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How do you decide what "type" of blog you're going to have?
I tend to favor the personal intermixed with the professional. I love going with the flow of the day, how I'm feeling, and writing what I want to write about. But do you think this is counterproductive for readers?
I've heard mixed opinions on the matter. Some people insist a topic-specific blog is essential to holding on to readership, others disagree. What is your opinion?
Just since I started this new blog, multiple people have said to me, "I really want to start a blog, but I'm not sure how, exactly." Well I don't have it all figured out (I know, you thought I totally knew what I was doing here. Fooled ya!), but here are three things I've learned about blogging in my endeavors so far.
1. Your blog needs to reflect who you are.
- Nobody wants to read some stuffy, boring, textbook style blog post. Make it fun! Make it a unique reading experience every time they open your page. Are you feeling angry about a new law that was passed that you disagree with? Show it! Happy about some new restaurant that opened in your town? Let's hear it! If you have a happy, fun, outgoing personality, we should be able to gather that from reading your posts. Same applies if you have more of a withdrawn, deep, poetic personality. Being able to relate to the blogger on some level keeps readers coming back, and keeps you, the blogger, real.
- Yes, you are going to post some things that maybe only those close to you will care about sometimes. But before posting ask yourself, "How is this relevant? Why does this matter? Why should people care?" Some readers might not realize it's relevant until they read your post. YOU convince them, by what you've written, that it's important. Sometimes the relevance can be found in simply bringing a smile to a readers face, making them laugh. Sometimes it's deeper, challenging their opinion on some heated topic. If you think it's important enough to write, people need to think it's important enough to read.
- Ever read a blog that's just 1,000 words? BOR-ing. For example, if you talk about some great new miracle product you tried that's working wonders on your hair, share a link where people can go buy it themselves. Or if you read some fantastic feature article on some couple that battled cancer together during their engagement, post the link! Hyperlinks are your friend. Help people get clicky. And how about some pictures? Or video? If you go on some grand vacation to Italy and blog about it, I'd like to see some pictures, please! Even a graphic, fun or serious, can be helpful and intriguing. And lastly, don't pretend like your readers aren't there. Ask them questions in your post. If they comment, respond to them. Now, you don't have to respond 100% of the time, but keep your eye out for commentary. Again, readers want to connect.
Happy blogging!
Here's a link to some useful tips about blogging.
3 comments:
Hmmm...I've been asking myself the same questions. To me, it depends upon what your goals are with your blog.
Is it just a creative outlet where you get to say whatever you happen to be feeling at that particular moment? Then I'd say you get to say whatever you want.
Or, are you a writer who wants to sell books to people? If so, your blog should attract the type of people who would be interested in reading your book.
Or if you want to attract a following to your business, then your blog should be about topics related to your business.
But I definately agree that whatever the blog, it should be interactive, informative, and of value to the people reading it.
Hmmm...how about a SARCASTIC personality's blog? LOL I'm thinking whether I intended to or not, that's how mine would be, at least SOMETIMES. :)
Depending on the blog, I don't think going with whatever you're thinking at the moment necessarily has to be counterproductive, unless, of course the blog has a very narrow, specific purpose. Other than that, I think going with whatever you want to say at the time lends to your connectibility (is that a word?) with your readers. It makes you REAL, and that is always relevant and makes it easy for the reader to relate to you, which keeps them coming back! In the writing world, I think that is a must!
I think you'll do great with whatever direction you take. I've read some of your articles, I just don't always have time to comment, but you're a talented writer! Sometimes I live vicariously through you! LOL...just kidding!
Kenja - I agree. So many options! And how many blogs is too many, you know? I mean, if I decide I need to promote a book I'm writing, or focus more on something professional (like coaching, for instance), do I create a new blog dedicated solely to that? Or just integrate it into the current blog? I'm just not sure. Guess it depends on the situation!
Rhonda - I, personally, am a big fan of sarcastic blogs. :) Honestly, writing sarcastically is even more fun than being sarcastic. Hahaha And thank you for the compliments, I appreciate that! Totally agree with you on the reader connectibility (if that's not a word, let's totally make it one!). I think no matter the topic, if you can actually reach a reader, you're golden.
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