The title of this post was taken directly from a sentence out of Yaro Starak’s free report, Blog Profits BluePrint (page 18, to be exact).

That sentence resonated with me because it reminded me of the mistakes I made when I started to blog back in 2006.

I was more concerned with building another backlink for my main site instead of building a readership and focusing on writing solid content.

I’m glad I finally read Yaro’s free report.  I have to admit, I wasn’t overly excited about it because I assumed it was just going to be a plug for his blog coaching service.

Of course it was (and who would blame him?), but there is also a plethora of solid advice in the report.  If I was just getting started blogging I would definitely consider signing up to have him coach me.

If you’ve been on the blogging scene long enough you’ve probably read many of the tips Yaro writes about.  However, he does an excellent job of putting his own perspective on various topics.

Do You Write Pillar Content?

Yaro talks about the importance of creating Pillar content.   He defines it as the “foundation of a good blog.”   It’s that content that gets people’s attention, builds your credibility and often gets spread virally over time.

Some examples would be a How-to article, list article (100 ways to do X), articles on theory, controversy, definition or even a resource report.

These articles can be very helpful at boosting your readership because of the viral potential.  I’ve even noticed from reading other blogs, many of the “most popular” articles are of these varieties.

People also tend to bookmark this kind of content and even submit them to sites like Digg and StumbleUpon.

Most bloggers don’t write Pillar content.  They simply re-report facts and information this is already out here, and then wonder why their traffic struggles.

Is Yaro Down on Websites?

In the report, Yaro takes a small shot at websites saying, “Websites are too technical for most people.” I agree with that on some level, but I still don’t think a blog is perfect for every situation.

And because blogs are so easy to setup (especially compared to websites), people often believe they are a faster route to financial success.

However, Yaro makes it clear that blogging takes work and more importantly an understanding of business.  I am glad he emphasized that point.

Nevertheless, it didn’t surprise me that Yaro seems somewhat anti-website . After all, he sells a blog coaching service so of course he wants to gently nudge you toward the blogging world.

However I still believe you should do your homework and decide which option (blog or website) is best for your individual needs.

And if you do decide that a blog is best, then Yaro may just be one of the best online mentors around. Why not learn from someone who is actually walking the walk and making a solid 6 figures from his blogs?

Keeping it Real

Yaro’s statement, “Most bloggers are poor marketers” may offend some people, but he’s absolutely right.  Too many bloggers only focus on re-reporting facts without a solid plan for marketing.

And if you find that traffic and sales from your blog is struggling, perhaps you should give Yaro some of your attention.

You don’t have to sign up for his blog coaching service, but you can at least download his free report.

It may open your eyes to some promotion techniques you’ve never thought of before. And most importantly, it will help keep your expectations in check.

My thoughts on this topic… video style!

See more of my videos here and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

I’m not big on reading “how-to” books, but when talented bloggers like Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett put together a guide about earning a six-figure income with a blog, it’s hard to overlook.

If you haven’t gotten Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six Figure Income you’re missing a treat.

First of all, it’s an easy read so getting through the 211 pages is a breeze.

In fact, it made my plane ride to Detroit feel like a 10-minute trip. That’s how engrossed I was.

Who Is This Book For?

One great thing about this book is that there’s something for everyone.

New and soon-to-be bloggers will appreciate the early chapters that talk about setting up a blog.

Chris and Darren go as far as providing specific steps for installing WordPress on a web host. It’s very detailed.

If you’ve passed that step in your blogging journey, have no fear. There’s plenty of golden information on blog writing, promotion, marketing and even a chapter on buying and selling blogs.

Focus on Chapter 2

One of my favorite chapters is “Niche Blogging”. There’s very good advice here.

I don’t think people spend enough time narrowing their niche when creating their first blog so they end up re-inventing the wheel and publishing content that’s already out here.

If you follow Chris and Darren’s advice in this chapter, you’ll have a better chance at choosing the most appropriate topic and will hopefully avoid many of the common mistakes new bloggers make.

They encourage you to ask some good questions and visit useful websites that will help you land the right topic.

