25 Things you Can Learn From Top Blogger, Leo Babauta

1. Write all your posts in one day.

In his Problogger guest post on minimalist blogging, Leo discusses his experimenting of batch processing his blog posts.

This is a recent experiment of mine, but it seems to be working well. I’ve designed one day a week (Thursdays) for writing my 5 posts. The night before, I come up with the post topics for those 5 posts (I have a running ideas list that I choose from). Then, in the morning on Thursday, I first get all the images for the posts, do formatting, do research, and generally get everything all set up. Then I focus on writing each post, one at a time, trying to write the best content I possibly can.

This idea has been repeatedly talked about by many top bloggers, and I agree. I batch process all my talks and it increases productivity and helps me stay in the right mindset throughout the day. You may not be able to get all your posts done in the one day, but batch processing may

2. Reduce the amount of ads

Later in the post, he talked about limiting the number of ads on his blog.

Reduced ads. I’ve tried probably 6 different ad services, but have cut them to the top 3 earners. Could I earn more with more ad services? Sure, but that’s more clutter for my readers, and with little return for me. I focus on just the most important ones, and the readers appreciate that.

I now specifically seek who is advertising on Zen Habits, because I know he has reduced it to one advertiser per month. It is interesting to observe how his income streams have changed. He discussed this in an interview I recently did with him.

3. Write feature posts

In 2007, Leo did a guest post on Problogger about how feature posts improved his blog:

Improvement on Zen Habits has come in many small doses this year, but if I had to pick one thing it would be my transition to longer, less-frequent “feature” posts that go into more depth about a topic.

My readers have responded very well to these types of feature posts, and they seem to do pretty well in social media like Digg and delicious too.

I've been following a number of bloggers who have changed their posting frequency and style. They have all said that the longer, feature posts tend to do a lot better on social media sites and lead to more subscribers.

4. Create a great brand

In 2008, he did another guest post about the essential things you should be doing when your blog is still young:

When you first create your blog, you should think a bit about the brand you’re going to create. When you create a brand, you are sending an unspoken message. What unspoken message do you want to send? Start by defining your target audience, then by figuring out what desires you will tap into. Then craft an unspoken message that will be true to yourself while tapping into those desires. Use that unspoken message to craft your brand (the title of your blog) as well as everything else you do, from blog design to post topics to the tone you write with and more.

Leo has been really successful in creating a great brand - both for himself, and his many projects. In this industry, many people may know not your name but they will often know the site you blog for.

I will be covering branding in future posts.

5.  Make the post scannable.

Leo discussed this in another Problogger guest post about writing exceptional blogs

Don’t make your reader dig through paragraph after paragraph to know what your post has to offer. He won’t do it — he’ll move on quickly to the next item in his feed reader.

Make your post scannable — your reader should be able to quickly glance through the post and pick up the main points without reading too deeply. The best ways to do that are with lists, but other great methods are subheds (the smaller headlines for sections within a post), block quotes, images and graphics, and the use of bold or italics.

6. Create a resource.

This is one of the 12 tips Leo gave in his blog post about turning a boring post into pure gold.

Related to usefulness, this point tells you to find a bunch of useful things on the Internet, and put them all together to create an extremely useful resource for your reader. You’ve just saved a huge amount of time for the reader, and for that, she will bookmark your post for future reference. Get enough people to bookmark you on delicious, and suddenly you’ve got a popular post. Take whatever topic you’re thinking of writing about and find a way to create a resource — a list of 100 tools to lose weight, 50 ways to make money online, 5 ways to be instantly more attractive to your hot co-worker, and 60 tips from celebrities teaching you to be better in bed.

People will continue to return to resource posts because they are immensely useful. Do you have multiple ideas for short posts? See if you can turn it into a huge resource list. People will really respond to it.

7. Build a destination.

Leo expanded on this topic in his blog post about gaining free exposure on your blog.

