I rarely go off-topic here at Manga Bookshelf, but I read a blog post earlier today that irresistibly compelled me to do so. Furthermore, I’m going to claim that I’m on topic after all, since Manga Bookshelf is, first and foremost, a blog.
What so enraged inspired me is this: Teach, or Your Blog Will Die, a “Miscellaneous Blog Tip” at ProBlogger, from Two Hour Blogger‘s Martyn Chamberlin.
In his post, Mr. Chamberlin urges aspiring bloggers to recognize the importance of teaching through their blogs. He (quite rightly) explains that “personality” is not enough to draw or maintain readership, and offers up some sage advice for ensuring consistent, professional content. Though I think his hardline “teaching” mandate is more useful in some fields than in others, I thought his approach was pretty reasonable until I hit this particular bullet point:
Write thorough, two-hour posts that explore these topics, one at a time.
Two hours is overkill for some posts (though not nearly enough for others), which gave me a moment of pause. Thankfully, the next point began on a reassuringly sane note.
Publish consistently.
Great advice here, no? Consistent content is absolutely the key to building and maintaining readership. All worries quickly placated, I dove optimistically into the next sentence.
Don’t publish something unless it’s the best thing you’ve ever written. This means you’ll either be deleting a lot of drafts, or you’ll be spending entire days revising your content.
Wait, what?
I realize that there is no one method of writing in the world that can work for every person, but my first thought upon reading that next sentence was that it was the single most destructive piece of advice for new bloggers that I had ever heard. “Don’t publish something unless it’s the best thing you’ve ever written?” That sentiment could be more succinctly conveyed by saying, “Don’t publish,” since, for most writers, that would be the result.
Telling a blogger that every piece must be his or her newest masterpiece is the best recipe for writer’s block I’ve ever seen, leading inevitably to the real killer of most blogs: lack of regular content. Yes, building readership requires that your content be smart and compelling, but most importantly it must be new, daily or as close to it as possible. Otherwise, by the time you’ve managed to complete your next masterpiece, the only person still reading will be your mom.
The internet is a vast and disorganized place, with more new content being generated in a second than most of us could possibly comprehend. That any one of us manages to reach even one other person via the tiny speck of a single blog is kind of a miracle, really. And while Chamberlin’s advice is about as sound as it gets in terms of trying to bring that miracle forth, keeping that one reader around after he/she’s read just one post is approximately a million times harder. Fortunately, though online readership can be fickle, most people are creatures of habit, and the best way to draw them back, time and again, is to become a part of their daily routine.
With that in mind, here’s my advice for building and maintaining readership as a new blogger:
1. Check out Chamberlin’s first two bullet points. I suspect they apply to nearly any kind of blogging, and hey, why recreate the wheel? I’ll add that you should write about something you love. That’ll help bring out the passion Chamberlin so rightly asks for.
2. Publish something new every day, at least five days a week if possible. Give real time and attention to your masterpieces when they come, but let them be just part of a solid schedule of concise, entertaining, on-topic writing that may run the gamut from Serious Business to light-hearted linkblogging. Don’t go crazy to the point of spamming your readers, but a well-constructed, on-topic daily post (or two!) isn’t going to piss off anyone.
3. Write your schedule down. This doesn’t have to be public (though it certainly can be) but it should be something you can stick to, week after week. If you discover that your schedule is too ambitious, change it, until you’ve got something you know you can maintain. A missed feature here or there isn’t going to do much damage, but it takes very little to fade from someone else’s habit, so try to build expectations you know you can follow through on.
4. Engage your readers by encouraging them to interact, both with you and with each other. End posts with a question whenever appropriate, especially when blogging in first person. Though you may feel the invitation to comment is implied, you’ll be surprised to find how much more often it happens when you ask a question directly.
5. Write, write, and write some more, and when the post is due, publish, even if it’s not a masterpiece. The truth is, as diligently as you may toil to create brilliant, beautiful prose, pondering thoughtfully on the Great Works Of Our Time, sometimes what people really want to do is dish about their crushes on fictional characters. Like it or not, your hard-won masterpiece may not be what’s bringing in the traffic. Deal with this. Learn to embrace it.
6. Read and comment on other people’s blogs. You may think you don’t have time, what with all those posts to write, but the best way to establish yourself in any community is to actually be part of that community. Talk to other fans in comments. Get yourself on Twitter. Include a link to your blog when you sign your name, but talk to people about what they’ve said, and not just about yourself.
I’ll be the first to admit that daily posting is hard. It’s the single biggest reason I begged Kate and David to join me. On any given day, I know someone‘s going to post, and their brilliant reviews and think-pieces allow me to spend my time on fewer “masterpieces” and more quick-n-easy bits of fluff. This is a great argument for being part of a group blog. Even in our tiny niche of a topic, in this nerdy corner of the blogosphere, daily content is the key to our continued existence.
So don’t paralyze yourself with ridiculous expectations. Write good content, and let your best come when it can.
What do you think, readers? Any advice from you for would-be manga bloggers?
