Free Website Content - 10 Top Tips for Creating a Blog
Tips for creating a blog.
There are no hard and fast rules on how to blog.
Having said that, bloggers will likely increase their exposure
by following some simple blog guidelines.
1.) Stay on topic.
Opinions are generally accepted but the content
of the items in the blog should all relate to a general
theme. Unless you have an uncanny knack for wit, humor or
cynicism, the majority of your readers will be interested
in the content that relates to a specific defined theme
or loosely defined area of interest. Most readers won't
care that you eat Cheerios for breakfast. They may, however,
be interested in the fact that vinegar takes out stains
and that toilet paper rolls make great wreaths. Define a
topic and stick to it. This will ensure that you create
a loyal following of interested readers.
2.) Stay informative.
If you are attempting to create the impression that you
are knowledgeable about a specific industry or sector, be
sure that you stay current on news. If you are endorsing
a product or voicing an opinion, be sure to check your facts;
your reputation is at stake. If you are offering an opinion,
be sure to qualify your post, making it clear that the content
is intended as an editorial.
3.) Old news is not news.
While blogging every day can be a drain, it is important
that the information presented is current and accurate,
writing an article or blurb about something that happened
6 months ago, will not be of interest to many. Telling your
audience that Martha Stewart was convicted and will be going
to prison, after her sentence is completed will make people
question the value of your columns.
4.) Adhere to a schedule.
Create a schedule and stick to it. Realizing that blogging
requires time and effort, don't create unrealistic expectations
and be unable to deliver. An occasional lapse or holiday
is generally understood but readers returning to find stale,
out-dated content are going to find another blog with similar
content. New blogs and RSS feeds are popping up on a daily
basis. If you have worked hard to develop an audience and
a community you don't want to lose them due to lack of communication.
5.) Clarity and simplicity.
Keep your posts and blog entries clear and easy to understand.
Remember, the web is global and expressions, idioms and
acronyms don't always translate. Sometimes a little explanation
goes a long way.
6.) Keyword-rich.
If the goal of your blog is to increase your visibility,
include related keywords in the title of the blog. Use the
title as a headline to attract interest. Each item post
should have a title that will attract attention but still
be relevant to the post. The title should be no longer than
10-12 words.
7.) Quantity matters.
In order to attract the attention of search engines, you
will need to develop content and substance. A headline or
simple sentence is not going to generate the interest of
readers or help with search engine ranking. Be sure to archive
old blog posts to develop a large portal of similarly-themed
content.
8.) Frequency.
If your blog content is updated frequently, search engines
will tend to spider the pages at regular intervals.
9.) Spell checking and proof-reading.
It only takes a few extra moments and can save you
from having to make embarrassing explanations. Remember
that whatever you publish on the Internet can be found and
archived. Think carefully about what you post before doing
so.
10.) RSS.
RSS will increase your blog's reach. It is important that
you include your blog's content in an RSS feed to increase
readership and distribution.
Most weblog audiences are small, but with
time and regular updates audiences grow. Bloggers may never
have more than a few hundred readers, but the people who
return to regularly are generally interested in what you
have to say.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing and publishing RSS feeds
and NotePage http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software.
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appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
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