1 – They Blog On A Consistent Basis
Successful bloggers are not on again off again bloggers. They pick a posting frequency and they stick to it no matter what. If you’re going to do a new blog post everyday, then make sure you do a new blog post everyday. If you don’t think you can handle that level of posting, then pick a number that you can handle.
It is better to post once per week on a consistent basis than once per day and then nothing for a week after. If you’re new to blogging, I recommend you start with one to three posts per week and work up to a level that you’re comfortable with. You should always work up the post frequency and never work down. If you do have to work down, then do it very slowly.
2 – They Are Passionate About Their Topic
If you’re not passionate about the topic you’re blogging about, then you’re going to have a really hard time growing the blog. Blogs attract like-minded people and they will see right through you if you’re just in it for the money.
Being passionate about what you blog about makes it easier to keep up with the industry – you want to find out what is happening in your niche because it’s your passion and not because it may make you money. I started this blog with no intention of making money from it. For the first eight months of the blog’s life, it made zero and its traffic was just a few hundred readers per day. Yet, I updated the blog an average of over two posts per day during that period. You cannot do that unless you are passionate about your topic.
3 – They Interact With Their Readers
A blog is not a one-way street. In addition to providing information, a blog is a communication tool between the blogger and his readers. Successful bloggers interact with their readers. They answer reader emails and comments and they ask for feedback.
Interacting with your readers build trust and loyalty. It makes you more approachable. My biggest fear is some readers would place me so high on a pedestal that they are scare to approach me. By keeping my blog on a light note and having fun with my postings, I feel I connect with the readers on a more personal level.
4 – They Give Out Lots Of Link Love
Successful bloggers don’t hoard their links. They don’t have a problem with linking to a PR0 blog. They put the concerns of their readers ahead of a Google ranking. If another blog has a good story or idea on the topics I cover, I don’t care what their PageRank is, I’m going to link to them.
Too many bloggers are caught up with SEO and link count. They only want high ranking blogs linking to them and won’t link to low ranking blogs. I’ve linked to hundred of brand new zero ranked blogs and who knows how many zero ranked blogs have linked to me. This blog is a PageRank 6. Some SEO guy told me if I would have been more careful about linking, I could have gotten a PageRank 7. My answer to that is, “People first, Google second.”
5 – They Know How To Brand Themselves
Successful bloggers know how to brand. Branding will separate your blog from the millions out there. The most unique thing about your blog is not the topic you’re writing about. What makes your blog stand out? The answer is simple – you! Your ability to promote and brand yourself will separate your blog from the pack.
Very few blogs have ever gotten big without some kind of tier one level press coverage. This doesn’t mean you need to hit the front page of the New York Times. You can turn any coverage into brand building material. I’ll have more on this in a future post.
Branding is one of the reasons I tell all bloggers to get their own domain name instead of going with a free service like Blogspot. You want to brand yourself, not them. Can you imagine Guy Kawasaki with a URL of GuyKawasaki.blogspot.com?
6 – They Are Good Writers
You do not have to be a great writer to have a successful blog but you do need to be good at getting your ideas across in an understandable manner. Most readers read blogs for information. They will forgive occasional grammar mistakes as long you can get your point across. If your readers are having troubling understanding what you’re trying to say then you need to improve your writing skills.
7 – They Read John Chow dot Com
This is 100% true! Successful bloggers read other successful blogger’s blog. I check out all the big name bloggers everyday to see what they are talking about. You are never too big to stop learning.
Did you enjoy this post? Get John Chow Dot Com updates via email...
Stay up to date with all of John Chow’s tips for making money online and blog posts by subscribing via email. Your email will be kept private and never shared with anyone.
One of the most common complaint (or excuse) I hear from potential new bloggers is they don’t know how to install WordPress. Terms like FTP and CPanel are like a foreign language and setting up a database might as well be setting up the space shuttle for a launch. Because of the technology barrier, many would-be bloggers never start their blogs...
