I hope you all have read Essential Blogging Tips – Part 1 and Essential Blogging Tips – Part 2 of this series where I covered the first 14 tips . I’m only going to list tips 15 through to 18 below.
I have not listed them in any particular order as I think they all play an important role in defining our blog and us as authors/owners.
15. Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking is a powerful tool in promoting a website. But going through all of those social bookmarking sites is very time-consuming and downloading all toolbars is just total madness. You have to be insane or have many hours of spare time doing absolutely nothing.
One tool that you could use can be found at SocialMarker.com. It can help you spread a link on 50 of the best social bookmarking sites. In just under 15 minutes, you can have your post or posts sent to numerous social bookmarking sites.
- It helps you get a lot of backlinks.
- It helps you increase your traffic.
- Your link gets indexed by Google in a matter of minutes.
- Best of all, it’s free!
I must admit that I need to start doing more of this as I don’t really promote my posts as much as I should. I have put a small note in my black book to start doing this or have a look at it, lol
Taking some of my own advice.
What types of social bookmarking programs or toolbars do you use? What is the most effective ones for you?
16. Gravatars for comments
![]()
A gravatar, or globally recognized avatar, is quite simply an 80×80 pixel avatar image that follows you from weblog to weblog appearing beside your name when you comment on gravatar enabled sites.
WordPress lets you choose default gravatars for those who have not registered yet. You can read more on my previous post Do you have a Gravatar? If you don’t have a gravatar, then you can head over to Gravatar.com. It should only take you a few minutes to set it up.
Do you have a gravatar? Do you change yours from time to time?
17. Generating Income

When you start a blog, there are many factors to think about including domain registration, hosting fees and of course the time you spend blogging. Some bloggers start off for the fun of it and not to worried about making some extra cash on the side, but eventually turn over the leaf to start monetizing their blog.
As your blog becomes more and more successful, you try and think of different ways to generate income from trying different programs out like affiliate programs, Google Adsense, direct advertising, etc.
Types of advertising could include text ads, banner ads, reviews and so much more. You need to find out what works for you and your blog and this could take some time.
We have all heard or seen bloggers make hundreds and even thousands of $$$ a month from this method and some even blog full time now. Not all bloggers make money, but the goal is attainable if you work hard at it and it’s done right.
18. Guest Blogging
One of the new ways of attracting more traffic is to guest blog or open your blog for guest posting. This has many benefits which include increase in traffic, people start to know you and your blog, better SEO and many more.
You could open your blog for guest posting and have checks in place like you only accept posts after reviewing them, you share revenue with your guest bloggers, limiting the number of links back to their site, etc.
A good example of this kind of method is ShoutMeLoud.com, as Harsh has built an excellent blog whereby he has numerous guest bloggers. Do yourself a favor and go have a look.
Conclusion
I hope that Essential Blogging Tips – Part 1 and Essential Blogging Tips – Part 2 and of course this post has helped you a lot in knowing more about what is required of you and what to look out for. I’m keen to hear your feedback and thoughts, they are all welcomed and appreciated.




















{ 43 comments }
Guest Blogging is the best way to get more traffic and SEO.
Surender Sharma´s last blog ..What is The Page Rank
@Surender – I agree with you and I have just recently opened my blog for guest blogging.
Nice info. Thanx for sharing it over here. Tweeted your topic.
Ricky´s last blog ..Wordpress 2.8.4 Security Release
@Ricky – thanks for that bud, appreciate it.
Very good point in part 3 as well George.
I am not that good at social bookmarking yet, but I have tried a little… but I am definitely going to check out your link and see about submitting to 50 at once.
As for the Gravatar, I actually just wrote a post about that today that you can see in the CommentLuv link below.
Generating income is always a work in progress and it is definitely slowly moving in the right direction.
Now Guest Blogging… we definitely want to guest blog, as well as allow guest bloggers to write for us, but that will probably happen when we find a little more free time.
Doug Dillard´s last blog ..Create a Fun Gravatar
@Doug – you are correct in what you say. I have seen many users not have gravatars and it’s so sad. I will go read your post about your gravatar.
I like your point about guest blogging. I think that it is really important as a blogger seeks to create a name in the blogging community. I also like the guest blogging box that you have at the bottom of the article. That definitely looks nice and hopefully that’s effective for you. Keep up the great work!
Nicholas Z. Cardot´s last blog ..10 Eye-Catching Professional Free Fonts
If you are planning to socialize through comments, then Gravatar is a must! Even Many well know people forget about this fact.
Tech-Freak Stuff´s last blog ..Reveal the Real Long URL behind the Masked Shortened URL
Tech-Freak Stuff – many people forget and I try my best to leave a comment on their site or email them. Some get it right and others just don’t care.
I think you need some kind of avatar either it be a logo, or your own picture. It helps them to recognize you from the rest of the pack. I tried the social bookmarking site but it didn’t work for me. I will have to try it again. Greg Ellison
Greg Ellison´s last blog ..How to make a web site that you are happy with
Number 17 stood out in my eyes the most. Sure, many people begin blogging for fun, but later on, want to be rewarded for their time. That is when monetizing comes in.
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet.com´s last blog ..Be More Than An Entrepreneur – Be A Creative One
@Gooroo – I started out like that and now I want some CASH. I don’t want millions, just a small amount, lol
That’s true. Just remember to shoot for more. I guess it’s human nature that the higher you shoot for in life, the better you do. Same rule applies for money. You already know this though. Why am I saying it?
Just thought I’d give a little motivational speech haha!
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet.com´s last blog ..Be More Than An Entrepreneur – Be A Creative One
@Gooroo – I do know that, but I’m also realistic, thanks for your feedback
I’ve enjoyed the series!
Been reading alot on many of these topics and the fundamentals can’t be driven home enough!

