You Have 10 Seconds to impress so start…

If you're new here, you may want to browse my articles and if you like them please subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

What is it that attracts you to certain blogs more than others? Is there a secret formula that top bloggers are using to gain a steady follow of readers, or are they simply applying a strategy that gets them noticed and appreciated. But one thing we all know is within 10 seconds of browsing a blog we can determine either we like what we see, or we close the page.

So what can we really do to ensure we can keep the readers rather than send them away?

Well, to be honest there is no secret but a few methods we can implement to help us on our quest. I feel it comes down to layout and presentation, if your blog is to decluttered and messy no one has time to read and will skip to the next blog likewise when you see someone for the first time and the beauty (presentation) is what instantly attracts you.. Below are a few tips that can make your blog more attractive.

Use a nice simple and easy layout for navigation
Ads should never distract your reader from the content
Give your readers free and valuable information.
Use Plugins to help display top commenter’s, popular posts etc.
Allow both regular and email RSS subscription. As you will be surprised how many still like using email.
Write your content with a mixture between talking (writing) in the 3rd person sprinkled with our own experience. Kind of like talking to a good friend.
Write regular updates and stick to it
Write about things your readers want to hear.
Have your own unique voice, don’t rehash everybody else’s content.
Interact with your readers via contests, comments and free give away’s

These tips are just the basic ones and by far no means do of them.

Even though we never meet these people face to face we need to treat people kindly and respectful, so don’t be rude, type in short form and generally not be nice,

Readers really do scan blogs fast and we don’t have a lot of time at all to leave enough of an impression to keep them reading. Typically a catchy headline or maybe a nice picture will attract your readers but from there you must work to keep them..

Popularity: 29% [?]

Share and Enjoy:

If you don't want miss my next post, Subscribe to my RSS feed

December 3, 2007 | Filed Under Journal, blogging Tips

Theme Test Drive WordPress Plugin

interview with Jason of MMG, Lucreshare and 13adsdaily update

How to customize the More Tag in Wordpress

My Revamped Blog…

9 Blog Rankings and How to Manipulate-Part One

Comments

4 Responses to “You Have 10 Seconds to impress so start…”

Binh Nguyen on December 2nd, 2007 9:07 pm

Hi Yeepage,

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately most blog don’t load in the first 10 seconds. Earlier I wrote this Major Issues With common Blog Layout and I’m going to follow it up… soon.

The blog layout people are using are too busy and heavy. If it’s the first hit from a dial up it would take minutes to load the homepage. If its’ broadband it could be 20s for homepage and over 10s for post.

SO the other factors pretty much influence a reader. Like writing styles, interaction and giveaways.

BTW, which plugin did you use for this beautiful Ajax comment form?
admin on December 3rd, 2007 11:01 am

I was more on the lines of 10 seconds to read the blog, after its loaded thats how long people have before they either love or hate the blog…

not sure what u mean by comment form?
dott-com on December 3rd, 2007 12:27 pm

good point here - its 10sec to be good and impress other or 10sec to make them navigate away.
annie on December 4th, 2007 7:54 pm

Thanks for your wonderful tips im gonna start a new blog, your tips is very helpful for a good start, nice post!