There are a bunch of us Senioggers out there. We may be long-timers, but we’re still kickin’ as long as we’re sittin’!
Most of you know that I’m in my twilight blogger years, having just entered my (gulp) fifth year of blogging.
That makes me:
1. older
2. way behind on important things I should have doing these past four years
3. extremely comfortable sharing the intimate details of my personal life and bodily functions with people I don’t really know
4. wiser (which seems kind of counterintuitive given #2 and #3, but hey, what the heck)
5. older
With all this blogging under my fingertips, you’d think I’d know exactly how to blog like a champ.
You’d be wrong.
Good thing I’m wise enough to read an article about how to blog effectively while my eyesight is still intact.
Just using the most up-to-date, accurate equipment to make sure all systems are operating at peak performance for my age.
I’m also wise enough not to repeat everything in that article, which would be cheating and way too easy.
No, I’ll “summarize” it for you, giving you examples of what not to do so you can learn by the very effective teaching technique of negative reinforcement (only without the shock treatments). You’re totally welcome.
Look! Now you can have this totally safe treatment in the comfort of your home! And no wonder most of us are living past 40. Mystery solved.
A Blog That’s Double Bomb Hoopy (Really Good)…
1. …Has Personality. That means you have to put you, yourself, and, um, uh, you in each post.
Readers don’t want just to read quotes or stuff from other people. They can get that on Facebook or Pinterest or whatever.
Authenticity. Voice. Put your real deal stuff out there, People. (Don’t take that last sentence out of context. I’m not a perv.)
2. …Uses an Intelligible Lexicon. Ha! Gottcha! That means you should use simple language.
What’s the fun in that? I say creatify as many wordicatures as possible.
But that’s me and my blog has only been Freshly Pressed once–my very first post. Go figure. I thought WordPress welcomed all new bloggers with that nice, generous “Hey, Everyone! Look who’s come to join us! Let’s make her feel welcomed.” I sure felt welcomed. Not so much since then…
Speaking as one of the WordPress OverLords, I don’t know why this Lorna person continues to mewl about being Freshly Pressed only once. Who does she think she is anyway? Someone special? Piffle!
Anyway. The article says don’t try to pique impress your readers with $10 words when $1 words will suffice do.
3. ….Keeps Content Simple and Visually Appealing. Lists are good.
No long paragraphs.
Maybe you should write in complete sentences.
Maybe not.
Pictures should relate to content…if possible.
It’s not always possible.
4. …Has Focus. I suppose you should stick to one topic and not veer off on tangents.
Sometimes tangents are fun. Don’t you think tangents can be fun?
Um, er, I don’t remember that kind of tangent being very fun…
Who wants to be an old stick in the cement and stay on topic? I did enough of that in my college essays. Sheesh! What happened to joy?
Oh. Yes. We want your blog to be effective. Okay. Focus. Got it?
5. …Is Edited as if You Truly Care. Don’t write just the first draft and hit “Publish.” I know it’s tempting and satisfying, but it’s also embarrassing.
People might think you were drunk (or hungover or high or sleep-deprived) when you wrote your post. If you want people to think that, well, okay. But most of us are trying to project that not-altered-state image. Editing helps us do that.
Not totally, but it helps.
Readers see lots of typos and think that you’re sloppy or have a brain injury. I know it’s not fair, but I they do. So check your work…a lot.
You never know when some publisher, agent or online magazine scout will stumble across your blog. You don’t wnat them to readd ths.
6. …Have Lists of 5 items. They are perfect. (I added that one.)
*****
There you go.
Your blogs should attract a whole bunch of attention if you follow the above advice.
If not, I’d say your content could use a tweak, and you should pay more attention to reading and responding to other people’s’ blogs. Being an active member of the blogging community gets you noticed.
That article failed to mention anything about meaningful content or seriously engaging in the blogging community.
I think those two elements of blogging are pretty darned important, don’t you?
Take your time. Relax. Think about your answer. I’m in no rush…yet.
Lorna's Voice 
Jun 28, 2015 @ 11:16:06
You’re a sweetheart! ❤
Jun 26, 2015 @ 15:54:57
You’re an inspiration to us newbies. Trust my next 5 years will have tales to tell and wisdom to share as I glean from the best. You stick around too.
