10 Tips for Bloggers
by Sharon Housley
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.
© Sharon Housley
Sharon Housley manages
marketing for FeedForAll
software for creating, editing and publishing RSS feeds and NotePage
a wireless text messaging software.