Blogging Tips Part I: Writing

Before I even begin, please know that I am NOT an expert on blogging, nor do I think I am. I did not go to school for blogging. I did not take a professionally led class on blogging. Instead, I've read hundreds of blogs. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. When one immerses oneself in a field, one tends to learn some tools of the trade. Here are some tips I've learned along the way!

1. Focus
There is NOTHING worse than reading a blog entry that starts talking about puppies and ends up talking about global warming. It's ok (even good!) to have a lot to say, but try not to get off topic TOO much in a single post. If you DO get off topic for a bit, try to bring it back in and refocus on the post at hand. Before hitting the submit button, re-read what you wrote. Does it add to the topic of the day or is it too off topic for it to really matter? There's a difference between a cute little side note and a confusing jaunt out into the wilderness that has your readers questioning your writing abilities.

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2. Proof Read
Holy cow. This is a big one in my book. I hate reading blogs that have poor grammar and spelling...especially in the age of grammar/spell check. Most browsers have a spell check built into their systems (that's what that red squiggle is that appears under some words.) Sometimes, you have to enable it for it to check your spelling. Most of the time, it's automatically enabled. Most browsers also have it to where you can right click on the squiggled word and they'll give you spelling options! Very handy! If for some reason your browser does NOT have spell check, you may want to run your text through Microsoft Word, Open Office, any word processing program, etc. to make sure your spelling isn't atrocious before posting. You can do the same thing for grammar if you have MS Word or Open Office, but don't expect it to catch everything. If your grammar isn't as well off as you'd like, then take the time to learn some of the basics. You can pretty much learn grammar for free online these days. Take advantage of it. Your readers (and I!!!) will thank you!

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3. Paragraphs
If your entry is longer than 5-7 sentences, you probably need to hit enter every so often and separate your text/thoughts. A new paragraph should begin whenever you move from one point to the next, one event to the next, etc. Blog writers who type in one continuous paragraph make it difficult for the reader. It also just looks highly unprofessional. You wouldn't write an entry without separating your words using the space bar, right? Well, in the same respect, you shouldn't write an entry without separating your thoughts using the enter/return key, either.

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4. Humor/Sadness/Joy/Emotions
Including emotions in your blog entries is key. No one wants to read something if it's boring. No one wants to read a long list of what you did last weekend. Readers enjoy details. They enjoy identifying with the writer. They enjoy emotions!! Now...don't get me wrong. You shouldn't turn every entry into a sob story about money troubles or how your boyfriend/husband is pissing you off. Readers do NOT want your drama; they want your heart. Share your joys, share your sorrows, share your pain, and share your love, but DON'T share your drama. Oh and I'd like to add that humor is almost always welcome...except when you're bad at it. Not everyone does humor well. Not everyone should incorporate humor into their blog. Toy with it a little on your blog. If YOU don't (honestly) find it funny, then no one else will either. Just be honest with yourself and with your readers and you'll be a better writer for it!

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5. Write What You Know
I cannot stress this enough! It is all too evident when a blogger writes about things they are unfamiliar with, not passionate about, etc. Stick to what you know and/or educate yourself on what you don't know. Just because 10 other blogs in your blogging circle write about cooking, doesn't mean you have to, too...especially if you can't cook a box of mac n cheese. Just because no one in your blogging circle blogs about Sailor Moon, doesn't mean you shouldn't blog about her! (If you find yourself blogging about things on a regular basis that no one in your blogging circle seems to care about, you might want to find more like-minded people to add to your blogging circle.) Don't be afraid to be different...as long as you're still interesting to your readers!

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All-in-all, when it comes to writing your blog, use common sense. Think to yourself: "Would someone want to read this? Does this make sense? Does it read well? Is it about something that I know?" If you do all of the above and reflect to yourself about each entry, your blog will be MUCH more successful!! (And it won't make me want to punch you for your poor writing skills!)

Next up on Thursday is Blogging Tips Part II: Pictures!

If you could take 2 seconds and give this a click, it would mean so much to me! Thank you!!