I will openly admit that I am slowly becoming addicted to blogging. I am currently taking Professor Alisa Agozzino’s social media class, and blogging is my favorite piece of homework this semester. Blogging is such an informal style of writing compared to the writing I am doing for my other classes and organizations. I am able to fuse together my own opinions with opinions of other bloggers. I am able to create a story of my own, but also gain feedback from others interested in the subjects I am writing. If you are creative, opinionated and able to take feedback start a blog.
Here are five easy rules I discovered while reading through my social media books that should help you in your start-up blog:
Rule #1- Be a comment enthusiast.
So you want to create a blog, and you also want to make sure people are reading what you are writing. Well first, comment on blogs that have meaning to you. Learn about the different writing styles bloggers use, and find people who have similar interests as you.
Rule #2 – It’s all about the passion.
Passion for a subject will make writing your blog easier. Find a hobby or a subject you are interested in writing about. However, make the blog unique. If you go for something generic like “food blog” there are going to be millions of blogs devoted to food. Think of a way to get your blog noticed.
Rule #3- Creative layouts are winning.
A cut and dry layout never draws attention to a webpage, and it will never draw attention to a blog. Design a creative layout that will drive people to your page. First impressions are everything, right?
Rule #4- Actually be self-centered for once.
Make sure to create an about section or page. Bloggers want to know who belongs to the hands and mind that are typing the posts they read. Talk about who you are and your interests. Make your audience feel comfortable enough to want to contact you. And, make sure to include contact information.
Rule #5- Don’t play hide-and-seek.
When starting a blog, readers shouldn’t have to search for you. Make their job easier by using social media tags that will directly link them to your blog post. Tagging things such as marketing or Mashable will directly link your post to other sites and drive people to you. #prettysweet
By honing these rules, you will create an attractive and sophisticated blog that will gain readership.
