Hugh W. Roberts

An image of a computer screen showing AI.

WordPress Themes: Something Exciting Is Happening

Published on Apr 21, 2025Apr 21, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts43 Comments

Have you ever found yourself lost in the rabbit hole of themes while setting up your WordPress blog? Are you an existing blogger who needs to change an outdated, unsupported theme? Many bloggers embark on this journey—one filled with excitement, anxiety, and the quest for the perfect layout.

As I look back on my blogging evolution, I can’t help but recall the days of choosing that first simple theme, a decision that would shape my entire online presence. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of an adventure that would change with every new theme and update!

How did it all begin?

The first theme I chose was straightforward. It featured a space to add a profile picture and little else. It targeted first-time bloggers who sought a simple layout and a quick start. It got me off to a great start.

As the years progressed, I became more confident in changing the theme of my blog. I wanted a side widget bar to add information, such as a follow button, links to my social media accounts, and a box with links to previous posts.

That first theme change took me a whole weekend to complete. It wasn’t particularly complicated, but it required much work to ensure everything was as I wanted. After all, my followers had increased, and more people were visiting my blog, and I didn’t want anyone to think I was stuck in 2014 or going backwards in the blogging world.

Other theme changes occurred; each time, I found it easier and took less time to change themes. Then it came to a grinding halt.

Full-Site editing themes

Fast-forward a few years, and I considered changing my blog’s theme from the Classic theme I had been using to a new Full-Site-Editing (Block) theme. However, it seemed too complicated, and I was reading posts from other bloggers detailing the difficult transition they had gone through and a list of problems they faced. It reminded me of stories I’d read when some bloggers switched from WordPress.com to self-hosting their blogs.

Today, I’m still using a supported WordPress Classic theme (Toujours), and even though I have thought long and hard about switching to a Block theme, I haven’t jumped ship.

Future themes are here, but there’s a catch!

Last week, WordPress announced that anyone using WordPress could build a blog theme using AI for free. All you have to do is give AI some information about the type of layout you are looking for, and it’ll build the theme and do all the work for you.

Not only was I excited by this news, but it got me thinking about all those bloggers experiencing problems with their blogs because the theme they use is outdated and no longer supported by WordPress. These bloggers could let AI build a theme for their blog and eliminate all the problems they’re experiencing once and for all.

But what about those who won’t use AI? Would they rather continue using outdated, unsupported themes than allow AI to help them?

Using an outdated, unsupported theme can lead to several issues. Here are a few.

1. Security vulnerabilities: Without updates, the theme may become prone to security risks that could compromise your blog.
2. Compatibility issues: As plugins and WordPress itself update, an outdated theme may not function correctly with newer versions, causing layout glitches, functional problems such as not being able to leave comments and issues with WordPress believing you are not logged in.
3. Lack of support: You won’t have access to official support for troubleshooting any issues or queries that arise with the theme. WordPress will advise you to change to a supported theme.
4. Performance issues: Unsupported themes may not be optimised for speed and performance, leading to slower load times.
5. Missed features: Regular updates often include new features and improvements; sticking with an unsupported theme means missing out on these enhancements, which could benefit your blog’s features and user experience.

We’re not quite there yet!

Unfortunately, after a few messages exchanged between a member of WordPress staff and me, I discovered that this new service of AI creating a theme for your blog is only available to those who want to start afresh with a brand new blog. The AI software can not change themes for an existing blog. However, WordPress is working on this, and it will become available sometime in the future.

An image showing a message conversation about the AI theme building. — Would you allow AI to help you change the theme of your blog?

Given that I’m not confident about changing my blog’s theme from my current theme to a full-site-editing theme, I’m looking forward to AI doing the work for me. I just hope it’s something I’ll be able to do sooner rather than later.

7 Common Blogging Mistakes and How to Avoid Them for a Successful Blog

Published on Apr 10, 2025Apr 10, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts27 Comments

We’re all human, so we all make mistakes. When it comes to blogging, whether bloggers are just starting out or have been writing for a while, some make more mistakes than others.

But what are those mistakes? And do some bloggers not make any mistakes at all?

1. Not Defining a Target Audience

One of the most critical mistakes of bloggers is not clearly understanding their target audience. Writing for everyone often leads to writing for no one.

Solution:

Take some time to define your ideal reader. Consider their demographics, interests, and problems they want to solve. Tailoring your content to a specific audience will make your blog more focused and engaging. For example, I target most of my posts at other bloggers by giving blogging tips and helping to solve problems users are experiencing with WordPress.

2. Ignoring SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Best Practices

SEO might seem daunting, but ignoring it can severely limit your blog’s visibility. Many bloggers neglect to use relevant keywords or proper formatting that can help their posts rank better in search results.

Solution:

Invest some time in mastering the essentials of SEO. Consider creating blog post titles with keywords that appeal to visitors and make them want to read your posts.

If you’re not interested in attracting more traffic or followers to your blog, you can disregard SEO.

3. Inconsistent Posting Schedule

Consistency is key in the blogging world. Many new bloggers either post too sporadically or overwhelm their readers with too much content at once. I’m guilty of this mistake, having cut back on how often I publish posts.

Solution:

Develop a realistic posting schedule that you can maintain. Whether it’s once a week or biweekly, staying consistent helps build an audience that knows when to expect new content. Some will not publish any posts for many weeks or months and then suddenly publish many posts within a short time as if they are in a race. Space the publication of posts out to give readers time to read and engage before publishing your next post.

