Midweek Mumbling – How To Be A Better Movie Blogger Part 1
This week we are discussing what you need to do to make it as a movie blogger.
Please excuse my little self-help post. I will back to my general rants/mumbling next week
Now this is not in any way an attempt to make myself look bigger than I am. I am not trying to say that I have made it and that I am now the best thing since sliced bread. Far from it. All I wanted to do in this weeks Midweek Mumbling is try to share some of the things I have picked up over the last 7 months since I started this little site of mine.
When I started this up in January this year I had very little, no that is wrong, I had NO knowledge of what blogging was all about. I had no idea how consuming it was and how much of a family community the ‘Movie/Film’ blogging world was. And ultimately I did not know how much FUN it was.
I started on Blogger but soon got myself a domain name and hosting and went solo so to speak.
Film Blogging…..Must….Post….Something
SO where do we start then?
OK firstly you need to choose your blogging software. I have gone for WordPress.org as i like the freedom of it, especially as it is not stuck to the main wordpress site and I can add as many adverts or different bits that I want!! Very flexible. Although the benefit of using free sites like wordpress.com or blogger.com is that well, they are free. Also when you get going and get some really big hitting days the servers won’t let you down as Blogger and WordPress are really big. I speak of this with painful memories. I managed to get one of my posts on to the front page of IMDb and the sheer weight of traffic managed to blow the shared server up that I was using!! SO be warned. I have found the solution as I will tell soon. It is to do with using the correct plug-ins.
Love this? Post about it!!
What do I post?
Any blogger will tell you it is all about the content. Good original content is a must. But make it personal. If you only watch foreign films or silent classics then post about them, there is absolutely no point in trying to pretend you have your finger on the pulse of HOLLYWOOD news if it doesn’t interest you. If you are not a massive Film Buff but love watching films, and you do not really know the meaning of ‘sub-text’, or ‘narrative’ then do not use those words. Stick to what you love and it will shine through. Be natural have fun. Want to do a list, do a list. Try and add images too as they will help you get hits from google. Also if you post some movie news that you have read make sure you link to the original source. It is just good etiquette.
When do I post?
Personally I do not blog at the weekend, but this is a choice I made early on as I have a young family and I want to spend time with them. I know really good bloggers that post twice a week, and some that post seven days a week so it is entirely up to you. Just keep to it!! I have set myself a schedule, and I recommend you do the same. Now it may not be a 5 day schedule like mine, but I would lay it out so your readers know what to expect every time they come over to your site and KEEP to it. If say you have a ‘weekly movie release’ post you do on a Tuesday, then don’t leave it to Wednesday to post. Your readers will soon get bored and not come back.
How do I get people to read my Film reviews?
Well all I can say here is get involved. What do I mean by this? There is a whole world out there, full of movie lovers like yourself and they may well be thinking the same thing as you. So go find them, read their articles and reviews. Make sure you leave them a nice comment and inevitably they will follow the link back from your name to your site and do the same. My suggestion is to go and comment on 10 blogs a day. From this you will get 3-4 good comments from people that are into the same thing as you. My daily rounds now are up to 30 or so blogs I read and comment on. I call most of these Authors friends now and I really enjoy learning new things about something I love to do, which is watch film. SO get to it. Don’t be shy, bloggers love comments!!
Another thing to consider is Twitter. A good friend of mine Joel Burman is in the middle of doing a great series on how best to use Twitter so I recommend reading his blog HERE for information. Twitter is great for meeting film lovers and sharing your blog with the world. It seems a bit daunting at first but once you get going it will feel like the best form of promotion out there. Nothing quite like getting new followers.
I have got a comment, what do I do now?
Reply back!!
Most bloggers comment on a site and come back later to see if the author replied to the comment. It is really good etiquette to reply to these as soon as you can. It makes the commenter feel like they are interacting with the site. It all helps in building
Reply back, make someone smile
relationships.
Once you have replied back, click on the commenters name and visit their site. Find something you like and comment on that. Feels good doesn’t it?
