Killington Vermont
I Googled “Ryan Biddulph” today.
Something caught my eye.
Blogging From Paradise Dot Com came up as result 4. Whoops. New one. My blog usually ranks #1 for my name as it should. I put in work to make it happen. My name became aligned with my blog. Nothing should rank before my blog.
I got my ass in gear.
I figured out why this happened.
I have not updated posts recently. I pumped the brakes on creating new content.
OK; I really ignored editing, updating and re-publishing old blog posts. Sometimes bloggers get complacent. Methinks most bloggers do this in updating terms. Google pays attention, though. Readers pay attention too. New news becomes old news fast.
I have a sneaking suspicion BFP will rank at position 1 for an RB query soon. Maintaining blogs ranks blogs. Updating blogs ranks blogs. Publishing new content ranks blogs. Working your blog ranks blogs.
Update Old Blog Posts
I updated these blog posts today:
Losing rank for my name flashed a red flag. Something had to be off. I did some trouble shooting. Start at the end. Visit old blog posts. See what needs to stay. See what needs to go. See what can be preserved versus culled.
I picked “how to pick a blogging niche” first.
Re-reading triggered a warning. My post was wordy. I deleted paragraphs. Less is more sometimes. I added relevant content. I beefed things up.
Scanning the other updated posts flashed similar red flags.
I said more with less words. I added timely content to keep readers current.
Most importantly, I re-published both revamped pieces of content. Trashing 400 to 500 words basically creates a new post. Adding paragraphs definitely creates a new post. Readers want updated content on your home page. Google loves updated content; give it top billing.
What came next?
I wrote and published this new blog post.
Thank goodness I did not fall asleep at the wheel in this department. All new content, all the time, is pretty much my Blogging From Paradise Dot Com mantra.
The Challenge of Challenges
Distribution still counts.
I promoted:
- old blog posts
- text based content
- my online course for sale
- my eBooks for sale
prior to spotting my ranking quandary. I already put in serious blogging work today.
Finding time to:
- write new content
- update old content
- distribute
challenges bloggers.
I perceive blogging to be a full-time gig. I commit to get the job done. I value freedom so I do what it takes to live a life of freedom.
That’s my take.
Find your driver.
Do what works for you.
Ask the Questions
When did you last write and publish a new blog post?
When did you last edit and update an old blog post?
Play around with the numbers. Never beat yourself up. Never pat yourself on the back. Get the job done.
If you are up to blogging snuff, good job. Write the next post. Update the old post. Get back to work.
If you have been negligent, pick one. Either write a new post or update an old post. Doesn’t matter. Do one or the other to get your creative juices flowing.
I prioritize writing new blog posts. But how does that help if you haven’t updated old content in 5 years? Update old content, for goodness sake. Writing new content can wait for now.
See the Flashing Red Flag
“I do not value my blog.”
Read this line.
Let the idea simmer in your mind.
Imagine if you last published a post 4 months ago. You do not value your blog.
Picture if you last updated an old post 2 years ago. You do not value your blog.
Stop kicking yourself about not valuing your blog. I de-value my blog. You de-value your blog. We all do. Google is good at influencing bloggers to value Google over blogs. Ditto for established bloggers. Ditto for almost everyone.
Admit the error. Write and publish your next blog post. Update an old blog post.
Get It Done Until You Get It Right
Publish new content and update old content until you get it right.
Think.
Be prolific until you get it right. Never shy away from the blogging spotlight because you seek the perfect blog post; ain’t gonna happen.
Update old content until you get it right. Never base your strategy solely on how well updated posts rank on Google. Re-publish consistently until you get it right.
Getting it right may mean driving traffic from:
- X
- Quora
- backlinks
- YouTube
- Rumble
- Threads
- Mastodon
- Blue Sky
among other channels.
Conclusion
Start with the questions.
When did you last publish a new post? When did you last update an old post?
Let the answers arise.
Blog accordingly.
Related posts:
How to Update Blog Posts for SEO
Should You Publish One Blog Post Weekly?
What Is the Best Time to Publish a Blog Post?
Why Should You Update Blog Posts Every 3 to 6 Months?
How to Recover from a Google Algorithm Update
How Much Should You Promote a Blog Post?
Why Do I Publish Blog Posts Consistently?
Do You Feel Pressured to Publish Blog Posts?
