I'm Back from Bloggy Boot Camp with Blogging Tips and Tricks!

It's been two days since my enlistment at Bloggy Boot Camp and all the inspiration and excitement that I felt durning the conference has followed me back to the "real world".  Even though I am back in the trenches of snot and laundry, the magic is still there. Instead of waning, it's growing. The more and more I mull over all the information that was presented by some of the most energetic and inspiring women I have heard from in a good while, the more I cannot wait to put this information into action.

I am so excited to be able to share some of the information with you. But more, than that, I am really thrilled to share the passion and enthusiasm that encompassed a day at Bloggy Boot Camp. This conference is so much more than just learning about tips and tricks for maximizing your blog’s exposure, or how to work with brands – this conference is all about connections. After all, it's the relationships you build that compel sponsors to keep working with you and the connection that someone has with you that makes them want to come back or refer your blog, product or site to others.

A day at Bloggy Boot Camp is filled with a buzz and an energy that is nothing short of contagious.  From the assigned tables that switched after every speaker, to enable everyone a chance to meet and mingle, to the speakers themselves, the whole room vibrated with an excitement you wouldn't normally find at a conference who's agenda includes "SEO (Search Engine Optimization)" or  "What are your responsibilities with the FTC?". It was great to meet some truly fantastic women (and men) this past weekend, to learn from them and to share ideas. The SITSgirls are amazing at what they do and I'm thrilled that I was able to share in the awesomeness.

Here are the top 10 things I brought back from Bloggy Boot Camp:


10. Good content is key to having a successful blog – Stick to one subject or theme. Don't confuse your readers by posting about too many subjects. For example, if you blog about design, resist the temptation to post about that great recipe you just ran across.  Your readers come to your blog to find information. If you write posts that are informative and provide value, you will be perfectly positioned to be successful.

9. Google pays attention to the quality and frequency of your content – Post frequently and you have more chances for getting search engines to notice you. Remember to stick to one theme per post.

8. Don't write a post that reads like a novel or like a Post-It Note (too long or too short) – You want your readers to make it through your entire post without feeling overwhelmed. As well, you want to provide your readers with valuable information. 150 words is optimal.

7. Start with a picture – people want to see the finished product first. For example, if you are posting about a specific craft idea or recipe, start with the end result to pull readers in.

6. Transparency doesn’t mean telling everything to everyone – You can still be authentic and real by writing a heartfelt, informative or interesting post that doesn't "spill it all out".

5. Choose your title carefully – This is one that really struck me as an "Ahh Ha" moment. As writers we can get caught up in the catchy, witty post titles. But these don't help readers find you vis search engines. As you write your post consider what information people will be looking for and make it clear in the title.

4. For the love of god, turn OFF comment moderation and word verification – Readers get frustrated with these features and will often not comment because of them. Don't worry about spam  – just delete it.

3. Steer clear of the drama – Don't get caught up in the draft of negative issues. Remember that what you post is out there forever. Stay professional.

2. Purchase your own domain name – No matter if you use Blogger, Wordpress or anything else, having your own domain name is important to "owning" your brand.

1. Be passionate about what you blog about – This passion is what will keep your blog interesting to you and your readers. If you find that you are not having "fun" or are not passionate about what you are blogging about, hone in on what you are passionate about.

Hope this information was helpful! If you have a chance to make it to a Bloggy Boot Camp - It's so worth it!