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Once upon a time there was a writer with a mission. She wanted to start a blog and get 1,000 subscribers after 12 months of blogging. After all, how hard could it be? She had 14 years of experience designing and writing for the Web plus 200 friends on her personal email mailing list. She figured if she couldn’t do it no one could.
But she rushed into it and made every mistake in blogging history. First she didn’t plan her blog properly. Then, because it was just an experiment, she threw the design together in 30 minutes. Next she changed topics as often as Lady Gaga changes her image and finally she switched domain names three times.
It wasn’t just her who was confused, her readers were too so they didn’t bother subscribing and looked else where for their regular blog reading fix.
It was depressing. But knowing that perseverance is the key to success our fearless writer carried on blogging, scouring the Internet daily for advice, ever determined to work out why her writing was failing to convert casual readers into loyal subscribers.
There was plenty of blog writing advice out there. She read that content is king, people love stories and writers need to have a voice so she wrote more, shared stories and bared her soul. It didn’t help.
Although she wrote her heart out and updated her blog three times a week after six months of blogging she still only had 43 subscribers. Failure loomed.
Finally in a last desperate bid to succeed she resorted to doing what she knew best:
- Write about a topic she knew inside out.
- Give her readers information they were craving.
- Be confident and share from the heart.
She stopped thinking so much about her goals and started thinking more about her readers’ goals. It worked. Check out the graph below and you’ll see the upturn in subscribers. The graph doesn’t show the whole story but slowly her subscriber numbers creeped up and she got 1,000 subscribers just in time to meet her self-imposed deadline.
Writing blog posts that get more readers
1. Focus on giving your readers value
Work out why your readers have come to your blog and give them your best information every time. Make your blogs posts clear, useful and actionable. Read the bit about focusing on giving your readers value again and make it your blogging mantra or write it down and stick it on the wall somewhere so you focus on it every time you write.
2. Just write as if you were speaking to your best friend
Use the kind of simple language you use in every day life, don’t confuse people with jargon or too many long words.
3. Give your readers clear instructions
They’re blog readers not mind readers. If you have tips break them down into easy steps. If you have advice make sure they can understand it. If you want readers to subscribe ask them to. If you’d like them to share your posts on Twitter or Facebook suggest it to them and make it easy for them. If you want them to leave a comment tell them or leave them with a question to answer at the end of your post.
4. Keep it simple
Telling a story helps but to begin with just make sure your blog post has a beginning, a middle and an end. It’s the information that people want more than anything, a story’s just the icing on the cake.
Writing Static Blog Content That Gets More Readers
Writing useful blog posts that clearly give your readers value is key but to convert new readers into subscribers you also need to pay attention to the static content on your blog too, especially the about page.
Your about page is the single most important page on your blog. Most new readers who visit a blog and are thinking of subscribing will check the about page first before signing up. It’s your big chance to convert blog visitors from casual readers into eager subscribers.
Abracadabra Your About Page
Make sure people who hit your about page can instantly read these four things without having to scroll down:
1. The benefits of reading or subscribing to your blog.
Remember your readers want to know that you can add value to their lives. They’re not interested in your amazing social life or your exotic travel stories. They might get interested in those one day, but right now they’re after one thing: cold hard information and the solution to their nagging problem. If you’ve got the goods make sure blog readers know it right away by telling them what information they can find on your blog.
2. Your credibility
Readers don’t want to invest precious time listening to any old charlatan who sets up a blog and calls themselves a guru. They want to know you have a proven track record of success. Qualifications and experience will go down well too, but don’t talk about yourself in the third person – use the word ‘I’ and write if you were talking to a friend.
3. Social Proof
Well anyone can say they’re successful it helps to back that up with social proof. It’s a brilliant way to let people know you’re the real deal without talking yourself up. Slipping in name of companies you’ve worked with, testimonials from happy customers or other third party accolades is the perfect way to back up your claims.
4. Calls to action
Don’t forget to seal the deal. Hopefully they’ll like what you read and if they do you want to make sure the don’t slip off without subscribing and forget all about you. Time for another call to action telling them why they should subscribe and including the two words that make people click more than any others: free and now.
You probably guessed that writer whose blogging journey got off to a slow start was me. I finally bought the Get In the Hot Spot and started focusing on writing empowering tips for life and work then and soon realised that my readers were more interested in my web design and web writing tips than anything else. I surveyed my readers to find out what they wanted me to write about and they said writing. So that’s what I’m doing. Readership grew and my readers asked me to help them with blogging too and eventually set up Successful Blogging to meet demand.
Today my blogs have thousands of subscribers and one of them is probably you. It’s not a miracle, it’s because I’m giving you the information you need and if you want to grow your blog you should do that for your readers too.
Blog Content Writing Practice
- Pick the topic you know most about and write your most useful blog post ever.
- Include calls to action at the beginning and end of your blog posts.
- Ask a question at the end of your posts to solicit comments.
- Rewrite your about page emphasizing the benefits people will get from reading your blog and why you’re the best person for them to get it from.
What’s the first thing you’re going to change on your blog now?
