Top 10 Tips for Blogging
by S. Housley


Tips for creating a blog.
There are no hard and fast rules on how to blog. Having said that, bloggers will likely increase their exposure by following some simple blog guidelines.

1.) Stay on topic.
Opinions are generally accepted but the content of the items in the blog should all relate to a general theme. Unless you have an uncanny knack for wit, humor or cynicism, the majority of your readers will be interested in the content that relates to a specific defined theme or loosely defined area of interest. Most readers won't care that you eat Cheerios for breakfast. They may, however, be interested in the fact that vinegar takes out stains and that toilet paper rolls make great wreaths. Define a topic and stick to it. This will ensure that you create a loyal following of interested readers.

2.) Stay informative.
If you are attempting to create the impression that you are knowledgeable about a specific industry or sector, be sure that you stay current on news. If you are endorsing a product or voicing an opinion, be sure to check your facts; your reputation is at stake. If you are offering an opinion, be sure to qualify your post, making it clear that the content is intended as an editorial.

3.) Old news is not news.
While blogging every day can be a drain, it is important that the information presented is current and accurate, writing an article or blurb about something that happened 6 months ago, will not be of interest to many. Telling your audience that Martha Stewart was convicted and will be going to prison, after her sentence is completed will make people question the value of your columns.

4.) Adhere to a schedule.
Create a schedule and stick to it. Realizing that blogging requires time and effort, don't create unrealistic expectations and be unable to deliver. An occasional lapse or holiday is generally understood but readers returning to find stale, out-dated content are going to find another blog with similar content. New blogs and RSS feeds are popping up on a daily basis. If you have worked hard to develop an audience and a community you don't want to lose them due to lack of communication.

5.) Clarity and simplicity.
Keep your posts and blog entries clear and easy to understand. Remember, the web is global and expressions, idioms and acronyms don't always translate. Sometimes a little explanation goes a long way.

6.) Keyword-rich.
If the goal of your blog is to increase your visibility, include related keywords in the title of the blog. Use the title as a headline to attract interest. Each item post should have a title that will attract attention but still be relevant to the post. The title should be no longer than 10-12 words.

7.) Quantity matters.
In order to attract the attention of search engines, you will need to develop content and substance. A headline or simple sentence is not going to generate the interest of readers or help with search engine ranking. Be sure to archive old blog posts to develop a large portal of similarly-themed content.

8.) Frequency.
If your blog content is updated frequently, search engines will tend to spider the pages at regular intervals.

9.) Spell checking and proof-reading.
It only takes a few extra moments and can save you from having to make embarrassing explanations. Remember that whatever you publish on the Internet can be found and archived. Think carefully about what you post before doing so.

10.) RSS.
RSS will increase your blog's reach. It is important that you include your blog's content in an RSS feed to increase readership and distribution.

Most weblog audiences are small, but with time and regular updates audiences grow. Bloggers may never have more than a few hundred readers, but the people who return to regularly are generally interested in what you have to say.


About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing and publishing RSS feeds and NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software.

one of the worst things about "blogs" is that most people don't use them as blogs, most simply copy and paste articles or links that interest them and they think they are "blogging"

Kinda like a webdesigner that simply deals in templates that they d/l'ed on the net...

...damn, my old demon returns!

99% of blogs are copied material (text, images and photo's) without them the info we need wouldn't get out. Good on them for keeping mini newspapers alive, yourself included.

yeah, but shouldn't the theory of blogging or web logging be kept pure by at least having an original idea about the item they are presenting rather than just being a clearing house for information?

i dont copy and paste stuff on my blog ..yet :whistle:

i just tend to ramble on about stuff that isnt any use and doesnt mean anythin to anyone, story of my life, lol - literally

I had a snoop at that the other day before long you'll be pasting chicky babes, nice to see all your swish stuff back up you still playing with it?

Would be more willing to read interesting news than personal stories that suck...

In other words, if you can't write, don't do it!

My grammar is bad I know this I walked from school at the age of 13 and went straight into the work force, but still I write better than a lot of others

I have 2 Blogs one is on Twod thanks to Jay http://blogs.twodded.com/ I don't get time to blog on that so I just pop any old thing in there.
So its not what you call a real blog hence its a Bloog

with persons that can't write I mean ppl who think their visit to the toilet is an interesting story and they should write 2000 words about it...

So its just that sometimes when I do read a Blog I only read lame stories ..

I dont care about grammar, English is not my first language so I'll probably make loads of mistaches myself I don't even notice ...!



















and yes I do know how to spell mistakes lol