Top 10 Tips for Creating a Blog
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
software for creating, editing and publishing RSS feeds and
NotePage
a wireless text messaging software.