Take the Successful Blogging Blog Writing About Page Challenge
Paste the first three sentences of your existing about page into the comments then give yourself a mark out of ten for them. Be honest and remember this is your main chance to convince people that your blog has something valuable to offer them. Do your three sentences do that or do you need to change them?
If your about page needs then try rewriting those three first sentences right here in the comments so we can see your before and after versions. We’ll help you workshop those three crucial sentences on your about page so they will convert readers into subscribers.
Update: I’ve closed the workshop now and might not be able to offer my thoughts. Sorry if you got here too late but I can see this post’s had the desired effect: people are rethinking their about page, revising it and improving it which is brilliant. Well done everyone and thanks for participating.
If you want to add your old and new about page to the comments anyway please do. It’s a great way for us to get to know each other.
Don’t Delay Subscribe Today
If you like what you read here remember to subscribe free by email or by RSS so you don’t miss out on more hot blogging tips.
Please tell your friends and followers by using the share buttons below or recommending this post in your favourite blog bookmarking site so we can grow the Successful Blogging Team. I look forward to seeing you here again soon. Thank you for reading and happy writing! Annabel
{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooh, this is scary but I’ll bite! Here goes:
Motivated Sista is a blog for all people who are striving to live the most fulfilled lives possible. We’re motivated to reach our goals and achieve success, and here I blog about ways to stay motivated while on that journey. I write articles on personal development, motivation, inspiration, self-esteem, and occasionally on the law of attraction.
Rewrite:
What are your goals in life, and how do you plan to get there? Motivated Sista is about motivation, empowerment, inspiration and practical tips to help you go from where you are to where you want to be. It all starts with you but together we can make your journey to success less rocky and more enjoyable.
Hi Anilia, well done you fearless woman. I’m impressed. I hadn’t really thought about how scary it is putting yourself out there like that so thanks for taking the plunge. You’re inspiring and I hope your bravery will pay off and make people want to check you out. Here are my suggestions, of course you’re all very welcome to chip in with your thoughts:)
The original about page does lack compelling reasons for me to return to this blog. I’d suggest rewriting the first question so it gets a yes! For example:
Do you have great plans for your life but need help working out how to make them happen?
Sentence 2 just needs a little tweak:
Let Motivated Sista empower and inspire you with practical tips that will teach you how to go from where you are now to where you want to be.
I’d stress the benefits more in sentence 3:
The motivation starts with you but together we can make your journey to success easier, faster and more enjoyable.
I checked out your about page and I’d love to see your smiley photo at the top to really make it personal. Also what does it say on that Tshirt? I can’t quite read the 4th word but it looks interesting:) Go Anilia!
thanks for your feedback and your blog visit Annabel! The shirt says “I don’t chase dudes, I chase paper”
I’m glad you issued this challenge, as we can’t grow and improve in a vacuum. I’ve had alot of scary moments lately but I count them as good things.
I’m definitely gonna make the changes you suggest. Its great to have feedback from someone who has been successful at maximizing their own blog.
Styling You is your online passport to looking and feeling your VERY BEST every day.
A big call, I know … so stick with me here. I’ve long spent a disproportionate amount of my income on clothes and beauty products. I blame my politically correct mother who never let me have a Barbie doll (cue violin music here). Instead of Glamour Barbie, I unwrapped trucks and Meccano sets at Christmas time. I’m sorry, mum, but neither of those toys came with accessories.
… Hi Annabel. Great challenge. With my about page, I’m trying to paint a picture and tell a story (and give a hint of my writing style). Am I not getting to the point quick enough?
Hi Nikki, great to see you here and thanks for bravely sharing your about page. I like this one. It tells a story and gets me interested. What do you think about upping the hyperbole and adding “every SINGLE day” ?
I know I’m being a bore but I don’t like the ….. I’d get rid of them. You could make sentence two longer and stress the benefits before you crack on with the story. For example:
It’s a big call but stick with me here and I’ll help you fine tune your wardrobe and create a winning first impression.
Then how about moving this sentence up to make it number 3 before carrying on with the story:
What I love most is boosting people’s confidence by showing them how to unlock their own style.
The benefits are there on the page but I had to search for them.
Of course, you could leave the whole thing as it is although it would be great to make the font size bigger as it’s tiny now. Let me know how you go:)
PS. My mum wouldn’t let me have a Barbie either! I buy lots of them for my daughter but she’s not interested and refuses to wear skirts or dresses too:)
The feedback is great, Annabel and I thank you for the time to help me fine tune this … I do like my … though (LOL). They’ve become part of my conversational style.
The font thing is good. Was only thinking today that it’s too small.
Love your work!
I know, I’m so boring like that. It’s true that quirky punctuation can become part of your blogging style so run with it and keep up the great work:)
I’ve made the changes as you suggested (have to go further afield for help with the font changes). And the Barbie thing – I did the same with my daughter. Reverse psychology works a treat. Fave colour is now black!
That’s brilliant Nikki, you’re in action:) Now how about moving that pic up to the top and adding the caption: Me and Elle Macpherson (on the right) I love it and how’s that for social proof – a picture speaks a 1000 words and all that.
