Making a Good Blog for Dummies
I've been reading around lately about other's opinions on good blogging, and then John Porcaro posted about how he wanted to balance his blog in-between both personal and news. John's article sparked my attention and made me think, "What makes a good blog?" Here are key things that you most have to have a good blog:
Goals:
A blog is meant to accomplish something. You get to decide what it is. It is not so much for the reader as it is for your blogging consistency. What do you want to do with your site? I want to influence (well thought out opinions), inform, and build community with people online. Also, I just want to have a fun pass-time. For me, blogging is more about myself then about the reader. I enjoy blogging. At first that might seem ignorant, but it is far from ignorant. If I don't feel like blogging one day then I won't blog. You also need to keep in account the fact that if I'm blogging for influence, informing, and community then I will need to consider the reader. Its not so much thinking, “What do they want to read,” but “How should I present the information to them?” [Your blog most likely won't succeed if you are just trying to blog for money]
Drive:
Be consistent. Don't let your blog die. Stay in it for the long run. Nothing sucks more then finding that one of your favorite blogs died (maybe eternal damnation in hell sucks more but I'll assume you just took that as a cliché statement). Blogging is not like a normal website. Blogging takes a day by day commitment. For example, Peter's Hip Pocket has a great layout, good writing, and it is interesting but he doesn't post enough. It’s that simple. Weblogging isn't about presenting a little bit of information. Blogging is about consisting presenting a good amount of info (at least once a week). That's why Robert Scoble's Blog gets 3,000 hits a day.
Writing:
This is the most important thing. The other day my English teacher was talking about oral presentations and told us, "How you present the information is everything!" That is so true. Today I was watching the news and it was some White House official speaking. He used so many "uhms" and "awws" that I changed the channel to someone that was repeating the information but was sounding intelligent.
The point of that being that when blogging you need to write quality work. I often screw this up by being lazy and not even putting my post into word to spell check them or reading them over (I decided long ago to screw punctuation). I'm not asking you to be J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis just proof your posts. Take pride in your work and your blog will do fine. As Dowingba said, "A good writer can make watching grass growing sound exciting."
Layout:
This isn't so for all people but for me personally if a blog looks poor then I won't read it. Attracting the eye is key to a good weblog. You don't need to be showcased for your blog design or be able to join CSS Zen Garden but just make your site so it’s not ugly! I don't mind standard templates but I prefer originality. Here are some blogs which I think meet the guidelines without way beyond:
Tao of Dowingba
Boing Boing
A Step into the Dark
Splix
Heh. Indeed
Sites that go above and beyond:
SerioComic
Naked Church
Little Green Football
Want to see more?
Opinion:
Opinion is what separates blogging from online journaling and news sites. When you blog you always should give your opinion. I could just read a news site if I wanted info, and why would I be reading your journal when I could read my sisters?
Personal:
This is where you need to learn to walk a fine line. Blogging and journaling are very different, but you can be personal in your blog. If you are looking to be personal make sure it doesn't override your blog. You can be personal by including subjects that you are passionate about and telling about your life (but please not too much). Whatever you do, make it interesting.
Community:
This is what I am working the most on. I want people to regularly come to my site and participate. Blogging is largely about participation of the readers (this is where Dean's World rules). I'm not fully sure how to bring that about but I think there are two keys. One, show you opinion. Barely ever will people agree with your opinion fully, and if they disagree with you enough they'll comment. Two, be passionate. For some reason people respond to passion.
Another aspect of community is becoming friends with other bloggers. I've noticed that bloggers are more likely to read your blog and comment on it then just your average Joe (neat play on words with the link). Trading links is also key to popularizing your blog.
Hint: If you want easy hits then comment on my site.
[I’ll post more as I learn more... I've only been blogging for a month and a half]
Excerpt: Inspired by a recent AndrewBlog post, I will now direct you to a few sites whose designs I feel go above and beyond the call of duty: Antipixel: Everything nice and neat and square. Great use of colours. I Heart...
Weblog: Tao of Dowingba
Tracked: December 22, 2003 11:32 PM
The Good, The Bad, and Mine
Excerpt: Andrew over at AndrewBlog has come up with what he thinks makes a good blog. A Set of Guidelines to help struggling bloggers navigate the vast blogosphere. AndrewBlog: Making a Good Blog for Dummies It's a good read and it...
Weblog: A Random Act of Blogging
Tracked: December 23, 2003 07:57 AM
More on good blog design
Excerpt: That last post was kinda short. Here's another, same subject: AndrewBlog: Making a Good Blog for Dummies....
Weblog: Ex Cathedra
Tracked: January 23, 2004 09:48 AM
More on good blog design
Excerpt: That last post was kinda short. Here's another, same subject: AndrewBlog: Making a Good Blog for Dummies....
Weblog: Ex Cathedra
Tracked: January 26, 2004 09:55 AM
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