As 2010 comes to a close, it’s a good time to take a long, hard look at your blog. That’s exactly what I am doing now, and I’m seeing a lot of areas that can and will be improved upon in 2011.
A good place to start is by first seeing what worked, and that means jumping into your site’s analytics. Which posts were the most popular this year? Which search terms sent the most traffic here? Which topics were covered in your most popular posts? Which month had the highest traffic? Why? Did one post do well, or did you have several that did better?
Here’s some problem areas I have found here, and what I want to do to improve in 2011:
1 – Get back on a regular posting pattern. The goal I always have is to have at least 2 new posts a week, sometimes 3. But the problem I keep running into is that when I am swamped with work, I get behind and let the blog go to pot. My solution will be to start writing posts ahead of time and have a few ‘in the bullpen’ that I can publish when I get too busy with work.
2 – Create more compelling content. Focus less on tools, focus more on HOW the tools are being used. Post less about what’s happening NOW, and more about what could be happening tomorrow.
3 – Don’t post as much about social media, post more about how social media impacts OTHER areas of marketing and communications, and vice versa. The usage of these tools shouldn’t be siloed, and smart companies are amplifying their existing social media efforts by working with their existing communication efforts.
4 – Put myself in timeout if I write a single post about how another blogger is doing social media wrong, or a ‘I call bullshit’ post. Seriously, these almost always suck, and have been done to death anyway. Focus the content on ideas, not people.
5 – Do more interviews with companies and people that are pushing the edges as far what’s possible with new media. Better leverage my Twitter network for contacts (good tip for all of you, do you actually know what most of your followers do and who they work for?).
6 – Focus more on how mobile marketing is impacting social media. CK was ahead of the curve here.
Those are some ideas I have for improving this blog. How do you self-critique your blog? Or do you?
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Great post Mack. It’s sounds similar to my struggles. You reminded me about how useful banking posts is. I used to do this but – as you noted – when clients and projects heat up the blog goes to seed. Anyways – some blog resolutions for the new year.
Thanks Nick. The need for writing and scheduling posts ahead of time has really hit home for me in the last few months as I have been doing more traveling. When I am out of town the LAST thing I have time for is to write blog posts. So the blog goes a week or more with no new posts. Not good.
You have no idea how timely this was! Thank you for being willing to evaluate yourself and for hitting publish.
Thank you Chanelle. There’s always room for improvement 😉
Your first point is completely right. I really need to start writing more things in advance, writing on the same day you post is a really bad habit as it forces you to rush things and you always mess up something. For example, yesterday I forgot to share my post on LinkedIn and that, for me, is a missed opportunity, a mistake I committed ’cause I was late with the post and I forgot to consult my “checklist” of things to do on posting days.
Gabriele that is a GREAT point about rushing things! I often do the same thing, I wait till the nite before to write a post, then if inspiration doesn’t strike, I am trying to force a crappy post for publishing the next morning. I am trying to give myself several days lead time for each post, like today I am trying to write a post for Thurs. And I can review and tweak tomorrow before publishing on Thurs.
At least that’s the plan, we’ll see how it goes 😉
Mack,
This is a great list. I like how you shared what you found you can improve on.
Each one of has our own list of what went right and what went wrong in the last year.
Off to make a list for myself, thanks.
Thanks Shelia! And I just finished Thurs post! Of course the key now will be to stick with it and keep following these rules a week, month, year from now!
I never believed in an editorial calendar either. Like you, one of my goals for the next year is to write more consistently. I’m starting now, though, with my #25Reasons project. I installed the WordPress editorial calendar plugin and it has been really helpful so far.
What do you like about that plugin?
Great post Mack! I too struggle with the regular posting pattern. But I have found that I cannot write “ahead of time”. I need to feel the pressure of the deadline. I have also found that if I force it, my posts really suck! So I have a goal of 1-2 posts a week. 1 minimum and 2 is ideal but if I don’t feel the right topic oir inspiration, I will give myself a break. For me writing is therapy so no need to force it right! Now if writing is for business which it is for so many bloggers, I guess that’s a different story. I have also found rants to be quite fun to write and really popular as long as I make it about the thing that bothers me not the person. Thanks again!
Michael I am the EXACT same way, I need the deadline to help me focus, whether I am writing or working, or whatever. If I try to write a post a week ahead of time, I can’t get my thoughts organized. But if I know I have to have to have it finished in 2 hours, I can get it out no problem.
Anyone else have this issue?
I have a huge travel schedule for 2011 so I appreciate the points on planning ahead. It’s happened to me a couple of times when a week or so would go by with nothing posted. I was not happy. I like #5 as well Mack. I had not given that much thought but it sounds like such a nice change up. Looking forward to 2011 my friend!
Hey Jonathan! Personally, I love interviews on blogs. For whatever reason, mine don’t seem to get as many comments, but you’re right, it is a change of pace, and it’s always good to mix things up 😉
Mack,
We love you so. It is amazing how brilliant minds think alike (chuckle).
I do like having editorial content for both radio show and blog (it helps to create synergy on content and easier to promote). Gonna be crafting it in a new way for 2011. (Not tipping my hand just yet-you are first to know)
I have been getting consistent amount of blog posts out, just not on same days for readers consistency-oops.
Having switched one blog to mobile view, now to create the rest mobiely (is this a word yet) along with re-branding them this winter. Been asking how can I help clients with mobile then laugh when they haven’t done all they can with traditional blogs first. Making me wonder if I add that will they go into melt down. And frankly believe I need to implement first before I ask them to (like to walk my talk and take my own medicine)
Mack- I love the title. Don’t all bloggers, new and experienced fight the never ending battle to keep posting? Every blogger faces those days when each word that appears on the screen is work. But, as you point out, it’s important, not just for the blogger but also for our readers, to keep showing up at the screen. Further, as bloggers, we need to assess our progress and see where we can improve. Thank you for sharing. Happy marketing, Heidi Cohen
I’m new to blogging, and this is helpful for me. Thanks, Matt. I especially like focusing on the HOW something can be of benefit. Also, the WHY is a great starting point, too. The WHAT is just, well, crappy or boring. 😉
(And great chatting with you on the #sm89 chat, as well.)
Kelly @Twylah
Sorry, I called you Matt! Mack! Mack!