The Last Word on Food Blogging - And A $25 Contest
(This is the fifth and final post in the How to Write the Best Damn Food Blog series. The other posts in the series include How To Write the Best Damn Food Blog on the Internet, The Number One Reason People Read Food Blogs, Three Types of Food Blog Posts You Must Master and The Essential Element of Food Blogging. You can, of course, read on, but I’d recommend starting at the beginning.)
I could go on and on with this series. I could move into talking about some of the specifics of good writing, point out good grammatical practices, or talk about writing headlines. The fact is, though, that many of you already know the things you need in order to improve your blog writing (no matter what your blog’s niche).
What are those things? What have I talked about in this series? Let’s sum it up in three simple bullet points:
- Reader loyalty depends greatly on the quality of your writing. Write well.
- Write in such a way that your posts activate desire in the reader, teach the reader something, or connect with the reader on a personal level.
- Write with authority. Authority is integral to your success as an Internet writer.
These are not revolutionary or difficult concepts. Like I said, you know what to do. However, the fact is many of you are not doing them. You might be too comfortable writing the way you have for the last few months. But ask yourself: are my readers coming back? Just because you’ve practiced something the same way over and over again doesn’t mean it’s working. If you’re not getting results with your blog, you have to change something. To do things the same way over and over again and expect different results is irrational. It’s time to switch things up a bit.
Some of you will read this series, take in the information I’ve given to you, and put it to good use. Now, like I said in the beginning, good writing is only half of the battle. You’ve got to add effective marketing to the mix. But if you practice the principles I’ve shown you and you make any effort at marketing whatsoever, I guarantee that you will increase your readership.
photo credit: internets_dairy
I’ll even put my money where my mouth is here, with a direct challenge to my readers. I want you to go back to your own blog. It doesn’t even have to be a food blog. Between now and June 30, 2008, I want you to take these three principles of blog writing and implement them to the best of your ability in every post.
One participant (determined randomly) will receive ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
What are the rules? Well, there would have to be a few, wouldn’t there? They’re not too bad, though. I promise:
- Drop me a comment in this post and let me know you’re going to participate. Alternatively, you can write a post about the contest on your blog and leave a Trackback to this post (use the following URL to link: http://writing-journey.com/internet-writing/the-last-word-on-food-blogging-and-a-25-contest/trackback.)
- Post at least three times a week on your blog between now and June 1. Each post should be written with authority, and use one of the three post types discussed. You can post more (for example, a link love post), but at least three posts a week must be mouth-watering, teaching, or empathetic.
- Drop back by here, from time to time and let me know how it’s going. I’ll even be glad to help you out in whatever way I can. If you want me to critique a post, say so. If you want me to help you brainstorm a bit, I’ll try to do that to. I’m not promising hours of consulting or fast turnarounds, but I’ll do my best to help out where I can. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
- Make some regular marketing efforts. I can’t verify that you’ve done these, so your word will have to be enough. If you need ideas, check out the Blog Profits Blueprint by Yaro Starak.
Oh, If you don’t come across this contest until long after it’s posted, that’s OK. You can still participate.
Now, I’m not really going to go out and verify that you’ve done #2-4 above. Those steps are all for you, anyways. I’m interested in your success, and hope you do them. But it’s up to you to hold yourself accountable. It’s all about taking action, folks, and taking action NOW. That’s how you get ahead with your writing, and that’s how you’re going to write the best damn food blog on the Internet.
———-
I do have a little bit more to say to food bloggers, specifically. First, thank you for joining me for the last week or so. It’s been an absolute blast.
I know that some of you may never come back this way again. I wish you would, though; after all, my goal here is to help all Internet writers. And, like I said in the beginning, to be successful you’ve got to be a writer first, and a food writer second. So, maybe you’ll come back and see me, from time to time, when you need to be reminded that good writing matters.
At any rate, I’ll close this series this one bit of writing advice from John Jakes. It’s as valuable for blogging as it is for novel writing:
“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”
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3 Responses to “The Last Word on Food Blogging - And A $25 Contest”
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Been reading for a while now. Just wanted to say good job.
Chris Tackett
@ Chris - Thank ya. I appreciate the kind words.
Bob,
I have really enjoyed this entire series. I have read each post at least a few times.
My goal is to always write at least three week day articles and one weekend update. So I think your contest is a good way to hold myself additionally accountable and good homework as well. So- I am in.
thanks for all the thoughtful tips in this series.