OK I am getting the hang of this, but where do I find like-minded blogs?
I know I started by joining the LAMB (Large Ass Movie Blog). this is a great community with lots of interaction with its members. Monthly blogging events and also a great yearly award which is highly coveted by movie bloggers (although they are all far to humble to say so). LAMB has over a 1000 movie blogs in its books and a good place to start is look at the directory and start reading the blogs and making comments. When your blog is over 3 months old you can apply to be a LAMB and be featured on the front page of this great site. One word though is be patient. I for one did not quite realise how long it took to get in to the site and I re posted my submission and was rightfully told off!! So remember patience is a virtue.
I am getting more readers and I am getting comments, what else can I do?
There are lots of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) things you can do, but luckily there are a lot of great plug-ins that do all of this for you. I am not going to list this today. Next time I will talk you through the best WordPress plugins. OK they may not be the best but I have through a great deal of trial and error finally got my plugins set as I like them. Not only do they help with the infamous SEO but also enable you to streamline your workflow and it means you will have more time for writing about what you love…FILM
Get typing Movie Lover!!
For today, here ends the mumbling…
Do you agree with how I blog? Is blogging an interactive sport? Or do you prefer not to get involved? Do you have any tips you would like to share? Comment below…
Scott Lawlor
![mystic1[1]](http://www.frontroomcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mystic11-110x70.jpeg)
Haha, this is pretty much like my speech I did in class this year…except this is better! Great tips for bloggers. I for one can’t stand people who don’t ever reply to their comments. I feel bad because I take a while to comment to some of them sometimes…I need a better commenting system.
Can’t wait for part two!!
Thanks Stevee. I really appreciate your kind comment.
I must stress though that I am still learning. It is a steep curve too!!
It always touches me how much of a community ‘Film Blogging’ is. I see the same names everywhere, and that is really cool!
I am guilty of not getting involved with the bigger sites as much as I should. I get scared!! HAHA
Thanks again matey
funny you should post this scott, i have been really getting serious about this blogging malarkey recently, primarily because of the great community and people like yourself. i’m having fun but i want to start to grow. and that brought me to getting around to asking your advice.
but now i dont have to, its my laziness rewarded once more, this time by your awesomeness.
on an additional note about the great film blogging community, leah had a fashion blog and found them to be quite awful people, she’s permanently surprised when i mention film bloggers by name because you all feel like friends and her entire experience was rude people out to get as much free stuff as possible. very similar to myspace kids “comment for comment” “new pics up, 5 comments gets a comment back” unimportant stuff like that from way back in ancient history of social networking.
HAHA you flatter me kind sir. My Awesomeness indeed!! I am blushing!!
I hope that some of this helps. It is pretty much common sense in this one. The next part will go into more technical side of it like plug ins and directories and social networking.
But the stuff here will get you going that is for sure. Although I read your blog and it is great. You do not need my help!! I am but a novice compared to some too!!
I can’t believe that about the Fashion blogging community. Maybe she should look into style blogging. More about conceptual fashion and ideas than direct fashion. A friend of mine writes one and she is always really busy with comments and readers. Take only the memories is the name of her blog.
there’s a lot i dont know or have the patience for learning i would say. i like getting leah to do things for me. but mainly i need a domain and i need a better design and then i need to get my review on the front page of imdb.
actually next weeks post will be good. i recently had my charlie casanova review go a bit mental because of social networking and now i think i may want to go to that as liz lemon might say.
but yeah im gonna stop by and see joel for all kinds of reasons soon enough
i dont know the ins and the outs of it all, she just got so disheartened with it all. style over fashion? im not sure if i could tell the difference.
I have been trying to comment on this now for 10 mins but have been pressing the wrong button!!
OK I would get a domain and come over to WP as I think it is a bit more flexible with stuff. IMDb will come, just keep submitting and you will be picked up.
Get Leah to look at this blog http://www.takeonlymemories.com/
Vanessa is always really busy and has loads of comments. Might be a direction for her.
