Ten Easy Steps to a Successful Blog

The first 5 steps are on gathering information and should be done before you start your blog if possible.

Step 1: Know who you are

Know what you are good at and also what are not good at - this will make sure that you have a blog that you want to update instead of one that just flounders.

Step 2: Know the purpose of your blog

Know why you want a blog - is it as a diary, to network or to earn an income. Knowing your purpose keeps you on track and helps you to avoid compromising your blog's purpose (for example with inappropriate advertising).

Step 3: Know your niche

Do your research on your niche - what is it? how big is it? how many people are searching for it on Google? Know it like the back of your hand.

Step 4: Know your competition

What's their URL? What features do they offer? What's their readership? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? How can you do better? What do you need to watch out for? Would they be open to partnerships with you?

Step 5: Know your audience

How old are they? Where do they live? What hobbies do they have? What problems are you going to solve for them?

The remaining 5 steps are blog habits to cultivate to run your blog better

Step 6: Be interesting!

Try to say something different, be different from what else is out there. Provid variety in your blog posts - have some short, some long, some indepth. Don't always do the same thing.

Step 7: Use Pictures (and Videos and other Multimedia)

Pictures add colour (literally and metaphorically) to your blog posts. Choose bright, dynamic or beautiful images as this will pass on that same energy to your blog. Embed videos and slideshows and audio into your blog posts to interest your reader while building a deeper relationship with them.

Step 8: Encourage interactions

Make sure you allow comments but don't stop there. Have surveys on your blog, quote commenters, run competitions. Make your blog fun!

Step 9: Post regularly!

Post daily if possible, however be realistic. Even if you post once a week that's keeping the blog alive. Anything less than once a week is unacceptable. You can write a few posts in advance to cover you when your schedule goes crazy.

Step 10: Get involved with other bloggers

This one step can make your blog wildly successful. Often your competition can be your biggest allies. Reach out to other bloggers, get involved in blog carnivals, link to their blogs, comment on their blogs. Build your network and you'll find more traffic in the end.

CommerceCat is an IT consultant and runs her own business. This is the first hub in her series of 30 Hubs in 30 Days.