“I’m a single parent (of a soon-to-be leaving-to-college-next-summer-teenager) who is trying to balance grown up fun, career, and staying sexy! Oh, and I’m a likely candidate for Breast Cancer. Oh well, life goes on and I’m going to journal it. I may not have a lot of sass, but I have just the right amount of sugar. Oh, and I’m romantically challenged. But most of the time I’m geographically challenged because the streets of Los Angeles still confuses the shit out of me.”
I know. I know. I got lots to work on. I find that putting my spin on local news is what really interests me. Is that a even a niche? I haven’t updated my About page and been thinking of doing it soon. And then I get this opportunity to get some tips here.
Hi Kini, thanks so much for joining in. Lots of lovely brave ladies out there and can I just say the aim is to help each other make our blogs better. If anyone wants to pick holes in my about page they can:)
Re your about page – there’s an amazing disconnect. The impression I got from reading this was bad! Sorry. The brackets, string of hyphens and exclamation marks say amateur. I was worried.
But then I got to your blog and love it. It looks great and the niche is a good one too. Anyway, I can imagine some people have the opposite experience – they like your blog then check out the about page and feel a bit unsure about it after that.
Let’s see if we can give it a quick makeover that makes it professional but still lets your unique voice and humor shine through. Off the top of my head:
I’m Kini and I’ve got the local scoop on LA news for when you get fed up with hearing it from the media moguls.
I’m a single parent who’s trying to balance grown up fun with having a career and staying sexy! Oh, and I’m a likely candidate for breast cancer but don’t hold that against me. LA life goes on and I journal it.
I may not have a lot of sass, but I’ve got just the right amount of sugar. I’m not only romantically challenged but most of the time geographically challenged too because even though I’ve lived here 5 years the streets of Los Angeles still confuse the shit out of me.
But as I say, life goes on so sign up for free updates and join me on the journey. We might get a bit lost at times but I promise to keep you entertained and in the know.
Hi Annabel, I can’t express how much I appreciate your honesty and critique. I really needed it from a professional to say something helpful than a few ladies, lovely gals though, just saying positive things just because.
You now have another loyal reader.
Kini
Excellent and so clearly written. I’m not going to take the about page challenge though – too tired right now – but I’m really glad to have this advice. I do need to fine tune mine!
I’m completely impressed that you can spell “Abracadabra” too!
Hi Sandra, well you can go for it any time but it’s probably for the best that you’re taking a rain check right now. My poor head is swimming but it’s fun:) What I really believe is that everyone can workshop their own about pages. Or have fun doing it with a friend. So often like Kini we know they’re not right but we delay fixing them. Let’s get on to it before we send more prospective readers packing:) I probably spend more time tweaking mine than is healthy… I quite like the top part but the middle section still needs work!
Annabel,
Thanks again for super tips. Here’s my first three sentences from my ‘About’ page. My blog is not my main website (currently being redeveloped) but I still want it to attract subscribers. Here goes:
“This is the Transforme Blog which is all about wellness & lifestyle.
Transforme is a business focusing particularly on the needs of women in their 40s who are at a turning point in their life and are ready to kick start their best life. We bring together relevant information, resources, products and experts. ”
Mark out of 10, probably 6. It tells the reader more about the business than about me as a person. I think it clearly identifies the target audience. It’s not very compelling. So, here’s a rework:
“Are you ready to kick start your best life? This blog is particularly for women in their 40s, interested in health, wellbeing, lifestyle, fashion & image. I’m Suellen Hughes, a women in her 40s and I run Transforme, a business focused on bringing together, in one place, relevant information, support, resources, products and experts on these topics.”
Will have a look at the About page (which will also be on my website) and put your tips into practice. Thanks Annabel
Wow, thanks Suellen, the rewrite is great. This was the hardest one yet – maybe it’s getting late. I checked out your two about pages but found your Twitter profile clearest. Here’s the rework. Not sure about the money bit. Maybe you want to change that to another key benefit?
Are you ready to kick start your best life? I’m Suellen Hughes and I’ll help you change your life through personal coaching, by hooking you up with relevant experts or by giving you the tools and resources you need to succeed. My company Transforme can take care of everything from life changes and image makeovers to financial and business planning saving you time and money.
Thanks for the rewrite Annabel. Sorry to make it difficult for you. I’m struggling myself so I understand how challenging it must be for others.
I can’t seem to articulate in a clear and concise way, what Transforme is all about. I like what you’ve done with the language – keeping it chatty. Do you think it’s compelling? I’d be interested to hear from your subscribers who don’t know anything about Transforme to see whether they understand what I’m all about.
Thanks for making the time to help me. It’s definitely an improvement and I will make the changes poste haste.
Hi Suellen, no worries, I’m glad you like it so far. It’s not my best work but a definite improvement so I think we’re getting closer. Anyone care to comment on these proposed first three sentences of Suellen’s about page? I suppose one of the key benefits is that it’s tailor made to individual needs.
Hi Annabel,
What about blogs by artists – I am a journalist turned illustrator, starting out, and want to show my pictures. Love your text tweaking advice – what you say in the comments above makes a lot of sense – but I want to attract people who want to commission my work or fellow artists and illustrators. I have not yet found out how to write a great about text for this type of blogs. It seems to be more a matter of liking the images than liking the texts.. and artists can only send out messages about themselves, they are not offering any advice nor much information.
