When not writing quality, original, niche dominating, un-duplicated content for Blog-Op this week (insert your own sarcastic comment here), I have been reading:

• Michael Martine’s expanded 7 keys to better blogging, a series of 7 posts focusing on various aspects such as tools, content production, design and SEO. Excellent, thought provoking reading whether you’re a blogging newbie, or grizzled old veteran. I could take Tiger with rusty clubs Michael, no problem…..
• On the subject of grizzled old veterans, Darren Rowse advises us to conduct an ‘About page’ audit, and explains it’s importance to your blog. Excellent timing for me, as I’d noticed the cobwebs forming on mine, and this post is just one of a series on building a better blog.
• Chrisblogging, currently riding a high of being linked by John Chow amongst many others, is brought back to Earth with a link from me, picking up on his five ways to increase your traffic post. None of the ways are startlingly new, but it’s the kind of list to print out and stick to your monitor to keep you going through the long cold nights of 5 daily visitors. Too many bloggers give up too soon (and too many others don’t give up soon enough, but that’s another post…..)
• David would love to know whether you start, or end with, a headline when writing your blog posts. I start with an idea which becomes a headline, then I write the post before occasionally tweaking the headline. I don’t know why, but I try not to be a slave to the headline, even if it is unusually witty (I have a weakness for puns). Tell me what you do, and ‘ll let David know.
• Finally, a new blog for me this week, theme playground, asks What’s really necessary in your sidebar? Hands up who’s overpopulated their blog with too many widgets and gizmos in the past? That would be all of you I’m guessing…. Looks like a good blog, and one I’ve subscribed to.

Back to writing for me, and a lot of blog improvement as well I think.

One last thing, WordPress has upgraded again, don’t forget to check yours!