Follow Expert Examples and Become a Better Blogger

Being a new blogger is a daunting challenge. You’re starting from scratch, with no experience, and competing against bloggers who’ve been building authority and expertise for years. Fortunately, there are also a few crucial benefits. No matter what type of blog you want to build, odds are someone else has already done it. Top bloggers have spent countless man hours perfecting their blogs through trial and error. Why not take advantage of that hardwork by following their example?
One mistake many bloggers make is relying solely on what’s been written about blogging. There is a wealth of great information on how to build a successful blog, but only a small percentage of bloggers openly share their best techniques. There will always be specific questions that you can’t find an answer to. Actions speak louder than words. Instead of merely learning from what top bloggers say, you can learn by studying what they do.
Want to know how to optimally structure your blog for search engines? Look over top SEO blogs like SEOmoz and ProNet Advertising.
Want to know what a usable, eye pleasing design looks like? Checkout out 43Folders and kottke.org.
Want to learn how to write indepth articles that challenge readers to improve themselves? Start reading Steve Pavlina.
Want to master consistency, post frequency, and personal branding? Pay attention to Seth Godin, Hugh MacLeod, and Darren Rowse.
I could go on forever but you get the point. Just reading these great blogs isn’t enough. You need to look beneath the surface with a discerning eye. Nothing the best bloggers do is an accident. Every detail, from appearance to post frequency, has been meticulously perfected.
To become a better blogger, you need to stop being an ordinary reader and become a student of blogging. I recommend picking a few blogs that you’d like to emulate and doing an indepth examination of their sites. Remember, no detail is too small. Try to understand the reasons why they to do what they do, and you’ll be that much closer to becoming an A-Lister.