{ 164 comments }
Nice tip, john, especially tips number 7. I learn a lot from your posting. Thanks..
I have realized that, while I do post everyday, I don’t always have time create detailed posts for my niche – I get really busy with work and end up post “filler” pieces….
As long as all your posts relate to each other somehow, I don’t see how “fillers” are a problem. Of course, even these so-called fillers need to have some valuable message or idea. Overall, you just want to put your personality and style across to your readers. Personally, I enjoy reading both high-quality researched posts and trivial run-of-the-mill stories in blogs…they make the blogger more, I don’t know, personable and relatable.
I’m with you on this one cheap. Some people dislike the posts that John makes that aren’t about making money on the web, but I do since it allows me to get to know John a bit better and get a better feel for what type of person he is.
For example I know he’s an individual who eats lobsters while they’re still moving, makes time to take his daughter to a play group and has wildly different views than I on what makes a nice car. Oh yeah, and he gets into rock fights…
WELL, I DON’T THINK HE ACTUALLY ATE IT, HE WAS JUST SHOWING IT OFF
They just keep coming and coming and coming…kind of like the energizer bunny…dunno if they’ll ever stop regardless of how many “fillers” are on this site.
The fact that John’s blog is successful, although he uses “filler” posts, is prove to me that fillers work.
Making quality posts take times, readers know & see that too. You can’t expect quality posts day after day.
That really makes me feel better, as I sometimes think that my filler posts could be of no interest for my readers.
The are, John’s blog is proof of it.
Just throw in a few shots of last nights dinner and you’re golden!
I have been in that situation too, Sometimes it is hard to find good posts, to post, as I want to post once a day, but also want my posts are good quality posts.
1) try to have a few posts ready for the days you don’t find anything
2) are you sure you write about a topic you’re passionate about? if you do it shouldn’t be a problem
3) listen to your readers: what do they want. i get my best idea’s from listening to the readers
AND I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WRITE SOMETHING ORIGINAL FOR MY BLOG
Just take a trip around the blogsphere and you’ll find some inspiration.
I’d say the topic of monetize blogs/making money online is being blogged to much.
You know what would make it a bit easier — widening your scope of topics just a little. John’s blog is a great example; sure, it’s a blog devoted to making money online, but he does interject some pretty interesting articles that may/may not have anything to do with how to make money online. While it is the major theme of the blog, he still talks about other relevant (and often times funny) topics as well (Kumiko’s pink cab — see what I mean?!?).
Slacker! Just kidding buddy. I think you do a great job when I’m there.
Well, can you tell me wht you have learnt reading posts in the ratio 3 review me posts to one real post?? Once in a while something of value comes up, other than that, this blog is all about making money alright… but making money for John Chow that is…
I’ve learned that he’s able to make money from following these steps. Would these tips be as valid if he then reported his earnings as $0?
I am talking about blog value, if you have a look at his post since last 2 months, you will see another stumbleupon kinda thing with this blog, nothing much of value to the reader but random reviews of some websites, i believe that people stick around for the contests and that all important top comment position…nuthing more..not that i have anything against johnchow.com, just that I have been enjoying this blog before he started going all out on making money.
Just another guy who is disappointed about not getting that value that this blog had some months back…
That’s unfortunately what happens when you change direction with a blog. You lose some of your old audience, but in exchange you gain some new readers. Given that his readership has gone up significantly and he’s lining his wallets with all the gold he’s bringing in, I’m sure John’s not regretting the change
Well, I might not have noticed the change had he done some good posts in between, so that the readers dont miss out on his expertise, like if he was doing 30 posts a month, then he can add another 50 reviewme posts a month, i dont mind him cashing in on that, but the prob. is if he did 30 earlier, now he is doing 40, out of which 30 are review me posts…anyone disagree? I know its content, but john, not many are interested in reading reviews about other site, unless they have something to do with making money online..thats your keyword john…are you filling in on that?
