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10 Top Tips for Creating a Blog
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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