الجمعة، 9 مايو 2014

Your Headline Sucks (and Four Other Reasons No One Reads Your Blog) and more...


Your Headline Sucks (and Four Other Reasons No One Reads Your Blog)

By Eleanor Pierce

headlineI know that headline you just read sounds a little … rude. Maybe even mean-spirited. But really, I don't mean it that way. I want to help.

See, I've been writing blogs for quite awhile—nearly seven years. And I've been reading blogs for even longer.

Over time, I've developed an eye for some of the things that work, and some of the things that don't.

And as I look around the blogosphere, I see a lot of the things that don't work.

Here's a look at a few of the mistakes I see bloggers making over and over again:

Boring Headlines

You have such a small window to get people to click on your blog post, whether they run across it in a reader, an email, or an RSS feed. Seconds, really. So what are you doing with it?

Being so vague no one has any idea what you're talking about? Trying to emulate Upworthy's link-baiting headlines but failing to get to the emotional point fast enough? Do your research on headlines. Then, make your headline count.

Spend more time on your headline than you spend on anything else. (And note that sometimes being a little mean is a good headline technique. Did it get you to click?)

A Snooze-Fest of an Intro

OK, let's say you wrote a good headline. If you manage to get me to click, and then I get to your intro, and you give me long-winded backstory about why you're writing the story you're writing before you get to the point already, I'll have hit the back button before you've even gotten into the meat of your blog post.

No one wants that. Get to the point. Write an intro that gets attention. Try a question. Throw in a quick anecdote. Spend a lot of time writing an intro grabs my attention—it's second only to your headline in importance.

Giving me a Long Gray Block of Text

Long gray blocks of text terrify most readers. So what does one do to break up them up? Start with an image. There are plenty of free resources out there, or just take your own photos.

Then break up the copy. If your post isn't a list, at least break it up with sub-heads.

Your Blog Could Have Been Written by Anyone

Have you ever read The Bloggess? Do you know why she's so insanely popular? I could give a few reasons: She's hilarious, she's honest, she's a little crass (which may not be right for your audience, but is certainly right for hers).

But the real key to her success is her absolutely unique voice. Let's say she tried to write in disguise, a la J.K. Rowling. I suspect her readers would out her in an instance. She has a very distinctive voice. She writes like no one else. It makes her writing addictive.

You may not sound like The Bloggess, but you should find your own, unique voice.

You're a Lone Wolf

"I'm just putting my stuff out there to see if it finds an audience," they say. "I don't really read any blogs, I just thought I'd try writing one," they say.

Well, I say one of the best ways to build an audience for your blog is for you to read other blogs and work to build community with other bloggers.

What blogging tips do you have to share? 


 

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FeedBlitz: Rewind the Week

By Phil Hollows

FeedBlitzYou know, life is a funny beast. You can be humming along, tickety-boo, and then *whammo* – you get really bad news, or face some unexpected roadblocks.

Setbacks are not fun, nor are they usually welcome.

But when you take the time to sit and reflect, you realize we live on a pretty great planet, with incredibly talented and innovative individuals working hard to make it a better place (well, most of them are, any how).

Technology has allowed us to see our world like no other generation before – literally – and it just might allow us to save our world, as well.

Today’s FeedBlitz: Rewind the Week looks at a few of the latest innovations in ‘living’, and also touches on what we all know is a constant: Where our lives change through technology, so do the lives of the criminal element. Hackers are always just one step behind us.

So, let’s begin with something I touched on above. Seeing our world like it’s never been seen before by us mere mortals – live!

Rough Day? This Gorgeous HD Livestream of Earth From the ISS Will Help

That’s right. The days of ‘eagle cams’ are behind us, my friends. We now have ‘Earth cam’! Using HD cameras attached to the International Space Station, from sunset to sunrise you can bliss out to the beauty that is our stunning planet.

The cameras periodically take breaks, so don’t worry if you tune in and find blackness. We’re still here!

The best part? It’s silent. “There is no audio on purpose,” writes NASA. “Add your own soundtrack.” Or don’t. Because in space, no one can hear you scream, right?

Your Future Healthy Home Will Have Plants Inside Its Walls

We all know our planet is taking a beating, and one thing’s for sure – no more trees? No more oxygen. But how about using living plants – inside your walls – to clean toxins from the air in your house?

That’s the goal of researchers at Purdue University. They’ve created a Biowall that lives inside a home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

The idea is just in the development and testing stage at this point, but considering the off-gassing that happens when you bring everyday items into your home – think carpets, sofas, plastics, etc. – and the trend towards building homes that are virtually hermetically sealed, I think it’s a step in the right direction.

A Smarter Light Bulb Mimics the Setting Sun – All You Need to Operate it is a Light Switch

While you might see this next one as more of a vanity gadget, for the many people negatively affected by our 24/7, unnaturally over-lit world, the Drift by Saffron might just be a godsend.

Back in the old days, we all used to follow the cycles of the sun when it came to sleep, work, and play. Of course, today, that’s impossible for most of us. And it’s known that when our eyes are exposed to artificial light, the light stops sleep promoting neurons and activates arousing neurons, leading us to feel less sleepy.

So, the idea of allowing your brain, eyes, and circadian rhythm to adjust to a “setting” lightbulb before falling asleep is interesting. It takes 37 minutes for the bulb to ‘set’. But if you’re sitting in front of your laptop…? That’s cheating.

Thousands Of Cars Stolen Using Hi-Tech Gadgets

Ok. Now for the criminal element. You have to give them A for effort. They really do seem to find new ways to get around our ‘better’ technology, almost as soon as it’s created!

While your life might be simpler now that you have your swanky, computer controlled car with auto-open everything and keyless entry…don’t be fooled that your car is actually better protected from theft.

A Sky News investigation finds that almost half the 89,000 vehicles broken into in London last year were hacked electronically.

Using devices sold over the internet, the crooks can override your car’s systems, and be off with it in the blink of an eye. According to the above Sky News article, one website’s homepage includes this disclaimer: “All devices are sold for official use only!!! If you use them for any illegal purposes, this is your own responsibility!!!” Riiiight.

It seems we are indeed back to the old days of steering wheel and gear shift locks. Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.

And that is it for this week. Have a safe and happy weekend!

 

 

       

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