My first blog post to a website occured in 1996 - and from that "conversational diary" came several websites. But prior to that fateful September, CompuServe was popular with hundreds of thousands of members. U.S. Robotics was the popular dial-up modem and people flourished with the expansion of information. Think about how much time was spent waiting for pages to load. Because of the time spent loading the page, we spent lots of time reading the site.

Today, we wait impatiently as a blog opens in our browser. Rather than reading, many of us scan pages and search quickly for data, thoughts, ideas, and opinions. We rarely sit on a page for a long period of time. Therefore, as a blogger, how do you capture more eye balls? The answer is simple. The more you write, the more traffic you gain.

My writing for several years included personal attacks, innuendo, and negative statements. Posts on one site would guarantee 20,000 visitors - many who wanted to disagree with my statements. Others would post statements of agreement. However, I failed to keep writing and people would fail to return. Another site I built several years ago quickly became popular - but the writing took me hours each day and so I stopped. So did the visitors.

The lesson? Write and post. Duh.

But be careful about your writing style, choose wisely and carefully. Over the years, attack writing became old. I don't attack as much as I used to in my posts. This may be lessons from my family. My sister enjoys a steady audience because she is gracious. My brother also has a loyal following because he is the authority on developing for the Tablet PC and UMPC.

In which case, you might ask, why would anyone read posts here? The answer varies with the topic.

Consider the lastest posts. Approximately 20,000 people come to this site daily. Less than 1,000 will read a popular post online - and a few more will read through their RSS feed reader. Many people will be here for less than 1 minute. Therefore, I write about Tablet PCs, UMPCs, Mobile phones, Internet companies, etc. Any topic that interests me - I write about that topic. And that leads us to rule number 1.

Number 1: Prolific Writers Write About Their Interests
Many bloggers trying to get traffic will suggest you consider your audience. I go for the opposite. I write because of my interest. If no one reads the post then I don't care. My ego is not bruised. Tears do not stream from my face. No. The audience does not matter. Why? Because Johnny may hate the topic and skip it but Mary will find it interesting.

Number 2: Prolific Writers Write About Different Topics
From rule number 1, you've learned that the topic must interest you. Second, don't write what others are writing about. I can't stand going to different sites only to read the same old content. This is why this site has changed dramatically over the past month. I'm moving to rule number 2: Write about many different topics. Yes, this is a technology site, but viewers from UMPC Buzz and Tablet PC Questions are used to posts solely about those topics. Now they see topics about the Internet or online advertising or ...

Number 3: Prolific Writers Write Regardless of Errors
I was talking to a blogger about writing. He made the statement that he writes, proof reads, and posts. Errors are irrelevant because someone will point them out to you - or you will eventually see them. Simply make the correction and life moves forward. If you are really concerned about errors, or to minimize errors, purchase StyleWriter or WhiteSmoke. You'll love these two products. I own both and run the posts through them - when I am being serious about the topic.

Number 4: Prolific Writers Do Not Take Themselves Seriously
Some readers will notice quickly that I didn't write to add humor (which is often written). Humor in a post is often misunderstood as snark, smack, or garbage. Take it from an old time blogger - people will misunderstand and reinterpret your writing. Simply write your thoughts and don't take them too seriously. Humor is not a good idea - but don't be depressing. Gesh. We have enough concerns in life to read about depressing events.

Number 5: Prolific Writers Read and Repond to Feedback
One of the best feedback mechanisms concerning your writing is the comments. Be careful, though. This site requires registration. If possible, I would love to keep them open. Sadly there are poopy people on the Internet who run from site to site and post poopy things. Sometimes these attention seekers distract from the conversation at hand. However, there are times someone has something valuable to add. If possible, consider opening up comments on your blog. Delete the spammers. Regardless, if a person takes the time to register - and post - by all means - make them feel welcome!

And there are the top five Prolific Writers strategies. Now, go out there and post. Post as much as you want. Post daily or weekly. Just post.And let me know about your posts. I love to read. Hmm. Is that rule number 6? Do prolific writers love to read?