I think they would be, they just wouldnt be reaching as many people i.e. less feed subscribers
Any thoughts on moving from blogspot kumiko?
Once in a while something of value comes up, but knowing that you still visit the site.
That’s the beauty of John’s Blog: there are a lot of “filler” posts. But the quality posts are of such a quality (especially the total monthly earnings) that people keep coming back.
They are all great tips. Blogging on a consistent basis is most bloggers downfall. But being consistent is important in every field. I’ll just have to keep nagging John to include my review in his batch as he obivously doesn’t have time to read all his emails.
I’ve mailed him too. Still waiting for an answer.
Let’s be patient.
If patience doesn’t work, plan B.
Plan B: spam John.
Great tips,I think I have to start applying them immediately as there is no better person to learn from than the BEST.
THAT’S EXACTLY RIGHT.
JOHN HAS DONE REALLY FOR HIMSELF AND US WHO READ HIS BLOG
Awesome post and I completely agree. Branding is highly important… In fact, out of all the RSS feeds I’m subscribed to, not a single one is from blogspot. Also, its nice to see your section about people first, google second. You dont find that very much anymore and I congratulate you. Great post.
Those are 7 important habits. Especially section 6 is close to me. Because my native language is not english, I often think that how much grammar mistakes I do.
People first, that rules counts for every business.
John, I’m impressed. Despite making a ton of money off this blog last month, you’re still humble enough to admit there’s always more to learn. Keep up the great posts as well as the learning.
When one teach, two learns.
“3 – They Interact With Their Readers”
“5 – They Know How To Brand Themselves”
“6 – They Are Good Writers ”
You just summed up why I suck
being a good writer can be learned. It is a skill that you can learn and enhance not a talent.
Writing more will surely improve your writing technique. Don’t also forget to read more to learn how good writers construct their articles.
Thanks
That’s why I read :
“7 – They Read John Chow dot Com”
and for the people who visit it and there interesting comments
reading is the best way to learn proper writing skills. As Voluntary says, good writing is not a talent, it’s a skill. Great writing is a talent, but as John mentioned, being good is plenty.
the trick is to believe in your writing.
A good book on writing is “On Writing Well”. Check Amazon, one of the most famous books on the topic.
Once you trust your writing, it becomes easier.
exaxtly.
1) write a lot, on daily basis
2) read a lot
writing is a skill that can be learned. the more you write, the better you become.
english is not my mother language. I have to check & recheck everything i read for grammar & syntax errors. but the more i write, the better i become.
I can attest to this. I’ve been doing those stuff and just after 2 months of launching http://www.chinoyray.com I am doing better compared to other blogs.
Excellent post John. Very well thought out and 100% true!
Hello John, I think this is the first time I made a comment on your blog though I read it everyday – I even subscribe it in technorati to ensure I don’t missed any of your informational and useful post. Great work and I’ve learn a lot from your blog. In fact I always implement your suggestion into my blogs. Hey, I even get Kontera approval through your name.. Wow! That is the kind of blogger I wish I could be.. TQ..
Malaysian? I’m acress the causeway, Singapore
Hello
I like the last reason
If I read this blog, I’m on the way of my success, I guess
Well, you’re 1/7th of the way to success
hehe 6 more to go
GOOOD POST JOHN
I WILL HELP MANY NEW BLOGGERS OUT THERE TO LEARN HOW TO BLOG
yep it’s a good post to start!
7 is with a bit of arrogance (nah!
) but it is completely true logically. to be at the top, you need to know how others did it to get there and just build up on it. 
Very true, something a lot of people dont tend to ‘waste their time on’ though…
No, I don’t think it’s arrogance. John has developed a very successful blog in a short time. That is a fantastic accomplishment.
I think it is more of an example, he reads other blogs to learn just like everyone else.