Just like creating websites, people often rush the topic selection process for blogs. This book definitely emphasizes the importance of getting it right and how to go about it.

Free Self Promo Opportunity at ProBlogger.net

If you buy the book, Darren is giving you the opportunity to display your picture along with your blog address. He is making a collage with all the book owners and will display it on his site. Details here.

Another brilliant marketing tactic by Mr. Rowse.

Should You Get the Book?

If you’ve already started a blog and keep running into a brick wall, the early chapters may help you understand why. As I said before, the chapter on finding the right niche is quite useful.

Or if you’re thinking of starting a blog, but not quite sure which platform is best and how to get started, then you’ll appreciate the book as well.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quick way to make money with a blog then please don’t buy this book.

The authors take their time in the first chapter explaining how much work is involved when it comes to building a successful blog.

Neither Chris or Darren made money overnight and I really appreciate how they make that point very early.

Blogging is often perceived as a quick route to making money online (compared to a website). That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Yes, publishing a blog is typically easier than publishing a website, but that doesn’t mean it’s easier to generate a profit. Darren and Chris do a great job of setting realistic expectations from the start.

Other than the typo on page 78 (oops!), it’s hard to find anything negative about this book.

It’s a comprehensive guide to blogging for all experience levels, and the authors effectively use their own blogs to illustrate examples and make points.

SiteSell recently launched a new site called Blog or Build? — their definitive answer to those who ask the big question…

“Blog or Website?”

From a business standpoint, the page is brilliant. SiteSell sells websites, not blogs. So of course it makes sense to push the benefits of a website and display blogging in a less favorable light.

Let’s be honest. Blogging threatens SiteSell’s business because so many people are lured into starting a blog over a website. After all, blogging is free, quick and easy to setup.

As a result, SiteSell is making its case for why most Webmasters should start with a website and not a blog.

They offer some very valid points on this page, but I don’t agree with everything written. For example, the statement below was taken from the page…

“Blogs usually have high Bounce Rates no matter what since normal visitor behavior is to read the newest post and then leave.”

This is true for many new blogs with small readerships. Most new blogs only show the recent posts because the authors tend to use standard templates and very little static content. So people read the latest posts and leave without exploring older content.

Blogs often appear as a plethora of disjointed information scattered about with no cohesiveness. And if you write a post that doesn’t fit with everything else, just add a new category and suddenly it fits! Right?

Some readers get lost and have trouble connecting with the content as a whole.

But there is a remedy for the high bounce rates… to a point.

If you learn how to strategically display mature content, you can increase your readership depth and lower your bounce rates. WordPress plugins are a great way to accomplish this.

Before I added the “Related Posts” plugin from WordPress, many of my recent posts received the most traffic while the older posts were buried and ignored.

If you want people to read more of your blog, you should find ways to make the older content visible. Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net does this extremely well on his homepage with his “Best of Blogger” section.

This not only allows his audience to read more of his older content, but the static links have a greater chance of gaining and/or maintaining their search engine rankings because the content won’t fall off the homepage like “recent posts” tend to do.

This also gives him a chance to display his “important” content that shapes his blog’s identity. I find that many bloggers have trouble with this part due to how blog content is published.

In order to give your blog more staying power, you should create static pages that “stay put” and help give your blog direction and focus — rather than relying on the typical blog post that is hot for a few days and then falls off the radar.

So you can work with a blog so it shares some of the content benefits of a website. This is definitely something I know I need to improve upon in the near future.

My point is, some of the disadvantages SiteSell speaks of can be fixed. The question is…. “Will the average new blogger understand how to do this effectively?” Perhaps that’s SiteSell’s point. In their eyes, the average person usually doesn’t.

Stirring The Pot

This article won’t sit well with some bloggers, particularly those who’ve had any kind of success. But that’s not who the article was written for. It’s for those on the fence trying to decide if they want a blog or a website.

And quite honestly, if I was teetering between the two and read that page, I’d have to say SiteSell makes a pretty compelling case for why the average person should start with a website instead of a blog.

They want people to know that creating a blog is not necessarily a shortcut to success. And while they are some benefits to blogging, it’s not an ideal start for most e-businesses.

