Life in progress

K is for Key

by 37 Comments

What is the key to writing a successful blog? I had a comment on my Priorities post of Saturday which asked, Why do good bloggers always contemplate leaving.. (thank you Celona’s Blog). The truth is, I’m not really sure what it is that makes a “good blogger”.

Although one might argue that a blog is made up of its content, I don’t believe that’s all it is. I think it’s the amount of caring that goes into it. The grammar and spelling could be fair rather than excellent, the photos could be mediocre instead of professional, and the artwork may be less than fantastic, but if there is an abundance of passion, knowledge and love for whatever it is that a blogger does, others can see it.

The secret to producing a great blog is also the communication that goes on between the blogger and his or her audience. The very translation between the blogger’s life and how it relates to the experiences of the reader can make or break the connection that keeps the reader coming back.

As a noun, some of the synonyms of “key” are code, cue, interpretation, and solution. “Cue” is also an important answer to having a successful blog. When we cue responses we keep our readers engaged.

As an adjective we have influential, and leading. How do we influence and lead? With passion and caring.

Do you feel as though you have these things covered on your blog?

Author: Linda G. Hill

There's a writer in here, clawing her way out.

37 thoughts on “K is for Key”

Leave a comment

  1. Tracesofthesoul
    April 16, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    Communicating and being open helps and your blog is living proof that that, Linda. I think WordPress is also a great community. I have tried blogging at Blogspot but it takes longer to get that community…it is a friendly neighborhood here:)

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  2. thepiratehorizon
    April 14, 2015 at 10:25 am

    influential? 🙂 if i sit with you at a table, with a couple of glasses of wine under our nose, i don’t expect you to be influential or smart, but just to be the you you want to be – then i decide if there’s a next glass of wine. and you do the same, i suppose. i expect you to tell me your stories and opinions and, without necessarily being conflictual, to be critical about what i say. and this latter aspect lacks totally in the blog-world – it’s more common in message boards or forums. when is it the last time you received well-proven criticism here? one gets tired of automatic “likes” given to receive “likes” in return. some hours ago i received a “like” from one of the usual christian crusaders that haunt me, who has not even read what i wrote – ah, if she had read it…;)
    lack of sense, of curiosity and a 2.0 click-me logic that is not consistent with real behavior push good bloggers away, in my opinion. and being this long in a comment pushes good readers away too, haha 🙂

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    • LindaGHill
      April 14, 2015 at 3:56 pm

      It’s not often that I write anything controversial enough to make anyone disagree with me, though I’m not hesitant to say that I disagree with others on their blogs… I would criticize your thinking, politely over a glass of wine, if I disagreed with you as well. It is true though, that WordPress is chock full of ass-kissers – maybe moreso than in real life, maybe not. It depends, as you say, what’s in it for them.
      Not influential? Have you forgotten the poem I wrote which you inspired my dear? 😉 I do think we all have the power to influence each other. Subtly if nothing else. In fact I’d say subtlety is best.

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  3. Fallon
    April 14, 2015 at 5:17 am

    I don’t know if I’d call my blog successful or even influential. I don’t get a lot of comments(more on my RoW80 & WiPPet Wednesday posts as those are part of blog hops) and I’ve had some people say I inspire them with how much I get done. I’m usually not even sure if people care what I have to write about, but I try to at least be consistent. Blogging is one of the ways I have of connecting with people as my social anxiety makes that difficult face to face(and sometimes rears its head even through the computer).

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  4. markbialczak
    April 13, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Once again, you’ve got it going on, Linda G. Excellent cues within your ‘K’ post. Kute!

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  5. mewhoami
    April 13, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Great post. I think that I hit all those areas, but it’s hard to say since it’s my blog. Others may have a very different perspective than I do. I am passionate about what I write, which is why my posts aren’t as frequent as they used to be.