C
i shall mention it to her, perhaps she will be inspired to get going once more. but im happy as right now she’s writing a novel or something and blogging may well distract from this time next year us being millionaires.
HAHA And as we both know blogging can be pretty sapping of your time!! Best keep it on the down low then. Don’t want to be the reason you cannot retire early!!
and i want to know this imdb story from the start!
HAHA It really isn’t THAT exciting. I will tell you another time. Let us just say it was a learning curve for me!!
I too really wanna know what’s up with that story – I spend so much time on the boards there, I wanna know! Make it your next post! x
It really isn’t that great a story. I don’t want to tell now as it has been blown out of all proportion. LOL (I am such a girl)
Hmmm, that’s a good point. I won’t tell a story if people have started thinking of it as Inception when really it’s I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Post it suddenly when no-one’s expecting it :p Or write it in a bigger post about other IMDB stuff. For instance if it wouldn’t get me their wrath I’d probably write a post about how TOTALLY MENTAL the screenwriter’s forum is – they are vicious in there, and there’s about four people who actually have restraining orders against them for having stalked other members, not just digitally but in real life as well! I’m a bit of a troll on IMDB but I wouldn’t even post once so as to never draw their attention.
Or you could just email us
x
OH My, they sound very scary in there. I am so glad that it is not my usual haunt. I would probably be crying by the end of the day!!
I will tell you the story over a summer drink…
HAHA But it really isn’t that interesting, although I very nearly gave up blogging after…. (builds more suspense)
Aw, damn you! That’s like the end of an episode of Breaking Bad, making me whine for more :p
HAHA This is getting worse. It really isn’t bad (although I am trying now to invent a mental mind bending story, camp fire stuff)
I totally agree with you, C!!! Tho I am not 100% movie blogger (My blog has too many topic to cover).
I always visit back anyone who comment…it’s a must for me…and then I also visit other blogs than I find enjoyable. I always leave comment to everything I read, I know how it feels to know that someone actually read my stuff…leaving my comment is a sign that I read their stuff too.
Ah…joining LAMB is something I haven’t done yet…the reason is simple…my movie talk is only once a week, I feel like I don’t belong there.
Yes Novia, commenting is the ultimate thumbs up. Even if it something you disagree with a well constructed comment can help the author and or strike up a conversation and a great relationship. I always tend to try and get around everyone. Although the family is getting so big I almost hope for nothing new to comment on!! HAHAH
Thanks for popping in Nov
Hahaha I know what you mean
Bigger family bigger time to spend…that’s why I have you all in RSS Feed, if I find the title interesting…then I’ll read the post. It’s just too little time too much to read
Ps. Commentluv doesn’t work in operamini
ah yes the RSS feed is a very good idea. I must use that one.
Sorry about commentluv and opera…hmmm
Thanks again Novia!
OMG Custard! You are not using RSS feeds…. You totally need to get in on that! It helps a ton keeping track of new blogposts and its really easy to setup, I actually have a post planned about that. Might have to bump it up the posting cue now.
That is wrong isn’t it? Will RSS speed up my rounds? Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours a day to do them!
Both yes and no its a science of its own. I have been menaing to write about it for a while and I’ll make sure to do it.
It has helped me a lot but one has to be cautious with it.
Hmm I am both intrigued and scared at the same time!!
I think I may just stick to my daily rounds from my bookmarks!!
Google Reader is your friend here. Check it out.
That’s all really, really sound advice, sir. Great article. To sort of prove your point on a few things, I’ve had to change my habits a bit over the last few months- I’m not able to comment as much to my readers as I’d like, I’m not able to write as much- for various reasons, and it’s definitely showing up in the numbers. Stupid work.
Thanks John. It is interesting that you say that. You only get out what you put in I suppose. Such a shame though. I do get the feeling sometimes that it is a bit like spinning plates, it can be quite hard work if you let it.