I also want to point out they are not saying that no one should ever create a blog. There are definitely the exceptions and they are clearly explained in the article.

The point was also made that successful bloggers earn their status because they are exceptional writers and know how to generate traffic. Not necessarily because they chose a blog over a website. Content is always king.

I’ll Continue to Blog Because I Enjoy It

I have a blog now, but I’m glad I started with a website. I now have a traffic base that I can use to help promote this new WordPress blog.

And because I already have a site with steady traffic, I don’t feel that added pressure some bloggers feel when it comes to generating fresh content to keep that traffic coming in.

If this blog never gets to 8,000 visitors a day like my regular website, I’m OK with that. I also have proof this blog is beneficial to my overall goals.

One good thing about owning an established website is you can leave it for months and traffic can continue to build. This is not always true for blogs… especially if they are new.

Of course more established, heavily trafficked blogs can take a content break and still benefit from the traffic and revenue. However, most bloggers never reach that level.

Despite the odds SiteSell declares, I’ll continue to blog. I enjoy it. It allows me to talk about what’s on my mind at the moment.

I can appeal to the people who prefer to hear from me in a blog format and let my website appease the rest. I’m at a place where I can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Could I be one of those exceptions SiteSell speaks about? Maybe. Only time will tell. And while I do think SiteSell made some great points, I also know quite a few people who have successful blogs and no website.

But I wholeheartedly agree that the blog buzz can be misleading. When it’s that easy to setup and launch a blog, it can give newbies false hope that it’s somehow an easier route to success.

Nothing out here is easy, my friend. And every website owner or blogger who is making good money definitely earned their stripes.

So take some time to read SiteSell’s argument about blogs. There are some valid points, but you also have to keep in mind this is written from a company who sells websites, not blogs. So a touch of biasness is to be expected.

Should you create a blog or a website? Do you need both like me? There is never a definitive answer to that question. Educate yourself on the facts, read SiteSell’s article and decide what’s best for your situation.

Good content is king.

The more useful, relevant and unique it is, the more likely it will connect with its intended audience.

So why don’t people keep this in mind when commenting on blogs?

I’ve been generating decent traffic from this lately, and it’s mainly because I’ve revised my commenting strategy.

I used to reply with a quick comment like “Great post, thanks.” That may be cordial, but it’s not very unique or noticeable.

So of course my comments got lumped in with all the other “Great post” variations.

Now I take a little time to craft my comment and the results are paying off. Here are some tips to help you become a more effective blog commentor.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Disagree

When I’m scanning comments on other blogs, I always find myself reading comments from people who disagree. Why? …

Because their comment stands out among all the “Great post!” comments.

Disagreeing doesn’t have to be rude or disrespectful. There is a tactful way to do it. Simply state that you disagree and more importantly explain why.

This is your time to shine and potentially prove you are a credible source. This may also engage other readers and the author.

Back up your reasons with facts and useful information. Saying you disagree just for the sake of disagreeing is pretty pointless.

2. Make ‘em Laugh

Lighten up and inject some humor where appropriate. You’ll be surprised how this will make people look twice at your comment.

Most blog comments are serious. Make yours stand out with some light-hearted fun.

3. Create a Powerful Opening Line

Just like writing content for your blog or website, you want to get people’s attention. Consider that opening line to be your comment’s headline.

Most people scan, so if they their eye happens to catch your witty opening line, you’ve just increased the chance they’ll read your comment instead of skimming to the next.

4. Add Another Item to the List

I often look for blog posts where the author mentions an ordered list of items – for example, “5 Ways to Build Traffic.” In your comment, why not suggest a 6th way, and if #6 has worked for you, briefly explain how.

Obviously people reading this post are interested in ways to build traffic, so naturally they’ll find your addition relevant and hopefully useful.

5. Impress The Author

Nothing impresses Webmasters more when blog commentors show they are familiar with their work. When it’s relevant, refer back to previous content the author has written and tie it into your comment.

