How to be a successful blogger

This is a question which almost every budding blogger tries to find out. I am not saying that I am a very success blogger, but I have learned a lot from my experience. I do go through a number of blogs and bloggers work. These days many novice bloggers are trying to build blogs and get some earning by doing some posts and getting some traffic. For a blog to be success the final question to be answered is “Whats the traffic or your subscriber number?”.

Even to get private ads on your blog which is more rewarding than PPC programs like Google Adsense or Bidvertiser, you need to have good number of page views, visitors and other important factor which influences traffic from search engines is Google Pagerank.

I have some tips which should be useful for budding bloggers. These tips worked for me and I do not claim that this will be giving you the desired results instantly

1. Domain Name

This is something important, if you are planning for a long term blogging. You get free blogs hosted with portals like freewebs, blogger, wordpress etc, but you have lots of restrictions for that. If you register a domain, make sure you select a good domain name and preferably a .com tdl domain. Domain name should not be too big and difficult to remember. Every time your visitor may not be able to bookmark your blog, but if the domain name is something memorable then its an added advantage. For example my domain name is my full name which I had registered 9 years back. I do not want to change this but this is not something which everyone can remember easily. So my first point is Domain Name

2. Update Frequency

Make sure that you do at least 1 post a day, so that if you have regular readers, they get something new when they visit the next time. Every visitor needs something new when they come everytime

3. Descriptive posts from reliable sources with catching Title

Your posts should be descriptive and information provided should be from reliable sources so that other sites do link to your posts which will give you new visitors, backlinks and traffic. You should have a right title which should explain what is in the post. Good title helps in search engine ranking also. The content should be unique and not just copying from any other website and posting in your blog. Search engines will not index or rank such kind of websites

4. Get users to subscribe

Now you can offer great subscription features to your visitors. You just need to get the visitors to subscribe, You can create a subscription page and explain the details of the subscription. You can sign-up for a subscription service provider like Feedburner, which does all the work for you, you just need to create a free account and set up your RSS feeds

5. Comments and trackback

You should keep commenting option open and make sure that you read all the comments and reply to the visitors comments. You should try to be close to your visitors by addressing them by their name and even visit their blogs and post some comments on their blogs

6. Pictures / Videos in your blog posts

Pictures and videos are very effective and widely used by many successful bloggers, its believed than 1 picture can say more than 100 lines

7. User Interactive Posts

Post contests, polls which will make your visitors in participating in your blog activities. This will make your visitors to refer your blog their friends and build your regular visitors number

8. Visibility

This is a very important factor that impresses the first time visitor and makes him / her to bookmark your blog and come back. You should select a nice theme which has good fonts and color. The posts should be clear and readable. I see lots of blogs which are really difficult to read with lots of ads floating in between the text. Many bloggers just have more text ads than the description of the post. If a visitor comes to your blog and clicks on a Google adsense ad believing that its some information on you blog. Do not make your visitors feel that your site is a MFA Site. I know advertising is important, but you are losing a visitor without the knowledge of the visitor who clicks on a text links thinking that its a page of your blog. If you are linking to other sites or page, make the link open in another window using the target frame to _blank, but Google Adsense does not allow this. The fonts you use should be clear, I would prefer Arial, Tahoma, verdana which are very clear and readable.

9. Topic

You should decide a topic for your blog and should concentrate on that topic. When you select a topic, it should be something that you should be able to do some research and write good posts. The posts should be interesting for others to read

10. Bit of Programming knowledge

This is not mandatory and its not possible that every blogger knows web programming or languages like PHP, Mysql. Now a days, there are lots of CMS like WordPress, Typepad, Drupal Joomla available which are open source and easy to use for anybody. I do work with PHP and MySql and do some tweaks and extra work on templates or any needed functions

11. Bit of Advertising

This is something which is needed to promote your blog or to start off. Send emails to your friends about your blog, add the URL with your email signature and forum post. Never try to promote your blog by spamming. Spamming is a crime and always use some third party softwares to manage bulk mailing. Add provision to unsubscribe to every bulk mail that you send. You can use some PPC programs like Google Adwords to promote your blog which is not very expensive if your are able to manage your campaigns cleverly

