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Today's blog entry is pretty simple really - you should start putting content on your site before you promote it.Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to get this wrong. Let's have a look at why this might be, and what you should avoid.
People get ahead of themselves.
Some people have this big idea of how they're going to do something better than anyone else and they're going to get really famous. Maybe they'll get rich too.Problem is, they set up the site and fall over themselves to promote it anywhere and everywhere... before there's anything on the site!
Don't make this mistake. Take some time to build your site properly and ask a couple of trusted friends for feedback, but don't tell everyone else about your site until it's been running for a short while. How long you should wait really depends on how often you're publishing new content.
One good page is not enough.
If you have published an excellent blog entry that attracts loads of readers to your site, you'll want to have other good content for them to read as well.If someone arrives at a site and loves the first page they read, but they can't find anything else, they probably won't subscribe. Who knows when the next update will be?
Take your time.
Rushing out your content is not a good way to ensure they are of a high quality. It doesn't guarantee that they'll be bad, but rushing things can lead to mistakes.Write your content with care. Proof-read it. Edit it if needed, but try to get it right first time.
Write short posts.
Don't feel like you have to pad out your content if it's not long enough. Some of the best posts are very short. Then again, a long post may be necessary in some cases.If you don't need to write a lot - then don't! But make your content worth reading regardless of its length.
A dozen posts should be a good start.
Aim to write 10-12 posts before you publicise your site too widely. This gives you a chance to find your feet with your choice of subject matter, and it gives your potential readers more to go over when they first visit. If it doesn't work out, you don't end up closing the site just as the first people arrive.What do you think?
Tags: content, promotion, take your time, good content, quality content, post length
Posted by Ben on January 14, 2008 20:54 / Edited: Never
Comments
Well said! Though the quality writing is the main focus for a blogger, quantity does matter too! Since ancient times, quantity and quality has never been separated, and the best is to give equal respect to both!
Quality and quantity should be equal. In other words, it's what you've written in your post! I think people need to be reminded of these, so that they practice what I would love to call, "Healthy Blogging" =)
Great article!
Hello, SunsetSue and Karthik - thanks for the supportive comments. :)
Just wanted to say this is a great post and so true. I think when you market a blog too vigorously too soon, you can lose your "first impression" chance and you also give people the impression you're more interested in something *other* than providing quality content (too self focused or looking to make a quick buck - that kind of thing). Showing dedication to the blog and your readers is essential if you want them to stick around.
Hi Lightening, thanks for the comment. First impressions are very important!
I think it's slightly OK to start publicizing your blog when there's only a little content on it - just be sure to update regularly as things get going.
See, having 10-12 pages of good writing is a great way to start. But if you suddenly focus all on promotion, and do no real writing, your blog starts to stagnate.
By balancing "Content on blog" and "Promotion to blog", you end up driving users to your blog that actually see new content very often - and it's more likely to make them stay, and maybe even recommend to friends.
I've learnt that seeing hits and subscriptions come in as you blog is great motivation to keep going.
Summary: I wouldn't recommend a Step One, Step Two procedure. Just go with the flow :)
~ Wogan
I think it needs to be balanced too. People tend to lean too heavily on one side or the other when both need to be worked on. Maybe I should start shortening my posts, I have a habit of...waffling. :)
Hi Wogan, Hi Claire, thanks for the comments. :)
I didn't mean to imply that people should suddenly shift the focus to promotion without continuing to write good content. The key point I was trying to make is that you shouldn't promote before you have some content on your blog.
I think this is a very important message. I see far too many blogs that spread the word before they've got started. Finding out how to promote your site may be a good thing to do before you have 10-12 posts, but I don't think site owners should promote anything until they've reached that threshold.
I agree with balancing content and promotion, it's a good point. :)
I just wanted to take a minute and tell you how much I agree with you about quality posting. I am learning as I go and I believe that the repeat customers, the ones who subscribe to our blogs deserve better than what they sometimes get. Keep up the good work and remind us all to keep it real.