Here’s the simple truth: You don’t exist until you’re online.
The problem is that for most people, especially new bloggers, you still don’t exist until you apply a little strategy in terms of building your online presence.
(Perhaps another question is whether the latter is worse than no presence at all…)
Here are 5 Tips that I’ve used to help me establish a powerful web presence without having to do too much work and can provide real and tangible results:
1. Exposure
The first tip is making sure that you’re both exposed to the niches and material you’d like to cover as well as provide exposure for others. Make sure you know what you’re talking about (and know who’s already talking about it).
Blogging about other bloggers, blogging about the content, and providing as much “exposure” both ways is powerful in establishing a presence quickly.
Give, get, grow.
2. Social Networks Work
Leverage strategic social networks but not all of them. Choose wisely. Seriously. And then knock it out of the park.
Use them as communication channels as well as traffic channels and be more than just a presence there as well. Build relationships, have conversations, but lead them back to your blog and “base of operations”.
3. Design Matters
Make sure that your blog design is good. And if you can, make sure that it’s smashing. Don’t accept mediocre design because everyone is mediocre. Be a cut above from a design perspective and stand out a tad.
If you can, hire a professional. Or get some expert advice. Design matters, and the more memorable the better.
4. Experiment
Building presence is much more than just doing what everyone else is doing… it’s doing things differently. Be willing to experiment, and you just might get the much needed attention you already deserve.
The internet community is much more flexible than you probably imagine, and is pretty forgiving in terms of experimentation. Be willing to start (and stop) experiments and don’t feel bad about it.
5. Pray
For us, as Christians, you need to pray. Period. I won’t write too much about this because it’s dead obvious, but pray for your blog. I do. It helps me focus and align myself, and helps me navigate everything that I do.
JakeSchwein says
Good thoughts
chrissulli says
Good stuff. #5 is dead obvious… but… how often does that get lost in the mix? And not just in regards to our blogs. I think #4 is really important. Don't just stay in the box.
Jason Whitehorn says
Which brings me to a question. In all the time that we've conversed back and forth, I don't thin kI've ever asked you to take a look at my blog. What advise or direction would you give for my blog as far as presense goes?
http://www.jasonwhitehorn/blog (Note: I just changed by front page of http://www.jasonwhitehorn.info to show social media (blogfeed and twitter updated). Thoughts?
human3rror says
the .info site is messy.
i think you need to start simple and build out from there… a little distracting… what do you think?
Jason Whitehorn says
Yeah…it is jumbled in IE.
Daniel_Berman says
I am no expert like John, but two words come to mind…..
White Space
stephenbateman says
Yea thanks for saying dead obvious, because your right about the prayer part, and I basically neglect that…
Mikes says
Tips from you means a lot to me. i mean really. Just like you I pray for my blog as well. It keeps me back on track reminding me on why I was blogging in the first place. For the design, i'm not good at it but i'll try to continue researching to see what good can be added. about social networks, I kinda guilty of this. There was a time that i signed up for every social network I know. i learned it doesn't work because really these networks are for socializing, if you're not doing that but just adding links then you're not actually part of the network.
Graham Brenna says
#3… design matters – so use a wordpress theme by @human3rror huh? 😉
human3rror says
puaha… perhaps…?
John Arnold says
I feel like such an ironic idiot after reading this post. #1through #4 are strategies that I am aware of and work on. But #5 Pray for Your Blog is something I haven't done. The irony is I am constantly advising/teaching people to undergird all things with prayer, yet I missed this on one of the things I am most passionate about, blogging. Duh! Thanks John for reminding me of that which is "dead obvious." Sometimes we miss what we are closest to.
human3rror says
John,
Totally with you on this one. The reasons I repeat it often is because i forget it all the time…!