My first 3 lines are just conversational and tell a story about how I came to illustrate.. I am not terribly impressed myself, but still thinking of a new way to make things more fun.
I live in the pretty medieval town of Utrecht, in the center of the Netherlands, with my husband, our youngest son and a cat with a silly name. Until 2007 I was a journalist. My live revolved around words. Then, on a vacation in the USA, I picked up a book about art journaling and felt an unknown longing to make a collage.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Kitty, thank you so much for visiting, leaving a comment and emailing me to let me know it had ended up in my spam folder. No idea why but very sorry and happy it’s been restored here now:)
Lovely to hear your story and transition into art. I guess writing is an art too and as such I’m also selling my art!
Let’s assume people hit your blog on the about page, like your art (as I did:) and want to find out more about you. This is your chance to turn someone why likes your art into a benefactor (or customer) or at least get them to subscribe to your blog so if they don’t buy now they may in the future. The worst thing that could happen is they like your art but then go away and forget all about your blog.
Let’s hit them up with the self-portrait, a quick bit about how fab you are and a call to action. I’m not sure on what exactly you want people to buy but this will give you an idea.
I’m an award-winning journalist and illustrator whose work has been showed at the XXXX Art Gallery. To commission a work or art or buy one of my art works please email me now.
I hope that give you an idea. Of course, if I spent more time on it I could come up with something more concrete:) Hope to see you here again and good luck with it all!
Thanks a lot, Annabel! I get the idea.. I am not award winning yet but I get the point about the call to action and about building up reputation in a clause, journalists do so all the time. Moving the self portrait to the top of the page is of course the very logical thing to do. Interesting how psychological barriers prevent onseself from seeing the most obvious things.. self promotion is scary. I need to go about it more directly. Have changed it like that. Thanks!
Hi Annabel,
This is a great challenge, and I’d really love some unbiased feedback. Thank you for volunteering your time and expertise. Here are my first three lines:
I’m Rebecca Osberg: writer, editor, working professional, and blogger extraordinaire. I am also the driving force behind RebeccaOsberg.com, a social media writing boutique located in Chicago. I aim to help small businesses ramp up their profile and sales through the use of social media — particularly the writing aspect.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for joining us. Just a quick polish. I definitely recommend getting rid of the word aim. The Hot Spot Team don’t AIM to help people we actually do it:)
I’m Rebecca Osberg: professional writer, editor and blogger. I help small businesses ramp up their profile and sales using social media and strong Web copy writing. I run my social media writing boutique from Chicago but my writing expertise will help you succeed no matter where you live.
Hi Annabel,
Thank you so much. You made a wonderful polish. I already updated my About page. Again, thank you.
To just put the first 3 sentences wouldn’t tell you enough. I always think I’m writing run-on sentences, then I read my about page and it was the opposite.
here it is:
I started this blog because I had some issues with turning 60 this year. The deed is now done! No pain, no blood letting, just the discovery through blogging that I have had quite an interesting life. You’ll find a variety of stories that got me to 60 years of age with a positive attitude and sense of humor in tact! Who knows, perhaps my experiences can help you overcome some obstacles in your life, too. I hope you’ll jump in, share your opinions, ask questions, be part of the discussion. Thanks for stopping by! Barbara
I will definitely tweak this! Thanks for a thought provoking post!
Hi Barbara, of course we want people to read more than the first three sentences but if they don’t hit the mark people don’t read them. Your first three sentences do suck me in and make me want to read on. I’d just shorted the third sentence – abbreviate I have had to I’ve had to make it flow better and remove the word quite.
Hehe, maybe we should ramp up interesting a bit too: No pain, no blood letting, just the discovery through blogging that I’ve had an action-packed 60 years with some amazing stories to tell.
After turning 26 a couple months ago, and enduring some pretty tough situations in the past couple years, I thought, “Hmm why not blog about some of these–and the lessons learned to share with those who may in the future or already have gone through these scenarios. With a mind that is racing sometimes faster than I can keep up, I just knew I had to get it out on paper. So here I am!
My aim is to blog about issues and experiences related to a 20-something’s life, and hopefully bring comfort and a smile to someone else in knowing that they’re not alone in their experiences. I’ll be covering Work, Health, Finance, Career,Family, and a hodgepodge of other topics. Your thoughts and comments are welcome! Happy reading!
Hi Sneha, thanks for joining us and leaving a comment with your about page. It’s great to get to know you a bit better through that:) The first sentence is a bit long and missing a ” at the end. You need to sort that out. I like sentences 2 and 3 so not we just need a better first sentence to make sure they get read. Instead of “get it out on paper” maybe change it to “share”?
I’m putting this back in your hands as I want to teach people how to fix their writing themselves and I know you can do it. Please leave another comment with the rewrite, especially of that 1st sentence:)
I don’t like writing about myself. So Kelly Diels wrote about me instead:
“Dave Doolin likes to build stuff, climb stuff, grow stuff, and discover how-to-do stuff. And then write about it.
