The Secret to Successful Blogging Revealed!

I realized something Wednesday night while reading Li Evan’s Women of Internet Marketing Part 12. There I was, reveling in another delicious edition of Li’s awesome series, when I came across this quote from upcoming phenom Rhea Drysdale. I had asked Rhea how she became involved in Loren Baker’s SEO Site Clinic, and Rhea responded:

“…My suspicion is he felt pressure to include a young female contributor after it worked well for Bruce Clay and SEOmoz. I’ll be ecstatic if I can amount to half of what Lisa and Rebecca have already done for the industry.”

That’s when it hit me.

First, Rhea’s been living in some sort of bizarro bubble for the past few months. The only thing I have “done” for this industry is make people seriously question Bruce Clay’s hiring standards. Second, and this is HUGE, I finally discovered the key to having a successful blog in the search engine optimization space. Are you ready for it?

Second, and this is HUGE, I finally discovered the key to having a successful blog in the search engine optimization space. Are you ready for it?

Okay. The secret to successful SEO blogging is hiring a cute girl to do your bidding. To attract an audience, you need a young, snarky female, preferably dark-haired (time to conform, Rhea!), to amuse and bewilder the masses. Let them cover the industry, injecting the news with a healthy dose of sarcasm, and the predominantly male industry will Eat. It. Up. In return, you’ll get instant street cred, soften up that I’m-all-about-work persona, and be put on the V.I.P. list for all the hip Google parties.

It’s genius, right?

Now, don’t feel bad that you didn’t pick up on it sooner. When I first read Rhea’s comment, my first inclination was to laugh too. Imagine Loren Baker commissioning Rhea not for her smarts, but just so he could fill some sort of young pretty blogger quota. As if Rebecca and I were hired as a crazy marketing ploy. No way! I can’t speak for Rebecca, but I was hired because I’m borderline genius. [Borderline something, anyway. –Susan]

But then I thought about it. I pictured Bruce and Rand sitting cross-legged on the floor in their respective offices–Bruce fiddling with his cape and trying to keep his tights from bunching up; Rand playing with his transformers, giving them funny voices but being super secret about it so as to not alert Mystery Guest–both of them just sitting there thinking up ways to bring attention to their blogs.

“Create a stellar piece of linkbait?” Rand asked Megatron. Nah, too predictable.
“Work up another interactive Flash chart?” muttered Bruce to his framed picture of the Search Engine Relationship Chart. Nope.

And then it hit them! They needed a hip female to ‘man up’ their blog. That will bring the masses. That will bring the links!

So they did it. Rand hired Rebecca, and Bruce took me on a month later. And you saps fell in love with us. Ha!

Next thing you know, Jordan has us laughing at Marketing Pilgrim, Tamar has Chris Winfield under her spell, and Rhea is blinding the boys with her charm and stories about the disgusting things she’s done to tortoises. Forget Danny (Sullivan) and Barry (Schwartz). Combined we are the IT girls of SEO blogging. The inner circle of female bloggers has brought a fun, fresh look to this often-too-techy industry. And we’re pretty, too! Huzzah!

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The search engine optimization industry predominantly comprises male geeks’ intellects. What do male geeks’ intellects love? Intelligent women with a sense of humor, of course! Beauties who will give them the attention they never got in high school, girls they can stalk on all the social network sites. (Okay, that last one only applies to certain individuals).

So the lesson here is, if you want your blog to be successful and if you want to break into the space, find a cute girl with opinions who is willing to insert her witty comments at inappropriate and unexpected times. It’s guaranteed to bring the blog love.

Discover the real secret to SEO success and elevate your blog today with our expert strategies. Contact us.

FAQ: What is the key to achieving success in blogging?

Blogging remains a powerful medium for sharing knowledge, engaging with audiences, and building a successful career. To navigate the intricate path of blogging success, one must consider many factors, including content quality, audience engagement, and strategic planning. Let’s delve into the core elements that constitute the key to achieving success in blogging.

1. Quality Content is King:

High-quality content is at the heart of every successful blog. Writing well-researched, insightful articles that engage your target audience will help ensure its reach. Your readers will appreciate your efforts if you provide valuable knowledge, entertainment, or solutions they find invaluable. Use proper grammar and spelling to maintain professionalism.

2. Find Your Niche:

Identify a niche that interests you and has an audience. Blogging is highly competitive, and having a specific niche allows you to stand out. It also helps you become an authority in that field, attracting a dedicated audience.

3. Consistency Matters:

Consistency is key to blogging success; update your blog frequently with engaging posts to maintain reader interest. Develop a content calendar to maintain a steady flow of articles and adhere to it.

4. Engage with Your Audience:

Engage with your readers via social media, email, and comments to build strong relationships. Show that you appreciate their feedback by responding directly. This engagement fosters loyalty and trust.

5. Monetization Strategies:

Some bloggers may wish to monetize their blogs in various ways. Affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling products and services are among many methods available; carefully consider all available monetization approaches before selecting one that best aligns with your audience and niche.

6. SEO and Promotion:

SEO is key for driving organic traffic to your website. Producing high-quality content teaches you the fundamentals of on-page, keyword research, and link-building SEO techniques. Social media channels, email campaigns, or collaborations may be utilized to spread awareness of your content.

7. Patience and Perseverance:

Success in blogging takes time. Don’t be discouraged by slow growth in the beginning. Stay committed, continue to learn, and adapt your strategy as needed.

8. Build an Email List:

As a blogger, an email list is one of your greatest assets. Use lead magnets and opt-in forms to collect email addresses from your audience. Regularly send out newsletters with your latest content, updates, and exclusive offers.

9. Stay Informed:

The digital landscape evolves rapidly. Stay informed about the latest blogging trends, tools, and best practices to remain competitive and adapt to changes.

10. Analytics and Monitoring:

Regularly review your blog’s analytics to understand what’s working and needs improvement. To ensure maximum success, adjust your strategy based on the data.

Blogging success requires taking an integrated approach that requires dedication to providing high-quality content, engaging your target audience, and successful marketing – an effort that takes patience, hard work, and ongoing growth. Following these guidelines and persistently honing your skills can unlock the door to a thriving and influential blogging career.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Blogging Success:

1. Pick a niche that both intrigues you and has an audience.
2. Create a content calendar to maintain regular posting.
3. Target creating high-quality content backed up with in-depth research.
4. Engage with your target audience through social media, email, and comments.
5. Implement SEO strategies to attract organic traffic.
6. Decide the optimal monetization option for your blog.
7. Create and Manage an Email Database.
8. Stay updated on the latest blogging trends and tools.
9. Regularly review your blog’s analytics and adjust your strategy.
10. Practice patience and perseverance, as success takes time to achieve.

By following these steps, you can systematically work towards achieving success in blogging.

This article was updated on December 7, 2023. 

Lisa Barone is a writer, content marketer & VP of strategy at Overit Media. She's also a very active Twitterer, much to the dismay of the rest of the world.

See Lisa's author page for links to connect on social media.