The first step, of course, is writing the content. There’s nothing more important than having great content if you want to attract readers. If you think you can skip this step, you should probably skip blogging. However, it’s not enough to write one or two great posts and then try to attract readers. Think about it: you get a few readers to come to your blog, and they read your post and like it, and then start looking around for more. And they find an empty blog. They’ll leave, and you just lost your first readers. Instead, concentrate first on building a great destination for readers. Have a couple of weeks’ worth of great content, at least, before you start the promotion. Then, when they come to read one of your posts, they’ll see a lot of other good ones on your blog, and perhaps subscribe or at least come back for another visit.

Darren Rowse is famous because he has turned Problogger into a destination. He has turned it into the main site to go if you want any blogging information. It is important to create a destination before a blog launch to give readers a taste of your style.

8. Be organic, not spammy.

Leo wrote about this in his article on leveraging the power of social media to market your blog

I should start off with strategy instead of tactics: your overall strategy should be to grow your presence and spread your brand on these networks in an organic way, allowing people to share things that they want to share, and allowing them to see things on your profile (or product page) without you pushing it on them. If you add a couple dozen friends on Facebook, and then start sending them messages about your blog every day, they’ll soon tire of it. And if you do it to more than just your usual friends, you’re a spammer. Don’t be a spammer — it’s a horrible way to grow your blog’s brand.

People are very aware of spam. Even if its unintentional, they may exclude you from their social media group for being overly promotional. Try to plant the seeds of social media success and trust that people will want to share your content.

9. Do a favor

Leo discussed this in his post about leveraging the power of social media to market your blog.

Do a favor. This is similar to networking, but a little more specific: do something nice for another blogger without expecting anything in return. This might be linking to them, doing a review, adding them to your blogroll, voting for their best posts on social bookmarking sites, recommending them on LinkedIn, or anything, really. The point is to do something nice, without being asked, and without expecting them to return the favor. Good things will come back to you eventually, trust me — if not from that blogger in particular, from someone, sometime.

All of my paid opportunities have come as a result of doing favors for people. Eventually, people realized what I could offer and hired me so they could get future advice. I would recommend that you be strategic in your favors to avoid being used by people.

10. Keep an ideas list.

This was one of 12 tips Leo gave on how to keep your posting going forever

Keep a running list of post ideas, and add to it every time you read a post on another blog that inspires an idea, or you get an idea while in the shower or in your car. If you always have a list of ideas, you won’t be wracking your brain each day.

I carry a notebook around with me all the time which contains a list of many blogging ideas. It has allowed me to get so much more done and record some ideas have been quite profitable.

11. Don’t fiddle too much.

Later in the post, Leo said that:

One mistake that a lot of bloggers make is spending a lot of time fiddling with their blog, checking stats throughout the day, working on blog maintenance and administration. Sure, you need to do these things, but if you do them excessively, you’ll be spending your blogging energy on things that don’t matter as much as good content. Save your energy for the important things: your posts.

One of my problems in the past month has been fiddling with my blog. I have been trying to get everything just right and as a result, I couldn't right all the posts I wanted to do for this series. I have since learnt to schedule maintenance time for certain behind the scenes task and just focus on creating good content.

12. Offer to do interviews.

Leo expanded on this in one of his comprehensive posts on North By East.

When I was first contacted about doing an interview, I was a bit hesitant, because I’m not someone who naturally likes to share personal stuff. But I did it anyway, even if I’m a little shy. And I think it was a great opportunity, and I don’t regret it a bit. If someone wants to interview you, unless it’s a horrible, horrible website, don’t turn it down! Be flattered, and humbled by this request. It’s also a great way to reach a new audience and build your brand. Similarly, reach out to other bloggers and offer to interview them, if you find them fascinating.

I especially agree with contacting people to interview them. I have done this a lot as part of the blog launch and I have learnt so much. I try to do a lot of research and ask questions that they haven't been asked before. It allows me to get some insight into their art, and also allows for you to get some really interesting content.

