It’s been a while since I added to the Blogging Grammar series. It’s produced on something of a need to know basis. If I see a grammar error repeatedly — enough to grate on my English sensibilities — then I’m pretty sure people need to know how to fix the problem. So that I don’t have to be irritated any longer.

Until the rise of the internet, about half the people on the planet had never used the word “site.” Now, it’s common enough that the various heterogrpahs get mixed up far too often. Here’s a simple primer.

Today’s lesson: when to use your and when to use sight, site, or cite.

I don’t have any keen tricks to remember which word to use. It’s simply a matter of memorization. Perhaps readers can come up with a mnemonic to help. Here are the definitions:

Sight is being able to see with your eyes or observing something

I have the enemy in sight!

Site  is an area or place

We selected a building site for our home.

This is a great  lifestyle design website.

Cite is to quote or praise

Please cite three experts when you write your paper.

When you run across a word you aren’t sure of, take a minute to make sure you are using the correct word. Your credibility as a writer depend on it.

Thank you for the positive response to the Blogging Grammar series. I’ve received a number of private emails not only thanking me for simple, step-by-step advice, but asking for specific tutorials. I have lots of recommendations now and I’ll try to get to each of them.

One of the most common grammar errors involves heterographs — words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. The your, you’re, yore combination is one problematic example. Other examples include:

Usually this is just a case of laziness. The words sound the same, but their meanings are generally very distinct. Learning the meanings of those words will generally solve any confusion. Still, there are a handful of combinations that trip people up over and over again. We’ll address one of the most common today.

Today’s lesson: whether to use there, their, or they’re.

The there, their, they’re dilemma is another one that’s easy to fix. The easiest of the three is they’re. A contraction for “they are,” simply take our your instance of the trouble word and replace it with “they are.” If it fits, then they’re is the correct choice. If not, one of the other two is needed.

This is a movie [there, their, they're] very fond of.

This is a movie they are very fond of.

They are fits, so the correct word is they’re.

We went to [there, their, they're] house for dinner.

We went to they are house for dinner.

Nope. One of the other two must fit. Which one? The next easy step is to test for possession. Their is a possessive pronoun (used as an attributive adjective, if you care). So try replacing the problem word with a possessive noun. Those are generally easy to hear. If it works, their is the word to use.

We went to [there, their, they're] house for dinner.

We went to Sally’s house for dinner.

Works! So their is the word for this sentence.

[There, Their, They're] is a large cake on the table.

They are a large cake on the table.

Nope.

Sally’s is a large cake on the table.

Nope, again. So the only remaining choice it there.

There is a large cake on the table.

Right on.

Taking a few minutes to make sure you use the correct words goes a long way to making your blog look professional. You’ll still make mistakes — we all do — and that shouldn’t keep you from posting. But putting your best foot forward makes your posts more readable and enjoyable to your site visitors.

Now, I’ll read through this post again before clicking the submit button!

OK, so I’ve never actually seen “yore” used inappropriately. But I’ve rarely seen it used appropriately, either. If the word was just a smidge more common, I’m sure it would be right there in the mixup pile.

For the record, yore is an Old English term meaning a long time ago. Now we’ll move on to our real lesson.

Today’s lesson: when to use your and when to use you’re.

Confusing these two words is so common as to be of epic, national tragedy proportions. Fortunately, it’s one of the simplest grammar blunders to correct.

Your means belonging to the person being spoken to.

You’re is a contraction of you are.

When you need to use either your or you’re and aren’t sure which to use, replace the uncertain term with the words “you are.” If the resulting sentence makes sense, go with “you’re.” If not, use “your.”

If you don’t hurry, [you are] going to be late.

If you don’t hurry, you’re going to be late.

[Not, "If you don't hurry, your going to be late."]

Did you forget [you are] coat?

Did you forget your coat?

[Not, "Did you forget you're coat."]

Simple, right? Now go back to blogging and don’t let me see that mistake again!

I’m no grammarian. My posts can be picked apart as easily as any. And some rules are so technical that they interfere with the flow of ideas (like never starting a sentence with a conjunction). Still there are some basic rules that anyone putting their words out into the blogosphere should know and follow.

In this new series — prompted by what I see and what really annoys me — I will try to make these basic grammar rules easy to understand and follow.

Today’s lesson: when to use “I” and when to use “me.”