Your site is 3rd on my rounds so I never (or try not to) miss a post!! TDYLF Rox!
Third?!?! Rox?!? Thank you much, sir. You flatter me too much.
You’ve nailed it- you really do get out of it what you put into it. With your kids, I’m not sure how you do it. FRC is going to pay off in buckets for me when I make my crazy TV purchase in November(ish).
HAHA Sorry you are only third, you are neatly underneath Ruth and Dezzy in my favourites list!
When it comes to your purchase I will gladly help you out!!
it is nice seeing your real picture, Custie, you look smashing in that brown suit and a quill has always been the best fashion accessory!
All of the things mentioned are rules to be followed by all bloggers!
HAHA Thanks Dezzy, My sideburns are pretty special aren’t they?
Indeed these are things we should all be doing. I don’t want the greats like yourself taking this as me trying to teach you to suck eggs, I am just string the love!
Thanks as ever for the comment matey
Hi, great introduction to blogging post. Love the addition of “commentluv”. All the best
Thanks Raghav. I appreciate the comment.
You didn’t use commentluv? I cannot see a link for you
Custie… hats off to you matey, you have grown so much and so fast in just 7 month of blogging. You’re a much better blogger than those who’ve done it for years!!! Thanks for sharing us your secret why you’re so awesome. I love how personal and inviting your site is, it’s definitely my go-to site every day now. These are all sound tips, great reminder I gotta go and reply to some of the comments on FC
Thank you Ruth, As I have said MANY times before you are my inspiration and mentor in this Blogging world. If I can be half as good/nice as you then I know I am on to a winner!!!
The next part to this will be a bit more technical and hopefully will give people some ideas on how to run the backend of a blog!!
Thanks for being such a great Friend!!
Awww… I’m verklempt… you are simply too kind, good sir. Looking forward to Part 2, I’m a techie wuss!!
HAHA I don’t know if you should read it!! Your site is super busy as it is!
A fantastic blog you have going here and this is an even greater post.
I agree this Blogging is very time consuming but with your top tips on board I’m hoping to be more efficent with my own Blog as well as grow the vistor numbers!
Thanks!
HI Steve, and welcome to FRC!! Pull up a chair and have a good rummage, there is loads of rubbish here to read!! HAHA
I am glad I have provided you with some useful tips!! It is very cool to know that I am doing some good out there!
I have been to your house now (and left a comment or two) What a mental idea 365 films in a year, you crazy man you!!!
I am going to be keeping an eye on your site from now on!
Really useful article – I’ve just started my own blog in the past couple of weeks and while it’s really just a place for me to express my opinions I’d really like to have conversations with people rather than just ranting into thin air. Will definitely be taking your hints.
Cheers
Hi Louise.
You are very welcome to the advice. It is what we are here for.
I have been to your house and it looks really good. I think you have got it just right. I know I will be reading more of it as time goes on!!
Thanks so much for popping in and commenting, I really appreciate it tonnes!!
Another fine article, Scott. I think the best bloggers are those that treat the blogging world as a community. I think supporting each others blogs and sites is really important – ie. linking to each other, commenting on blogs, blogathons and one of your site’s best features – the guest post.
It can take time for IMDB to start linking to film reviews from their Critic Reviews page on each film’s individual page but once you’re in, you’re in and that provides a few hits and is a great help for SEO.
I know I need to start posting more regularly (or at least have a structure to the types of posts I publish) but I still find myself writing different things at different times hence a fairly uneven post record. Sometimes during the year this can become more regular, then something will crop up and there won’t be a post or only a few posts in a week or two. Like you say, regular posting is the way to do it (and having a structure like yours informs readers of what to expect each day.)
This blog is improving every single week. I’ve been visiting regularly for about 2 to 3 months. It was great at the beginning, it is even better today. Like you, I have a pool of blogs I visit/read/comment on every week. Front Room Cinema is now the first I come to and easily one of my favourite film blogs…EVER! Informative, entertaining, relevant, well-written, regularly updated, exhaustively comprehensive across all facets of movies, technology, and life…and occasionally features a picture of a scantily clad women holding a remote control!