Manga Therapy says
February 21, 2011 at 3:50 pmGoogle Blog Search & Twitter Search are your best friends in blogging. :]
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 4:45 pmGoogle Reader is my bread and butter. Otherwise I’d never keep up with everyone else’s blogs! :)
Manga Therapy says
February 21, 2011 at 10:26 pmAhhh yes, Google Reader, Blog Search, & Twitter Search are amazing tools. I also think some of the tools listed in this link help as well:
http://www.mediaflr.com/2010/11/25/niches-reading-linking-and-community-how-to-pimpmyblog/
Aaron says
February 21, 2011 at 4:44 pmIt all seems like great advice and all but seems kind of moot for me I have zero audince for my blog but than again good advice is good advice
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 4:45 pmWhy do you feel that you have zero audience?
Matt Blind says
February 21, 2011 at 5:45 pmIt’s self-deprecation. Every blogger I know worth reading has a pretty bad case of it, myself included. Not that my blog is worth reading…
there, see? I’m doing it again.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 5:47 pmI think we must all believe (deep down) we have something to say that’s worth reading, or we wouldn’t blog at all! :D
Matt Blind says
February 21, 2011 at 6:21 pmNah, I’m just drunk and rambling on an open internet connection. [*chuckle*] — though given my twitter handle, I’m guessing I have a strong, not-so-hidden didactic streak, too.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 6:24 pmWell, for what it’s worth, I think you have a really valuable perspective that you bring to the manga blogosphere, so I’d consider your blog a must-read.
Laurie says
February 21, 2011 at 4:58 pm> Write thorough, two-hour posts that explore these topics, one at a time.
> Don’t publish something unless it’s the best thing you’ve ever written.
I don’t know what the heck he thinks he’s talking about (er, since I couldn’t be bothered to go read his post, lol), but if he can produce the best thing he’s ever written in a two hour block, I can’t help thinking his standards aren’t very high. And if he thinks he can do it over and over consistently, there’s something not right going on with his logic…. isn’t “the best ever” supposed to be your masterpiece to date? And don’t masterpieces come like once every 10-20 years or something if you’re lucky? Meh.
Not that I have a clue how to write a blog, since I don’t do one. But as a reader, I guess I’d say what I look for is something fairly consistent on a topic I’m actually interested in, by people/a person who isn’t stupid. Multiple voices definitely help. And that’s about it. Well, you already know my opinion about art anyways- it doesn’t all have to be Shakespeare; cats playing the piano are nice sometimes too.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 5:16 pmif he can produce the best thing he’s ever written in a two hour block, I can’t help thinking his standards aren’t very high.
Heh, well said. :D
Melinda Beasi says
February 24, 2011 at 7:28 amThis is interesting to me too… I checked out the guy’s blog at the time I wrote this post. It was a pretty new blog without a lot of entries, but of course that doesn’t tell me how long he’s really been blogging if that wasn’t his first/only blog. But since then, and it’s been a few days now, I’ve checked back… and there’s nothing new. No new post in several days. Meanwhile, there have been so many posts here at Manga Bookshelf, this one is about to scroll off the “latest posts” list on the front page. So how often does the guy post, and how much traffic can he possible have without any volume of new material? I guess what I’m getting around to is… why is that guy giving advice? Heh.
Kris says
February 21, 2011 at 7:01 pmMan, if I followed his advice, I’d never get anything posted. Certainly not the three posts I do every week. Those can take me anywhere from 1-5 hours each to write. Which I know is a pretty wide margin, but it varies based on the title/genre/whatever. Writing a review on say, a volume of Bleach, might take me an hour. Something like Ayako could take me all afternoon. Sometimes I’d like to do more, but three is my limit. I know if I do more than that, I’ll burn myself out, so I keep myself balanced on that edge (and I also edit for about 20 writers on my site). I’m really impressed by those out there spitting stuff out on a daily basis (or more often!).
What he may be trying to say is to make everything the best you can make it. I don’t even always get that far. I’m not always satisfied with my reviews. Sometimes I’m pressed for time, or my brain just quits. But I do always make sure that what needs to be there is there, even if it’s not as elaborate or thorough as I’d like.
Also, one of my favorite parts about manga blogging is the community. :) I <3 all you guys.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 7:03 pmAlso, one of my favorite parts about manga blogging is the community. :) I <3 all you guys.
Agreed, Kris. :)
You’re very smart to know that three posts is your limit, and that’s something you can stick to.
David Welsh says
February 21, 2011 at 7:12 pmSo don’t paralyze yourself with ridiculous expectations.
All of your advice is great, but I think this is the thing most important thing that anyone thinking about writing a blog should take away from the whole post. Write because you enjoy it, and focus on the kinds of subjects that are going to maintain your interest and keep you having a good time. It’s the difference between getting into a frame of mind where you think that you should write about something rather than that you want to write about something. If you get into a should space, the fun level declines. Trust me on this one.
