After lots of online and offline research I came up with a schedule for those who want to blog successfully and even make a living out of it.

Day 1 – The Groundwork

1. Install a custom WordPress theme for your blog

Although the web is full of blogging platforms, I believe WordPress is still the most powerful blogging platform with awesome versatility.

Resources:
18 Alternative Ways to Use WordPress
Free WordPress Themes from Smashing Magazine
Free WordPress Themese provided by Free WP Themes
Top WP Themes

2. Install and place your RSS icon above the fold (just like here)

Resources:
The Ultimate List of Free RSS Icons from Hongkiat
ProBlog Design
Free & Fresh RSS icons from Smashing Magazine

3. Provide an RSS-to-email option

Resources:
Aweber
MailChimp

4. Create an opt-in mailing list

Resources 
Aweber

5. Create a free product

or service so you can get people to sign-up and capture their email addresses

6. Link to your social profiles

Resources
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter

Day 2 – Write for Your Blog

1. Start posting and do it often; daily if you can but don’t sacrifice quality over quantity
2. Link to other posts within your blog and outside of it too
3. Create your posts with these must-do’s in mind:

• Use header tags (i.e. H1, H2, H3, etc.) for your titles
• Use keywords in your titles
• Create killer headlines for your titles
• Break down your post into sections by using header tags, bulleted lists, bold or italic text
• Use images and videos (when possible) for your posts
• End the post with “conclusions” and / or open end questions to generate comments

Day 3 – Write on Other Blogs

1. Find other blogs within your niche market and write for them or post comments on a daily basis.
2. Don’t be a “me too” blogger. Write interesting copy by adding your own opinion to the comments. Don’t just type in “thanks that was great”.
3. Write product and book reviews.
4. Once a week write and publish an article for ezines.
5. Once a week create a Squidoo lens
6. Create accounts for Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc. Be active within your social media network and post at least 2 or 3 times a day.

Blogging is one of the easiest ways to promote yourself. Consistency is the hard part. Lots of people start blogging, only the ones who persevere are really the successful ones.

The power bloggers are the ones who stick through thick and thin by engaging a regimented approach towards this activity. Ultimately they are the ones who succeed. In fact they are the ones who end up making money by blogging. So when you hear about internet self-made millionaires – think of them and ask yourself why you aren’t among them.

What do you think? Have I missed any of the activities for these 3 days in order to become a power blogger? If so, let me know and I’ll make sure your comments are introduced in the list.

 Claudiu Geanta is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Design by Satori Inc. & Satori CG Inc.. He helps businesses promote their presence on and off line. He is also an accomplished web designer, book writer and photographer. You can follow him on Twitter.
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