Blogging: Is It For You?

by Laura Fabiani @ NouveauWriter

With all the hype about blogging in the last couple of years, many writers are justifiably asking if they too should jump on the bandwagon. Maybe you’ve asked yourself the same question. Should you blog? The answer really depends on you and your reason for wanting to blog in the first place.

As a writer with 2 Web sites and 3 blogs to maintain, I have learned a few things when it comes to blogging and creating one’s space on the Internet. If you’re debating whether to create a blog, the following do’s and don’ts might help you decide. If nothing else, they will at least expose the realities of writing on the Web.

Do create a blog only if you have useful information, a service, or a product to offer your audience

Most people who surf the Web are looking for something specific. With the plethora of varied information out there, the Internet can sometimes overwhelm. Information overload is not uncommon today. With good reason, readers ask themselves What’s in it for me? If your blog doesn’t offer anything substantial, readers will move on. After all, if they are going to invest their time, it better be worth their while.

Do choose a niche and get creative

What are you passionate about? What will make your blog stand out from all the others? Let’s say you love chocolate. You could start a blog about everything chocolate—the best chocolates on the market, the different types of chocolate available, where the cocoa beans come from, interesting historical tidbits, etc. It’s true that the more specific your topic the narrower your audience. On the other hand, you will target the right audience and that is most important of all.

Don’t ramble about everything and nothing

Blogging commits you to create great quality content. It satisfies your need to write and be published. If you love to write and you like to share your written work with others, blogging is a good medium. However, if you’re going to post your humdrum daily activities, don’t bother. No one is interested unless, of course, you have a flare for infusing enough humour into your writing that would get even the most stalwart readers roaring with laughter.

Don’t blog only when you feel like it

Determine how often you want to post and stick to that schedule. It should be a schedule with which you’re comfortable. Some bloggers post everyday, others once a week and still others once a month. Whichever frequency you choose, be regular. Thousands of blogs are created daily and thousands of blogs are abandoned soon after. If you are not committed to your blog, your readers will not take you seriously.

Do come across as a professional

Blogging is a great way to build your author platform. You create presence on the Web and become known in the writer’s circle. You can build a following even before your book is published. Your readers get an idea of who you are. Remember, though, whatever you post on the Internet is there to stay. Be careful what you say and how you say it.

Do research and read other blogs in your category

Rather than seeing others as competition, learn from them. Post a comment on their blog with a link back to yours. Get known in your niche and above all, be friendly. Many writers help each other out and are grateful to get exposure from other sites. If you do a favor by hosting a guest blogger, writing about or interviewing someone related to your topic, you may be asked to do the same.

Do allow comments to be posted on your blog

If your blog does not allow for comments readers may not stay. I suggest you moderate the comments, which allows you to verify the comment before it is permanently published.

These are a few things to ponder when deciding to start a blog. Best of all, creating a blog is free and easy with such applications as Google’s Blogger or Wordpress. There are many more. A quick search will reveal a whole slew of applications and ways to create your blog. Choose the ones you like and before you know it, you will be publishing your very own stuff on the World Wide Web.