“These are useful qualities when you’re creating a community (and knowledge!) around the ultimate community- (and SEO-) builder: WordPress.”
Thanks Kelly!
Hi Dave, lol, love the way you outsource the bits you’re not good at. It is hard to write about ourselves and often a friend or colleague can come up with a much more compelling profile. I think Kelly could get work with Wordpress too – the “ultimate community-builder” is a brilliant description. I can’t see this profile on your about page at all but this sounds handy:
“a series of 25 articles that will get you from no website to fully functional in about two and half days of work”. The “tesimonial” from Kelly would be a great addition too – social proof that bloggers like KD, me and doubtless many others love ya:)
AC! Thanks for the challenge. Sometimes I feel like I need to re-write everything every other day because my blog is still evolving (i’m sure you know the feeling..) but here’s the beginning of my about for TheParmFarm:
The ParmFarm is about growing, personally and professionally. By sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and learning from others, we grow as a community, better ourselves and better the world. Simply stated, the ParmFarm is co-op, with some benefit to all who ’stop by’.
Rewrite.
The ParmFarm is about growing — personally, professionally or both! As an award-winning reporter, I have made a living asking questions and providing answers but I always want to know more. More about everything and more about everybody. So, this is my co-op. A place where everyone is encouraged to share ideas and experiences for the benefit of all who stop by. Dig in.
Still not right…but would welcome your feedback. Thx. Amy
Oooh, Amy, great job I love your rewrite, good work. Let’s keep polishing it. Here’s another edit:
The ParmFarm is about growing personally, professionally or both. As an award-winning reporter, I make a living asking questions and providing answers but I always want to know more about everything and everybody. So welcome to my co-op ~ a place where everyone’s encouraged to share ideas and experiences to help each other grow bigger and better, together. Dig in.
What do you think?
Ummm. This really gets you thinking, doesn’t it? I have a Welcome para and an About (which is much longer). Thought I’d share my Welcome with you as this is probably the first bit that’s seen:
Hello, I’m Kathryn Colas of SimplyHormones.com and I’m using my Blog to bring you a variety of information on women’s health plus my own personal musings. I do hope you find it useful. More podcasts will appear with a view to bringing you greater insight into this wide and varied subject. My speciality is menopause but I cover everything from puberty to post-menopause and beyond.
Here’s the revised version:
I’m Kathryn Colas of SimplyHormones.com bringing you up-to-date information on women’s health, especially menopause. Listen to my interviews with medical professionals on breast cancer, HRT, ovarian cancer and more. For in depth information on all menopause symptoms, visit my website http://www.simplyhormones.com.
Hi Kathryn, I like the idea of having the welcome box. I used to have one and it’s a great way to let people quickly find out who your blog is by, what it’s about and how it can help them.
I love your simplyhormones.com name and the focus on menopause plus the story of how you were affected by it and now want to help other people. There’s a big improvement already, let’s see if we can add a bit more pizazz to your message:
I’m Kathryn Colas and Simply Hormones brings you the latest news on menopause and other women’s health issues like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and HRT. Learn what you need to know from someone who’s personally experienced and survived menopause or listen to my interviews with medical professionals on podcast anytime. For more information on the symptoms of menopause and how to live with it just visit my website.
How does that read?
Thanks Annabel! You made me think that I probably need to check back on my about page and make sure it is something that people will appreciate.
Hi Steve, good on yer:) Have a beer and think about it. It does take a while and as Amy said we’re always changing and revising it all but hopefully our blogs do keep getting better for it.
Hi Annabel,
You always make me think – always, always! You know, I have lived my life thinking of nothing but success in all I do and success which is defined with the standard measures such as position in a corporation, income, promotion, raise, etc….! And then when I started blogging, it was this liberating joy to express my thoughts and ideas and opinions about living a prolific life – sometimes, when I think about all that I need to do to say increase subscriber list – I wonder (and I only wonder!) what if I let it grow organically and what if I wrote about exactly the real reason I really started the blog and whoever enjoys it may and others will find the right thing for them. I know even for me this sounds frivolous and care-free and it’s far from it since I have not invested this much time in any other effort in my life. I just don’t know sometimes about following all the rules which I have absolutely no doubt WILL help me increase my subscriber base and maybe make a buck or two along the way. Am I crazy? I have no issues with motivation or drive or self-discipline. I just want to LOVE blogging without too many rules. Ok I am done, thank you for listening. You are a gem and I always come here with confessions it seems. Thank you Annabel! All ears now.
Hi Farnoosh, love the point you raise here and we really must talk about this. Maybe it’s time for another Web Party! In so many ways I totally agree with you. I know rules are boring. That’s why I’m a rule breaker but I’ve learned that you have to break the rules within a certain framework if you want people to get what you’re saying. For example, if I start writing backwards or in french here people will get confused and unsubscribe fast. The challenge is to keep the writing fresh and the voice unique with out scaring people away.
Of course if I just help one person learn how to win or influence people online that’s great but I want to help as many people as possible so I need to nuture a certain mainstream appeal.