4. Failing to Promote Content

Creating great content is only half the battle; the other half is getting that content in front of readers. Many bloggers publish their posts and assume readers will find them, which rarely happens unless you have a loyal audience who reads all your posts.

Solution:

Share your blog posts across various social media platforms, engage in relevant online communities, and consider using email marketing to reach your audience directly. Never believe that an audience will find you.

5. Not Engaging with Their Audience

Some bloggers overlook the importance of conversing with their readers through blog comments, social media, or emails. Never ignore your audience.

Solution:

Make it a priority to respond to comments and questions, ask for feedback, and create a community around your blog. Engaging with your audience not only builds loyalty but also provides you with valuable insights into what they want to see.

6. Neglecting the Visual Aspect

A blog’s visual appeal can significantly impact reader retention in the internet age. A blog that looks outdated or cluttered can deter visitors.

Solution:

Invest a little time learning about basic design principles, using user-friendly blogging tools and updating your blog’s theme. Choose clean layouts, appealing colour schemes, and high-quality images to enhance your blog’s aesthetic.

You don’t need to spend tens of thousands on re-branding, but if your website still looks stuck in 2015, it’s worth updating. People judge quickly. A blog’s look and design play an enormous role in how professional (or trustworthy) it looks.

7. Writing Without a Clear Purpose

Blogs that lack direction can confuse readers and fail to deliver value. Having a clear purpose behind each post is essential.

Solution:

Before writing, outline what you want to achieve with your content. Are you aiming to inform, entertain, or persuade? Staying focused on your purpose will guide your writing and make it more effective.

Conclusion

Recognising these common mistakes is the first step toward becoming a successful blogger. By defining your audience, optimising for SEO, maintaining consistency, actively promoting your content, engaging with readers, improving your blog’s design, and writing with a clear purpose, you can significantly improve your blogging experience and expand your reach.

Keep these tips in mind as you continue your blogging journey. Good luck!

Do you have any blogging mistakes you’d like to share? If you’ve faced challenges or learned valuable lessons throughout your blogging journey, I would love to hear about them! Please leave the details in the comments section and join the discussion. By sharing your insights, you can help others avoid similar pitfalls and foster a supportive community of bloggers eager to enhance their craft. Let’s learn from each other and make our blogging experiences even more rewarding!

The featured image and title of this blog post were generated using the WordPress AI blocks.

I’m getting tough with non-engaging comments. Any non-engaging comments such as ‘Nice post’ are marked as spam.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

An image of a man using AI on a laptop computer.

Harnessing AI in Blogging: Benefits, Challenges, and Personal Insights

Published on Mar 27, 2025Mar 27, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts61 Comments

In today’s digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a progressively popular tool across various domains, including blogging.

WordPress integrated AI into its platform a few years ago, joining numerous other sites that now offer AI as an option.

I have witnessed many bloggers who are afraid of what AI can do, but I have also seen many bloggers embrace AI and utilise it for the benefits it can offer.

However, like any tool, there are pros and cons to consider.

What are your thoughts about using AI to blog?

This post examines the advantages and disadvantages of integrating AI into your blogging process.

Pros of Using AI in Blogging

1. Improved Efficiency

AI tools can streamline the writing process. From generating topic ideas to creating content drafts, AI can save bloggers considerable time, allowing them to focus on refining their unique voice and style.

This may prove beneficial to bloggers who publish daily, but those bloggers who publish less often may not see any benefit.

2. Enhanced Creativity

AI can assist in brainstorming and generating creative content ideas. With access to vast databases and algorithms that identify trends, AI can offer fresh perspectives and innovative suggestions.

However, some consider this to be plagiarism, a term that specifically refers to taking another person’s work—words, ideas, and so forth—and presenting it as one’s own without proper attribution.

Did you know that WordPress users can choose to stop their blog’s content from being shared with a WordPress-licensed network of content and research partners, including those that train AI models? To achieve this, navigate to your blog’s dashboard, select Settings—Reading, and tick the box next to ‘Prevent third-party sharing...’.

An image highlighting the box to tick on a WordPress dashboard to prevent AI tools from scraping your site. — Tick this box to stop AI from using your blog content.

3. SEO Optimization

Numerous AI-based tools can analyse keywords and optimise content for search engines. They offer insights into the types of content that rank well, assisting bloggers in enhancing their visibility and reach.

I utilise AI to generate titles for blog posts when I struggle to think of a captivating title that will entice readers to read and engage further. Consequently, I have observed a significant increase in engagement and visitors to my blog.

4. Data-Driven Decisions

AI can analyse reader behaviour and feedback to inform content strategy. By understanding what resonates with the audience, bloggers can create more targeted and engaging content.

However, your WordPress statistics can also provide this information by analysing the stats of posts that receive higher engagement. Typically, you’ll observe a correlation between those posts that engage readers more and those that attract less engagement.

5. Consistency

AI can assist in maintaining a consistent posting schedule by automating aspects of the content creation process. This guarantees that the blog stays active and engaging for readers.

It is widely known that blogs which publish on a schedule tend to retain readers; however, it is unwise to publish content merely for the sake of it. There is nothing wrong with occasionally missing the publication of a blog post or taking a break from blogging. Nevertheless, if you choose to take the latter route, ensure that you inform your readers.

