Arment Dietrich SmartTalk eNewsletter

Make the copy scannable, which means create lists, use bullet points, insert pictures, use headings and subheads (like we've done in this newsletter) and write about only one topic.
Write short posts. Research states the average blog reader only stays on the same story for 96 seconds so write for that person.
The copy only needs to prove the point in a very comprehensive manner. Give readers a reason to comment and, if you have extra points to discuss, do it in response to comments.
Write a title that is both catchy and has search engine optimization. Your blogs will last for eternity online and you never know when someone, even two years from now, may want information on your topic. Think about how they might search if they're doing research on your topic.
Link to other blogs and news articles that support your thinking. If you do this, find bloggers who aren't typically quoted or linked to - share the love so the A-listers aren't the only ones always quoted.
If you're passionate about something that is hot in the media right now, wait a week to write the post. It's hard to gain awareness when you're in a sea of others writing about the same topic.
Avoid jargon. Remember the rule of life: Keep it simple, stupid.
Make yourself uncomfortable. If you're not making someone mad with every blog post, you're not doing it right. Get out of your comfort box. Write controversially. But do it professionally.

Driving traffic
When we went to write this piece, we thought we'd crowdsource it to see what kind of feedback we received. Following is how real people on Twitter suggest you drive traffic to your blog:

List your blog on EVERTHING; business cards, email signature, ads, Web site, and Facebook.
Post it on your Facebook profile every time you publish.
Attach to your YouTube channel.
Include the link in your Twitter profile.
Use link shorteners, such as su.pr and bit.ly, that track your clicks and visits.
Invite guest bloggers.
Invite customer to the blog; draw guest writers from your clients and ask them to comment on a tough problem.
Share content created by someone else. Give attribution, let them know, and they will drive new folks to your blog.
Create traditions such as #FollowFriday and Mad-About-You-Monday. This creates less pressure because you know you have the same topic every week and don't have to think of something new five days every week.
Comment on other like-minded blogs.
Read, and comment, on news articles. USA Today and BusinessWeek do a great job of aggregating reader comments and highlighting the best of the best.
Search engine optimization of everything, not just the title.
Add blogs you read and respect to your blog and ask for reciprocal courtesy.
Challenge the status quo in your blog content. It makes you grow, even if it brings you right back where you started.

Sharing the love
There are lots of ways to share your blog posts with current friends and subscribers, but to also drive traffic from unique visitors. Following are our favorite:

Post to Twitter, but do it multiple times throughout the day. We prefer morning, noon, and evening so you reach different audiences.
Post to Facebook - your own profile, your fan page, your company group and ask your friends to post to their profiles.
Post to LinkedIn, not just as your status, but also to groups in which you participate.
Bookmark to Delicious. We post all of our blogs on our page.
Using ping.fm. If you set up an account in Ping, it allows you to choose where you want to post when you use the application. It automatically updates everything at once for you.