This pronoun is only problematic when combined with a reference to another person. No one ever writes, “The cake is for I.” But countless people will write, “The cake is for Benny and I.”

Today I read a blog that said:

It has been a topic of discussion with [Bob] and I for some time.

Augh!

I doubt the blogger would have said, “It has been a topic of discussion with I for some time.” But when she adds in her husband’s name, magically the “me” she would have readily used, changes form!

When I was in third grade, my mom taught me the easy way to tell whether to use “me” or “I.” Take out the other person’s name and say the sentence. Nine times out of ten, the correct choice will be obvious.

I am going to the store.

Bob and I are going to the store.

[Not, "Bob and me are going to the store." You wouldn't say, "Me is going to the store."]

Jill got concert tickets for me.

Jill got concert tickets for Bob and me.

[Not, "Jill got concert tickets for Bob and I." You wouldn't say, "Jill got concert tickets for I."]

The same test works for using other pronouns.

She is going to the store.

I am going to the store.

She and I are going to the store.

[Not, "Her and I are going to the store." You wouldn't say, "Her is going to the store."]

Jill got concert tickets for her.

Jill got concert tickets for me.

Jill got concert tickets for her and me.

[Not, "Jill got concert tickets for she and I." You wouldn't say, "Jill got concert tickets for she."]

Another little tip for dual subjects: put the pronoun referring to you last. It’s more polite.

Do you have a trick for remembering whether to use “I” or “me”? Share it!

The first time I ever spoke at a convention, my intent was to get through the ordeal without being pelted with overripe fruit. The fact that attendees would later vote on the speakers was a tidbit I chose to pay as little conscious attention to as possible.

A number of weeks later I was informed that I had been voted favorite speaker of the convention. But it could easily have been otherwise.

Last January I performed as Buttercup in Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. Having spent most of the last 20 years behind the scenes, I was greatly relieved to know that the community theater I was performing in got mostly fact-related newspaper coverage as opposed to serious arts reviews! I was sure I was not ready for a prime time critique.

Blogging is the most public of venues. Forget “worldwide web,” it’s a worldwide stage. And when you decide to blog, the very format of blogging software says that you are not only committing to share you thoughts and ideas with the world, but you’re open to hearing the world share back with you.

If you write interesting and insightful posts, if you make claims — if you have an opinion about anything — someone will have an opposing view. And if you can broaden your circle of readers beyond those reading out of familial obligation (generally a desired goal!) your readers might speak up to challenge you.

Are you ready to handle that with civility?

When a reader takes the time to respond with a countering view, resist the urge to lash out, call names, be sarcastic, or have a tantrum. You don’t have to change your position, but consider what is said with an open mind. If valid points are made, acknowledge those. Entrenching in an unsound position hurts your credibility. Explain your thinking on the things you still disagree with. Above all, don’t assume motive or malicious intent. It serves no positive purpose and can leave you looking unreasonable.

If you don’t want to deal with reader response (it can be time consuming and frustrating!) consider having a static site — where you merely disseminate information — or more traditional media like books or newsletters.

If you decide to blog, remember that blogging is an open forum. It’s a place to gather ideas and interact with others. And that interaction can either support your ideas or counter them. Be ready to appropriately deal with whatever feedback comes your way in a professional manner and you’ll establish a reputation for being approachable and intellectually honest.

Let the blogging begin!

An earlier version of this post first appeared as a guest post on Ms. Ileane Speaks. It is reprinted hear at a client’s request.

Do you struggle to come up with post ideas for your blog? Is it always a challenge to keep your readers coming back for more? The free 2011 Blogging Calendar is a great resource to help organize and prioritize your blogging efforts, and to coordinate them with national events to increase interest and profitability.

Last May I told you about the blogging editorial calendar I created as part of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge I was (and still am!) working on. As I said then, I created the calendar as part of the course, even though I wasn’t committed to sticking to it. (And, by the way, I haven’t.)

Creating your own weekly editorial calendar is still great exercise — and I recommend it. But if you’re looking for more help in scheduling your blogging and with posting ideas, download this nice blogging calendar to give you a boost in the new year

Just download the blogging calendar, print it out, stick it in a binder, and start planning for a successful and prosperous 2011. You could have a number of months (or the whole year) mapped out in a short period of time!

You might also enjoy this free goals and priorities calendar!