Enjoying your blog.
Thanks!
Yves´s last blog ..Found helpful traffic building tips in Podcasts in iTunes
@Yves – I agree with you and feel that I have read it a million times, but it’s always better to read it again.
Thanks George, very well written all the three parts.. as I’m a newcomer… all of your tips has helped me.. I already created a small book..its not black though.. I already have Gravavtar.. and will soon go for Google Adsense.
Nehh´s last blog ..Bar Rafaeli’s bikini photos for 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
All Professional tips one should follow while becoming Famous and money making blogger, Thanks for sharing. Kindly let me know if you accept guest posts, I am Interested in posting one

Ricky Peterson´s last blog ..Bloggers Will Be The King Of Business, Mark My Words!!
@Ricky Peterson – you can sign up as a contributor and then submit a post. Link at the bottom in footer and at top.
I think Gravatars are getting very crucial nowadays…you`ll hardly find any blogger which do not use Gravatars…
Compute Live´s last blog ..Wordpress Remote Admin Password Reset Vulnerability Fix
@Compute Live – I have seen a few users who don’t have, but they will get eventually.
Thanks for SocialMarker George, I didn’t know that it existed.
Asswass´s last blog ..New Blog Tip: Get inside the first 5 comment spots.
Asswass – it’s funny how many plugins there about social bookmarking, there must be more than a 100!
Well but I tried this and it works awesome
.
Asswass´s last blog ..Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza in Maxim Magazine
@Asswass – what exactly did you try?
Seems to me that “guest blogging” is kinda new, but I’m excited to see where it takes us all. I don’t really know what *I* should be able to guest blog about at another site, that I couldn’t just blog about on my own site.. but that’s perhaps the whole idea, to give up some of your own content in order to get it out to readers you don’t already have?
Thanks for the tip about socialmarker, gonna check it out now!
Klaus at TechPatio´s last blog ..Interview With World Famous Problogger Darren Rowse (video)
Klaus at TechPatio – You have a great question, I guess we hope and pray that others will start to enjoy our articles and our subscribers might grow. Our revenue could climb due to more traffic, etc.
Yet another great post in this series. I think Gravatars are getting more important today since you image usually is your brand. This series could be a great e-book when you are done. Just give it for free to anyone who subscribes via mail.
Stefan´s last blog ..Why You Constantly Fail to Get Things Done
@Stefan – I did not even thing about putting it in an ebook.
George, very nice series lots of good advice here. Will have to check out socialmaker sounds like a great power tool.
Jared P Little´s last blog ..Learn SEO in 15 Minutes Part 1
@Jared P Little – thanks man, glad to be of help. I hope you learned a bit from me even though many other posts have the same details
Nice post George.
Off topic. I saw your header changed. I just have a suggestion. I might be wrong.
The header has the black part in which you are showing the stuff. I feel the color combination is not so good. It is not givnig more attention to the eye. DO check it.
Nihar´s last blog ..Friday Night Links Party – 14 August 2009
@Nihar – I know the header is not the best, still trying out a few things out. Thanks for your opinion.
It’s crazy to think that 10 months ago I barely did any of these things, now it’s a daily ritual.
Extreme John´s last blog ..10 Reasons You Suck at Twitter
@Extreme John – it has become a part of life, makes you wonder!
George- This is a very impressive and useful series you have put together. I have included this post in my weekly compilation of the weeks best blog posts.
Tycoon Blogger´s last blog ..“Blogger Spotlight” with Blogging Boy
@Tycoon – thanks a lot man, appreciate the link love.
I see people leave comments all the time with no Gravatar, and I always wonder if it’s POSSIBLE they don’t know how to get one?
Thanks for the great tips – I had never heard of SocialMarker.com – am about to check it out now!
Christie´s last blog ..How Google Wave is going to change your life – and maybe your blog
@Christie – I also notice that not all have gravatars, it’s sad but it’s true. You could always let them know via email.
I personally feel that Gravatar and CommentLuv are the two important plugins every wordpress blog must have. These two surely attract commenters
John Samuel´s last blog ..Search and Preview Tabs in Sidebar with Firefox Showcase
@John Samuel – I agree with you and we can relate to a avartar as well.
I never heard about SocialMarker.com. Thanks for sharing!
Toan Nguyen Minh´s last blog ..The Keyword Minute Report
@Toan Nguyen Minh – not a problem. go have a look and let me know what you think.
{ 2 trackbacks }