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.
Copyright 2005 Sharon Housley
Sharon Housley manages marketing for
FeedForAll software for
creating, editing and publishing RSS feeds and
NotePage a wireless text
messaging software.
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