Brian Clark, of Copyblogger fame, has condensed his years of SEO into a free 28-page report titled How to Create Compelling Content that Ranks Well in Search Engines. No strings attached. No registration, no email address, no nothing. Just click and download the PDF. 100% free.

Not just for web sites, this report will help all your written communication shine.

You’ll get a step-by-step strategy for creating content that is engaging to your readers, encourages linking, and ranks well in search engines. You will learn:

• Why SEO Copywriting Still Matters
• How Search Engines Work
• Why You Have to Spoon Feed Search Engines
• The 5 Essential Elements of Keyword Research
• How to Create Cornerstone Content That Google Loves
• Five Link Building Strategies That Work
• Five Areas to Focus On for Effective SEO Copywriting
• Why Writing for People Works for Search Engines
• How to Make SEO Copywriting Simple

This is just one way to add cheap search engine optimization to your blog. Download your report now and let us know what you learn!

Too many bloggers learn the painful lesson about backking up their blogs the hard way. They have a major catastrophe and lose months of hard work — because they have no way to restore their sites.

The backend labor may not be your favorite part of blogging, but it’s a necessary one. Take some time right now to secure your site with a sound, regular backup plan. You’ll be glad you did!

When using WordPress to blog, backing up is a two-step process. Far too often, experienced bloggers only recognized one part or the other — thus leaving them vulnerable to serious loss.

We’ll discuss both parts that require your attention and how to back them up effectively.

WordPress Site Files

Your WordPress site files consist of the following:

1. WordPress Core Installation
2. WordPress Plugins
3. WordPress Themes
4. Images and Files
5. Javascripts, PHP scripts, and other code files
6. Additional Files and Static Web Pages

The simplest way to backup these files, is to simply use FTP. Open up your FTP client, navigate on your host server to the folder (directory) that holds your site. Drag and drop it to your desktop. The program will proceed to copy your files to your hard drive, where you can then store them appropriately.

For FTP I use Fetch. It’s a Mac only program that costs $29. My oldest daughter uses CyberDuck. It’s also Mac only and is free. Some popular PC clients are: FileZilla, WinSCP, and SmartFTP.

WordPress Database

Your WordPress database contains your post text, page text, users, and most of the data generated on your site.

In an effort to make the transition to blogging as easy as possible for Win with 1 clients, I have tried to make backup as painless as possible by installing a plugin to easily and clearly automate the database backup process. Unfortunately, I still haven’t found a plugin that I love — and that consistently works as described — but I’m currently using WordPress Dabase Backup (WP-DB-Backup). While the options don’t always work perfectly, it has never failed to backup.

To use this, just install, activate, and follow the plugin directions.

Backup Both Sides

When spending your time and resources to create a great blog, don’t forget to protect yourself from the inevitable calamities. If you back up both sides of your site — the files and the database — you can restore and be up and running again in no time.

Bless Darren’s heart for assigning something — in his words — “a little less involved.” I need a breather and would like to make quicker progress on the 31 day blog challenge, so this really fit the bill today.

The day eight challenge is to spend ten minutes interlinking old posts on the blog. This means to link some keywords from one post in your blog to another post within your blog.

Did you get that? Ten minutes. Easy peezy.

I’ve already made it a habit to interlink new posts to old posts as I write them — when the links occur to me. But this time I went back to the earliest posts and scanned them to see if there were interlink possibilities. While I don’t want to overrun posts with links, I was surprised to see that almost every post had an interlink possibility or two.

I spent about 20 minutes doing some interlinking and plan to revisit this task regularly.

Darren Rowse, author of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog said that one of the methods he has used to build readership on his blog is to be generous with linking to other blogs.

The posts you link to should be valuable to your readers and you should add value to them in your post. I’ve already done this a number of times on the Win with 1 blog, using some of his suggested methods. For example, one way to link and add value is to take the opposite view of the original poster. I did this once when I sincerely disagreed with a post, in Write Like a Pubescent Boy in a Locker Room: Fart Blogging, and once when I completely agreed with the original post, in 15 Simple Steps to Ruin Your Blog with Email.

In applying this lesson to my life change blog, I looked for another blog in that niche that had a good list post to which I can add some bullet points of my own. The Change Blog has a recent post titled What It Takes to Stay. I just published my addition titled Three More Ways to Stay.