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  6. weebluebirdie
    April 13, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    Oh, good cue at the end there! I think we get better when we pay attention to what we like in other people’s blogs. When we can articulate to ourselves the “why” and “what” we like, it can help improve our own blogs. I try as much as possible to do more than press Like, I try to explain why or what I liked. As we all know, it’s the comments we get which prove someone really did read our post!! And you’re right, the blogs I go back to are the ones which ooze a bit of personality, and that isn’t about how slick the site is or how many followers the person has.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. chrllrobb.blog
    April 13, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    Reblogged this on chrllrobb and commented:
    I found this to be a helpful post. I don’t think I am very influential, and definitely not constant. And I have never strived to have THE BLOG, but I like to talk and I like to share what my life is like. I like to talk about my animals. A lot of people don’t like to listen. I do have a way of droning on and on. Blogging has been an avenue of saying what I want to say and letting people decide what they want to read. Or not read. I do the same thing. I have many great followers, people who like and readers. I don’t always get to correspond with all of them, but I am thankful for them all. I have been nominated a few times for awards. I have responded to some and others I have simply forgotten to get back to. I have a terrible memory when I get distracted. And I am distracted a lot. It is a surprise, joy and happy feeling to get nominated for a post/posts. I come from a back ground where I don’t get very many compliments, so my likes and awards are a true and humbling experience. They make me happy. Thank you all and I hope this helps all of you. New bloggers and long time bloggers.
    Stay Safe and God Bless!
    ❤

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  8. Paul
    April 13, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    There’s a song about that isn’t there? “I’m a little blog, short and stout, here’s my URL and here’s what I spout/”

    Ha!

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. Paul Davis
    April 13, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    Do YOU think you cover these things? 😉 I write what I write, which is likely poor form, but it is what it is. I have no secrets, my life is generally bare, and whether good or bad, I am passionate. In many ways 😉

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  10. chrllrobb.blog
    April 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    I struggle with saying aloud what I want to say. Blogging has been a way of saying how I feel at times. Hopefully without confusing people, the way I seem to do face to face sometimes. Besides when I blog I can take my time and think about what I want to say. I have always kind of liked writing. I just never was good writing stories or books. Blogging is a way of writing and getting some things off my chest. It has been good for me.

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    • LindaGHill
      April 13, 2015 at 5:18 pm

      Blogging is definitely a great way to get out what you want to say. I’m much more eloquent at the keyboard as well because, as you say, more time to consider the right words.
      Thanks very much for your re-blog. I’m happy this helped. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. siriusbizinus
    April 13, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    I don’t cover any of these things on my blog. I just put on a tie and mash buttons furiously while screaming at my monitor in monosyllabic words. Sometimes there’s pie involved.

    I love pie. And I love your blog more than I love pie.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Veronica
    April 13, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    I guess it all depends on what type of blog it is as well. I enjoy following blogs with cute illustrations and images. And they rarely get comments… just likes. I also think being consistent is key like Joey mentioned as one of her comments on my post. Just don’t be overbearing. I like to keep things simple and straightforward, too. 😄

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    • LindaGHill
      April 13, 2015 at 5:11 pm

      Being overbearing is definitely a turn-off in the blogging world it seems. Being consistent as well has its advantages – if people never know what to expect when they visit a blog, they usually won’t bother.

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  13. lucciagray
    April 13, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    I think it’s vital to be passionate about what you write and welcoming to visitors. As in ‘real’ life I like meeting and speaking to interesting and friendly people who talk honestly about what they like/know about and listen to others. Like your blog:)

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    • LindaGHill
      April 13, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks, Luccia. 🙂 I think you really hit the nail on the head. When we talk to people face-to-face there’s nothing worse than someone who won’t let you get a word in edgewise and I think that’s the same with blogging. No one wants to just listen unless they’re there to learn something. So unless a blog exists purely to teach, it has to be interactive.

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  14. joeyfullystated
    April 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    I do not think this much about blogging. I just like what I like. You’re absolutely influential and inspiring, but I’m not even sure that’s why I like your blog.

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. edwinasepisodes
    April 13, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I think you are right. Although my blog is small, so I am not speaking from experience, having a successful blog that keeps people coming back is all about the effort put into it. Those who regularly engage with others, offer help, advice and support are the ones that seem to do well. I do not think there needs to be perfect grammar or snazzy photos and images to have the best blog. Interaction with others is more important.

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