13. Give away an ebook.

Leo identified this as one of 15 powerful ways to differentiate your blog from the crowd.

I’ve had success selling an ebook, but remember that I had built up my audience before I sold the ebook. Instead, you can do the opposite: create a great ebook that will be quickly spread around, and give it away for free. Make it catchy and extremely valuable, and people will thank you. Allow other bloggers to give it away for free on their blogs. Allow people to email it to family and friends. Just be sure that your blog’s name and url are on it prominently.

I have seen careers get launched because of successful ebook promotions. I would recommend submitting your ebook to torrent and downloading sites for additional exposure.

14 Do a virtual book tour.

This is one of the many fascinating tips Leo gave in an interview on Freelance Switch

Instead of a real-world book tour, where I might reach a few dozen or (at most) a couple hundred people at each book signing, I decided to focus my efforts on blogs and other media—online media, print and radio. Each interview, guest post and appearance on different blogs and media will reach thousands of people. This way I’m making the most of my efforts in the least amount of time—exactly what I talk about on Zen Habits. I wouldn’t mind doing some book signings to meet people in real life if the book starts to do well, but the initial thrust of my promotion will be through blogs and other media. I can meet more people that way.

I agree with the virtual book tour. I was able to interview Leo as part of his book tour, and this has helped many of my peers get to know his as a fabulous blogger. As a result of my interview, I bought 3 of his books and will be reviewing the remainder shortly after I launch my blog.

15. Capitalize only after you've built readership

Leo expanded on this in a post on Freelance Switch

Your goal in the beginning should be to build an audience, not to monetize or grow your business right away. Reach new audiences by writing guest posts for other blogs, or freelancing for a number of blogs. Build your readership by writing very useful content, and interacting with your readers, answering questions and giving away advice for free. Only after you’ve built up that audience should you think about selling an ebook or making a lot of money on ads or making more money on your consulting or freelance business.

I agree with this statement. You can put the income streams in place early on, but don't focus on them too much until it would be really profitable to do so.

16. Set aside time for learning.

Leo wrote about this in his post on continually sharpening your skills.

Whether it’s 30 minutes a day, or an hour a week, it’s important that you set aside a regular block of time to learn about your profession. That might be reading magazines or blogs or books or trade journals, that might be paying attention to the work of others, that might be taking a class, or just working on your skills on your own. Whatever you do, be sure to schedule it, and don’t miss that appointment.

I always make sure I have time to learn. I use my downtime - when I'm not working online - as a time to read books and research and just bludge online, going from topic to topic. I always keep my notebook by me so I can add to my ideas list.

17. Get critiqued.

Later in the post, he said

Sometimes we can’t see what we’re doing wrong, because we’re biased, too close to the work. So you need to get an outside eye to take a look at it. Ask someone you respect for a critique of your work. Ask them to be honest, and specific. And when they give you that critique, don’t be offended or hurt or angry. You want honesty. Take whatever they said that’s critical and make it a way for you to improve yourself. Make a list of their points and see how you can get better at those points.

I've had people give critique during the launch phase of my blog. Sometimes it hurt, but then I found ways to improve. I try to always accept critique graciously and pay to get additional critique wherever possible.

18. Create a product

Leo mentioned this in his post about creating multiple income streams.

If you currently provide a service as a freelancer, you provide the service once and get paid once. Then you have to provide the service again to get paid again. However, if you can turn your service into a product, you can do that once and get paid many times. For example, you could create a DVD or podcast explaining how to do something (design a web page, for example), or a workbook or other kind of instruction manual. If you have a popular blog (like Freelance Switch), you may be able to sell merchandise. Set it up once, and collect an income stream thereafter.