Cons of Using AI in Blogging

1. Lack of Personal Touch

AI-generated content often lacks the emotional depth and personal touch that human writers naturally provide. Readers tend to connect more readily with personal stories and unique experiences that AI is unable to replicate.

If you let AI compose all your posts, you’ll soon notice a decline in visitors and engagement.

2. Quality Control

While AI can generate content rapidly, the quality does not always meet high standards. Bloggers must review and edit AI-generated content to ensure it aligns with their voice and is factually accurate. Remember, it is your blog, not that of AI. Your voice matters.

3. Dependence on Technology

Over-reliance on AI can hinder writing skills. Bloggers may grow overly dependent on tools, stifling creative development and originality. This is particularly evident in the fiction world, where I have observed AI produce stories that lack emotion or feeling, thus making them dull and unappealing.

My advice is that if you use AI, mix it with your written content.

4. Ethical Concerns

The use of AI raises ethical questions, such as plagiarism (which I discussed earlier) and authenticity. Bloggers must ensure that their use of AI does not compromise their integrity or mislead their audience. Always check (and check again) what AI produces.

5. Costs

Although some AI tools are free, many come with a cost. For bloggers on a tight budget, investing in AI technology might not be practical. However, this won’t affect those who choose not to use AI.

Do I use AI in blogging?

Yes, I utilise AI to assist with spelling and grammar corrections. I have also used AI to verify if I have omitted anything essential from a post, as well as for generating titles for blog posts.

The featured images I use in my blog posts (including this one) are primarily created using the WordPress AI image tool. However, I have found that the tool is not always particularly effective at generating images, especially when more than a few words are included. More work is needed to improve it.

Conclusion

Utilising AI in blogging offers both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. While it can enhance efficiency, creativity, and data-driven decisions, it is crucial to maintain a balance and preserve the unique voice that attracts readers. By carefully weighing the pros and cons, bloggers can make informed choices about incorporating AI into their writing process.

If you wish to utilise AI, do so with your own writing rather than generating posts entirely composed by AI.

Finally, we must never forget that we all have a choice regarding AI. We can either use it or leave it be. What we must never do is persuade other users to use it or not. It’s a personal decision. Never criticise those who choose to use AI if you are against any use of AI in writing. Likewise, don’t criticise anyone who refuses to use AI if you use it.

11 Tips to Craft Irresistible Blog Post Titles That Attract New Visitors

Published on Mar 10, 2025Mar 10, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts74 Comments

What do you consider the most crucial factor in attracting new visitors to your blog or website?

Many may immediately say, ‘content.’

However, content is not always king.

An essential element that nearly every visitor encounters first before deciding to read a blog post in depth exists.

Crafting Compelling Titles for Your Blog Posts

Why Great Blog Post Titles Are Essential…

“On average, 5x as many people read the title as read the body copy. When you’ve written your headline, you’ve spent eighty cents out of your dollar.”
— David Ogilvy

Indeed, the secret lies in your blog post titles. Craft captivating titles, and you will witness a surge in new visitors eager to read your posts and explore your website.

I don’t know about you, but some blog post titles can make me sleepy, especially when they have been used repeatedly.

Blog Post Titles: The Equivalent of Book and Movie Titles

I consider blog post titles akin to the titles of books or movies. If a title captures my interest, I am likely to begin reading the book or watch the film.

Titles are as significant as the content itself, yet many bloggers give their blog post titles little, if any, thought. Master both, and you’re on the path to success.

If your blog post title isn’t engaging, how many potential new and existing visitors will scroll past it without a second thought?

I often find myself doing the same. If a title fails to grab my attention, I quickly move on.

Think about this: how many visitors to your blog are likely to do the same?

Tip: When creating titles for your blog posts, consider what title would motivate you to click on the ‘read more’ link.

Strategies to Make Your Blog Post Titles More Enticing

Certain words in blog post titles can attract readers’ interest in learning more. Here are a few examples:

How
How to
When
Have
Have you
Don’t
Did
Do you
This
This is
Who
Why
What
Where

Additional Techniques to Enhance Your Blog Post Titles

Incorporate Numbers

Numbers can greatly affect the effectiveness of your titles. Think about these two examples:

My thoughts on Ways to Get People to Read Your Blog Posts.

7 Blogging Tips That Will Boost Your Post Engagement And Get Visitors Reading Your Blog.

According to Janice Wald of MostlyBlogging.com, odd numbers generally perform better than even numbers in titles, with prime numbers yielding even greater results.

Odd numbers tend to attract more attention as they seem less predictable compared to even numbers.

Tip: Opt for numerals instead of spelling them out when using numbers. Digits tend to stand out more in headlines and require less space.

Utilise Hashtags

Hashtags can enhance your blog post titles, aiding both SEO and drawing in visitors seeking specific topics.

Explore trending hashtags around your post’s publication time. Bluesky and X are great resources for identifying these trends, but always ensure your hashtags are relevant to your content.

Warning: Excessive hashtags can lead to search engines flagging your post as spam. To maintain a professional appearance, limit yourself to no more than three hashtags in your blog post title.

Incorporate Bluesky and X Usernames

If you mention someone in your blog post with a Bluesky or X account, including their handle in the title can be beneficial. When your post is shared, the individual mentioned receives a notification and may expand your reach by resharing it.

For example, when writing a book review, in the blog post title, include the Bluesky or X handle of the author.

