As someone who’s been blogging for a while, I want to give you some helpful advice for making your blog better in 2024.
While it might seem easy to start a blog, turning it into something really successful takes learning some key skills. From writing interesting posts to making sure people can find your blog online, there are some important things to know.
Let’s talk about the most essential skills you need to make your blog stand out this year.
Content Outline
10 essential blogging skills to become a pro blogger
1. Content Writing Skills
The key to making money with your blog is to give your audience something really valuable. And the best way to do that is through your content.
If you write interesting, helpful, and original articles, people will keep coming back to your blog, and you’ll have a better chance of making money from it. That’s why it’s important to become a good writer.
Try writing something every day, even if it’s just for yourself. Read other successful blogs and books to learn how to write better.
It might seem obvious, but a lot of people starting blogs need to remember about this. You don’t have to be a professional writer to start a blog, but you should know some basics.
Use simple words that everyone can understand, write in a friendly and conversational style, and keep your articles around 2,000 words or more, as longer articles do better in search engines like Google.
If you want to get better at writing content for your blog, try using a tool like Jasper. It’s an AI writing tool that can help you create content automatically. My team at Affiliate Bay has been trying and getting good results.
2. CSS and HTML Skills
You don’t need to be a WordPress expert to start a successful blog, but it’s helpful to know some basic HTML coding. This includes things like linking images, adding alt tags, and using headings correctly.
WordPress is user-friendly and doesn’t require coding skills, but understanding these basics can help you troubleshoot any issues that come up.
Even though blogging platforms offer ready-made themes, you can customize your blog to match your brand. Knowing HTML and CSS basics is useful for this. It’ll help you create a unique look for your site and stand out from the crowd.
3. Networking Skills
Networking is a valuable skill for bloggers. It allows you to connect with many other bloggers and can help increase traffic and sales on your website. Even though blogging might seem like a solo activity, you’ll still need to interact with your readers regularly.
By understanding what they’re interested in, you can create posts that they find relevant. For instance, if your blog is about personal finance, you might write about the best credit card deals for different types of people.
Networking is a valuable skill for bloggers. It allows you to connect with many other bloggers and can help increase traffic and sales on your website. Even though blogging might seem like a solo activity, you’ll still need to interact with your readers regularly.
By understanding what they’re interested in, you can create posts that they find relevant. For instance, if your blog is about personal finance, you might write about the best credit card deals for different types of people.
4. Follow-up Skills
To keep your readers interested, it’s important to post new content regularly, at least three times a week. Fresh content grabs their attention. When you ask a question, make sure to respond to readers’ answers quickly.
This keeps the conversation going and keeps readers engaged. You need to be active on your blog every day to keep readers interested and involved.
In addition to replying to comments on your blog, it’s also helpful to reach out to other bloggers. Building connections with fellow bloggers in your niche can improve your blogging skills and expand your network.
5. Photo Editing Skills
Adding images to your blog posts can make a big difference. They catch people’s attention, especially on social media, and can help your blog get noticed more.
Even though blogs mostly have lots of text, adding images can help break up the text and make your posts more interesting.
Use images like your business logo or ones that fit with what you’re writing about. You don’t need to be an expert in programs like Adobe InDesign or Photoshop to edit images.
Most blogging platforms have simple editing tools built in, like cropping or resizing.
Nowadays, many AI tools for editing images are available, making the process easier and more accessible for bloggers. Tools like Canva, Pixlr, and BeFunky offer a range of features to enhance and edit images without the need for advanced technical skills.
Canva is popular for its user-friendly interface and extensive library of templates, making it easy to create professional-looking graphics and edit photos. Pixlr offers powerful editing capabilities similar to traditional photo editing software, including tools for cropping, resizing, and adding filters. BeFunky is another versatile tool with a variety of editing options, including photo retouching and collage-making.
These AI-powered tools simplify the image editing process, allowing bloggers to enhance their visual content quickly and effectively without the need for advanced software or technical expertise.
6. Social Networking Skills
Social media is becoming just as important as traditional SEO for driving traffic to your blog. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great for reaching a wider audience and getting more people to read your content.
It’s important to learn how to use these platforms effectively, as networking and engaging with others can help you gain more readers.
You can also promote your blog by sharing links on your Facebook or Twitter pages. Social media sites are viral, meaning that people who like your blog can easily share it with their friends, helping you reach even more potential readers quickly.
The best way to learn how to use social media is by creating profiles and experimenting with different strategies. You can also read “how-to” books, but it’s important to put what you learn into practice.