This is a tip that has been repeated throughout this series, but people also talk about the importance of a product launch. Leo has really developed his skills for promoting products after the release of The Power of Less

19. Collaborate

Leo talked about this in his post on cheap ways to market your freelance work

Try to find projects you can work on with other bloggers or others in your field. The power of collaboration is that you take each of your strengths and combine them, you take your respective marketing skills and connections and combine them, and you can create something much bigger and better than any of you can individually. A group blog is a good example of this — you can do so much more as a group than you can by yourself.

I have seen this work in so many niches and mediums. A good way of doing this is an ebook, or major project. I will be examining the power of collaboration in a future post.

20. Get a nice business card.

Leo discussed this further in his post about essential marketing skills for freelancers.

Don’t go with anything tacky or overly complicated. Keep it simple, professional. The fewer items on your card, the better. Really, all you need is your name, your service and your email address, but you can put a slogan or logo if that works for you. Also, some have argued that the new business card is to simply say “Google me”. If so, be sure that you’ve researched your Google results thoroughly.

It can be hard choosing your first business card, but I really like Leo's advice. If you are stuck, collect business cards and see what sticks out for you.

21. Focus on the professional details

Leo wrote about this further in his post about how to become a freelance blog writer

As a professional blog writer, be sure to insist on a contract, and know the other details of a job before you start: the payment rate, when and how they’ll pay you, the desired length of the post, what format it should be submitted in, whether images or other media are required, the exact deadline, how to submit it, etc.

People will respect professionalism, especially if it will save you time. I suggest guest posting initially to learn what skills may be needed before you seek paid work.

22. Use lists.

Leo included this as one of his tips for writing a popular post.

Use lists. Sure, people get tired of seeing Top 10 lists, but if it’s a Top 10 list about something they’re interested in, they’ll read it anyway. And the great thing about lists is that they are well organized, and eminently scannable. A busy Digger or deliciouser can easily catch your main points without having to spend much time reading the whole post. Who has time to read every word?

I agree with this point. I'm not fond of the format, but I will admit it makes these posts a lot easier to write AND read. I recommend studying Leos successful list posts to see what elements resonate with you.

23. Write catchy headlines.

Later in the post, he said that

This is the most important step of all. Headlines, more than anything else, will catch the eye of a potential Digger or deliciouser. Make them want to know more, want to read your article, and you’re halfway to getting a digg. The other half, of course, is the content, but they won’t read the content if the headline doesn’t grab their attention. Read some popular posts on Digg and delicious to find out the kind of headlines that do well. Most important: the headline should have some kind of benefit for the reader, should catch their attention, and should make them curious and want to know more. Don’t be afraid to be flashy when it comes to headlines — understated headlines don’t do well. And don’t be afraid to revise your headline several times — the original idea is rarely the best.

This is especially useful when you are looking for your post to go viral on twitter. This is a skill I need to work on but Leo is a true master.

24. Use DarkRoom.

Leo discussed this in a post on Freelance Switch

The simplest writing tools are best. DarkRoom or its brethren, WriteRoom, are two of the best writing tools ever, because the only thing you can do with them is write. Go full-screen mode and just crank. Alternatively, use a very simple word processor, such as Google Docsor AbiWord. I’m using Google Docs as I write this, in full-screen mode, but I often use AbiWord if I want to be completely off-line.

I haven't yet done this, but I use the full screen option when writing blog posts. It helps me stay focused on the post rather than all the other things going on during my work day.

25. Put yourself in your writing.

This is one of the tips that Leo gave in his post about bringing your A game to write for blogs.

This may be the main difference between print writing and blog writing. In many print publications, you’re supposed to be neutral. Not so in blogs. You can be yourself, with all of your quadrillion biases. The more biases, the better. With millions of blog posts out there, yours is not likely to be very unique — unless you put in your post the one thing that you know is unique — yourself. There is no other like you out there.

I always love the bloggers who include themselves in their writing. I interact with them on other platforms and help them as much as I can. People care very much about relationships in the online world. Including yourself in your writing may be the first step in connecting with new readers.