10 Blogging Tips
2 years, 9 months agoThe Java and Web software blog Simple Thoughts has posted a list of 10 Simple Tips for Better Blogging. I know that there are a few avid bloggers who read muchmojo (though I’m not suggesting that they read it avidly!), and I thought I’d link to it.
Ironically the entry on the original blog is so noisy from Google ads and the like that I feel it would be better to just quote it here. As it leans towards informing “professional bloggers” who are aiming at a blog income, I have trimmed off vestiges of capitalist-whoredomery and cut it down to 8:
1. Blog about topics which are truly interesting to you. This will help you succeed in the long run.
2. Host your blog on your own server with your own domain name. Avoid free blog hosting on blogspot or wordpress.com (unless you are Robert Scoble). It provides better perception to your blog and more configurability among other benefits. Use a Blogging software like WordPress or Movable Type. I use WordPress.
3. Post with a fixed schedule, preferably once a day or once every two days, if possible. Missing the weekends is fine.
Note: Do not be afraid to take days off. Blogging shouldn’t be a chore.
Disclaimer: I sometimes break this rule.4. Try to write in proper polished language, unless you are blogging solely for highly targeted audience like gangsters.
Note: Personally I hate reading blogs with poor english. It casts a bad light on the author.5. Choose a decent theme for your blog matching the target audience. Don’t choose too bold colors for business blogs. In general all standard web design principles apply.
For example if you are targeting teenage girls (as audience) then a smattering of pink may not be out of place.6. Track what your audience wants and deliver more of it.
7. Unless it is a personal blog stay away from too many “had a hangover today” post or talking about your personal life.
<snip , snip!>
10. Provide an interactive experience. Allow comments in your blogs. Respond politely to comments.
Muchmojo seemingly “score” around 5/8 - I guess I should be happy. Of course the list is just a guide, and there are always exceptions to the rule. Without any financial interests in the blog, it will most likely be unrealistic to expect personal blogs to be on dedicated servers instead of free services - Muchmojo has this luxury mainly because I’m a geek.
December 4th, 2005 at 12:36 am
what a load of…well, whats to be expected. self-help books are so popular these days, yes indeedy.
December 4th, 2005 at 5:44 am
Heh: You’re just upset because your blog only follows 2 of the guidelines.
…And for your information Self-help books were *so* 90s.
December 4th, 2005 at 11:17 am
now you are not only telling me how my blog should be, but also why i feel and how i feel. how so totalitarian of you. why you are at it why don’t you just limit everything anyone can ever do. i’m sure you could make it into a top ten list.
…and for your information, the people who are recognised as the best in their field have always acknowledged the conventions and then broken them.
December 4th, 2005 at 8:28 pm
Give me a few examples of these people who are “recognised as best in their field”, and the conventions they have broken - I get the feeling that is just a nice counter you stuck on the end of your comment, and I’m sure as an aspiring journo you can benefit from getting out of the habit of not providing some sort of factual support.
I’m not denying that there are any, BTW. I also recognise that Top 10 lists of guidelines should always be taken with some healthy reserve. However, often being reminded of the obvious and commonsensical is very helpful in a situation where one may have lost their perspective.
One MAY be able to cook any meal from first principles and trial-and-error, but it is still helpful to use a cookbook for guidance. Likewise, one may be able to build a house/circuit/lego toy without instructions… It is always wise to learn from others mistakes, and to informatively survey the set of existing wheels before one decides to invent another.
There is a body of experience and knowledge behind these tips. It would obviously be nice to have access to this directly to help inform ones actions, however it is the nature of an abstracted genre (the list), within a sound-bite culture, that many would not have time for it.
To be honest I was under the impression that you were no longer a teenager. It would warm my heart to think that if you felt the need to post a negative comment you would also feel the need to back it up with some coherent thought. Perhaps you need to get yourself a mentor, who will reproach you adequately and instill a sense of disciple in your many forms of expression.
December 5th, 2005 at 11:44 am
i’m not really getting worked up about top ten lists and guidelines josh. i was just poking a little fun at them. i thought it would be a gentle reminder of what you have labelled “healthy reserve”. sheesh. talk about lost in translation….and running with the bait.
don’t worry - i still love you!