I have a new blog!

[Cathy C]

Okay, so you've all convinced me that having a blog might be a good idea. So, I've started a new blog over at Blogger called PARAODDITY. It'll be a mix of writing advice, updates on our books and general "stuff." Would love for any of the experts here to offer some tips on what I might do better on it to attract readers. The link to it is in my sig.

Thanks!

[Ms Hollands]

Cathy, all the best with it, and congratulations on getting your blog up and running! I had a quick look, but my eyes were unable to read the white text with the black background. Could you make the black more grey or make the white text thicker? I honestly struggled on my laptop here.

Regarding traffic, I tend to get quite a lot from blogcatalog.com and Google. It's all about keyword searching on Google, and it's important that you submit a sitemap to Google if you want others to be able to find you on there. Metadata is also important to Google, although nobody is really sure just how Google use it.

Apart from that, just find as many search engines and blog directories as possible and start listing your blog.

I tried using blog carnivals to promote my site, but I rarely had traffic from them. Actually, I probably get the most *returning* hits from Facebook (you can add your blog to an application called "Networked Blogs") and message boards I sometimes write on (like here!). So having your blog in your signature is a great start.

[Ms Hollands]

...errr, I should also point out that I'm no expert. I'm sure someone else will come along who has far more knowledge and better input than me...

[razibahmed]

Cathy,
BY taking part in February Blog roll:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/...d.php?t=129696
and
Blog Comment Blitz - 9th-19th Feb 2009
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/...d.php?t=129922
You will immediately get some new visitors for sure. Some links for your blog from other blogs and some comments in your entries from some of us

[Cathy C]

Thanks for the comment, April! I looks fine on my screen, but I'll see what I can do. It's a Blogger template I used, but maybe I can customize it a bit. I'll see.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by April Hollands

I had a quick look, but my eyes were unable to read the white text with the black background. Could you make the black more grey or make the white text thicker? I honestly struggled on my laptop here.

Same here. I would consider doing the opposite, having a white background with black text. It's easier on readers' eyes.

-Andrew

[Cathy C]

White just seemed a little too stark. See what you think of it now.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Cathy C

White just seemed a little too stark. See what you think of it now.

Yeah, white is boring, but you could always spice up your blog and posts with images or a logo.

The gray is better but now the red is hard to read.

I don't mean to be annoying, I just want your readers to not be turned off by the colors.

-Andrew

[C.F. Jackson]

Originally Posted by Cathy C

Okay, so you've all convinced me that having a blog might be a good idea. So, I've started a new blog over at Blogger called PARAODDITY. It'll be a mix of writing advice, updates on our books and general "stuff." Would love for any of the experts here to offer some tips on what I might do better on it to attract readers. The link to it is in my sig.

Thanks!

Cathy,

It's interesting... The site has a dark shadow
which makes it a challenge to read. I'm not
sure why it's appears because when I hit next
blog it looks bright and readable.

To add to your blog would be images with your
posts. The human mind loves images and it breaks
the content.

You're off to an awesome start!

Have an awesome week!

Won't Be Denied,
C.F. Jackson