Are you reading this because the title caught your eye? And because you want to write a good blog? If so, you now know to choose an appealing title for your blog post or article, preferably with a keyword phrase in it. Better yet, tell the story in your title.
After that, the main thing to remember about good blogs is that content is king. Though blogs originated as “web logs” (hence “blog”) or online diaries, never forget that in a world of internet information inundation, few have time to read content that lacks utility—personal, political, educational, entertainment, or a mix of these.
My advice: create the content of your post around your expertise, passion, experience, and knowledge. They make you and your blog unique–a must since you are not likely to be reporting original scientific or journalistic work. Offer your distinct insight, analysis, argument, or opinion. As my favorite writer on writing, William Zinsser, says, write about something you care about. Then you may not care so much about what other people think of what you write.
Short. That’s the most important word to remember. Keep the post short. Keep paragraphs and sentences short. Choose short words over long ones (scratch “internet information inundation” for “excess information”).
Make your post easy to scan. The first sentence of each paragraph is critical (I mean “key”). For emphasis, use subheadings, bold text, and italics. Fear not bullet points or lists, for they
• do not make you a lazy thinker or writer;
• will not result in a reprimand from your 7th grade grammar teacher;
• will make you popular in the blogosphere.
Link to useful resources relevant to your topic: other blogs or websites, articles, books, research, or other information that supports, explains, clarifies, or gives background on the statements and opinions in your post. Add tips and, if possible, humor and images. Your star will shine in cyberspace.
To be sure, you can even link to other viewpoints. Your credibility skyrockets when you do so.
Choose a tense and voice and stick with them. (Read your post out loud to reveal problem spots.) Proof read for grammar, diction, punctuation, usage, and typographical errors. Send jargon to the trash bin.
Ask questions in your blog. They encourage readers to engage in the discussion and write comments. This gives you feedback and builds community—two good reasons to write a blog in the first place.
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12 Comments
Great tips, Nanette! Thank you!
Great advice! And so concisely stated. I also really appreciate the Women’s Media Center and am thrilled to see your writing here. Thanks for sharing these ideas, Nanette. In fact, just today I got an email from someone who is just venturing into blogging – I’m going to be sure I send her a link to this post.
Great tips indeed. This is really lot of fun.
I really like how you take your own advice in this blog: you’ve done the things you advise readers to do thereby demonstrating your points as well as making them. Well done.
Those articles in the “link to useful resources” paragraph are excellent. I especially liked the one in The Atlantic by Andrew Sullivan on “Why I Blog” and the one in The Nation magazine about the color line online. Thank you.
You “walked the talk” in this blog like William Zinsser he does in his book. Nice to see his influence spread to the blogosphere. Nice piece.
Thanks! Check out my other blogs at: MomsRising and Huffington Post.
As a fellow blogger, I have to echo the other comments here and say well done! This concise post shows you how to create a great post and a strong blog.
I really liked that Andrew Sullivan article in particular.
And I generally think a blog’s success can be measured by the quality of the community that knits around it. Here’s to the internet bringing people together!
Hi Nanette-
It’s to great to discover your posts, and to see where you’re taking your scholarship!
I’m trying to find management PhDs who blog, to participate in an Academy of Management PDW on blogging– I’d love for you to participate. Will you please email me?
CV Harquail
Hi Nanette,
My sister-in-law, Judi told me about this article you had written and sent me the link (small world!).
I appreciate your tips and may start blogging this year.
Peggy
Great blog on blogging! Wish I had seen it when I started blogging at the Sloan Network Work and Family blog in April. Probably would have reduced my learning curve!
Very sensible advice. Thanks, Nanette.