Nah…it’s know as this little thing called evil
yep evil, John’s style
it’s not arrogant, it’s John’s style
good post john
posting frequency is something i definately think seperates good blogs from bad. i checked out some sites through reviewme recently and some of them hadn’t been updated for over a month
I actually really like the title…take something that’s popular and relate it to blogging…with your own twist ofcourse.
i don’t think those site will be updated more in the future
lol John Tip 7 For The Win
Very Nice Tips
Dear Chow,
Honest articles! It is gratifying that there still are people of principles.
Wish you all Goodness.
Regards
I think there are more than you think…but be weary of “evil” blogger
8. Never forget your roots. Change is good. But it’s important to remember why people started reading your blog in the first place.
We all know what happens to those bands whose second CD takes a big turn in the wrong direction.
Solid post John!
Write for the people. Give them the content. Never monetize if it makes the content less accessible to your readers.
No readers == no money!
Dear Chow,
Great articles !Honest opinions ! Feels as a treasure !
Wish you all Goodness.
Regards
Of all the above rules, passion is the most important. If you have passion, you will definitely achieve success.
I also think that passion is the most important.
1) bloggin won’t be perceived as working
2) your writing will come out better
3) easier to find topics to blog about
You forgot
#8) stop writing comments in John Chow’s blog and write posts in your own
haha true true
Number 7 that is very true
THoughtful post.
Dotcom Doctor – you are correct. Psssion is the most important thing. Passion for blogging is what a new blogger needs to make his blog stand out from other blogs.
Thanx
Haroon
passion is natural, passion can not be faked.
If you have a passion, blogging about will always work.
Awesome post…another John Chow Classic…totally makes it worth reading your blog. Thanks John !!
I launched my blog a week ago after sitting around for an eternity. I got a minor digg that resulted in me finishing the week with about 100 uniques. Obviously it’s nothing to brag about but it’s better than 10.
Most importantly, though, is that I used your blogging tips to publish every day at all costs. Granted, I’ve only been at it a week, but thanks to the stuff I’ve read here, I didn’t have to do any writing all weekend because they were written during the week and timestamped to go live later. Thanks John!
Timestamp option in wordpress is great!
I like Pink color
unique car
All very true, great post.
where’s my link love??
oh wait here it is!
Number 7 is such a hit because hey, here we all are LOL. Seriously though, very well said Mr Chow — I agree on all six, I mean seven LOL.
I agree with you on the blogspot bit here John. Except, that I’m not going to be another Guy Kawasaki…I’m going to be the first Kumiko Suzuki – someone who manages to make money on a free blog!
I thought blogspot.com didn’t give you as much liberty for monetizing your blog compared to hosting it yourself?
hi John
what a grrreat post!!!!!
I have a free blog on blogspot and a website with domain (laketrees1.com)any advice re: changing over my blog to own domain would be very much appreciated (ie if you have time…)
thank you and regards
Kim (laketrees)
your own domain is certainly better than blogspot for monetizing purpose & branding.
yup se7en deadly tips for all bloggers to follow to be ‘successful’!
And yup I’ve followed them to the tee, John. Thanks! My blog became a PR4 recently thanks to you!
PR 4 nice! good work!
1. Consistent blogging – still couping up.
2. Passion on the blogged topics – this is the subject that I am lecturing, should be ok.
3. Interact with readers – occasionally
4. Give out lots of link love – will do
5. Branding – ermmmm, will think about it
6. Good writers – still learning and practising
7. Read your blog – of course
I’d say number 2 is most important. if you got that right, you’ll be ok by practicing the rest.
Being new to blogging these look like top tips! IVe been aiming to one post per day and waas thinking to crate a large batch at once and time stamp them!
Andy
that’s a good idea.
I need to write every day to practice my writing skill. If you don’t have that problem, use the timestamp!
I WILL EYE AN EYE ON YOU KUMI
Nice tips John..
Please visit my blog (http://wallpics.blogspot.com/) and give me some tips..
No you visit John Chow’s blog & read his tips!
I’d like to offer #8, Don’t give up. I’ve had my site for more than five years and for the first four, I was averaging 20 unique hits a day. I’m glad now that I never quit.