Optimise Word Count

Research from CoSchedule.Com suggests that blog post titles around 55 characters long typically earn the highest click-through rates. Titles within six to ten words also tend to yield better engagement.

To establish a foundation for creating your blog post titles, consider these templates:

How To ____
How To Find ____
How To Completely Change ____
How To Create ____
How To Use ____
How To Get Rid Of ____
How I Made ____
How To Save ____
How To Help ____
How To Develop ____
What To Do With ____
Here’s How To ____
Where To Find ____
What No One Tells You About ____
(#) Questions You Should Ask Before ____
(#) Secrets To ____
(#) Signs You Might ____
(#) Rules For ____
(#) Facts About ____
(#) Ideas For/To ____
(#) Essential Steps For/To ____
(#) Foolproof Tips For ____
(#) Handy Tips For ____
(#) Tricks For ____
(#) Key Benefits For ____
(#) Reasons You ____
(#) Wrong Ways To ____
(#) Most Popular ____
(#) Tips For ____
(#) ____ Mistakes You Won’t Make Again
(#) Things I’ve Learned This Month
Why My Weekend Was Amazing
You’ll Never Believe What Happened Last Week
Why This Is The Only Chocolate Chip Recipe You Need
Meet ____ ____ Who Reveals Their Writing Secrets
Why I’m Recommending These (#) TV Shows to Fans of ____
Book Review: (#) Reasons I’m Giving ____ by ____ ____ (insert Bluesky or X username) 5 Stars

(Remember to insert a number in place of (#).)

I’ve used many of these title ideas and seen excellent results. My titles frequently include words that draw readers in.

Warning: Always remember to add a title to your blog post. Any title is better than having none. WordPress replaces empty titles with a five-digit number, which does not encourage visitors to click the ‘read more’ link.

AI – can it help with blog post titles?

Yes, it can.

Did you know that WordPress has an AI block? Just ask it to suggest a title for your post, and see the result.

Not sure how to use AI on WordPress? Check out this excellent post from Fedora, who blogs at Fedora Pancakes – ‘A Guide to WordPress.com’s AI Assistant.‘

Conclusion

Blog post titles are the first impression for visitors; make them as compelling as possible.
Titles are as important as the content of your posts.
Consider what would encourage you to click ‘read more’ when crafting a title.
A poorly chosen title could mean missing out on countless new readers, likes, and comments.
Ensure every post has a title; it doesn’t have to be perfect—just better than a default number.
Use engaging words like How, What, Why, and Where to entice clicks.
Odd numbers usually outperform even numbers in titles, making them more appealing.
Use numerals for numbers in titles for better visibility.
Keep hashtags limited to three to avoid looking spammy.
Mentioning Bluesky and X usernames can help boost your post’s visibility on social media.
Use AI to help generate blog post titles.

How do you generate titles for your blog posts? Are there any extra strategies you would like to share or questions about title creation? Join the conversation in the comments!

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

An image depicts a group of people, some holding mobile phones, engaging with a lecturer about Bluesky.

The Ultimate Guide to Engaging on Bluesky: Tips, Features, and Strategies for Success

Published on Mar 3, 2025Dec 30, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts88 Comments

When I joined Bluesky in November 2024, I thought it might be just another social media platform, but I was mistaken. It has now become a place where I visit and engage every day. Plus, it’s already driving traffic to my blog and has introduced me to many amazing people worldwide.

Bluesky is a friendly, easy-to-use platform for interacting with other users, and many bloggers, writers, authors, and photographers have already joined.

However, it’s not all plain sailing. Bluesky has its fair share of bots and scammers, but they’re easy to deal with.

How does Bluesky work?

If you have ever used Twitter or X, the Bluesky platform runs similarly. However, Bluesky is the new kid on the social media block, so it doesn’t do everything you could do on Twitter/X. However, it does have a couple of features that Twitter/X does not have.

Since it has over 33 million users (as of this post), it’s a social media platform every blogger, writer, and author should consider joining.

How Bluesky Works

Users publish posts (known by some as Skeets), including links to blog articles, books, images, and photos. Other users can view these posts and engage by commenting, clicking the ‘like’ button, and resharing the post (a ‘reskeet’). It’s very similar to what occurs in the blogging world.

The more you interact with other users, the more rewarding and effective your results from Bluesky will be.

Here are the key components of how Bluesky functions:

User Registration: To start, users must create a quick and straightforward account. A missing banner, avatar or profile description makes you look like one of those quickly thrown-together bot/scam accounts that frequent many social media platforms. Be sure to include that you’re a writer, blogger, author or photographer in the description. That helps ensure you connect with fellow writers or photographers rather than those who post about subjects you’re not interested in.
Publishing Posts: Users can share content, including text posts, links to blog entries, images, videos and photos. They can also reshare (known as reskeeting) the posts of other users.
Engagement Mechanisms: Other users can engage with posts by commenting, liking, and resharing. This interaction helps foster a sense of community and encourages dialogue.
Discoverability: Bluesky’s algorithm allows users to discover posts that may not be directly connected to the author, broadening the audience reach. For example, I am also interested in astronomy and have connected with users who publish images, photos and posts about space.
User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and effectively use its features. I quickly learned how the platform works.
Building Connections: Users can follow others, creating a network of connections that enhances the engagement on the platform.
Community Guidelines: Bluesky implements guidelines that users are encouraged to follow to maintain a friendly environment. These guidelines help minimise conflicts and foster positive interactions. Unlike other social media platforms, Bluesky does not tolerate any hate speech.

