Welcome to our very first guest post on my.blog. We’ve long known that the .blog’osphere is rich in thoughtful content, stellar writing, and a diverse range of topics, perspectives, and experiences. We are always thinking about how we can shine a light on our favorite dotbloggers, and this new series allows us to do just that. A special thank you to Lily Snyder for contributing our first guest post.

By Lily Snyder of Lilyotron.blog

My blogging journey began in fits and starts. I attempted a blog way back on Blogger. I had recently graduated college and started my first post-grad job. I wanted to write about what I was doing and apply the management styles and project techniques I learned in college to the job. But, after an unfortunate post that led me to part ways with that position, I took a break from blogging.

A few months later, I was hired as a business analyst (my official first job out of college) for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). I just had to write about that! 

We were given a book to read, The Perfect Plant, and I thought that would be a safe topic to blog about. I didn’t have any aspirations at the time of affiliate marketing or making money from ad banners (can you tell this was the early 2000s?). Life got busy and my Blogger site lies in the dusty domain of the Internet.

A few years later I started up again—this time on WordPress. I saw they had a .blog domain and it spoke to me. I wanted to write about professional topics but I also wanted to have fun. I felt like I could do that with the .blog domain. 

I wrote about MES, IT projects, and systems. Suddenly my blog posts were getting comments! Other people who worked in the industry followed my blog and liked my posts. It inspired me to write more. I started to relax with my posts and write in my own voice. The memory of getting in trouble for a blog post still haunted me. But blogging offered me something more than my job could and would eventually lead to opportunities I could only dream of. 

Key learnings and insights

The thing about writing is that the more you do it, the more confident you get about it. Not just how you put sentences and paragraphs together, but how you express thoughts, make arguments, and even have fun. 

Some key lessons I’ve learned in over a decade of blogging:

• If you’re writing about anything related to the people you work with (especially your manager), you might want to clear it with them first.
• Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Most of the comments I receive are positive or supportive but sometimes you get a rude one. Don’t let that stop you. It’s your blog!
• Share, link, re-post, and re-write your content. It doesn’t take too long to build up an archive and lose some gems in the backlog of posts. 
• Something you may be scared to post might become your most-viewed post.
• It’s OK to switch niches. You’ll find your community in the process.

My blog has gone through a few different themes over the years. That’s because my life has taken twists and turns. I went from writing about IT manufacturing to virtual reality and working in a startup. When I had my son, I quit my startup. I was afraid I wouldn’t have anything to blog about because my work was my content. So, I wrote about being a military spouse and mother. 

I continued to write about virtual reality. I reviewed books and was invited to speak. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t tied to a company, so I could say exactly what I thought about the industry. Suddenly, people were reaching out to me for advice about their VR projects. I landed my first client (who still is today) who asked me to do some writing for her. 

My blog, which I thought was dead, became alive again. I was blogging almost daily about virtual and augmented reality, emerging technology, and its impact on businesses like manufacturing and marketing. Sticking with my blog launched me into my career 3.0. 

My blogging tips and advice for bloggers

There are a lot of people who know how to start a blog. If you want your blog to make money, there are templates for that like how to use affiliate programs, guest posts, and sponsored posts. I would suggest, if you’re starting today ask yourself, what are you blogging for? 

• Are you blogging for fun?
• Do you want to be a thought leader?
• Do you want to use a blog as a testing ground for a side project?
• Do you want to make money? 

For any blog to be successful, you have to be true to yourself. Write about what’s important to you, something you have a lot of knowledge about, topics that don’t take a lot of research to write. That’s probably your niche. 

Tips for Aspiring Bloggers

• Follow other bloggers. These could be bloggers in your niche or any blog you enjoy. That could be the style of the blogger, how they format their posts and their style. I learned about blogging challenges by following people out of my niche and was able to apply those challenges to my blog. 
• Learn how to write for the web. That means using bullets and numbers, writing in shorter paragraphs, and using headers. Styles change on how many images or infographics to use. I see a lot of text-based blogs these days. That can still have a lot of impact playing with fonts. 
• Share your work. Share your posts on your socials. Email them out. Ask people for feedback, to comment, and like your posts. It still feels weird when I do it but it’s a noisy world out there. To be noticed you have to be proactive.

Blogging Challenges 

There have been so many times over the years where I thought I would never have anything to write about. But then I read a book or someone else’s post, maybe something will happen at work and inspiration will strike. Sometimes, I’ll start writing, and the first paragraph will be fire…and then fizzle out. Sometimes blogging takes research or interviewing someone, but that helps complete a post. When I’m stuck, I use ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas or create outlines. But I still have to be passionate about the topic, even if AI helps me. 

