Art of Blog

The original Art of Blog was launched in 2007. It was inspired by Quadzilla and his article from August 24, 2006 titled 10 Powerism: The Art of Blog by Sun Zilla. It was a cleverly written treatise on the art of blogging: writing strategy, link aquisition, and sage advice written in the form of Sun Tzu’s timeless Art of War and featured the following quote:

“The art of blog is of vital importance to the Web. It is a matter of links and bait, a road either to prosperity or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”

Following that format, this site featured one quote per day, each from a different blogger, meant to share wisdom about the art of blogging. Below is an archive of these quotes.

A blog without personality will falter. Be true to yourself and your readers will follow.

Be yourself and let your personality come through. People can tell when you’re forcing something and people can tell when you’re being real. The latter will usually get you more respect, even if it doesn’t always please everyone. Be proud of who you are… if readers don’t like it, why in the hell would you want them reading you anyway? Fuck em. Be true to yourself.

- Sugarrae

Top ranking and falling would seem equally to be feared; popularity and banning, to be regarded as site conditions (of the same kind).

What is meant by speaking thus of top ranking and falling? Falling is being in a low position (after the enjoyment of top ranking). The getting that (ranking) leads to the apprehension (of losing it), and the losing it leads to the fear of (banning):–this is what is meant by saying that top ranking and falling would seem equally to be feared.

- Todd Malicoat

Those who can modify their content in relation to the audience may be called effective bloggers.

- Brian Clark

(Several days ago Brian wrote Zen and the Art of Remarkable Blogging, which makes this quote especially timely. He is one of the most well known bloggers when it comes to educating people about the fine art of writing.)

Appeal to your audience’s dark side and you’ll earn links and page views; appeal to their high aspirations and you’ll earn subscribers and fans.

- Rand Fishkin

The key to success is right in front of your eyes.

Most bloggers want to make their blog successful, but they aren’t sure how. It’s as easy as listening to your readers and giving them what they need.

- Neil Patel

Content may indeed be king, but what is a king without subjects?

When a king begins to realize that his power is only based on what his subjects are willing to do for him, he will no longer fear what his subjects might be able to do to him. Suffice to say that a good king (content) increases his subjects (links) without begging, they come to him because he is worthy of the following.

- Brandon Hopkins

Whoever is first to publish and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second to publish and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

In many cases there is an advantage to being first to publish a news story, commentary or review. This first movers advantage which puts you into the results pages often secures you links from those who seek to cover the story and provide alternative viewpoints.

- Michael Gray

Great bloggers are excellent observers, with a passion for sharing.

A good number of my blog posts come from observing life around me and then relating it to Internet Marketing.

- Michael Jensen

The best blogs are driven by passion not profits.

Have passion, provide a service to the community, and the profits will come on their own.

- Chris Albon

Calling it linkbait doesn’t make you less of a jerk.

Posting something under the guise of linkbait doesn’t give you the right to act in bad taste. Linkbait should be about engaging a community, not hurting someone for a quick laugh.

- Lisa Barone

Write not for others, as there are too many. Write for yourself, as there is only one.

It is much easier to write on a topic you are passionate about than write what you think others would like to read. Find your voice and shout it from the roof tops. Your readers will come. You can’t fake your own voice.

- Joseph Ferrara

A-listers aren’t born; they’re forged in the monitor’s soft glow – listening, commenting, questioning, searching, and finally, writing.

- Ben Anon

Develop a thick skin.

If you’re honest with yourself and your readers, you should take negative comments as a compliment. All the smartest, most influential and passionate people have an army of nay-sayers trotting around after them. And besides, the one thing worse than people talking about you is people not talking about you, right?

- Jane Copland

A true blogger, is not afraid to express new and controversial opinions, as merely echoing other’s ideas does nothing to set you apart from the crowd.

- Nick Reese

That’s why they call it a learning curve. You don’t learn about the mountain until you reach the top of the curve.

- Eli

The harder you work the luckier you get, but I can never seem to be bothered to do any work so I don’t seem to get lucky. Go figure.

- Mitchell Harper

Persistence is the key to success in blogging.

You should not give up easily if you want to be successful in blogging.

- Xion Ong

And this was the last quote written in the series:

A wise general knows when to advance and when to retire. If a victory is long in coming, weapons are blunted and morale depressed. Resources of time and effort should not be depleted in one battle at the expense of another.

This is the last quote for the Art of Blog. The experiment was fun and I want to thank everyone who participated, however, the time and resources spent in maintaining it is better spent on other projects. The response was generally positive, however I’ve decided to pursue projects that have more potential. This project was good, but not extraordinary.

Don’t waste your time on things that are good or mediocre. Gauge interest. Stay in tune with your audience. Don’t be just another player in a saturated market. If you’re not extraordinary, change course – and repeat until you hit that nerve – until you create something that really stands out.

Why are you still reading this? Go!

And be extraordinary…

- Art of Blog

Article by Nick Reese

Nick Reese is a full time internet marketer living in Austin Texas. When Nick isn't managing web properties he enjoys biking, wakeboarding, and drinking tea. You can read more from Nick Reese on his website and follow him on Twitter @nickreese.

Nick has written 25 awesome articles for Art of Blog.