Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Stand Out

If the A to Z Challenge is going well for you lots of new people have visited your blog. What have you done to make sure your blog Stands Out?

People will come back again and again to your blog if you offer them quality content. Are your posts helpful in someway? Is your content entertaining? Do you write with a unique voice or is your content something different? What reason have you given visitors to return to your blog?

What are some other ways to Stand Out? Perhaps you provide lots of links to great sites. Perhaps you do a mix of announcements, reviews and other interesting tidbits. You might offer expert advice on promotion, finding reviews or the writing process.

What kind of things make a blog Stand Out to you? Have you found some outstanding blogs during the challenge you intend to visit again and again? How does your blog Stand Out?

Don't forget to visit the IWSG Facebook page and enjoy the links. You can find my blog at Susan Says where I'll be sharing world building tips.

Susan Gourley writes epic fantasy and also write romance as Susan Kelley.

20 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I try to give them a variety.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I sometimes find it can just be a matter of "clicking" with a certain blog or blogger - maybe it's content or writing style or sense of humor - something that speaks to me that I might not even be able to put my finger on. :)

stu said...

For me, it's just whether the content and voice are interesting to me. I make a point of only following those I actually want to read, rather than following because people have followed me.

Anonymous said...

Alex - you definitely give us variety!

I don't think I do anything too unique. But, my subject matter is quite different and I'd say my voice is also strong. In a kind way =P

Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. some people's blogs I find fascinating .. I love information and am glad when I'm kept informed of the goings on with publishing etc ...

I love food - but I get bored with food blogs per se ...

I guess as the others have said - the content, the voice are so important and then that interaction and communication with fellow bloggers - where we become 'friends' and relate to each other ...

I try and make my posts 'interesting' - ie add photos, and make the paragraphs pretty short - so they are relatively easy to read. I'd have liked to have added some colour to the posts this year - but failed to get there ... to highlight the different subjects touched on ..

Cheers Hilary

Robin said...

They are getting something different every day. I don't know. Am I standing out? ::scratches head::

Pat Hatt said...

The cat is unique and as crazy as can be

Michael Di Gesu said...

I like voice... personality and interesting subject matter. I like to learn things.

As for me, I like to entertain. I'm featuring intros to new books. I put my own spin on them to entice the reader....

Hopefully it's working...

Julie Flanders said...

I'm with Madeline, I find sometimes I just click with people. It's very difficult to stand out in the sea of blogs out there.

cleemckenzie said...

My blog is about writing, but I go off on tangents about other things as they happen or are of interest to me.

I started blogging because my publisher said so. They were right, but I didn't expect to enjoy it or find connections with people as I have.

Now I blog because I want to, not because I have to, and I think that change is reflected in what I post about and how I do it. I was terrible at first. Now a little better and learning how to improve all the time.

Chrys Fey said...

I think my posts might stand out because of the advice and tips I give about writing. I also try to offer a lot of inspiration. :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Susan,

I have enjoyed your posts about world-building, so I guess yours has stood out. I enjoy a variety of subjects, so I've come across some interesting blogs on the Challenge.

LittleCely said...

I'm a random person and I thought I would lose interest in writing a blog if I had to focus on one sole theme when I'm interested in a variety.

As for other blogs, I've started following quite a few (including yours Susan!). There just has to be that special something that makes me want to come back.

LittleCely's Blog

Birgit said...

I love creating cards so if I see beautiful cards (to me) I will become a follower. If they are following me and have always been gracious i will follow them and if the writing interests me. Some are just so wonderful-actually most are

Christine Rains said...

Wonderful post. I review books, promote other authors, and do one post a week on writing. (Well, not this month with the A to Z going on!) I also share a bit about myself as a geek mom. It's an important part of who I am and I love to connect to other geeky parents just as much as I do with writers and readers.

Michelle Stanley said...

Great post with good suggestions. I try to make my blog appealing, with reviews, stories, and anything that inspires me to write at the time. I like to read other blog posts, and have learned a few ideas from some.
AtoZer http://www.writer-way.blogspot.com

simple girl..... said...

I have thought about it but could not come to an answer..

Michelle Wallace said...

It's not always dependent on the blog standing out. Quite often it starts off with the blog, but then you connect with the person behind the blog!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

It certainly is a different world than it was for the last generation of writers. Amazes me at how much talent is out there. Blogging is not easy. I know I'm feeling stressed. Great post, Susan.

Anonymous said...

Personally I'll leave an initial comment if the post is thought provoking in some way (whether useful, or a different perspective) or if it's amusing or I like the voice of the writer.

So far though what has kept me coming back is interaction through the comment section. I've met a few people now who I've had small conversations with going back and forth in the comment section - building that connection with the person behind the blog has done a lot more for me returning again and again to their blog than anything else.