With over 33 million users at the time of writing, Bluesky is emerging as a significant platform for bloggers and content creators seeking to broaden their reach and engage with a broader audience.

What not to do on Bluesky

I’ve seen numerous bloggers share links to their posts and then leave immediately. They do not interact with any other users.

It’s no surprise that their posts receive little, if any, engagement or shares.

Unsurprisingly, in the four months I’ve been on Bluesky, I’ve not seen any increase in the number of users who follow them or the number of accounts they follow.

Their accounts resemble stepping onto a new planet that could rapidly be populated but is desolate due to a lack of visitors and engagement.

Avoid dropping links to your own posts and then running away. The general advice for any social media platform is that 80% of your posts should feature the content of other users, while the remaining 20% can be your own material.

Avoid overlooking comments on your posts (except those from scammers or bots). At the very least, show appreciation to anyone who leaves a comment.

Be friendly, helpful, and positive toward others. Remember that Bluesky differs from X/Twitter. Avoid seeking out or engaging in arguments. Ignore, delete, and block any comments from spammers, bots, or troll accounts.

How to spot bot accounts and scammers on Bluesky

The majority of bot and scammer accounts can be easily spotted.

They generally have a high following count but a very low follower count, while the number of published posts is low and primarily consists of posts shared from other users.

Lots of numbers will appear after their BlueSky user name – e.g. hughblogger123456789.bsky.

The account will have a generic, poorly written Al bio and posts.

The account will primarily feature reposts, with very few original posts.

If you accidentally follow one, they will immediately send you a direct message saying ‘Hello’ or asking how you are or where you are from.

They will continue to bombard you with direct messages.

Their bio may sometimes indicate they are seeking love, a partner, or requesting a donation. Some will also claim to be experts in book/blog marketing or able to make you lots of money with little effort.

Their profile pictures may seem too good to be true and are often taken from other sources online. Be cautious of accounts featuring military uniforms and those revealing body parts you might not anticipate seeing in their bio picture.

Here’s an image of a scam account that recently followed me. I immediately blocked it.

An image of a scammer account on BlueSky where a donation link is visible. — Beware of scam accounts asking for donations.

Sadly, 338 people are following this account, some of which will have donated.

Here’s a warning from one Bluesky user about the type of scam account I mentioned.

An image of a warning from a BlueSky user about not donating money to certain accounts on BlueSky. — Never donate to any accounts asking for these kinds of donations.

More helpful tips from other Bluesky users.

Helen describes ways to stop receiving direct messages (DMs).

An image showing how to turn off direct messaging on BlueSky. — Don’t want direct messages on Bluesky? Follow this advice.

Follow Helen on Bluesky at @helenmaryme.bsky.social.

Follow these two accounts on Bluesky to discover which hashtags are trending: @trendtags.bsky.social and @alphasky.social.

An image showing popular hashtags on Bluesky.

An image showing an account that publishes trending hashtags on BlueSky — Follow these accounts to discover trending hashtags on BlueSky.

Bluesky encourages the use of hashtags, so I recommend using them.

Curious about who has blocked you or added you to lists or starter packs on Bluesky? Follow @listifications.app.

An image of a post showing an account to follow on BlueSky to find out who has blocked you or added you to lists or starter packs.

For authors, some Bluesky users offer to add details about your books to their author websites. While this may initially seem suspicious, I recommend sending information only to those you have been following or believe are trustworthy. Here are the details of one author who recently posted, inviting other authors to send him details of their books so he could add them to his author’s website. As you can see, I took up his kind free offer.

An image of a Bluesky post by an author providing free marketing on their author's website. — Free marketing offers on Bluesky.

Follow JP (James) at @pangeanchronicles.bsky.social. Visit James’ author’s website by clicking the following link.

The Pangean Chronicles

Create and get yourself added to BlueSky Starter Packs.

I highly recommend creating at least one starter pack and trying to get added to the starter packs of other Bluesky users. This will allow you to connect with numerous other Bluesky users who share similar interests, thereby increasing your exposure and that of your blog.

For more information about the benefits of Starter Packs on Bluesky, click the following link.

Introducing Bluesky Starter Packs

I have created a Starter Pack for Bloggers. Click the link or scan the QR code below to see it.

https://go.bsky.app/D5Nztv6

Please let me know if you’d like to be added to my bloggers’ Starter Pack by leaving a comment with your Bluesky handle.

And finally…

Don’t forget to add the BlueSky sharing button to your blog.

Ready to dive into Bluesky? Share your best tips for navigating the platform! If you have questions or want some help with its features, don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to drop your Bluesky handle here so others can easily connect with you.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

How to Fix Commenting Issues on WordPress Email Notifications: A Simple Solution

Published on Feb 20, 2025Mar 5, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts58 Comments

If you receive email notifications from WordPress about new blog posts, you might face difficulties leaving comments on certain blogs.

When I attempt to leave a comment, I receive an error message.

Image of an error message that appears when trying to leave a comment on WordPress. — The error message.

This issue only impacts comments made when opening posts from email, not those via the WordPress Reader or the bell icon in the notification centre of my blog.

The issue still exists at the time of this post. However, I have found that comments go through when replying to the You can also reply to this email to leave a comment message (see the image below).

