So You Wanna Be A Blogger

What is blogging, anyway?

Well, blogs -- or "Web logs" -- are basically online diaries with articles, writings, photos, Web links or other entries made by the blogs' creators.

Typically, blog entries are listed in reverse chronological order where the most recent entry is on top and older entries can be found by scrolling down the Web page. Most blogs allow readers to leave comments or links to topics and other Web sites relevant to the entry or the blog's overall  focus. This interactiveness allows bloggers to refer to each other's blogs, creating  what's called a "blogosphere" -- groups of blogs centered around specific topics or interests.

Okay, so now that I've gotten that outta the way. Let's talk about some dos and don'ts when it comes to blogging.

• DO make sure that your blog is pleasing to the eye. Having a good balance of copy and graphics or videos on your blog makes your blog more exciting. Yes, much like children, grown-ups like pictures too!
• Do actually, uh, BLOG! Dont'cha hate when someone tells you that they have a blog, and they want you to follow, and you do, just to realize that they blog ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS!
• DO write with personality. I like to hear the blogger's voice. I like that my favorite bloggers are down-to-earth and conversational.  
• DO host your blog on your own personal URL. For example, when hosting on a blog platform, it would be www.wordpress.com/blog/yournamehere. You can have a more powerful blog presence and more branding power when using a personalized URL such as www.yournamehere.com. Be creative!
• DON'T be controversial to try and get attention or become a star. Unless you're a gossip blogger, no one wants to come to a blog where people are being trashed all of the time.
• DON'T be overly sensitive or take negative comments or posts personal. Focus on what your original goal was for blogging and don't let what people think about or comment on in a negative way change your focus.
• DON'T continually post back and forth in regard to a negative post or complaint. This can push your blog higher in search engine rankings, but the complaint or negative post would take the stage.

Hope these tips help. Happy blogging.