A blog about blogging
Monday’s Promotion Tip for Graphic Designers
Blogs have taken the world by storm. You can use your blog as an effective marketing tool.
I’m constantly on the lookout for good blogs. In part because I want to see what it is that makes them good and how they fail in other areas. In other words, what do good blogs have in common? Is there a “formula” that can be replicated?
As expected, because it’s free to have a blog, many people have now have one. Some are good and many are not so good. So, what I did was compile a list of what I think are the key components to a good blog.
So, what makes a blog good?
- A blog should be focused; there should be a clear theme behind a blog
- Each blog post is about one single topic
- Substance over hype: most posts should be informational and not to sell stuff (that will come!)
- Set a tone for your blog (be it conversational, confrontational, etc…)
- Readability: keep it clear*
- Your blog should be a reflection of you and who you are (and what you believe)
- Targeted: know your audience and write for them
- Should be considered an extension of your brand: in presentation and writing style
- Should always start off with an effective, attention-grabbing headline
- I love a reporting style for most informational blogs, but pick a writing style and use it consistently
Things to keep in mind while blogging:
- Potential clients may be reading your blog.
- Review and check for spelling mistakes
- Don’t swear, insult or offend anyone
- Don’t gloat or brag — it can be a real turn off
- Be objective and try to be non-partial
- Post at least once a week — preferably more
- Unless it’s a religious or political post, don’t discuss either
- Read a lot to stay on top of things. This also helps in coming up with things to blog about.
C O N C L U S I O N
I believe a blog is a reflection of you and/or your business. It should be written by you or someone contributing to your blog. This is your forum to share what’s important, your interest and what you believe.
What I really H-A-T-E are blogs I’ve seen where the blogger finds articles on the web and then copies them on the blog… It’s fine for a few postings, but I’ve seen literally dozens of blogs featuring writing from others. What is the point of this? You are alienating potential clients and also potential loyal readers (I typically go and check out what those people are writing about!)
Remember, your blog is a reflection of you. People actually do read it. What do you want them to think when they are reading it?
F O O T N O T E S
*Readability harder to read on the web than in print, so you want to make sure you keep paragraphs short and to the point. Short lists, bullets, subheads are always appreciated. You want to make it as easy and pleasant as possible for your readers to read your blog.
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