or articles that teaches and guide newbie and even experienced bloggers into successful blogging (which is SS101 is doing right now =).
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Energize your readers. Let your passion for you subject flow through into your writing so that your readers can’t help but get excited about it.
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Ron Leyba said:
Follow The Blogging Rules
I know, there are no such blogging rules. What I mean here is, as much as possible, be ethical and always respect and welcome each and every blog comments, may it be negative of positive, at your blog.
My Latest Blog Post: Sikat Ang Pinoy
Collier Ward said:
Follow-worthy
Be remarkable so others can’t help but hang with you.
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Deepika said:
“Give Guarantee To Your Readers”
If readers trust a site to be worth, then they will be a regular reader to that blog..
So guarantee your readers that you will provide good information that will be useful for the readers.. Provide great content to them
Steve Robillard said:
Marketing your blog or yourself is not an online only activity. Take every opportunity to spread your message.
Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
No to Nonchalant attitude
Building and promoting your online business is like building a relationship. You should be sincere about it lest you alienate your followers. Caring is contagious. If you care others will and the vice versa.
My Latest Blog Post: For Research Scholars: UGC-NET JRF/SRF is now 18k / 21k Rupees per month
Ron Leyba said:
Offer Incentives – May it be in cash, ebooks, tools, coaching program or a simple link from your blog.
Dofollow blog comments and top commentators plugin on the blog works well as part of incentive.
With this technique, people will become highly active to your blog comment or discussion section.
My Latest Blog Post: Sikat Ang Pinoy
Deepika said:
Post Regularly
Try to update your blog regularly and interact with your readers…Try to post atleast thrice in a week.. You can ask your readers when you planning to change something in your blog..
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Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Procrastination is a sin
It brings us nought but sorrow
I know I must stop it
In fact I will tomorrow!
Blogging does not go hand in hand with laziness. ‘Only laugh’ after reading the rhymes above; don’t follow it!
My Latest Blog Post: For Research Scholars: UGC-NET JRF/SRF is now 18k / 21k Rupees per month
Jim Clary said:
Share a part of yourself in your writing. People are much more likely to return and read your blog regularly if they you spend time to build a relationship with them.
My Latest Blog Post: Why Do You Blog? Part 3
Chanda | BizDharma.com said:
Take a Break !
At times you know the rules, the game and everything that keeps you tickin. Success still is not at you side. What is then reqd? Well, take a break. Relax, understand. Try sharpening your saw before trying to cut more trees. Dont exhaust. Just Take a Break !
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Lee Ka Hoong said:
Understanding your readers!
That’s the way to provide what your reader want, you can either do a poll and ask what they want to read and what they want to know. In that way, you can build good relationship with your readers and they will stick with your blog for long period.
marshall said:
Victories, however small should be celebrated! You are on a journey, don’t “hold your breath” to celebrate at the end! Enjoy and celebrate each small victory.
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Tony said:
Without dedication, success will be hard to come by. If you want to be good at something, you must commit the time and effort to honing your skills and talents before the results will show.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Xerox – Don’t do it: Xerox is the patented process for copying documents, and the name of a corporation.
It’s not good enough to copy what someone else has written or accomplished. Step out on your own and create your own content. Be bold. Be original.
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Ron Leyba said:
Yourself – Brand and sell Yourself.
Its the first thing you must do as a blogger. Sell yourself first! You can do this by making your self and your blog an authority on a certain field.
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Jim Clary said:
How did I get lucky enough to visit when the list is at Z? Zero in on your goals and what you need to do to achieve them.
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Sat Chen said:
Advertise – Advertising can play a helpful part to increasing your traffic.
Although it does not necessarily guarantee a increase.
Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Back a wrong horse and you are gone! Be alert and attentive to know the latest trends and happenings. Stay updated and act accordingly or you will be outdated sooner than later.
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Sat Chen said:
Cool giveaways – Have some amazing giveaways in which people are giving you feedback and in return you are giving back something to the reader. An example would be this post right here!
Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Do away with nagging ads!
Ads on your blog should blend and complement and not irritate. Do not load your blogs with ads that diminish your posts and toolbars and follow me buttons and whatnot!
My Latest Blog Post: Mail Today and HT err in keeping tabs on Twitter followers of popular Indians
Sat Chen said:
Evaluate Yourself – Evaluate where you are and where you want to be. Use services like google analytics to check where you are.
Collier Ward said:
FREE!
Understand that the best things in life are free. Freely give what you have to your community.
My Latest Blog Post: Being Authentic – I’ll Go First
Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Good Karma!
Earn Good Karma and feel good that you are contributing to social welfare in some way through your online endeavour. No business should be bereft of ethics. Never forget that.
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Bryan J Zimmerman said:
Human Factor
Make your posts personal as if you are speaking to a human being, and not the computer screen staring back at you.
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Bryan J Zimmerman said:
Ignite a conversation
Do not post, just to post something. Get a conversation or a friendly debate going. This will inevitably attract more visitors.
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Michelle Minch said:
Harness the power of the internet to make the world a better place. Provide valuable insights to make life easier.
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Bryan J Zimmerman said:
posted twice but didn’t appear. Did I do something wrong?
My Latest Blog Post: 5 Predictions for the Music Industry in 2010
Sat Chen said:
Just do it!
You aren’t going to be able to get anywhere unless you start trying it yourself. All the reading isn’t going to get you anywhere, so stop reading and start blogging.
Mary E. Ulrich said:
Know your audience. Do everything that is already on the list and the audience will be a community of friends.
Vikas| vikas-gupta.in said:
Good-humoured Blogging!
Humour is very important in blogging and online business. Make sure you spread the smile on your blog and leave friendly or cheerful remarks in the blogosphere !
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chandan said:
Continuity is another important factor for our success, we should not divert or we should not distress when we are blogging, if we can avoid such things we can really success.
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Derek Jensen said:
Honesty. You have to be honest to yourself and others. Success is determined on a personal level and the failures you encounter.
Being honest with yourself and everyone else you connect or share your thoughts with will give you a true sense of where you need to go next, what you are lacking, and what you need to improve on.