4 years to get 20 uniques a day? my god that’s long!
The highlight of your article for me was your comment:
4 – They Give Out Lots Of Link Love
I completely agree with your thought ‘Readers first, Google second’.
Bloggers should always be putting their readers first, that is one of the reasons why I provide a full link back for everyone that leaves a comment on my blog (I have removed the ‘nofollow’ attribute).
- Martin Reed
Yeah, great and TRUE point if I may say so. A blog is what it is because of its readers. Without them, it’s just a bunch of boxed-up words that could mean everything to the writer but absolutely nothing to the rest of the world.
link love is good.
client first, in every business this is the first rule for success.
That’s some great advice John and Angela that’s a keep point. Persistence is key.
persistence is certainly key to success!
I agree. Good advice.
Now, the branding part is tricky. But maybe the content will take care of itself. I recommend that people keep checking out their keyword status using
ShoeMoney.com’s Serp tool.
that’s a good tool. Tnx for the link!
Good article John.
I try to post at least one article a day. Some topics I cover more often than others.
Right now I’m on a big kick covering the new Pokemon games. Some of my regular readers do not care for the Pokemon articles but I like them and they garner a ton of comments from NEW readers.
New readers are always a plus
Niche topics are also great for things like CTR.
It might not interest your regular readers, but you can not please everybody.
I write advanced articles & beginners articles. Regulars don’t like the beginners articles, but everybody has been a beginner that’s what I think.
Give something for everybody.
#1 is generally my downfall. I have been blogging on and off since 1998 – imagine if I had kept one blog going since then! Instead I have hopped from one blog topic to another, but I’ve just set up a new blog and am determined to keep at it. Your advice helps. Thanks for the tips!
well you learned your lesson, that’s what counts. you can still succeed right now!
Great article, you’re right too, I read your blog everyday, problogger and a few others…
problogger & john chow, the perfect combo for making money online.
“4 – They Give Out Lots Of Link Love”
Link love is good, but the best kind is really when you quote someone in the context of an article for relevancy’s sake rather than featuring a batch post with 10 links.
hah, well that’s another topic.
John’s way of being evil
You saved the best for LAST.
Number 7 is the best habit of all.
I love the seventh
This is best post in weeks, and I do not mean the other were not good, but this one is really good, thanks!
Of course it’s the best post: it’s about making money online using blogging
I swear this post has been navigating the blogosphere. It is becoming a meme. Allister Cameron posted about this a couple weeks ago.
Well try reading 10 books on a topic: you won’t find much new after 3 books.
Difficult to write new things about blogging. The main principles have already been covered.
They turn on their email subscription options in Feedburner so that their stalkers won’t have to ask:
“Did John put up a new post yet? I’d better check my feed reader again…”
Wow, nice update, updates like this make me think about changing my attitude about you a little. I just hope you do practice what you preach on the people first rule. I dont see that you abide by rule 3 much, but maybe other readers have had different experiences with you.
Thank you, this was very useful to a new blogger like myself.
GJ
http://www.60in3.com
Yes, got #7 down! lol
As Borat says…. Veeery niice
content content content…you’ve said it from the beginning and its so true
content > branding > traffic > monetize
hello john and everybody.
while i was reading i felt most of this thigs you said like obvious, but every time i make my things on blogging or when a read on successful bloggers, i figure out that i forget those things oftenly.
it´s good to recall all those things and have an order whith them.
thanks for the article.
Yeah, most of them are pretty elementary, aren’t they, but we’re a forgetful species; it’s definitely nice to be reminded of these things from time to time.
knowledge is power, but only if applied!
Great tips there!
I read John Chow dot Com and enjoy every second!
Such good advice, thank you!
I have become to realize a lot of the money I’ve earned some people say I’m successful and say wow but I’m still waiting where I have the option to quit my job!
What if you quit now? wouldn’t it be easier to earn more money?