Image highlighting the 'You can also reply to this email to leave a comment' link on a new post notification from WordPress. — Leave your comment via the ‘You can also reply to this email to leave a comment’ link.

You’ll see that it’s like replying to an email rather than leaving a comment on the post, so press the reply button to the email, draft your comment and click the send button. When you check the post, you’ll see your comment unless it’s waiting for approval by the blogger for which you’re leaving the comment.

I recently came across this message. I’m unsure how long it’s been appearing in WordPress emails, whether WordPress has temporarily added it to email notifications to address the issue, or whether it’s a permanent fix. Next time I talk with WordPress, I’ll ask them and update this post.

The important thing is that this method of leaving comments works, so there’s no longer a need to remember to copy comments before submitting them.

Update: See the below response from a staff member at WordPress to me.

An image of a comment from a member of staff at WordPress about the problem involving not be able to leave comments via the WordPress new blog post notification email. — WordPress is working on the problem that is causing some comments to fail.

I inquired with WordPress about whether the text ‘You can also reply to this email to leave a comment at the bottom of their notifications is a recent addition. They confirmed that this specific wording is new; however, the ability to leave comments by replying to emails has been available for a long time.

Update 2

WordPress has now resolved this problem. I’m no longer seeing the error message.

However, if you still get the ‘Sorry, this comment could not be posted’ message when leaving comments, please contact WordPress.

Is this commenting problem affecting you? Please feel free to ask any questions by leaving a comment.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

Photo showing Hugh's desk with a computer screen showing Hugh's home page of his blog.

Why Every Blogger Needs an Engaging ‘About’ Page: Key Elements and Tips

Published on Feb 11, 2025Feb 11, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts52 Comments

It never ceases to amaze me how many bloggers do not have a page on their blog where they can introduce themselves to their audience.

Sometimes, their ‘About’ page is blank or hasn’t been updated for years.

Given that a blog’s ‘About’ page is one of the most visited areas, it’s no wonder that all bloggers should have one and ensure it is regularly updated.

I’ve previously written about the importance of an ‘About’ page. This new post is an important reminder.

What is an ‘About’ Page?

An ‘About’ page is one of the most critical components of your blog.

It serves as an introduction to your readers, offering insights into who you are, what your blog is about, and why you started it.

It also helps you connect with your audience, establish credibility, and set the tone for your content.

Here is why it’s important and what to include in it.

Why the ‘About’ Page Matters

Personal Connection: Readers love to know the person behind the blog. An engaging ‘About’ page humanises your content, making it relatable and fostering community.
Establishing Credibility: Sharing your background, expertise, and experiences can enhance your credibility. It shows that you know your niche or what you write about, which can attract more readers and followers.
Setting Expectations: It informs visitors about the blog’s purpose, the type of content they can expect, and how often you post. This clarity can help keep readers coming back.
Encouraging Interaction: An inviting ‘About’ page can motivate readers to engage with you through comments, emails, or social media. It opens the door for dialogue and connection.

Have you seen my ‘About ‘page? Take a look and let me know what you think.

What to Include on Your ‘About’ Page

Your Story: Share your personal journey. Explain why you started the blog and what motivates you to write. This could include anecdotes that resonate with your audience.
What’s Your Name?: While you do not need to give your full name, it’s essential to include and tell visitors a name by which you want to be known. Not only does this make you come over as approachable, but it also gives the impression that you are friendly. Use a pseudonym if you do not want to provide your real name.
Your Expertise: Highlight your knowledge or experience in your niche or what you write about or publish. This may include your education, career background, or significant achievements related to your blog’s topic.
Blog Mission Statement: Clearly state the purpose of your blog. What topics do you cover? What value do you aim to provide to your readers? A concise mission statement can help readers understand your blog’s focus.
Target Audience: Briefly mention who your blog is created for. Understanding who will benefit from your content can help new visitors feel more connected and engaged.
Call to Action: Encourage readers to explore your blog further. This could be a suggestion to read your latest posts, subscribe to your newsletter, or follow you on social media.
Professional Photo: Including a personal photo can make your page more inviting and relatable. Choose a high-quality image that reflects your personality.
Contact Information: Allowing readers to contact you through a ‘contact’ page, email, or social media links can facilitate interaction and community building. However, never give your telephone number, address, or personal email details.

Conclusion

Your ‘About’ page is not merely a formality but a crucial point of engagement for your blog.

Sharing your story, expertise, and mission creates a welcoming atmosphere for readers and cultivates a loyal community. Crafting a compelling and authentic ‘About’ page can significantly enhance your blog’s impact and strengthen your connection with your audience.

Don’t forget to keep your ‘About’ page updated. I update mine at least once every six months.

Don’t hesitate. Write and publish your ‘About’ page now.

Do you have an ‘About’ page on your blog? What information does it include, and when was the last update you made? Any questions? Leave them in the comments section.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

A dark image with the words Social Media across it.

Boost Your WordPress Blog’s Reach: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a BlueSky Sharing Button

Published on Feb 3, 2025Feb 3, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts56 Comments

In my recent post, Navigating the Social Media Landscape: My Journey with Five Platforms, I shared my experiences with the social media platform BlueSky, which I am excited to embrace as a new user!

Since BlueSky is new and (at the time of this post) has over 30 million users, it’s an exciting opportunity for WordPress bloggers to enhance their posts by adding a BlueSky sharing button at the end of their posts!