Jun 26, 2015 @ 12:50:31
So glad you returned, Emilie! Yes, I’m still here plugging away. Time flies when you’re having whatever I’m having. 😉 So many bloggers who were around when I first dipped my toe into this big WP pond have drifted away. And many more have joined in. It’s an ebby and flowy crowd for sure! But everyone seems to be kind, gracious and welcoming. Definitely my kind of people! I guess that’s what keeps me hanging around… Have fun getting back into the blog groove! 🙂
Jun 25, 2015 @ 14:06:27
I have been delighted again after being away from blogging for several years but I did find you, Lorna. My skills are a bit rusty but my passion is still there. My other blog was “Reflections” which I hope I can remember my password…and continue. Enjoying you always.
Jun 02, 2015 @ 07:20:50
Ha! I know what you mean.
Jun 01, 2015 @ 12:37:54
That’s so sweet of you to say. If only I could take my own advice… 😉
May 29, 2015 @ 16:01:02
You’re also extremely funny and creative!
May 22, 2015 @ 10:46:10
If I really knew what I was talking about, I’d have 15,000 followers and this blog would be generating cold, hard cash. I’m just a long-time novice having lots of fun!
May 21, 2015 @ 23:21:50
You know alright. And I love your delivery. 🙂
May 21, 2015 @ 22:21:49
OK, I totally dig the smoking girl picture at the end of your post. Plus I have to say you are very wise, indeed. Thanks for the tips!
May 21, 2015 @ 18:57:18
Thanks for the validation. Even if I don’t know what I’m talking about…at least I’m talking! 😉
May 21, 2015 @ 18:50:46
Golly, I rarely share advice and always follow it–what does that make me? 😉
May 21, 2015 @ 14:07:36
Never been pressed, freshly or in any other way. I do press-ups, does that count? Yes, as Oscar Wilde said, one should share advice, never follow it oneself…:)
May 20, 2015 @ 22:50:36
Right on the mark Lorna. Blogging interaction definitely opens us up to meeting other bloggers and gaining the interest of those blogger’s followers as well. 🙂
May 19, 2015 @ 19:04:43
Call me crazy, but I still have hope my books will catch on and this is the only form of social media that I do, so I am committed to doing it well…or maybe I’m just committed! 😉
May 19, 2015 @ 00:58:47
I have to admit, I stopped blogging and now I just use my WP site as my web site. It’s kind of stagnate, and some – most days, so am I. But I’ve always loved, appreciated and admired your dedication to this craft. Wowziers, four years and still going strong. Rock and roll girlfriend.
May 18, 2015 @ 12:58:34
Thank you kindly, Sir! 🙂
May 18, 2015 @ 12:57:49
They are disciplined, bless their hearts!
May 18, 2015 @ 11:50:33
Some of them I know write first thing in the morning before work and others are night owls who don’t need much sleep!
May 18, 2015 @ 08:30:12
No matter one’s blogging experience, this is sound advice … sure there’s more, but hey … it’s all a matter of personal perspective. Well done, youngin’.
May 17, 2015 @ 13:10:04
I’m with you, Narella and V!
May 17, 2015 @ 13:08:18
If your life feels meaningless, there must be some other reason. Being FP’ed is random and mysterious. I know I’ve posted better stuff in the past 4 years and never received another nod from the WP OverLords. I think the should do it as a “Welcome Wagon” to get new bloggers started and stop using it as a popularity contest or whatever it is.
May 17, 2015 @ 13:01:48
Not at all. I think you’re right! 😉
May 17, 2015 @ 13:00:51
Perfectly put! Too much focus on fame, makes your center. Look at any number of celebs! 😉
May 17, 2015 @ 12:56:28
Thanks, Sarah. That sounds like good advice. I, too, have to meter the time I spend around here. One hour melts into three and before I know it, the day is gone. I don’t know how people who work (I’m retired) manage to keep up a blog!
May 17, 2015 @ 12:44:17
Thanks, Narelle. I never imagined blogging would last this long and be this fun. 🙂
May 17, 2015 @ 05:06:58
gotta laugh at that one, Victoria.
May 17, 2015 @ 05:05:27
My advice is to write to please yourself, which includes scaring yourself. “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” (Robert Frost) Congratulations on generating five years of fun and laughs for the world!
May 16, 2015 @ 10:43:33
None of my posts have been featured on freshly pressed either, but I’m quite happy chilling-out and interacting with all my wonderful blogging friends. Sometimes I spend too long on WordPress and don’t get on with my work. Methinks I need to do better on the self-discipline front and ration things a bit. For the last few weeks I’ve banned myself from the internet each day until I’ve done 2 hours minimum work editing my novel. So far this regime has worked.
