I’ll be talking about blogging.
FOR AN HOUR.
Needless to say, I feel a little frenzied and slightly nauseated with fear because that isn’t a lot of time to prepare. Mainly, I’m totally excited, so it’s all good.
Anyway, this isn’t a shameless plug or something I posted just to make myself feel all singular and special. I need your help, oh, wise and loyal internet people.
(I know, I know. What is with all the Loralee neediness going on lately? First I beg and plead for pretty music to listen to to get the buttrock anthem of junior high out of my head and and now I throw out another plea for help and input? Jeeze!)
I need to know what your favorite, best, most helpful blogging tip is. Any advice you’ve been given that you use all the time, things that really “work for you”. (OR things that really DIDN’T, too. Things to AVOID would be appreciated as well.)
I don’t care if you are big, small or medium sized. I don’t care what it is you blog about, I just need some input ASAP.
Please?! With big, fat, slobbery kisses on top? I don’t have time to research and organize. I have plenty of my own blogging advice but I need to walk in there with all the information I can get my hands on. I want to feel as prepared as possible.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. You are pretty and smell like flowers. (Just embrace it, guy readers. Even manly men have to have a soft, feminine moment every once in awhile. Just be glad that I’m not making you watch the Bravo channel with me and get matching pedicures, ok?)
I’ll let you know how it goes.
P.S. *This originally said “NPR” and it is causing confusion. I apologize for that. Apparently I am not going to be on NPR, I’m going to be on the Utah affiliate UPR. It airs at 9 am MST. (I think this is where you can listen if you want.)I wasn’t trying to be deliberately misleading, I just thought more people would get what I was talking about if I said, NPR so that is what I said. I can’t believe the amount of emails I am getting to put me back in my place. And some of them are a little bit too testy. GET THINE KNICKERS OUT OF A TWIST, PEOPLE. I meant no harm.
P.P.S. I also found out I’ll be sharing the time slot with another blogger (Seriously So Blessed). Which takes the heat off quite a bit. Her satirical blog is hilarious and has a fictional character that I swear I went to high school with. She is quite talented at poking fun in a good-natured way at Utah culture has strong traffic, a good following and totally intrigues me. We’re completely opposite bloggers in many ways so it will be a great balance, I think. I’m excited to meet her.
P.P.P.S. I have decided if I get a question that I don’t know how to answer and there is a bunch of awkward silence, “I don’t know nothin’ about birthin’ no babies, Miss Scarlett!” will be my “Go-to” phrase.
P.P.P.P.S. Do you think that the radio station will get fined if I say that I write about my ta-ta’s on the internet?
Just be yourself. That’s what works for you online. Your most important tip.
Bring a list of your fave/best posts. I’m sure they’ll be on ya to read one. Oh yeah, bring a list of your favorite comments to some of your posts too.
I’d give you more great blogging tips but I really don’t know any. If I did, I suspect I’d have more readers and people would stop ignoring me on Twitter.
I’ll be listening in, yahoo! Go get ‘em girlie!
Robin @ Party of Fives last blog post..Twitter Jerks
Um. Wow.
I didn’t even know there were “tips” to blogging. I just sort of… blog aimlessly. I don’t really tend to care who, if anyone, reads my blog.
Maybe I should stop that. I’m thinking of expanding my equal custody blog to something neat, after all.
Maybe a good blogging tip is to offer money. Or food. Or money and food, so people have something to eat while they read your blog and simultaneously thinking of the neat things they want to purchase with the money you’ve offered them.
fwooms last blog post..Roadblocks
I find it easiest to write about things I feel passionate about. When I signed up for Blog 365, this meant I did theme days-only they were themes I made (What’s for dinner Wednesday and Soundtrack Sundays).
I love the ideas of themed days and the ones that link you in to other bloggers.
Speaking of which, suggest participating in events (NaBloPoMo, Holidailies, Blog Party, Blissfully Domestic, etc.) to gain readers and a support system.
Decide what you don’t want your neighbor, doctor or mother in law to read on your blog-and keep it off (or else use a hosting site that lets you protect certain entries)
Don’t go into it thinking that you’re going to get rich. Heck, I didn’t earn a paycheck until three months ago (26 bucks, baby, I’m living the high life!) Do it because you like to write and want to say it to the world.
When you add pictures, you add interest. My readership seemed to spike when I started putting pictures up.
Read other blogs and COMMENT, because those bloggers (and their fans) will come read your blog. You’ll get a huge rush when someone you don’t know leaves a comment on YOUR blog. (I know I do!)