The first 6 tips are cool, but seventh one is excellent
I am in the middle of reading 7 habits of highly successful people. I am developing my blogging skills and believe this site is a great resource. Thanks
try also the law of success and think & grow rich.
i agreee interacting with the community is very important..ya like becoming active at MyBlogLog…also helping people out is a big one….its spread the word slowly but surely
that’s not the law of attraction but the law of retaliation: help people they will help you.
Thats alot of comments..I think a good post speaks for itself !
the road to the top commentators is long
Your 7 habits make me look a terrible blogger. I think I need to improve on habit #7 and #4. I never link to anybody. I guess i need to start doing it. Anybody want to receive links? hehe. ask me. Also, #7 i need to read other people blogs more often. I know I should but im too lazy.
Thank you for your comments in #4.
Ever thought of writing an e-book (or an actual book for that matter), John? You must have started on an autobiography of some kind. If you haven’t I suggest that you do; a lot of your “fans” (those who already are and those who haven’t realized it yet) are going to be thrilled when that comes out.
Habit
Get a decent server that can handle your traffic 
very cool list!
yeah, it’s not easy to get into top commentator place with a server that can’t handle my comment rate
Thanks very much John! Excellent article. I’ve been having a hard time creating consistant content for my new blogs and these tips should help quite a bit. Thanks again.
i mean habit 8
As a fairly new blogger (been at it just over two months now) I’m still finding I’m learning lots of new stuff everyday. Posts like this are really informative and make a lot of sense.
I’m trying to do all those things and shall see how I do with them. Thanks for some interesting tips!
John’s posts have helped a lot of us in so many ways. The best thing about it is that whether you’ve been at it for years or just starting, we are all learning from this guy.
I think branding and interacting with your readers are important. However, I think you need to go a step beyond and interact with the community. Other bloggers, forums, bookmarking sites are all places with people that have similar interests. Great way to bring traffic home.
interacting with readers are a good way to know what kind of topics you readers want.
when it comes down to increasing traffic, cooperation is key.
True on all counts! I especially like to encourage newbie bloggers to develop a style all of their own and not to try to be all things to all people.
Uniqueness stands out — something that sets the average blogger apart from the 71 million or so bloggers out there.
exactly.
differentiate: enough make money online blogs have been made. write about your passion.
Totally agreed with you. For that reason i’m bloggin on the Topic which i’m really interest/passionate in… i.e: about Beading.
I’m a Beading Enthusiast BTW.
Like the seven habits of the most effective people – Stephen Covey even this is good….hopefully Stephen can read this.
I’ve read that book — I guess John was able to capture his sentiments by using lesser (yet equally as effective) words.
Posting frequency is a tough one. I usually keep some of the lower quality posts that a write in backup in case I can make a post one day. Still try to keep the crap to content ratio right though.
350 dollars of Adsense Revenue in the first month? You must have filled your blog with content before going live? Or do you also have some magic tricks to arrange traffic to your blog?
Please fill me in, because this is MY first month, love to make a start like that
Great!! Now I know where to start with me review of your blog
Do you know that persistence is needed in order to be successful bloggers ? Do the same things every day…
I am lazy once in a while.
“People first, Google second”
I like this. I understand why so many bloggers out there admire you so much.
Love your 7 habits. It’s validation that I’m finally on the right track. Thanks John.
You must get together with Stephen Covey and collaborate on a new book!
I just wrote a piece on “How to Drive Traffic to Your Website or Blog – Part 2?”. I will include this article as a link love back to you.
Thank you for the great advice. You can find my article here.
http://www.edithyeung.com/2007/05/10/how-to-drive-traffic-to-your-website-or-blog-%e2%80%93-part-2/
Quoted from Tip #4:
So I wonder could you link to my blog?
Of course I will link to your blog too…
Nice tips
I will surely add our blog to my favorites.
thx
great article you are truly helping me become abetter blogger I just started aand I feel so excited thanks
Participating to the problogger contest?