Diggle News. Keeping the Community Informed. 12 Things That Will Kill Your Blog Post Every Time. Blogging is a lot like fishing.
Some people do it all the time and never catch anything…while others catch everything. Why is that? You know better than to say it is luck. So let’s call it what it is…when you look around at successful blogs…whatever industry or topic…there are several undeniable basics to success. And it starts with blog posts that kill it…rather than get killed. 1. Your headline is going to appear in many places. In search engine page results… Feed readers… And subject lines. The goal of the headline is to stop readers cold and draw them into your post.
You can stop readers cold, however, if you write headlines that are unique, ultra-specific, useful or urgent. The Secret of Happiness: A TED Remix. Donating = loving Brain Pickings remains ad-free and takes hundreds of hours a month to research and write, and thousands of dollars to sustain.
If you find any joy and value in it, please consider becoming a Member and supporting with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing, between a cup of tea and a good dinner: (If you don't have a PayPal account, no need to sign up for one – you can just use any credit or debit card.) You can also become a one-time patron with a single donation in any amount: Love Learning is part of Reed Learning. » How I Changed My Life, In Four Lines.
‘What saves a man is to take a step.
Then another step.’ » The Essential Zen Habits of 2010. Post written by Leo Babauta.
I am overjoyed. Zen Habits has just finished its 4th year of existence and every year has been better than the last. This year has been no exception. How great a year has it been? Zen Habits grew from 150,000 subscribers to well over 200,000 and topped TIME magazine’s Top 25 blogs for 2010 (after also making it in 2009). But the joy has gone beyond numbers — for me both professionally and personally: I finished and self-published my new book focus and it has done exceedingly well.I moved my family from Guam to San Francisco and have been loving it here in this beautiful city.We gave up our automobile completely for the first time and truly love the car-free life.I lost more weight at the beginning of the year and am fitter slimmer and healthier than ever. The Essential Posts of 2010 Each year I choose the top posts from Zen Habits for the year but this year I decided to let you guys do the choosing.
Here are the Top 20 posts as chosen by all of you: » Start Here. By Leo Babauta I know a lot of people who fall into a slump, losing the habit of exercise, procrastinating with work, slipping into a bad diet, and generally not feeling motivated.
It’s hard to get out of a slump like that. It’s hard to get going again, to get started when all the forces of inertia are against you. Here’s how to get started, in just a few easy steps. » The Essential Zen Habits of 2009. Post written by Leo Babauta.
At the end of every year here at Zen Habits (this is the third year), I write that I’ve had the best year of my life. This year has been no exception. I’d like to take a moment to reflect on this year, and to share the best posts of 2009. Zen Habits has continued its amazing growth, going from 80,000 subscribers last year to about 150,000 this year. It was named one of the Top 25 Blogs of 2009 by TIME magazine. At the same time, my book The Power of Less came out at the very end of 2008 (Dec. 30), and in 2009 became an international best-seller, helping me to reach readers in all corners of the globe. But I did more than that: Leadership Freak. Don’t focus on winning or losing; focus on achieving objectives.Interrupting to make your point is pointless.Be smart not right.
You aren’t finding the right answer; you’re searching for the better alternative.Focus on progress rather than perfect solutions.Trying to solve the past is futile; you can, however, move in better directions.Give ground on peripheral or non-essential points.Keep things simple. Complexity stalls solutions.Never tell someone what they think; ask them.Never let someone tell you what you think.Your “opponent” will use over-statements and unrealistic conclusions to invalidate your goals.Your opponent will make you angry. When they do, you lose.Keep an open posture.Remove barriers and obstacles. Create a clear path across the table or desk. Better yet step away from the desk.Physically align yourself with them. Bonus: Solve issues before arguments erupt. Which point or points do you find most useful? » 38 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 38 Years.