Great to hear you have your own way of measuring success. I do too but I’ve learnt that other people have their own measures and I have to respect those too. For example, I work from home and can dress in bin liners if I want to. Most people dream of the work at home lifestyle and being able to please yourself. However in order to fit in with the yummy mummies at the school gate I make an effort to put on decent clothes and a bit of lipstick. But then I have me days where I dress for a writing marathon (in track pants, not a bin liner!) and don’t care what people think. It is good to overturn people’s prejudices because not all successful people wear a suit and tie and work in the city:)
Re your blog I urge you to make those changes you know you should make. Your goal is to help people lead a prolific life and the more people you reach the better. You need to actively make sure your blog is well read and encourage your readers to help you spread your prolific values and thoughts. With enough impetus you could get a book published or speak about it and change 1000s of lives for the better. Heck, you could win the Purlitzer Peace Price if you did that but it all starts with the blog which builds your authority and reputation:)
Dear Annabel, thank you so so much for taking time to respond and give me such invaluable advice here. What you said about helping many more people change their lives with the prolific theme really resonated with me. Now I have a really compelling reason to have the structure and follow guidelines and apply best practices. Honestly, I do most things most of the time but I want to have a healthy approach to it so I remain creative and detached from results (while I optimize the blog for success). I also went through your About page in great detail and will give mine a make-over again. It is the 2nd most visited page on the blog so it must be great. Thank you for all the care and kindness!!!
There’s the proof – you about page is the 2nd most visited page on your blog which all goes to show how important it is. When it comes down to it if you’re passionate about what you do and believe you offer people value then you want them to find your blog. The service is there, the need is there. It’s just a question of making sure they connect with you so you can help them:)
Hi Annabel, thanks for a super useful post! I think I will have to come back her to refresh my mind of your tips. In the spirit of everyone who has bared their about page soul, here’s mine:
‘Amidst all of our troubles, there is always something that can be done, and hope to hold onto. Upcycled Love is a means of sharing the enrichment and positive realism found in ecology and environmentalism. It is the document of an ordinary girl looking to increase her awareness, reduce her impact, and share her learnings on how to live a happier, more eco-friendly life.’
I’m not sure if people can easily relate to this. Or perhaps it’s not direct enough?
Hi Lynn, great to see you here and thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your page. It sounds interesting and the meaty bit seems to come in the 3rd sentence. Don’t forget to do your own rewrite first. I know you can do it:)
Hi Annabel, thanks for your encouragement. Here is a rewrite I have so far:
“Upcycled Love is about nourishing your life with meaningful, soul-enriching, thoughtful, and earth-friendly pursuits. It documents the spiritual journey of an ordinary girl looking to reduce her impact, spread awareness, and share tips on how to live a happier, more eco-friendly life.”
I will continue to think about it! Thanks for your help!
I have a new update:
Upcycled Love documents the journey of an ordinary girl to increase her awareness, reduce her impact, and share tips on how to live a happier, more eco-friendly lifestyle. We’re taught that money, image, and buying stuff is what we work for to bring us true happiness. This is the experiment to test whether that statement is true.
Last one, I promise:
We’re often taught that money, image, and buying cool stuff is what we should work for to be successful and happy. Are you tired of this way of life? Upcycled Love is about finding meaning and happiness through a low-impact lifestyle.
OK Annabel, It’s another day – ready for the challenge:
Here’s the former (current version):
1) Welcome ! I’m so glad you found your way here.
At its heart, Always Well Within is about finding that place of unchanging wellness that resides within each and every one of us regardless of external factors or conditions that occur. It’s a resource for anyone wishing to live in a more awake, fulfilled, and healthier way
Here, I share the tools, information, and resources I personally use to live a more authentic, balanced, and healthier life.
Here’s a rewrite. It doesn’t feel perfect but it seems closer to the guidelines!
2.) Welcome ! I’m so glad you found your way here.
Would you like to tap into your inner spring of unchanging wellness?
At Always Well Within, I share an array of tools, information, and resources that will help you live a more awake, authentic, healthier, and happier life.
A few more tweaks on the rewrite:
Welcome ! I’m so glad you found your way here.
Would you like to tap into a continuously flowing inner spring of unchanging wellness? Always Well Within provides the tools, information, and resources to help you live a more awake, healthier, and happier life, and reconnect with your authentic self.
Ooops, Sorry to flood you with revisions, but I want you to see a better one! Abracadabra!
Welcome ! I’m so glad you found your way here.
Would you like to tap into a flowing inner spring of unchanging wellness? Then you’re in the right place.
Always Well Within provides an array of tools, information, resources, and inspiration to help you reconnect with your own inner spring, and live a more awake, authentic, healthier, and happier life.
Hi Sandra Lee, this is brilliant, so much more dynamic and appealing. I’m thinking of dropping the first sentence. You could use it later when you talk about yourself. The second sentence is fab:
Would you like to tap into a continuously flowing inner spring of unchanging wellness? Always Well Within has tools, information and resources to help you reconnect with your authentic self and be healthier, happier and more energetic.
I’m Sandra Lee and I’m so glad you found your way here. I’ll help you create a more authentic and balanced life with tips on:
Personal development – so you can live life purposefully, actualize your full potential and help create a better world.