Keep some tissues handy. You get invested in the highs and lows, and sometimes, you’ll wish you weren’t a friend in the computer.
Hope these help.
Suzannes last blog post..I Want to Know Why I Missed Them The First Time
You should email Carmen over at
momtothescreamingmasses.
She’s done a few interviews lately & could probably tell you a few things she wishes she HAD (or HADNT) mentioned after the fact! lol
Don’t put your real name in your blog title? :)
Honesty works. Also setting boundaries. A balancing act like everything else in life.
And I like NaBloPoMo.
falwyns last blog post..Challenge: 6th Picture
If you’re asked to give advice to new bloggers I would say 1) don’t try to post every day 2) build a network by visiting other blogs and commenting. I’m sure you have other advice. Sketch it out and have it handy.
I recently got the meme to list 5 things I learned from blogging and I’m struggling with it. Maybe that’s a good exercise for you today.
Talk about how blogging has affected you as a person. I know I’ve found joy in some blogs, wept reading others, and felt connected to many many many bloggers out there. I’ve discovered books and charities and movies and all sorts of things I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise.
You’ll do fine. Congratulations on getting to do this!
threeundertwos last blog post..Multi-meming
I’m a huge NPR whore, so this is BIG NEWS to me. Hooray.
My biggest blogging tip…make sure your real name isn’t anywhere associated with your blog. BLOG SMART! :-)
Good luck.
Isabels last blog post..In which I don’t take it home, even though it’s free
Tata talk is one of the things I luvz ’bout chew. But anyway – bloggy tip that works for me – when I need to write something ‘emotional’, I usually write with my iPod stuck in my ears playing music to set the proper mood. It allows me to concentrate better, helping to minimize other distractions.
lceels last blog post..Tuesday Tale
The one I often find myself telling people is to do your outreach. Don’t expect people just to read you because you are fabulous. Spend a little effort in building a community- email from comments, comment on other blogs, link, etc.
sizzles last blog post..I’d Vote No If I Could
Write lots of posts when your creative juices are flowing, then you can have something for when they aren’t. I’m in such a slump right now. Wish I had done that.
witchypoos last blog post..Vote
That’s awesome! I think my tips are always to respect other bloggers- don’t leave your opinions or disagreement in the comments unless you are ASKED. Comment, comment, comment! It makes the blogger feel heard and gets YOU some exposure.
Steph
Adventures In Babywearings last blog post..The Party Dish
Oh oh, I lurve NPR, what show will you be on?
A few things that make a good blog:
- humor
- variety
- consistency (post regularly if you can)
- personality
I also ditto nearly everything Suzanne had to say.
Exciting!! I would say, for a new blogger my advice would be to stick with it, in the beginning it’s frustrating because no one is reading you. And, go to other’s blogs and comment, comment, comment.
HeatherPrides last blog post..Are You Amazing?
I’m with Neil—Honesty works for you. You write with emotion. And you talk about things that other people can (and want to) relate to. Blogging….Hmmmm…So many dos and don’ts, but no real formula, right? I mean, in terms of doing it well? Respond to reader feedback? Pay attention to what people like? Heck, I don’t know.
GOOD LUCK! HOW FUN!
The Redheaded Leftys last blog post..The zoo: It’s not always about the animals.
I think the best blogging advice I ever got was to think about why you are blogging…is it your creative outlet, to inform family and friends about your life, to find other people with similar interests, make friends, several of the above? When you know why you are blogging, it helps hold down those feelings of “my blog sucks” that tend to spring up at random times because you know you are fulfilling your goal and that is what matters, or you can think about constructive and realistic ways you can meet your goal, instead of just whining internally about how no one comments.
MacKenzies last blog post..So That’s What Community Organizers Do!
First off, I would explain a few of the basics of blogging because many of your readers don’t blog.
For example:
Blog is short for Weblog. Explain what a weblog is for, the different types of blogs, (creative writing, keeping in touch with family, etc.) Also explain that blogging can be a private matter if you choose – you can block any reader except those you know.
Explain some terms, like meme, comment form, wordpress and blogger, domain, URL, http, etc.
Explain what a blogging community is. Give examples of some blogging communities (mommy blogs – then give a URL for one mommy blog HQ, religious communities – then give one blog HQ for that, cancer survivors, alternative lifestyles, environmental issues, etc. etc.)
Be sure to explain what blogging has meant for you. How has it helped you? Also, does it make you feel more included with people, or does it isolate you from “IRL” people? Oh, that’s another term you should define – IRL.