HAHA I remember that post!! It was the first time you commented here I think!! Sex sells my friend what can I say.
In all seriousness your comment above is really lovely, I am so touched I can’t even begin to think how to put it into words!! You are another of the greats that I totally look up to. Your Top Tens is such a great idea for a site and is brilliant.
Thanks my very dear friend!!
C
@ Dan
“It can take time for IMDB to start linking to film reviews from their Critic Reviews page on each film’s individual page but once you’re in, you’re in and that provides a few hits and is a great help for SEO.”
Becoming an IMDb News Desk Partner would help with that.
Hi, Custard and company:
As one who posts on many sites, a good knowledge of synonyms (‘their’ and ‘there’, ‘lose’ and ‘loose’, ‘who’s’ and ‘whose’, ‘its’ and it’s') is always handy and cuts down greatly on ‘flaming from the Grammar Police’. That, a Dictionary and a Thesarus are musts.
Excellent dissertation and ‘How To’ guidelines. I’ve enjoyed the polite attitude and prompt responses of all and sundry who opine here.
I may just Bookmark your article for when I decide to jump into the Blogging Pool.
Hi Jack,
I know I am probably the worst at grammar. It has never been a strong point for me. I promise to try harder!!
Jack, I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I will be the first person knocking on your door when you do start blogging. You are such a great commenter. Polite and courteous. Thanks for reading my friend
C
Very good post Custard
I always enjoy these kind of posts, very informative.
I agree with you on the commenting, I find that’s the most important part of blogging really, it’s a shame more bloggers don’t comment, sometimes you see very well written blogs with no comments at all and it’s rather sad…
Anyway, I look forward to your second part of tips!
Thank you Jack.
Commenting is all part of the fun tbh. I Don’t care who you are and why you blog, having a comment or two on a post you have written is a great feeling
Nice post Custard. That’s really the hang of it when you get started with a blog. That’s really one of the main things that I did (and keep doing) to take AM from 1 reader to what it is today. Answering comments is indeed a minimal courtesy when you get started and only get a few comments a day (it gets a bit harder once you get 50 or 100 comments a day lol)
The circle of promotion is certainly one great aspect of blogging but people not returning comments is certainly one of my biggest pet-peeves. I’m generally very lenient meaning I will continue to visit/comment on someone’s blog even if they don’t show up on mine for weeks but certainly, that’s something that I’m constantly aware of.
HAHA I can imagine that it is pretty hard to answer all the comments at AM as it is probably the busiest and best movie blog out there….period!!
I know that in the past I haven’t been the best at commenting on AM but that is as I have said before because it is so busy I never know where to start. BUt I am addressing that now (which I hope you have noticed) and try and comment on most things posted.
Thanks for the comment Castor, really kind of you
Hi Custard,
What a great post. Thank you so much for the great advise. I’m taking notes.
I had forgotten about The LAMB, thanks for the reminder. I used to visit there once in a while but not on a regular basis. I think I’ll start doing so.
Hi Fabo, it is always nice to see you here!!!
LAMB is a great place to meet like minded bloggers that is for sure. I hope you find something useful from it!
C
Very interesting post, Custard, you really are one of the most talented and intelligent bloggers I’ve come across, and this post proves it. Cannot wait for Part 2!!!
Hmmm You are making me blush. I am just letting you all know what I do on a daily basis. Thanks Tyler you say the nicest things!!
Those are some great tips Custard. Like you, I am constantly learning and applying new things while blogging.
It is great how much of a following you’ve built in such a short time. There is one thing I would love to know, how exactly does one get a post on IMDB’s front page?
Thanks BT I am always very humbled by anyone reading let alone commenting on my blog. So it is nice to hear I am going in the right direction.
IMDb home page is a bit of an enigma. Getting on there is the easy bit, keeping the server alive with the traffic is the fun bit.
