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 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.
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