Also, you could maybe share one thing that was bad about blogging – maybe you put yourself out there one time and really got slammed in a way that hurt your feelings. Or maybe you have grown from seeing other people’s point of view. Sometimes, when we live in one place, we have NO connections with people of other geographies and ethnicities. Sometimes, blogging – which has no demographic boundaries – is our only outlet to diversity.
Good luck. I am going right now to find the NPR station in our area so I can listen!!!
Texan Mamas last blog post..SIT right down and put up your feet
It truly doesn’t get any simpler than to be yourself. Right down to your everyday speech. There are too many blogs and bloggers out there that try to be exactly what they aren’t. The ones I like most convey exactly who they are in real life.
Wills last blog post..I got meme all over me.
Oh, I mean, many of your LISTENERS will not be bloggers. Oops!
Oh, and one more thing: talk about a feed reader. Describe what one is and how it works. (Use the mailbox and magazine subscription explanation). That is my one tip that helped me.
Texan Mamas last blog post..SIT right down and put up your feet
Content is king-just keep writing.
That’s all I’ve got.
Headless Moms last blog post..The Election, The Economy, and Me
You will be awesome!!! Knock their socks off, girl!!!
I agree with PP, talk about feed reader, and how it helps organize time. Also, good to talk about balancing real life with blogging life. another thing I think is phenomenal and fascination about blogging is how you find friends in different geographic places, and how the support comes from different places and how immediate it is. Like how people rushed to offer places to stay to people evacuating from Hurricane Ike via Twitter. And the difference between microblogs like Twitter and personal blogs is a good topic too.
Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..How It Goes In My House
I write everything knowing (or telling myself) that my mom and my husband will be reading it. So that eliminates talks about blow jobs and the like.
I also refuse to post photos of the front of my house, but I’m just a paranoid weirdo.
Shannons last blog post..Breaking News!
The neat thing about blogging, is that the “rules” or “tips” vary. What works for one may not work for another.
Share what you know to be true for YOU. Encourage others to find what works for THEM.
You’re gonna do great! Have a wonderful time!
Well, I can only comment from the non-blogging section, but maybe it will help you come up with something. I fear writing, not because I would not want you lovely people to read it but because I certainly do not find my thoughts worthy to be saved for posterity. Also, I am lazy. I read blogs because it is like having a friend to visit and being welcomed into their house.
#1 Make up your own rules.
#2 Write, write and write some more. Don’t worry about sucking. There’s always someone out there worse than you. That’s why it’s called the world wide web.
#3 Follow people whose writing you admire and learn from them.
Heather, Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..The most surreal thing happened on my way to becoming a writer
If you don’t have anything to write, don’t. That’s my best advice.
Miss Graces last blog post..Last (but never least) a tiny rant on Prop 8
Loralee,
First, thanks for the response and yes I do go to that Grounds. The art is “interesting” some times, but that is art. For your question, I say be yourself (I know, not original). You are great, fun, hysterical, and real. That is why I read you, and most of the blogs that I check out.
Amys last blog post..All Apologies
Just a few that I like:
Find your voice. Don’t view blogging as a competition. It will strain your style.
Also, focus on blogging. Don’t look at your stats and adjust your style/voice to garner more readers.
Jims last blog post..Child of Our Hearts
Do you know what is really funny? My husband is going to be on the show, too. He is the one who arranged it in the first place.
So, the guy who thinks blogging is pointless is going to be doing a radio show ON blogging.
Heh.
Always email first time commenters, and always answer comments that have questions. It keeps people coming back.
You’re getting tons of great advice, and they’ve come up with better things than I would have. I just had to come by to LAUGH at your husband, though!
Missives From Suburbias last blog post..Fictional Musings
Are Mormon’s going to be listening to this? If so…no TATA talk.
My only advice is to comment a lot and participate in all of those carnival things where they use Mr Linky.
And tell people that if they use blogger to make sure they put their email in their profile so when they comment…you can respond. I like to respond to people that comment on my blog but often you can’t.
You are going to do GREAT!
Connies last blog post..Sixth of the Sixth
Don’t post when you’re angry. Or drunk.
P.S. Good luck! You’ll do great!! :)
Alicias last blog post..Confession #3
Here’s my fabulous tips for you: (I assume you are telling others how to get started blogging and all that)
Write in your own style. Don’t worry about correct english, write the way YOU speak. It will be more alive, more interesting, and more natural.
Write about things you know. If you try to write things you don’t know, it will show. and it will be awful.
Don’t write things you don’t want your family to know about. Even if you don’t think they read your blog. Just don’t.