7. Marketing skills
One big reason why some bloggers succeed quickly is because they’re good at selling. Learning how to promote and market your blog, products, or services is key to building a loyal audience.
Here are some simple yet amazing tips to improve your marketing skills as a blogger:
- Connect with influencers in your niche and promote their content. This can lead to them promoting your stuff, which can boost your blog’s traffic and sales.
- Read more books, especially ones about marketing, psychology, and business. They can give you great ideas on what to do and what to avoid.
- Don’t take rejection personally. It’s common in marketing. If people are interested in something other than buying your products or hiring you, figure out why and learn from it. That’s how you become a successful marketer in any field.
8. The art of selling
The best way to become really good at blogging is to learn how to sell effectively. But you shouldn’t sound like you’re just trying to make a sale. Being genuine is key. If you’re promoting products, you can show that you’re an expert by using affiliate disclosures or sharing testimonials.
Here are some tips to help you become an expert at selling online:
- Be genuine and think like an expert: Show that you’re authentic and knowledgeable. If you’re promoting affiliate products, use disclosures or share testimonials to prove your expertise.
- Learn from the pros: Look at successful bloggers like Neil Patel or Pat Flynn to see how they sell online. Pay attention to how they close deals and promote their products.
- Read more: To improve your online selling read books about marketing, psychology, and business. Books like “Influence,” “Give And Take,” and “The One Thing” can teach you how to sell like a pro.
9. Understand the “emotional triggers” of your audience
One of the most important skills for bloggers is knowing who they’re selling to. Without understanding your target audience and what makes them want to buy things online, it’s hard to make money.
Here are some quick tips to help you understand and define your target audience:
Take time to consider all the products and services you offer on your website. This will help you determine who will be interested in them.
Look at your competitors to see who their customers are. This can give you an idea of who your target audience might be.
Conduct surveys on your website or use social media and email lists to gather information about your audience.
Determine the demographics of your target audience, such as their age, gender, education, income, and language preferences.
Understanding the emotional triggers of your audience is also important. Here’s how you can do it using the AIDA framework:
- Attention: Grab your visitor’s attention with something interesting on your website.
- Interest: Make sure the information you provide is interesting and memorable.
- Desire: Create a strong desire for your products or services by making them seem irresistible.
- Action: Encourage your visitors to take action, whether it’s buying a product, subscribing to your email list, or visiting your website again.
By understanding your audience and their emotional triggers, you can create content and marketing strategies that are more effective and appealing to them.
10. Negotiation skills
If there’s one skill you need to focus on to make more money as a blogger, it’s learning how to negotiate with others. As a blogger or marketer, you’ll often find yourself negotiating with different people.
Negotiation skills can help you in various ways:
Getting your guest posts accepted on top-quality blogs.
Getting better deals with affiliate products, you promote when you talk to affiliate managers.
Making more money overall.
Building better connections with influencers in your niche.
Here are some simple tips to improve your negotiation skills as a blogger:
Listen more than you talk. Understanding others’ emotions and pain points can help you negotiate better.
Aim high when pitching. Don’t be afraid to ask for more than you think you deserve.
Show results and expertise. If you can demonstrate your success and skills, people will be more willing to pay you what you’re worth.
It will boost your blogging career and help you earn more money if you master negotiation skills.
FAQs
❓What are the top 3 blogging skills I need to become an expert blogger?
Communication skills Technical skills (such as coding or properly using SEO tools) Selling skills (knowing how to sell without sounding like a salesperson)
👀What are the top blogging tips for 2024?
Learn how to write like a pro. Master keyword research. Understand proper on-page optimization. Analyze competitor sites to stay ahead.
🧐What’s the best blogging platform for beginners?
WordPress.org is highly recommended for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and extensive features. Other platforms like Blogger and Joomla are available, but WordPress.org is often preferred for its flexibility and scalability.
Quicklinks
- 10+ Best Blogging Platforms to Make Money
- 50+ Blogging Statistics and Facts
- 10 Best Affiliate Programs For Bloggers
- 10 Best Anonymous Blogging Platforms
Final Thoughts
Every successful blogger started as a beginner and made mistakes along the way while learning blogging skills to grow their income, audience, and traffic. Practice is key to mastering any skill, and success comes with time and effort.
It’s important not to compare your beginning to someone else’s peak. Instead, focus on one skill at a time, work on it until you master it, and then move on to the next. This approach will help you become successful in any field, including blogging.
What other blogging skills do you think are important for success?
Let me know in the comments below.