12. No link selling or buying

Google is a very powerful source of traffic. 80% of my traffic comes from Google and you should keep your blog optimized for search engines too. You should not write posts for search engines by dumping keywords, just write usual posts and use key phrases that a person will use to search for a post that you are doing. Once you get a good pagerank, you will be contacted by many SEO’s for link trading, I get very often, just ignore those offers as this will ruin your pagerank and get buried in search engine result pages



Hope these tips will be helpful to you. Please post your comments and queries, I will be more than happy to reply

Salman 7 Greatest Soundtracks

1-Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)

Music: Raam Laxman
Lyrics: Asad Bhopali & Dev Kohli

Barjatyas, most of the time, always has excellent and sweet music. While their film is targeted at family audiences, their other asset is their music. When one looks down the years as the best Barjatyas musical album, Maine Pyar Kiya is that album. Maine Pyar Kiya was released in the last month of 1989, before hitting the 90s decade. And Maine Pyar Kiya has made a huge impact. For one, not only was it the biggest hit of 1989, it’s the biggest hit in the 80s decade. Two, it was the highest selling album in the 80s, which will appeal every age group. Three, it was the beginning of one of the biggest superstar of all-time Salman Khan. Dil Deewana is the piece-to-resistance of this album. Both Lata Mangeshkar and SP Balasubrhmanium sing their version superbly. One of the best songs to ever come out in Bollywood. The other winners in this album are Kabootar Ja Ja, Aaye Mausam Dosti Ki, Maine Pyar Kiya, Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali, Kahe To He Sajna, and the Antakshri song. Every song is wonderfully done, that you want to hear album a lot of times. The songs are memorable, which make Maine Pyar Kiya one of best soundtracks of all-times.

2-Saajan (1991)

Music: Nadeem-Shravan
Lyrics: Sameer

Nadeem-Shravan was the best music director in the 90s, as they churned hit albums, one right after the other. A strength in Saajan album is melody, as every song is melodious in its own way. From the amazing score, peotic lyrics from Sameer and wonderful singing that is associated in this album, Saajan is definitely one of the best albums in the 90s. The two best songs in this album are Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal and Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise. These two songs make Saajan album a must-have album. While the former is a wonderful romantic duet, the latter is a soulful song. The other great songs are the chartbuster Dekha Hai Pehli Baar, to the full of energy Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai, to the poetic Bahut Pyar Karte Hain, to the joyful Tu Shayar Hai, and to enjoyable Pehli Baar Mile Hain, Saajan is enjoyable album that got its deserving Best Music award that year. People thought Nadeem-Shravan was a one film wonder when Aashiqui album was released, but with Saajan, they prove they were here to stay. Saajan music should be remembered in the years to come.

3-Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)

Music: Raam-Laxman

Lyrics: Ravinder Rawal, Dev Kohli

It’s true when they say that no wedding celebrations can be complete without the songs from the Blockbuster Hum Aapke Hain Koun. Raam-Laxman, in those days, gave the Barjatyas wonderful musical score, and it comes to no shock that Hum Aapke Hain Koun is ranked amongst its best. Every song from Hum Aapke Hain Koun was Super-Hit material, which the album sold over a crore copies. Didi Tera Devar, Wah Wah Ramji, Samdhi Samdhan, Joote Dedo Paise Lelo, Dhiktana, Maaye Ni Maaye, Chocolate Lime Juice, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Yeh Mausam Ka Jaadu, Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai, Lo Chali Main, each of these songs were popular in its own right. Raam-Laxman and Barjatyas score once again with Hum Aapke Hain Koun after the super success of Maine Pyar Kiya.

4-Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Music: Ismail Darbar

Lyrics: Mehboob

Winner of the Best Music Award from the National Awards, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is a musical treasure that has superb songs from start to finish. Bhansali is one director, with an ear for great music, and he can extract memorable songs from nearly all the music directors. To the unforgettable Chand Chhupa, to the dazzling Nimboda, to the melodious Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, to the percussive Man Mohini, to the haunting Jhonka Hawa Ka, to the foot-tapping Dholi Taro Dhol, to the brilliant Tadap Tadap, to the outstanding title track, and the likeable Albela Sajan, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is truly cherishable. Along with Taal, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was a perfect album to end of the century.