PS. Hehe, we’re commenting at the same time. Inner spring good. Zest better? I like your “Then you’re in the right place sentence” too:)
Great to see you working on it Sandra, you’re in action and definitely on a roll.
Fabulous! Totally love the move of the first sentence. I’ve already changed my page with the first bit and, while I was at it, moved other stuff around, tightened up, fine tune.
You are a great inspiration and help, Annabel Candy!
Annabel,
I would say this post is reflective of everything you are teaching your readers. It is wildly useful, engaging and tells a great story. Congratulations on your success. You are a wonderful writer, and we are thrilled that you are part of The Daily Brainstorm.com. Keeping the reader in mind with everything you do as a blogger is the best advice you can give. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Barrie, thanks so much for dropping by and leaving this wonderful comment and glowing recommendation:)
This is probably one of my favorite posts ever. I can’t tell you how much I’ve been feeling like your friend did lately. I had a great start out of the gate and now I’m kind of feeling a little stagnant. I am def going to give this post another read over or two and see how I can put some life back into my blog. Thanks so much for the direction – It get’s a little tough to balance a brick and mortar practice, being a college prof and trying to maintain an online practice as well. I am determined to beat this funk though and be up there with all the rest of the great financial (and non-financial) bloggers though
Hi Nunzio, hehe, that “friend” was me. In my experience blogging is an emotional roller coaster journey. The most important part is to stick at it and keep making changes and improvements. Great to see this has given you your motivation and determination back. You’ve got a lot on your plate and none of us want to waste time reading stuff people aren’t interested in. What’s the one thing you know that will help your readers most right now? That’s the post you need to write and if you can make it a numbered list it should go down doubly well:)
Annabel! You know what I think? I think you are incredibly thoughtful, bright and generous. This project is just one example. And, for that, I hope you will be grandly rewarded.
As for my ‘About’, I have decided that right now nothing seems right to me — in general. I’m just having one of those days, okay weeks. And, I’ve been around long enough to know that when that happens I can either drive myself..and everyone else…crazy OR I can sleep it off. :0)
Sundown on ‘the farm’ can’t come soon enough!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Thanks for your help.
Amy
http://www.TheParmFarm.com
Hi Amy, good for you have a quick snooze and come back to it when you’re ready. But don’t leave it tooo long, we wnat to make sure we convert as many of your blog readers into subscribers as possible:)
Ok, Here goes!
I don’t consider myself a “World Traveler” but I have been a lot of places most people haven’t. I do love to travel Asia and the Philippines specifically. I am just like anyone else except when it comes to staying in the box “society” has designed for us all.
It is a craving deep within me to break free from the bonds of “The American Dream” and live a real, raw, street level life in the Philippines.
You are right again. I like the three sentences but they don’t really offer the reader anything at all. I will take some time to think about this and re-write.
Your blog should be and is must reading for anyone trying to blog better!
Thanks Annabell
Hi Randall, great to see you here again:) I want to do something a bit different with your about page. For me it’s a little soap opera: Can Randall achieve his dream of getting to the Phillipines? Why’s he so into it anyway? What’s standing in his way? How’s he going to overcome those obstacles and get to where he wants to be?
Can you see the story that appeals to me and other people here? How can you introduce it on your about page and get people hooked instantly so they don’t want to miss a single episode?! Look forward to seeing what you come up with:)
Hi Annabel! Very helpful article and inspiring words. So nice to read you! Thanks!
Hi Roman:) awwww, great to have you here too!
Hi Annabel! Here is mine:
” Workin On My Fitness has evolved into a fitness blog, as well as my personal journey to living a healthier, happy life. It’s not all about exercising and eating healthy, but also to be happy with what I am doing with my life – finding my purpose and what I’m meant to do. I believe being healthy goes hand in hand with feeling good about yourself and being happy. ”
I really think that this is exactly what I am doing on the blog, although I’m not getting a lot of response. I’m not sure if I need to go out and network on other blogs more or what, but I do have readers that do come back. I just want to increase that number.
Hi Susan, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your about page. It sounds like a great topic and great to hear you have some readers. Growth is slow to begin with but if they readers you have keep coming back that’s excellent.
The aim of vamping up your about page is to get casual first time readers to subscribe. What can you tell them in those first three lines that will prove to them that you have what they’re looking for and that your blog is the best place for them to come for that information?
I’d love to see your rewrite here and look forward to helping you more:)
Annabel,
More good stuff for the world of bloggers to eat on. You laid out the platform for bloggers to get in line and change the way they lay out their blogs.
It’s was a lot of info all at once, but its very informational.
“TrafficColeman “Signing Off”
Hi TrafficColeman, I love your sign of and recommendation “More good stuff for the world of bloggers to eat on”
Thanks for the feedback. It is a lot of info and I think I’ll write more about the about page another time because it’s such an important page. I don’t think new bloggers consider that enough – I know I didn’t. We tend to just put up a few facts when this is our big chance to win people over by showing them our blog is perfect for their needs.
Oh this was a wonderful article… I am sure it is too late for me to do the challenge but will try at a later date
Hi Gayle, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. It’s NEVER too late! I’d love to see your exisiting about page and the spiffy new version you’ve been inspired to create:) It should also be a great way to intoduce yourself too us and tell us a bit about your blog.
