SEOmoz – The Professional’s Guide To Blogging

This article serves as a guide to defining and understanding what blogging is and how a new blogger can create, write, and promote a blog of his or her own. It covers how to choose an appropriate blogging platform, how to optimize a blog for search engine rankings, provides tips on how to brainstorm appealing blog content, and identifies how to promote and measure the success of your blogging efforts. Additionally, at the bottom of this guide are two comprehensive appendices that provide links out to valuable blogging resources, software, tools, and plugins.

Table of Contents

Section I: Why Blog? Research and Statistics on Blogs

1. The Growth of Blogging as an Online Platform
2. Blogging as an Online Influencer
3. How and Why People Consume Blogs

Section II: Choosing a Blogging Platform

1. Blog Platform Features and Functionality
2. Notes on Specific Blog Software
3. Hosted Blogging vs. Registering a Domain

Section III: SEO for Blogs

1. The Principles of SEO for Blogs
2. Search-Friendly Platforms
3. Plugins and Options for Bloggers
4. Keyword Research, Selection, and Usage

Section IV: Writing for Blog Audiences

1. Crafting a Blog’s “Voice”
2. Techniques and Tactics

Section V: Content Strategies for Bloggers

1. Discover Interesting and Worthwhile Topics
2. Beyond Text: Images, Multimedia, and Widgets
3. Involve the Audience
4. Syndication Options and Strategies

Section VI: Creating & Launching Viral Content

1. Pros and Cons of Viral Content
2. Predicting Viral Worthiness
3. Strategies for Helping Content Become Viral
4. Launch and Promotion Tactics

Section VII: Measuring Success: Blog Statistic Software Applications

1. Free Analytics Options
2. Paid Analytics Options

Section VIII: Promoting Your Blog

1. Blog & Feed Directories
2. Blogrolls
3. Memes, Contests, & Community Projects
4. Comments, Trackbacks, Guest Posts, and Other Participatory Strategies

Section IX: Monetizing Blogs

1. Choosing When to Monetize
2. Display Advertising
3. Pay Per Click
4. Text Links
5. Affiliate Programs
6. Sponsored Posts / Advertorials
7. Other Monetization Techniques

Section X: Closing Thoughts

1. Appendix A: Valuable Resources
2. Appendix B: Recommended Software, Tools, and Plugins