As I prepare to speak at WordCamp Boston 2012 later this week, I’m thinking about several WordPress tips to share. I manage three WordPress sites and use many of the same principles, techniques, and tools across all of them. However, each site serves a totally different audience and works in its own unique way.
So, one of the questions you should consider when setting up your own blog is why. Why are you blogging? What does the unique audience your speaking to want? What techniques will work?
One some blogs posting frequently is key to audience engagement. On others, it isn’t. On some blogs a wealth of reference information is a key resource for visitors. On others, that’s not at all what they’re looking for. On some blogs, optimizing for search is crucial. On others, they come to you from a very specific path that has nothing to do with search. On some blogs, money is to be made. On others, it isn’t.
Be wary of one-size-fits-all blogging tips, whether technical or tactical or strategic. Always ask yourself – why are you blogging? And recognize that a big part of answering that question comes from experimentation. The best way to learn why (beyond your primary mission/motivation) is to learn what your audience responds to through experimentation. Try different things. See what works. Listen to your audience and they will tell you (even if only through Google Analytics).
Photo credit: Maria Reyes-McDavis