We’re all in this together – We can teach you how to improve your writing and blogging for yourself and provide a positive space and community of like-minded people for you to hang out with while you do that. Welcome:)
Great post Annabel, very useful with tips and good to read that it some times needs some persistence. Any tips on dealing with multi-lingual blogs?
Hi Peter, great question but alas something I have little experience of. Sorry. You seem to be doing a good job of it though!
Thanks Annabel,
Like with many elements in blogging also multi-lingual is a bit of a discovery journey. At first I had the content mixed, now I have a Wordpress plugin installed that allows to split the content. Every option has it’s pro’s and cons. Also considering to split the languages into separate domains. So also there in constant exploration. I’ll put it on my list to write about on the blog, see what insights the conversation can bring
Beautiful focus.
I know I need to work on my About page. I haven’t yet found the words that sing. Here’s the 3 existing starter lines:
I have a passion for excellence and a passion for results. At work, I’m a Principal Program Manager on the Microsoft patterns & practices team. I’ve authored several technical books including Improving Web Application Security, Improving .NET Application Performance and Scalability, and Team Development with Team Foundation Server.
Hi J.D, thinking:) Your experience and tips are amazing. We need to make sure people find that out fast!
Great article, i think simplicity and originality are two of the best weapons when it comes to blogging
I’d LOVE, as in LOVE-LOVE, some feedback on my about page, if anyone sees this (sorry, it’s 4 sentences, not 3).
NOTE: Is it okay these first sentences don’t yet mention my specific offerings (3 weekly blog series, an email newsletter sent 3-4 times a week, & coaching calls – first call free when you subscribe to newsletter)?
===
Wanna CLEAR AWAY what overwhelms, drains and depresses you (junk food, chemicals, clutter, that bully in your head…) so you have MORE ROOM FOR JOY?
I’m Joce, and More Room For Joy is straight from my heart. For over six years, I’ve EXTENSIVELY studied and experimented with nutrition, therapies, alternative medicine, Natural Hygiene, psychology, spirituality, etc. Through that, I’ve healed my past as an abused, Bipolar, druggie, cluttered, self-loathing, scatterbrained runaway. Now I want to help YOU get unburied so you SHINE.
===
Joce | More Room For Joy
Hi Annabel, Thanks for a really informative post! Headed straight back to my About page and realised how wrong I’ve been. It was embarassing, vague – and all about me. Ouch. Here’s the old one:-
I’m a writer.
I champion living life fabulously after 40.
I chronicle life after kids (the empty nest years), travel and all things culture-liscious.
I live in, and write about Western Australia.
Welcome to Zigazag. A lifestyle ‘Blogazine’ about travel, leisure, food and wine, people, and ways to live life fabulously after 40. Zigazag aims to connect you to the interesting, beautiful or just plain wacky.
Sometimes funny, sometimes whimsical and occasionally wise, Zigazag aims to entertain and inform.
It’s all about, “Making connections and sharing conversations,” with a bit of waffle, wit and wisdom thrown in.
Aaagh! Here’s the revised version:-
You wave goodbye to your last child as they drive off into their own future. Suddenly you feel lost and alone. You think your job is done and the ‘empty nest’ years hold no excitement. You look at the lines on your face and wonder where the years went and you worry about what the future holds?
Does that sound familiar? You’re not alone!
It’s been a Zigazag path to the life you now lead, and it will twist and turn into your future. Embrace the journey.
And Welcome to Zigazag! A lifestyle ‘Blogazine’ about travel, leisure, food, wine, people, and ways to live life fabulously after 40. Here you’ll find topics that are interesting, photos that are beautiful and some ideas that are just, well … plain wacky. Sometimes funny, sometimes whimsical and often wise, Zigazag aims to entertain and inform. It’s all about, “Making connections and sharing conversations.” Why not hop on, enjoy the ride and join the conversation?
The nitty gritty …
Johanna Castro is not related to Fidel. She’s a freelance writer living in South West Australia. She writes magazine and newspaper features, blogs, newsletters and marketing collateral for businesses. She loves helping others, and facilitates Writing for Publication Workshops for writers wanting to get started.
After a life on the move with her geologist husband (11 countries later and counting) Johanna has come to rest with her family near a beach in south western Australia. Her gypsy heart is currently content, but maybe not yet tamed.
Contact: jo@zigazag.com
Personal Website: http://www.jocastro.com
Hi Annabel, I was running through my RSS feed and came across your Blog Writing Magic 5 Essential Posts. I fear I have missed the boat on this one but I’m an optimist so here goes…
My About page used to be the usual jumble of facts about me and a poorly worded explanation for my blog’s existence. I recently had an epiphany and enhanced it, could you let me know what you think? Sometimes you work so intently on something you become blind to the mistakes staring you in the face!
“Do you ever feel like a spectator in your own life? They say Life’s a journey, but sometimes you feel like you’re just treading water while it flows past. It took a move to Canada to make me see all the journeys I’d been on while I thought I was standing still.”
As a new blogger, I would really appreciate your advice.