Guide To Blogging

Don’t you just love it when you see a number of comments on your recent post?

One of the ways on how you can build connections with other bloggers is by commenting in each other’s blog entries. It is somewhat like exchanging ideas with one another and building friendship through constant communication. It is also important that you do reply in every comment that is left in your comment box so that you can build instant rapport with your readers. It is also one way of gaining loyal readers on your blog. Also be sure that you do write blog entries that are worth commenting on.

In the earlier times, advertisers usually partner up with webmasters in order to attract more visitors and gain more traffic. All the webmaster needs to do is apply in an affiliate program and copy the buttons, banners or text links with corresponding id and post it on their website. If a visitor clicks on any of the ads, the advertiser pays the webmaster with commissions. Some pay per click, per impression or per membership. One of the best affiliate programs I’ve joined years ago is Friend Finder
(http://www.friendfinder.com) because they really pay big money per membership. Once you got accepted in the program, you can also be an affiliate for their other sites for gays, senior citizens, churches, career, free webmail and online greeting cards.

It is important that you exchange links with other bloggers out there especially with similar blogs. It is one way of building connections with other bloggers and at the same time attracting traffic. It also helps In order for your blog to be on the first few pages of search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN. If you have enough money, you can ask other publishers to post your link in their blogs for a minimal fee. You can also ask some bloggers to be your affiliate and exchange banners with them. Also, add your links in social networking sites, message boards and email signatures.

Do you have a Gmail account? If yes, then maybe you have encountered Google Docs whenever you try to open attachments such as documents, spreadsheet among others. To make the explanation a bit shorter, Google Docs is very similar to Microsoft Office that is much more user-friendly, web-based and free for everyone to use.

Google Docs has the basics that include word-processing, presentations and spreadsheets. The main advantage of using Google Docs is that it is an online service which means you can access your documents anytime as long as you have internet connection. Just like in any other programs, Google Docs has its own share of advantages and disadvantages.

When I was just starting out with my very first blog, I was quite thrilled! I had a “site” at last. I’m not the type who asks for help, so when I was posting the articles I was literally doing the trial-and-error stuff. I kept on fussing with the dashboard and changing the templates. My blog didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. So I looked for other sites that would suit my needs.

Blogging sites usually offer free service. There are pre-made templates that starters could use. There are also Javascript and CSS tutorials for those who know enough of computer technology. One advantage of blogging is that you learn as you try on the different applications. Blogs nowadays give you more freedom to personalize your site.

Aside from photos, you can also upload your favorite videos and music. Like a painting, you as the owner of the blog, check from time to time the features of your work. If it looks quite boring to your taste, you add some widgets. If it seems crowded, on the other hand, you ditch the calendar, the message board, and the videos. Blogging makes you the creator of your own world. You don’t only become a bit techie. You also imbibe the artist’s vibe! With your blog, you become the master of your very own realm.

We know how it is when making reports in school. Our teachers prefer the main facts in portions rather than put them altogether in a paragraph. A more systematized article creates the illusion that your texts are short and straight to the point.

Once they’re done reading the first subtopic, they’d proceed to the next one. The whole article would look neater and easier to read since you’ve broken down the major details. Don’t make it hard for the reader to scroll up and down just to scan the article for points they forgot to take note of.

Also, keep track of people who are consistently visiting your blog. Allow them to add comments to your site. Their reactions would be very good sources of ideas. Try as much as you can to acknowledge their suggestions. A blog is supposed to bridge the gap. Acting like a prima donna would drive your beloved readers away. Let them talk to you too, through their comments. Communication isn’t a one-way process.

A picture paints a thousand words. Or so they say. But there’s actually truth to that. Visually-oriented people would opt to read blogs with images. These pictures help them grasp exactly what you’re trying to say. For example, an article about Italy would be more meaningful (and reader-friendly) if you’d put pictures of the hottest spots, the infrastructure, and the people living there.

If you’re using your blog as a sort of a memoir or a diary, then I think it would be best to break the barrier between you and the reader. Write as if you’re talking to them! Keep the tone of your article conversational. This way it would make readers more welcome to your blog. However, you need to check on your choice of words. A friendly blog should also be a tasteful one. Whatever kind of language you use makes an impact on you as the writer. It’s a reflection of who you are. Don’t get yourself reported for making derogative remarks or writing foul language. A blog is like a shirt. It also holds your image.

For some people, maintaining a blog also equals attracting readers. If you want to make a connection, then you better know how to entice your reading audience. The idea is to make them feel comfortable while reading your blog. This actually doesn’t have to be as neat as other biz blogs do. Think of newspaper articles. You wouldn’t read something that looks, or seems, so common to you already. The first thing that catches the people’s attention is the headline. Pick a title that you think would surely arouse their curiosity. The content, of course, has to be more interesting than the headline. You don’t want them to get disappointed in the middle of reading it and smirk at your blog, do you?

Immediately at the beginning of your article, give your readers an idea of what the content is about. Then as you write the succeeding paragraphs, expound on that gist. Avoid beating around the bush as this will just leave your readers scratching their heads in frustration. Be upfront in what you want to say. Most people easily get tired of reading such lengthy texts. If you can whip up concise but witty articles, then you’ve got their eyes glued to your blog.

Whether you are just starting a blog, or you plan to “reboot” or refine an existing one, you have to consider: what would be my writing style?

Now this would be a bit difficult to answer. Only you could define what your style is. Each person has a unique personality. The same goes with your writing style. If you are more comfortable with colloquial language, meaning there are no frills and high-faluting words, then go for it!

When you’re blogging, you actually give more of real self. You write in just the same manner as you would have talked to them. But if you know you’ll be more effective if you add a little flair to your statements, then build up on that creativity. What’s really important is that you communicate your ideas clear enough for your audience to understand.

When starting a blog, ask yourself: what is my target audience?

Do you intend to write for teens? If so, start researching on what would make young people read your blog. Some just talk about mundane experiences like shopping for new clothes, or beating their friends at DOTA or Counterstrike. Other writers get by with articles mostly about relationships.

If you want to cater to yuppies, you may share a common ground by writing about work, plans in life, career growth, and relationships still.

On the other hand, if you’re targeting people from a specific field, then you have to keep your articles related to their line of work. If you’re eyeing sales managers or the like, then don’t even consider posting articles about chastity education. Your audience and your message are interrelated.

Pick on what would interest them most, and you might even have them coming back for more.