Ditto with your boss and co-workers.
If you reference another blogger, give them credit, use a link to their blog, and let them know you are doing it.
Ok, those are just off the top of my head, but seem to be very important stuff to know. Hope it helps you.
“Write in your own style. Don’t worry about correct English, write the way YOU speak. It will be more alive, more interesting, and more natural.”
I kind of live by that statement. My blog is exactly, EXACTLY like talking to me. Ask anyone that has met me and they will tell you the same thing.
Many people CRINGE at CAPS! EXCLAMATION POINTS!! EMOTICONS!!!
I use them because I am a very theatrical, extroverted person and I SPEAK USING THOSE INFLECTIONS.
I know it can be annoying (as can I at times) but it is absolutely who I am.
Here are my two cents:
1. Go into the interview with two or three things you want the listeners to walk away with. Keep it simple and broad (e.g., blogging is a creative, accessible means of free expression, my blog has introduced me to amazing people (like Fear and Parenting in Las Vegas) that have transformed my life) – okay just kidding on that last bit.
2. Drink a cup of tea before you go in. It’ll clear your throat and warm your cords up. Drinking cold stuff before radio interviews can make you sound nasaly and tinny. That said, remember that NO ONE likes the way they sound on the radio – well unless you’re a recording star with a fleet of producers and equipment to totally distort you into sounding good. Anyway, I digress.
3. Remember that YOU know the answers. This sounds like it’s going to be a pretty friendly fire interview. That said, think of the hardest/most embarrassing question they could ask and figure out how you want to respond. If you’ve got that in your pocket, you’ll be fine.
4. Get a good night’s sleep. If you’re reading this and it’s dark outside. GO TO BED WOMAN!
5. Have fun and be yourself.
You’ll be great!
Fear and Parenting in Las Vegass last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Here’s your passport
I’m sure you’re already gone to your interview, but if you actually say “I don’t know nothin’ about birthin’ no babies, Miss Scarlett” on the radio, I will BE SO EXCITED!!! And this is totally awesome — after holding out for years, I finally jumped on the mp3 player bandwagon and got one off eBay for $20. It just came in the mail yesterday, so I can use it to listen at work! Of course, I could have listened online anyway, but whatever.
Well, now I’m disgruntled! I can’t get the Listen Live stuff to work, and I forgot to bring my mp3 player to work!
Katies last blog post..Panic Time!
I can’t get it to work either!
I went frantically searching for a radio and 89.5 is playing some interview with a horrible woman talking to Tom Brokaw!
I NEED TO HEAR LORALEE!!!!
I’m boycotting “Seriously So Blessed”. I think her blog is hillarious, but I asked her if I could do some advertising on her blog, and she quoted me an OUTRAGEOUS amount! I asked her if I could maybe to a free trade for just a little blog time, and she said she was so popular at the moment, that people were begging to advertise on her site. Oh, and that the OUTRAGEOUS price she quoted me would be going up a week from now, so I’d have to act fast. So much for helping a struggling mom-trepreneur out!
Good luck on your spot, though. I have no doubt you could fill an hour with talking and have NO problem whatsoever! I mean that as a compliment!
Erin Taylors last blog post..I’m counting to three, and then….
Connie,
I’m not sure if you’re checking, but here’s a map of stations:
http://www.upr.org/listen.html
Katies last blog post..Panic Time!
Erin,
That would be frustrating. However, you have to keep in mind that her purpose is not to help struggling mom-trepreneurs out, it is to make $$$$$! I need to come up with an idea like that. . .
Katies last blog post..Panic Time!
I’m sorry that the link didn’t work, guys. I think that there is a way to listen to the archive of it. I’ll try and post it for you when I find it. (BOO!)
Thanks Katie. That is the map I used. NPR is on 89.5 in Ogden but they had a totally different program on.
Loralee….they have a podcast on their website. Looks like they are a couple days out posting them.
I spent 2.5 hours on TAMN’s site last night and bought a shirt!
I think that they are rebroadcasting it tonight at 7. It is through Utah Public Radio. I have no idea why they had a different show on…that is so weird.
I’ll publish a link of the podcast when it’s up, though.
Thanks for reminding me about the rebroadcast! I was thinking I’d have to wait several days to hear it.
Katies last blog post..Fresh, raw, ALMONDS – great for FOOD STORAGE – delivered FREE – $4/lb
No problem. A lot of people had trouble hearing it today. I am trying to decide if I have the nerve to listen to it. (I’ll probably cringe the whole time. It’s weird listening to yourself talk.)