How fitting that I should cap off my
semester in Communication Technologies with a blog post about blogging? This
semester, Communication Technologies catapulted me into the interesting but
unfamiliar world of the blogosphere. While I had always been skeptical of the
power of blogs, having never truly followed any notable ones for any sufficient
length of time, this course has certainly challenged me to see their use for
both the individual and the businesses they represent. In class, we discussed
how blogs are a useful platform on which to build a brand but also an efficient
vehicle to reach and inform key audiences. I never took the time to realize the
influence and power a blogger can have on its audiences. With that said, I
believe an effective blogger is one who uses this influence to persuade and
inform an audience about issues or causes, and even personal interests with an
authentic and consistent voice. When it came time for me to create my own blog,
these were all lessons I wanted to incorporate into my blogging experience. I
set out with the desire to create a platform on which I could host my authentic
voice and discuss issues, causes, and subjects of particular interest to me.
This undertaking did, however, take a substantial amount of planning, with a
lot of different aspects to consider, decide upon, and resolve. So if you are
reading this and thinking to yourself “Gee I’m seriously considering starting
my own blog,” then here are some tips and things to consider before you up the
ante on your online presence and as all amateur bloggers must, dive head first
into the blogosphere.
1. Write for yourself first.
The thing about being a blogger is you must
write fairly often. If you are making such a profoundly extensive commitment,
it’s best to be passionate and enjoy what it is you write about. Think first of
your hobbies, interests, and experiences. Would any of them be suitable topics
on which to base a blog? Will you get tired of talking about them? Harkening back to my comment about having an
authentic voice behind your blog, don’t write about things only because you
know others want to hear them. When your words don’t have a purpose and you
don’t even believe in them, then how can you expect that of your reader?
2. Look for Longevity
It was always my intent to not create a
blog that had an expiration date. When you’re deciding on a subject or focus
for your blog, make sure you choose something you can continually write
about. When I was brainstorming blogging
ideas, I found it helpful to try and write a long list of topics that would be
the focus for each of my posts. The premise that seemed to have the most
longevity and the most possibility was where I settled. Nothing worse than
stumbling across an inactive, abandoned blog, lost somewhere in cyberspace.
When you consider blogging, consider the relationship you plan to have with
your blog, and when you do, always think long term.
3. Consider your audience.
I know what you’re thinking, didn’t I just
tell you to write for yourself first? I did, but I’m now encouraging you to
write for your audience second. If I have learned anything this semester, I
have learned that as a communicator it is essential that you think of key
audiences when crafting your messages. After all, isn’t the purpose of being an
effective communicator having someone with whom to communicate? Who do you hope
to reach with your blog? Answering this question will help you to think of what
interests you may have that a potential reader might share.
4. Be Creative!
This tip was in dire need of an exclamation
point because it is simply that important of a statement. I may not be an
expert blogger, but I know enough to say that no one stumbles across a blog
entitled “Bob’s Blog” and becomes uncontrollably excited. Inject your own
creative flair into all aspects of your blog from its title, to its design, to
its content. You may consider this a
challenge, but I assure you its one worth undertaking. Any of the blogs I
stopped long enough to read and appreciate were oozing with creativity – I was
unable to look away.
5. Be willing and prepared to
fail – but persevere.
This is arguably the most important advice
I can give you. When I settled on my blog title and subject matter, I was
convinced I had thought of something so creative and interesting I would have
more followers than I would know what to do with. Silly right? I assure you, I
was convinced. I didn’t think it would be that hard to build up a follower
base. I thought my views and shares would likely be off the charts. You can
imagine my surprise at finding that I do not, to this day, have one follower.
Sad, I know, but before you feel too sorry for me, understand that I’ve come to
be okay with that. Blogging is a process, one that takes time and a lot of
effort to master. I’ve come to realize that despite my non-existent fan base,
I’m still writing about things I care about, and perhaps someone, someday will
come across my blog and feel it speaks to them. In the 200-something views my
blog has currently received, if so much as one of those people found my content
interesting then my efforts will not have been in vain.
To conclude, blogging, as I’ve stated here,
has been an interesting, challenging, and uniquely rewarding experience. If you
are reading this and looking to start a blog of your own, I hope you find my suggestions
helpful and informative. From one amateur, somewhat unsuccessful, but staunchly
determined blogger to another – good luck and enjoy the ride.
Comments
Post a Comment