Connect with your audience

There are a lot of fun ways to connect with your audience. Respond to comments in a thoughtful, timely manner. Add a contact form or way for readers to get in touch. WordPress has fun, interactive features like “claps” so people can interact with your posts if they don’t want to comment. One way I’ve enjoyed interacting with my audience is by adding guest posts to my site.

Dot blogging into the future

My blog will always be an outlet for me. My posting schedule ebbs and flows and I’ve decided that’s OK. It’s there when I need it. Nowadays I have so many posts, I’ve been going back and updating old ones to be more recent. I reshare them and no one knows the difference. It’s exciting to see interaction on posts I originally wrote years ago. 

As immersive technology becomes mainstream, there will always be something to write about. That reminds me. I have to make a post about my demo of the Apple Vision Pro… 

Cheers!

~Lilyotron

Good research can help you create content that resonates with and informs your audience. In this guide, we look at the art of research and give you the tools, techniques, and sources. From efficient research methods to source-checking and using data to write unique stories, let’s master the research skills that will captivate your audience.

Understanding Your Audience

Understanding your audience is key. It helps you create content that resonates deeply and connects with readers. Tailor your blog posts to your readers’ needs, interests, and challenges. Develop an understanding of your audience. Then, you can make content that speaks to their interests and needs. Here are some tools that can help.

Analytics Tools

Use tools like Google Analytics to examine your audience’s demographics more deeply. Understand their age, location, interests, and behavior on your blog.

Surveys and Polls

Direct feedback is so useful. Use surveys or polls on your blog or social media platforms. Ask for readers’ favorite topics, feedback, and suggestions. Engagement

Dive into the comments section of your blog. Chat with your audience on social media. Pay attention to email feedback. These are rich sources of information about your audience’s wants, questions, and passion points.

Starting Your Research

Start by defining your topic or idea clearly. Consider what questions your audience may have or what problems they’re looking to solve. Once you’ve honed in on a specific theme, it’s time to gather information. Start by exploring reputable sources such as industry publications, academic journals, and reliable websites. Take notes, highlight key points, and collect relevant data that will add value to your content. Don’t forget to leverage different mediums like podcasts, videos, and infographics to gain a comprehensive understanding of your topic. Remember, thorough research is the foundation upon which compelling and informative blog posts are built.

Experimenting with Effective Research Methods

Here are some research methods and techniques to explore.

• Review: Review existing research to build a solid foundation for your blog posts. Summarize and explain the research, giving your audience context and background.
• Surveys and interviews: Talk with your audience or industry experts through surveys or interviews.
• Observational research: Explore real-world events or behaviors. This can help you create original content and is especially effective for topics such as social trends, user behavior, or market dynamics.

Translating Your Research into Engaging Content

Your research is a gold mine of information, but how you present it makes all the difference. Storytelling can explain complex ideas in a relatable way, holding your audience’s attention from start to finish. Weave your data and insights into compelling stories. Aim for clarity and simplicity. Break down complicated ideas into small chunks for your readers.

You can also break up text and make your points with images, charts, and infographics. Visual aids add aesthetic appeal and make information more digestible and memorable.

Citing Sources and Providing References

Always tell your readers where the research came from. By citing sources, you’ll maintain credibility. 

Always credit the original authors or creators of any data, ideas, or quotes you use. This builds trust with your audience and can also help you avoid legal issues. When possible, link to your sources. This allows readers to learn more and shows your content is authentic.

Presenting Your Findings

The structure of your content matters. Structure makes content effective and readable. Use headings and subheadings to guide readers through the content. Bullet points can highlight key ideas or summarize important points.

Lead your audience smoothly from the introduction through the body to the end. Remember to add examples or case studies. These real-life stories improve your points and make complex points easier for the reader to understand.

Review and Revision

This is the final step before publishing your blog post. It is as critical as the research and writing. Review and revise your content so that it presents accurate and credible information. It’s important to be meticulous. Fine-tune your story to make sure your message is effective. Publish work that is free of errors.

Conducting Self-Revision and Peer Review

The review and revision stage will make your blog post the best it can be. Check that research is correct, points are easy to understand, and your writing is clear and compelling. 

• Self-revision: After completing your draft, take a break to clear your mind. Return with fresh eyes. This can help you spot errors or areas that need clarification.
• Peer review: Get feedback from friends, colleagues, or even your audience. This can give you new views of your work. They may find gaps in your logic, confusing sections, or have extra questions that your post can answer.
• Use feedback: Constructive criticism is a goldmine for improvement. Use the feedback you get thoughtfully. Refine your post to make it clearer and more engaging. Remember, the goal is to make your content informative and reader-friendly.

In conclusion, mastering the art of research helps you create content that engages and enlightens your audience. Use research, find good sources, and turn facts into fun stories. Try some of these techniques to turn your content into a reliable and respected source for loyal readers.