A couple of my clients have asked me for some guidance on blogging, so I did some research. This is what I came up with.  Let me know what you think.

What is a Blog?

“A blog (short for weblog) is an online journal or diary of an individual’s opinions and latest news that is updated regularly, in chronological order. Many blogs allow visitors to make comments, or “postings” in response to the blogger, or ask questions.” – Now we Are Talking definition

A blog is typically defined as an online journal. You can think of it as an informal way of communicating to a group of people about your expertise.

Technorati, a popular blog search engine, has a Blogging Basics page that might be helpful.

Common Craft explains blogs in a video
Video: Blogs in Plain English
By leelefever

And has this valuable and relevant blog post:
What are the Differences Between Message Boards [aka Discussion Forums] and Weblogs?
By leelefever

Tips on Writing A Blog Post

Being informal when you write is just fine. Write the way you’re most comfortable while keeping your audience in mind. They need to be able to digest and understand what you’re saying.  Here are just a few post styles you can use. You can:

• Be informational about something you know
• Review another person’s blog post/news article
• Review a book
• Summarize an article, paper or blog post
• Write story about something that happened to you
• Respond to a comment or comments members have left for you
• Have a Q and A with someone in your field
• Invite the occasional guest blog poster

Feel free to mix and match post styles in your blog. They don’t all have to be in the same style.  Posts do not have to be long, in fact short and sweet is usually preferable to long posts. You can also pose questions to your readers and ask them to respond in the comments. For example, you can ask:

• What is your opinion on the article I just reviewed?
• Have you read the book I just reviewed here? What did you think?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Here’s what others say about blogging:

Pro-blogger has 10 tips on writing a blog post:

1. Make your opinion known
2. Link like crazy
3. Write less
4. 250 Words is enough
5. Make Headlines snappy
6. Write with passion
7. Include Bullet point lists
8. Edit your post
9. Make your posts easy to scan
10. Be consistent with your style
11. Litter the post with keywords

Ok, there are 11 tips. You can read the expanded version of Darren Rowse’s 10 Tips post here.

I found 101 Blog Tips and pulled the ones most relevant to my clients.

• write “Top 10" lists
• write “How to” articles
• ask questions to your readers
• use sense of humor
• be generous
• encourage readers to subscribe
• have some spare posts for emergencies
• use “series” of posts -- do a series on a specific topic
• return comments -- not always, but when a response is expected
• return links -- Link-love
• break long posts in more parts
• read as many blogs as possible -- read other's blogs for ideas on how to blog. You can write a blog in response to other's blogs
• make it easy for visitors to contact you
• write with a personal touch
• talk directly to your readers
• mention your sources or references

You can read the entire list at 101 Blog Tips I learned in 2006
By Daniel

Here are still other blog posts you might find valuable as you’re honing your blogging skills:

How to Write a Better Weblog
by Dennis A. Mahoney

Blogs And Articles: Dialogs And Monologues
by Steven Bradley

Writing a good blog for dummies
Adapted From: Creating Family Web Sites For Dummies

Top 10 Blog Writing Tips
By Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman

Got any other blogs for me?  Do you agree or disagree with what I'm saying? Let me know.

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Hidden Hidden Location: Hidden Member since:9/11/2006 View Full Profile >

astrout on 2/22/2008
Great post - coincidentally, I just got an e-mail from my friends at MarketingProfs that touches on the same topic. How to Leave Your Imprint on the Blogosphere (a good 201 add on to your 101 post.)

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