Excellent post, Lorna, and all good advice 🙂
May 15, 2015 @ 21:11:40
I’ve never been ‘Freshly Pressed’ but that’s okay, as it sounds a trifle painful. I think the most important thing is to keep one’s blog friendly, and interesting, and to remember that it’s not all about you. Other bloggers also enjoy visits and comments too. 🙂
May 15, 2015 @ 18:57:29
I never even think about Freshly Pressed–it’s probably decided by a bunch of little nerd-kids. Do I sound bitter?
May 15, 2015 @ 16:20:33
❤
May 15, 2015 @ 14:19:57
I’ve never been featured on Freshly Pressed. Now I know why my life feels so meaningless…
May 15, 2015 @ 14:08:25
You know what, Elyse? I often take breaks and get new followers during those breaks. My guess: these followers want to read bloggers who rarely post–it’s easier for them to keep up! 😉
May 15, 2015 @ 14:06:29
Not from what I’ve seen!
May 15, 2015 @ 13:56:11
here, here will do as a posh Brit might say, but I’m not posh so I will say I so agree although my ideas are getting a little thin… 😉
May 15, 2015 @ 13:05:08
Yes, I added the 6th item as a joke. I’m just silly that way. 🙂
May 15, 2015 @ 13:02:32
It’s all a mystery–that freshly pressed thing. I think if I had tried, it wouldn’t have happened. Dumb luck–the only kind I seem to have! 😉 You keep doing what you’re doing for the love of it and that’s all that matters! 🙂
May 15, 2015 @ 12:55:58
It’s still a mystery to me, too. The only reason I know I was Freshly Pressed was that comments included things like “Congrats on being FP’ed.” I had no clue what that meant. I actually had to look that up in the FAQ section of WordPress! 😐 If it had to happen, the timing was perfect. I got lots of followers from the start and it just kept building from there. Then again, I can’t seem to recreate the magic. Oh well. Doesn’t matter. I’m having fun and I’ve met so many great people. That’s what matters.
May 15, 2015 @ 12:51:02
Gee, Al, since we’re such great friends and all, I really didn’t think you’d mind. I’ll keep that in this sieve of a head of mine and promptly forget. You just keep reminding me not to exploit you, okay? I mean, what are friends who’ve never for, anyway? 🙂
May 15, 2015 @ 12:48:44
You’re no dunce, my dear. You have a blog for a very specific reason and it works. Be proud! 🙂 Happy weekend to you, too!
May 15, 2015 @ 12:48:02
Good for you, old bloggin’ buddy — and thank you — you reminded me that I have to re-register my domain with WP so I can start MY 5th year.
I would add that you have to write stuff on your blog. That helps. I’ve been very very busy lately at work and too tired to write. And funnily, nobody is stopping by! Whodda thunk it?
May 15, 2015 @ 12:47:14
Well said, Mr. Wells! You have to reach out to others and let them know you visited. And those long, I-have-to-scroll-down-a ton-of-times posts are a real pain. I like shorter posts because I subscribe to so many bloggers. Am I rambling? 😉
May 15, 2015 @ 10:43:42
I’m an oldie but not so goodie in his 5th year Blogger as you know. My only advice to any Blogger is, “People comment on Blogs that comment.” If you start a blog, write posts but don’t reach out to the community, the chances are no one will notice you. Having said that, perhaps that might be a good thing sometimes, or is that rubbish. Second piece of advice, don’t ramble. People lose the thread even quicker than you lose the plot !
May 15, 2015 @ 10:09:29
Taking my dunce hat off, now that I’ve read this I feel more enlightened about blogging. Woo hoo to you and happy weekend. Smooches. 🙂
May 15, 2015 @ 08:33:30
Great advice, Lorna. Though none of my posts have ever been Freshly Pressed, several of them have been singled out as Putridly Wrinkled. Very fitting for an older blogger like myself don’t you think?
Oh, and we have discussed this before, please get my permission before posting images of me as you did in the second to last one. Thanks in advance.
May 15, 2015 @ 07:38:22
Excellent post. I smile when I read your posts – that’s not on your list of what to do when you blog – make your readers smile! 🙂 I just got a notice that my post today was number 200. Yikes. So I guess that makes me an old blogger too. However, unlike you, I’ve never been pressed freshly. At least, I don’t think I have been. One post last year suddenly got off the chart readership, so I always wondered if it had been pressed. However, I still haven’t quite figured out how to go there, so after 200 posts, I guess I may be an old blogger, but also a clueless one. :-0
May 15, 2015 @ 04:44:17
I am still waiting to be freshly pressed,, well done to you though.. I will note your suggestions and see if I can boost my ratings. 😉 😉
May 15, 2015 @ 02:04:00
So Lorna, your list of five is actually six. But it works! All good advice, especially your advice to participate in the blogging community.