Earlier this evening a friend of mine asked a group of her friends, including me, for advice on her blog. After writing an overly verbose (but hopefully helpful) email in response, I realized something: I actually have an opinion about this subject.

Over the last few years I’ve spent a considerable amount of time researching how to create a successful blog – not for the purpose of sharing that information specifically, but primarily as a means of advancing my own sites. As a result, I’ve been studying this business more or less full-time for the last few years, and while I am far from being a master of all things marketing, writing, or otherwise, I do have an opinion or two on what works.

With that in mind, I’m going to start a series of posts on the subject right here on Too Many Projects. Take them or leave them; It’s what I’ve found has worked for me, and more than a few things that haven’t.

Tip #1: Make every post insanely useful.

I am sure that this is a common subject among the many resources I’ve read, but I definitely have to attribute this to Leo at ZenHabits. Each post you write should offer a significant benefit to your reader for bothering to read it. And that is why people return – no matter how witty, sarcastic, or engaging you are, ultimately the vast majority of people reading blogs are looking for solid, recommendable (and free) resources. Before you hit “Publish”, ask yourself the question, “Is this article Insanely useful?” If not, reconsider publishing just yet.

Watch for Tip 2, and thanks for reading.