Another suggestion, if you’re thinking about starting a blog, is to warm up. Comment at blogs you enjoy. Set up a Twitter account and join in the conversation with bloggers whose work you enjoy. I don’t have a huge basis for comparison, but I think the manga blogging community is incredibly friendly and inclusive, and I think they’re all very supportive of new neighbors. Twitter in particular is a great way to get used to writing about comics regularly, but casually, and I find it a great source of inspiration and a way to find titles I might have overlooked.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 7:17 pmIf you get into a should space, the fun level declines. Trust me on this one.
You are *so* right about this. I’ve been there (and back, thank goodness).
Thanks for the additional thoughts, David. I agree that the manga blogging community is a very friendly place!
animemiz says
February 21, 2011 at 7:13 pmWell I definitely find that networking with other similar blogs is a plus here. I have been blogging for a couple of years now.. and while I am not a perfect blogger, having pulled off my last entry. I separate my other blogs from other blogs. Kinda a confusing mess, but that’s a writing style I try to use in order of not burning out.
I remember a couple of years ago.. I was reading this blog for blogging tips. http://lorelle.wordpress.com/
animemiz says
February 21, 2011 at 7:14 pmI think one of the things about blogging though, and something I try to follow diligently on, is to blog with confidence. Blogging is a writing activity that can foster some communication.. and definitely a path for improving an individual writing style.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 7:40 pmPersonally, my whole inspiration for blogging is the ongoing conversation between bloggers, through our blogs.
mom says
February 21, 2011 at 7:18 pmNice work, Melinda. Even though I’m not necessarily a thorough reader, I do like to regularly read your blog. :)
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 7:37 pmHeh, I’m glad my readership actually does include my mom. :D
Kris says
February 21, 2011 at 9:57 pmI don’t think I can say that for ANY member of my family. :)
Dirk Deppey says
February 21, 2011 at 7:25 pmWhen engaged in debate: When and if you realize you’re wrong, admit it immediately.
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 7:37 pmWhat, and eliminate the enjoyment of pointless flame wars!?
Yes, this advice is much more vital than anything I’ve said here.
Katherine Dacey says
February 21, 2011 at 7:43 pmI like your advice much better than Martyn Chamberlain’s, Melinda! Consistency is more important than excellence in cultivating a relationship with readers. If you post erratically, or allow writer’s block to dictate the frequency of your posts, you all but guarantee that no one will read your blog. That was one of the hardest lessons I learned when I left PopCultureShock: more people read my blog when I posted 3-5 times a week than when I didn’t, even if my infrequent content was better than my frequent.
To your list of tips, I’d add two suggestions:
1. Think about your audience. Who do you hope to reach with your blog: other shojo manga fans? Parents of teen manga readers? People who’ve been reading manga for over 20 years? If you have an audience in mind when you write, you’re more likely to connect with readers than if you write for a “general” audience. (And really, is there such a thing for a niche habit like manga reading?) This advice isn’t so different from Chamberlain’s notion of “teaching,” but it’s less daunting; “teaching” implies expertise that most of us don’t have. Connecting with an audience, however, only requires enthusiasm.
2. Do link posts. Link posts foster a sense of community among people writing about the same subject, and help bring in new readers to your site. Don’t underestimate the amount of traffic generated by a pingback at another blog!
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 7:50 pmThese are great, Kate!
I think I’ve pretty much determined that my audience is… me. :D Readers like me, anyway. I think that’s the easiest way to make sure I continue to enjoy what I’m writing. And yes, I really like your distinction here between teaching and connecting.
Matt Blind says
February 21, 2011 at 8:01 pmI responded on twitter, but I’ll post again here – Feed the Dog:
“think of a blog as a really complicated tamogotchi, if you don’t play with it and feed it, it dies”
Melinda Beasi says
February 21, 2011 at 8:03 pmFor readers, I’ll also pass on the link to your great post!
Aaron says
February 23, 2011 at 3:15 pmI feel I have zero audience because literally I have no audience the only time someone else ever read something that I wrote (that I can recall is back in October 27th 2010 when I referenced my review of Kannazuki no Miko on Manga Critic and Kate Dacey commented that she had read it. Not that I’m some sort of egomaniac who feels like I “must” be heard it’s just kind of disheartening when you put a lot of time and effort into and trying to write a good review (while juggling real life responsibilities) and get no feed back or input but whatever will be will be I guess.
Sorry for the late reply I didn’t really expect anybody to respond and honestly I just feel persona non grota a lot of time in the blogging community but that’s my problem.
Melinda Beasi says
February 24, 2011 at 7:07 amI wonder if more people are reading than you think. Do you use a statcounter of any kind on your blog? I’d definitely recommend it. The vast majority of people who read your blog will do so silently. Sometimes just knowing that people really are reading makes all the difference!
CRO says
February 23, 2011 at 7:50 pmI like the advice you gave on blogging, as a person who is still very new to blogging (one month) I find it a little intimidating thinking that everything I post should be perfection. I will take your advice: take a deep breath and post regularly instead of agonizing over every little bit of content, after all my goal is to connect with other manga readers and start a conversation.
Melinda Beasi says
February 24, 2011 at 7:23 amI agree, the conversation is what it’s all about! :)