5-Tere Naam (2003)

Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Sajid-Wajid

Lyrics: Sameer and Jalees Sherwani

Tere Naam was undoubtedly the best album of 2003, and it became big from the day it was released because it was known to be Salman Khan comeback film. It was not only the best selling album in India for that year, it sold very well in the US, Canada, UK and the West Indies. This is an album that comes once in a lifetime, as it has a variety of songs that makes this album popular till this day. From the mesmerizing title track, to the romantic Tumse Milna, to the youthful O Jaana, to the semi-qawalli Tune Saath Jo, to the heart-rending Kyon Kisi Ko, to the wonderful Chand, to the energetic Lagan Lagi, to the superb Man Basia, and the beautiful Oodhni, Tere Naam had every type of song that should easily appeal to the masses. It comes to no shock that Tere Naam album is still sells today because the score from Himesh Reshammiya is simply brilliant. If piracy never exist these days, no doubt Tere Naam music sales would’ve been 60 lakhs plus.

6-Khamoshi – The Musical (1996)

Music: Jatin-Lalit, Remo Fernandez
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Remo Fernandez

Sanjay Leela Bhansali films always have great music, so let’s go back in time where it all began with Khamoshi – The Musical. This is was at a time where Jatin-Lalit was on a roll as they were delivering good albums one right after the other. However, Khamoshi remains a landmark for Jatin-Lalit as their songs are simply great. Out of the seven songs in the album, 6 of them were great tracks. From Aaj Main Upar (instant hit), Aankhon Main Kya (great singing from Kumar Sanu), Gaate The Pehle (great musical composition), Jana Suno Hum (excellent singing from Udit Narayan), Yeh Dil Sun Raha (Hit song), and Bahon Ke Darmiyan (easily the best song in the soundtrack), all of those six tracks are outstanding. The only letdown was Huiya Ho, which is plain below average. Except for Huiya Ho, Khamoshi is a great album, please get it. You won’t be disappointed.

7-Lucky (2005)

Music Director: Adnan Sami; Lyrics: Sameer

Hands down to the best soundtrack of 2005, which was Lucky (the only entry from 2005 that made it to this list). The soundtrack released at the perfect time, around Valentine’s Day. This soundtrack seem to be the prefect Valentine's gift for your loved ones, as melody was the key factor in this soundtrack. Six songs in the soundtrack (excluding all the different mix) and five of the songs stand out hugely. From the lovable Jaan Meri Jaa Rahi Sanam, to the endearing Sun Zara, to the spectacular Shayad Yahi To Pyar Hai (easily the best song from the album), the attractive Chori Chori and the very youthful Lucky Lips, Lucky is a soundtrack that will appeal to everyone from every ages. The only disappointing song was Hum Deewane, however, those five songs easily camouflage that one song. Lucky, is simply the best album of 2005, thanks to the melody of Adnan Sami. Another factor that it had going in its favour was that it uses different singers for each track. Lata Manageshkar, Asha Bhosle, Udit Narayan, Adnan Sami, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, and Anuradha Paudwal all made a huge impact of 2005. And deservingly, Lucky was one of the best selling album of 2005, which doesn’t come up as a surprise. I wouldn’t be surprised if Adnan Sami sweeps the Best Music awards from all award function, as he truly deserves it.

Anees Bazmee's Salman-Asin starrer Ready to be shot in Sri Lanka

Even before the hangover of a spectacular Videocon IIFA Weekend 2010 subsides, it seems like the host country, Sri Lanka, has already begun reaping the benefits of playing host to IIFA's magnificent 11th edition. Recognizing the gorgeousness of the island nation, and the welcoming warmth received by the Indian Film Fraternity during another magical IIFA weekend, Anees Bazmee's new film Ready, produced by T-Series and starring Salman Khan and Asin in lead roles, will now be filmed in Sri Lanka, beginning 20th June, 2010. The movie's location for shooting was originally scheduled to be Mauritius, but after enjoying a beautiful locale like Colombo during the Videocon IIFA Weekend, there was much enthusiasm to change the location to Sri Lanka

It may be recalled that in the absence of the Bachchan parivar and Shah Rukh Khan at the recently held IIFA weekend in Colombo, it was none other than Salman Khan who was the main attraction at this extravaganza. The actor, who played a key role in the IIFA Hands for Humanity Project, as the Brand Ambassador for Charity, thoroughly appreciated the kindness and generosity of the Sri Lankans and claims to be thrilled about returning to the neighbouring island.

Sri Lanka is undoubtedly excited to welcome the whole cast of Ready. It seems like the exuberant aura of Sri Lanka, that received global recognition at the Videocon IIFA Weekend will prove to be a big plus for this host country in the days to come.