Sometimes this puts you on the author’s radar. Perhaps they’ll even visit your site. It never hurts to seek out a few brownie points… especially if the author has a large audience. They may decide to feature your site in one of their posts.

I always look twice at someone who makes a well thought out comment, especially if it’s clear they’ve been reading my work.

Who doesn’t need their ego stroked once and a while, right?

6. Look for Highly Relevant Posts

Use the blog’s search function to find posts that match up well with the theme of your site and comment on them.

Say you have a blog about fantasy football and you are reading a sports blog. Do a search for “fantasy football” and look for posts that will allow you to show off your knowledge and expertise.

7. Use the Name of Your Site Instead of Your Name

When you fill out a comment form, most blogs will link your name to your site’s URL. Instead of using your name, use a catchy, keyword-focused name that may encourage people to click on your site.

I have to be honest. I’ve never done this, but may try this in the future. I added this strategy to the list because I was reading a comment on my own blog, and I actually clicked the person’s link because their title caught my attention.

Keep It Short and Simple

No one wants to read a novel. While it’s important to add something of substance, you also don’t want to get ignored because you wrote too much. More is not necessarily better.

Make your key points quickly, and do so without a lot of fluff and fillers.

9) Comment on Other Comments

If you can spark a meaningful conversation with another commentor, this can also draw some attention to your site. Not only will this increase your visibility, but you get a chance to show off your knowledge.

10) ???

I’ll leave #10 to you. Have you done anything useful I did not mention? What were the results?

(Hint: This is where you put Tip #4 into action.)

I just got serious about blogging in December of 2007.

I had a blog on Blogger.com for 2 years, but rarely updated it.

Then in November of 2007, I installed Feedburner and discovered I had 430+ subscribers. I was shocked due to the fact I hardly ever blogged.

I didn’t want to lose those subscribers or the traffic, so I decided to challenge myself and see if I could generate an even larger readership.

After switching to WordPress last December, I got more serious about my blog efforts.

I subscribed to Darren Rowse’s blog, ProBlogger.net – a very informative and inspiring blog to newbies and seasoned bloggers alike.

Then I started doing some key things…

1. I am More Selective With My Topics

When I had my Blogger blog, I would often re-write information that was already on my site. I didn’t put much effort into the subject matter of my posts.

(Yawn!)

Now, I’m much more selective. I try to think more about my audience’s needs and what they would find interesting.

And even if I choose a topic that has been blogged about a lot, I try to add my own spin to make it unique. For example, how many articles have been written about “How to Write Good Content” or something similar?

Too many, right?

Well the reality is, most people don’t write good content and they find it a chore or get writer’s block.

So I blogged about this very issue and addressed it from a new angle in a blog post titled “Is Writing Content a Chore for You?” An email I received inspired much of the content in the post.

2. I Make Use of Some Handy WordPress Plugins

Some people go hogwild on the WP plugins. While there are some really cool ones out there, you don’t want to make your blog so plugin-licious that it’s difficult to navigate and read.

You can have too much of a good thing, but there are a few that really come in handy.

Two plugins I believe made a difference in my traffic and readership have been the SiteMap and Related Post plugins.

The SiteMap plugin is important because it generates and submits your blog’s sitemap (an XML listing of all your posts) to all the major engines. Once you install it, the plugin works its magic automatically.

Some of my posts get found in the search engines only hours after I create them.

The Related Post plugin is useful because it encourages people to read more of my blog. It helps them discover posts they might not have discovered had they not seen the “Related Post” link at the end of a blog entry.

Before installing this plugin, I noticed my most recent posts always received 95% of the traffic. Now, older posts are getting more traffic.

3. Visual Appeal

I doubt my graphics have made a huge difference in my traffic, but every now and then I get an email or comment from someone who says they love my blog images and graphics.

One lady says she can’t wait to see what kind of graphic I’ve created to go with the post.

Some of my graphics include pictures of people and things found on Photos.com (I’m a subscriber.)  Usually I’ll add my own flavor to them with good ole’ PhotoShop.

However most of the graphics like the one in this post were created by me. Learning PhotoShop has been a great asset to my business.