I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for seven months. That’s crazy! I can’t wait for part 2
p.s. what’s up with comment luv? is that one of the plug-ins you’ve been adding? x
Thanks Hels. I am only a blogging baby!! HAHA Comment Luv is pretty cool for giving links to peoples sites, which again helps with google rank and therefore traffic!!
I want to join in on the love!
I was asked the other day why I write a blog and I explained that there are quite a few reasons but quite a big one is the community aspect. Movies are a big part of my life and I love reading what other people think. Movies are completely subjective after all!
We are one big happy family aren’t we? So for a new person, I hope they read this and decide to get in on the action. There is always room for one more blogger in this family!
It is always great chatting with you too Claire
Great post Custie and thanks for the twitter linkage. Its amazing how far you have come in seven months, Its really impressive.
I’m Looking forward to the WPplugins post. I might even suggest some of my favorites in the comments.
You are very welcome for the link Joel, it was your twitter posts that inspired me to do this one!!
You are more tan welcome to guest post in the next one if you want? Probably be in a couple of weeks?
Let me know
C
Thanks but I’ll pass, I’m not that good on plug-ins really but I’ll share good ones I use in the comments.
By the way I also want the IMDb story from start to finish.
Ok Matey, no worries. TBH I am not that good either. It has been very much trial and error on them. I probably have conflicting ones too!!
I look forward to seeing if we have similar choices!
you leave 10-30 comments on other blogs every day, thew! I wish I could keep that up, don’t seem to have the time or energy, I admire your dedication to the blogosphere ( :
thanks Chris, and welcome to FRC!! I have bookmarked you blog and added it to my rounds!!
I truly do comment on that many. I do love to read peoples thoughts on blogging/film/tv
It is a sin!!
Going to wait for the best wordpress plug-in. Very nice post, thanks a lot
Hi Andina,
Thanks for popping in and commenting. I am hoping to get the WP one up tomorrow, so pop back.
The WP plug ins are just the ones that I have found most useful. Not saying they are the best ever, just best for me
Nice post. There are some good tips in here. I started my blog in March and am still learning, especially in terms of what to do with Twitter. I’m definitely to check out the article that you mentioned. Thanks!
Thanks Dan. I love your blog and it is now on my daily schedule. I do not think you need any help what so ever. It is great!!
Twitter can seem ver daunting at first but once you get going it is a great place full of excellent people!!
Thanks! I really appreciate the compliments. I’m still figuring it out, but I feel like it’s come a long way since my early posts.
No Problem. I mean it. I really enjoy reading it!! Great name too!!
I know what you mean about learning, I have only been going since Jan and often feel like I am paddling really hard just to keep up!!
Thanks for commenting matey
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for this Scott, I’ve found the advice on commenting useful. Great post.
you are very welcome Ronan. It is just me sharing what I have learned
This is me putting your advice into practice Scott. Now ‘Comment Back!’
HAHA You cheeky fecker!! Thanks for commenting my good friend!
Just put this post link to my links for movie bloggers. Hope you don’t mind. Thanks
“the main wordpress site and I can add as many adverts or different bits that I want!! Very flexible.”
Some of the very reasons I choose it.
“I speak of this with painful memories. I managed to get one of my posts on to the front page of IMDb and the sheer weight of traffic managed to blow the shared server up that I was using!! SO be warned.”
What post?
“Try and add images too as they will help you get hits from google. Also if you post some movie news that you have read make sure you link to the original source. It is just good etiquette.”
I’m in total agreement on that.
“Make sure you leave them a nice comment and inevitably they will follow the link back from your name to your site and do the same. My suggestion is to go and comment on 10 blogs a day. From this you will get 3-4 good comments from people that are into the same thing as you. My daily rounds now are up to 30 or so blogs I read and comment on.”
Superb etiquette. I did this religiously when I first started out.
Nice Scott wish I’d discovered this post before the three months I spent in the wilderness with no one reading my blog! Great post, very handy, still wishing I’d set up with WordPress!
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