Let me empower your blog by showing you how to connect it to BlueSky. Many blogs have yet to embrace this fantastic feature (and it’s not only BlueSky that you can connect to your blog).

How To Add A BlueSky Sharing Button

On the dashboard of your blog, go to Tools – Marketing.

On the Marketing and Integrations page, click on the Sharing Buttons icon.

An image highlighting the Sharing Buttons icon on the dashboard of a WordPress blog. — click the Sharing Buttons icon.

Click on the Edit sharing buttons icon.

An image highlighting the Edit Sharing Buttons icon on the dashboard of a WordPress blog. — Click the Edit Sharing Buttons icon.

In the Edit visible buttons box, click on the BlueSky sharing button. If you do not already have it as a sharing button, it will be ghosted out.

Image highlighting the BlueSky sharing button on WordPress. — Select the BlueSky sharing button.

Click the Save Changes button.

The BlueSky sharing button will now appear on your blog posts.

Image highlighting the BlueSky sharing button on a blog post on WordPress. — Visitors can now share your posts with BlueSky.

Click the Reorder button to rearrange the order of the sharing buttons on your blog posts. To do so, click on one of them and drag the button to where you want it to sit.

Click the Save Changes button.

How To Connect Your BlueSky Account To Your WordPress Blog

On the dashboard on your blog, go to Tools – Marketing.

On the Marketing and Integrations page, click on the Connections icon.

Image highlighting the Connections button on the dashboard of a WordPress blog. — Click the Connections icon.

In the Share posts with Jetpack social box, look for BlueSky and click the connect button.

Image highlighting the BlueSky connect button in the connections area of a WordPress blog. — Click the BlueSky connect button.

Add your BlueSky Handle and BlueSky app password in the boxes and click the Connect account button.

Image showing where to add your BlueSky account details when connecting your WordPress blog to BlueSky. — Add your BlueSky details.

You’ll be asked to confirm your BlueSky account by clicking another Connect button.

Image showing the connect confirmation button when connecting a BlueSky account to a WordPress blog. — Confirm your BlueSky account.

Your BlueSky account is now connected to your WordPress blog. WordPress will share your posts directly with your BlueSky account whenever you publish a new post.

Remember to connect other social media accounts to your WordPress blog by following the same instructions.

Are you on BlueSky? I’d love to connect! Please share your BlueSky details in the comments so I can follow you. If you have questions about BlueSky, adding a sharing button, or linking your BlueSky account to your blog, feel free to drop them in the comments section—I’m here to help!

To follow me on BlueSky, click my BlueSky User name – hughsviewsandnews.com

Layout, content, settings, and format might differ on self-hosted blogs.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

Discover the Magic of Story Chat: Join the Conversation with Talented Authors and Unique Short Stories

Published on Jan 27, 2025Jan 30, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts49 Comments

“Would you like to write a short story that I can publish on my blog?”

Those were the words of Marsha Ingrao, a writer and blogger who blogs at Always Write, who went on to create something special with the story I submitted.

The story, The People Under the Stairs, received many comments, many of which led to discussions. It was like sitting in a book club discussing the book everyone had read that month.

Three years later, Story Chat is a big success. Two books containing the stories for it have been published, and a third book is in the pipeline.

What is Story Chat?

Story Chat is more than a book club or writing or reading challenge. It is a unique and proven online program that encourages interaction between authors and readers. It’s part writers’ group, part beta readers, part fun fiction, and, best of all, pure enjoyment.

I give all the credit to Marsha, who had the idea. Although I contributed some input, Marsha worked hard to make Story Chat successful.

Image of the book cover for Story Chat Vol II. — Story Chat Vol II is available on Amazon.

Story Chat—Vol. II, the 2024 compilation, was expertly edited by Colleen Cheseboro. As I reflect on the pages of the book, I feel a sense of happiness and pride in having contributed to both it and the Story Chat—Vol. I book.

This second book features a varied collection of original short stories by 20 authors from around the globe. While most stories are dramas suitable for all ages, from children to older adults, this collection includes science fiction and comedy. Additionally, two non-fiction articles (one of which I penned) discussing the writing process are included. All selections are family-friendly, even though the topics cater to adult readers.

An image of a woman reading on her mobile phone in bed. — Once you begin reading Story Chat, you won’t be able to put it down.

The book features realistic fiction, surprises, and open-ended stories. Halloween vampire horror tales may make you laugh and reflect on how you can find humour in them. Travelling to an alternate universe – familiar to some – will keep you entertained. You might discover yourself stepping into one or two other universes that are so bizarre you won’t know how to respond to them. My story, ‘The Watcher,’ which centres on a walk in the fog, is one of those peculiar tales.

The characters will move you to tears as they courageously reach for love or confront tragedies you wish no one had to endure. You will chuckle at the older couple deliberating whether to book the adventure of a nudist cruise. You will root for a mother and her autistic child as they overcome challenges. One story will evoke memories of Toy Story or The Velveteen Rabbit. Another feature is an epic children’s poem with illustrations crafted from fondant by the talented author and her son.

The book is so much fun. Yet, it can be educational, especially for writers who constantly work to improve their craft. Each story has discussion questions you can use if you belong to a book club or writing group.

All of us, known as Story Chatters, hope this book will impact your lives.