While the content is what really makes or breaks a blog, a few appealing images and graphics can help round out your blog’s appearance and give it a more professional feel.

4. I Blog More Often

Blogging more often is not always a good thing. If you don’t have anything interesting to say then no point in blogging just for the sake of blogging.

It’s not worth losing your subscriber base so be sure your posts have substance.

When you blog often, the search engine spiders will visit more frequently, and this could help your traffic. Blogging often also keeps your subscribers coming back regularly and keeps you on their radar.

5. I Interlink My Blog With My Main Site

I am fortunate enough to have a site that already receives over 7,000 visitors per day, so of course that’s a huge help. When I create a new post, I look for relevant content on my site and provide a link to that entry.

When I used Blogger, I didn’t cross promote all that much. Now, I’m much more conscious of opportunities to interlink the two. So if you have a website and a blog, keep your eyes open for ways to link the two together.

6. Competitor’s Blogs Keep My Juices Flowin’

First and foremost I want to make clear that I am not suggesting you copy someone’s content. Not only is it illegal but it’s highly unethical and dishonest.

But there’s nothing wrong with getting ideas from another blogger’s topics.

For example, if you see a blogger has written about the iPod Touch features (a topic that is overdone); rather than just re-wording what they wrote, create your own entry but take a different approach.

Maybe your post could be something like, “10 Reasons the iPod Touch is Better Than the Zune”. You’re writing about the same topic, but you’re taking the content in a new direction.

Not to mention you could capitalize on a new audience – people looking to compare the Zune and the iPod.

I encourage you to take a look at your competitor’s blogs, get ideas and look for ways you can create your own fresh, unique content.

7. I Switched from Blogger to WordPress

I wrote a post about this a while back, but it is worth mentioning again. I really do believe WordPress is a much better platform because of all the plugins and flexibility.

Blogger is probably easier to setup, but WordPress is pretty user-friendly too – especially if you have a Web host that offers CPanel. (I use HostGator and setup this blog in 5 seconds.)

I have much more control over my layout without having to edit the raw code (like you do with Blogger). Plus, WordPress breaks up the template into separate files so it’s easier to figure out what file controls what section of your blog.

Not to mention, WordPress has much better design templates, in my opinion.

And as I said above, additions like the SiteMap Plugin also help get your posts spidered and indexed faster.

8. I Craft My Titles More Carefully

I discovered titles that pose a question or contain a bit of shock value generate the most clicks. My recent entry “Would You Like $57,000 In One Month?” has a little of both.

Usually my newest post wins the “Daily Traffic Award” but this post is 2 weeks old and still beats out my newer posts on some days.

Taking time to develop a good title can make a huge difference. Particularly since more and more people use RSS to keep track of their favorite blogs.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make that title count!

9. I Give Away More Freebies

Who doesn’t love something free, right? Plus, it’s a great way to build loyal fans and viral traffic (because they’ll tell others who tell others and so on.)

But I have to be careful with this one because I want my freebies to have value. I hate it when I see Webmasters giving away items that have been distributed over and over again, or freebies you can find anywhere.

How insulting and unoriginal.

If you want your freebies to go to work for you, take some time to develop something useful and unique.

Here are some of my favorite freebies I’ve offered from my blog…

• The Perfect Site Guide
• Free RSS Icons I Created
• Free Traffic Book (PDF)
• Free AdSense Book (PDF) (for beginners)

10. I Share My Personal Success

I wasn’t comfortable doing this at first. I felt I was bragging, but I slowly found it builds credibility. And I noticed other successful Webmasters often do the same thing.

If you’re trying to teach people how to do something, it helps to show them how your advice has worked for you.

While I don’t offer specifics about my income, I may display an AdSense check here and there or remind people I am making a living online.

It’s important that my audience knows I am actually walking the walk since I often talk about making money.

In Conclusion…

Doing the above things has not only helped double my blog’s traffic in 2 months, and my subscriber count is up by nearly 100 subscribers.

Which of the above strategies can you implement on your blog?

And if you’ve done anything to help boost your blog’s traffic that I haven’t mentioned here, feel free to share.