List blogging is a popular and effective form of writing a post. Come up with an idea and then invent a list of three, five, or seven things that relate to the topic and create a post. Keeping with this idea you can find countless articles offering a list of ways to become a successful blogger. Many of these articles offer excellent suggestions, while others just rehash something already published. Fortunately, I believe I have managed to boil down all of this advice into the single most important bullet point (drum roll please):

If you are a new blogger, and want to be successful, then here is the one thing you need to do: Slow down!

Much to learn in the beginning

Okay, maybe that advice isn’t too earth shattering but you cannot deny the truth in its simplicity. If you want to succeed at blogging, then start slow. Learn the ropes. Realize what it means to post on a consistent basis. Determine what it takes to write a good blog post. Master the art of interacting with your readers. Discover what you love to blog about. Uncover the topics that make your fingers effortlessly dance across your keyboard. Okay, now I’m getting carried away, but I think you get the point.

Distractions can lead to destruction

For a new blogger there is so much out in the blog-o-sphere it can make your head spin. Countless sidebar widgets to enhance your blog, SEO tips and tricks, a myriad of options to monetize your blog and all of which can take you away from the actual task of blogging. And if all of that weren’t enough, early success can sometimes take a new blogger down the path of distraction that leads straight to Self-Destruction Central. Why? Because early success can trick some bloggers into the myth that if one blog can succeed, then why not two, three, or even ten?

My personal blogging experience

I’ve been blogging for about 10 months now. I am the sole author here at TechTraction, a co-author at Brothers in Blog, and a general comment moderator at my daughter’s site Sisters in Blog. I’m not overwhelmed with blogging activity, but I certainly can’t do anymore than I do right now — I’m still very much learning the ropes. Therefore, my advice is based on 10 months experience of active blogging; however, ask someone that has been blogging for a couple of years and I doubt they’ll disagree with what I’m recommending. They might offer a laundry list of “ways to be a successful blogger,” but those suggestions are nothing more than things you need to learn which is only possible if you slow down and focus.

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Filed under: Blogging Related