You can purchase the Story Chat Vol II by following these links. Amazon.uk and Amazon.com

Six Reasons to Own This Book

Great reading when relaxing on holiday.
Introduce the Story Chat concept to your friends as a coffee table book.
A book for writing groups or book clubs to improve members’ writing.
Stories in the book are no longer available to read online.
A birthday or any time of the year gift for friends that read.
You’ll be supporting a growing number of blogging authors and writers to publish next year.

Story Chat Vol: I

Don’t forget to also take a look at Story Chat Vol: I, which includes stories from 14 international authors.

I have two stories in this book – ‘The People Under The Stairs’ and ‘Puddles,’ both of which will take you on a journey to the edge of your imagination.

Do I have any favourite stories in the books?

Yes, but I’m not going to share them with you. Every story has a reason why it’s in the book, and behind every story is a talented author and writer who has poured their heart and soul into crafting each word.

It is not merely about telling a tale; it’s about the intricate web of ideas, emotions, and experiences that culminate in a narrative that resonates with readers on various levels.

Each author draws from a well of inspiration, life experiences, and unique perspectives, making the stories not just entertainment but also a means of connection, reflection, and understanding of our world.

Story Chat Vol I is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.UK.

Want to be part of the next Story Chat book?

We’re seeking writers, authors, and bloggers to contribute stories to Story Chat 2025, which is currently underway on Marsha’s Blog. For full details, please visit Marsha’s blog.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media

Image of a tree with social media branches.

Navigating the Social Media Landscape: My Journey with Five Platforms

Published on Jan 13, 2025Jan 29, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts126 Comments

Social media is a powerful tool. When used correctly, it can connect us with thousands of individuals and bring visitors to our blogs, resulting in new followers and connections.

However, social media is a ravenous beast. Before you realise it, it’ll consume all your time while scattering you far and wide without delivering results. It’ll take everything from you and give little back.

One of the first pieces of advice I received from another blogger was to join as many social media platforms as possible to attract visitors. It turned out to be one of the worst pieces of advice I followed, as it wasn’t long before I found myself spending too much time on numerous platforms.

I realised that spreading myself too thinly on social media was not the solution, so I reduced the number of accounts I managed. This freed up significant time, allowing me to engage more on those platforms. Before long, I noticed increased visitors coming to my blog from various social media sites. Social media was finally paying me back for the time I was investing in it.

Since starting my blog in 2014, I’ve tried most social media platforms. Today, I will discuss five of them and explain why they have worked or not for me.

BlueSky 🦋

Profile Name: @hughsviewsandnews.com

I joined BlueSky in November 2024. It’s one of the new kids on the block. When this post was written, it had gone past the 27 million milestone of the number of users. That number is rising fast.

Not only have I found BlueSky a friendly place to engage with other users, but it’s simple to use, running a similar platform to X. Like any social media platform, the more you engage with other BlueSky users, the better the results.

I’ll write more about BlueSky in an upcoming post, but early indications are that it’s a rising social media platform that all authors, writers and bloggers should seriously consider joining.

I’ve also found a lot of photographers on BlueSky. If you have a photography blog or host a photography challenge, ensure you join BlueSky.

Don’t forget to add the BlueSky sharing button to the sharing buttons on your blog posts so visitors can share your posts to BlueSky.

Flipboard

Profile Name: Hugh W Roberts

I joined Flipboard in 2019. It has brought incredible amounts of traffic to my blog and has an excellent customer service team that reaches out whenever problems occur.

Users add information to magazines, so, as in blogging, setting up categories is essential. My most popular magazines are Blogging Tips, Entertaining (short) Stories You’ll Enjoy, LGBTQI, and Writing Tips.

Mastodon

Profile Name: @HughWRoberts

Mastodon is a big part of the Fediverse, which WordPress promotes heavily. The Fediverse is a global, open social network of independent servers that communicate with each other using a common protocol.

Users create posts in much the same way as on X and BlueSky. Posts appear on the timelines of those who follow the person who created and published the post, but other users can also see them.

I’ve had a steady flow of traffic from Mastodon to my blog, although out of the three social media accounts I use, it’s the one I use the least.

X/Twitter

After 14 years, I deleted my X account on December 31st, 2024, for reasons I won’t go into. This means that I will no longer share my blog posts or other bloggers’ posts on X.

Given that I had over nine thousand followers on X, I hope those who followed me there will now follow me on BlueSky. Some already have, but given that this post is my first mention of joining BlueSky, many will not know I am now active there.

Join me on BlueSky at @hughwroberts05.bsky.social

Instagram

I recently gave Instagram another chance. I did my best to boost engagement, but I struggled significantly. While some people interacted with my posts, it was difficult to stand out amidst all the self-promotion on the platform.

There is nothing wrong with self-promoting your own books and blogs, but I find it too overwhelming when it’s every post. I only saw a little of others promoting the posts of others.

Maybe I was following the wrong accounts?

Instagram wasn’t for me. I deleted my account in December 2024.

Avoid following the accounts of those who only promote their own work and who give nothing back to others.

Other Social Media Platforms

There are many other social media platforms that I have not mentioned, and other bloggers, writers, and authors use them successfully. But how?

I would love to know which social media platforms you use and which ones have been the most successful. In the comments section, feel free to share which platforms you use and your username so that anyone reading the comments can follow and connect with you.

Click the buttons below to follow Hugh on Social Media