During my Blogging time I’ve learned a number of good lessons. I’ve included my own top ten tips here in case they are of use to you in your Blogging adventures:

1. Theme your Blog – is it a business Blog? A personal journal? Of course you can post about what you like but try and make it clear what your Blog is about and stick to it – after all you could always start a second Blog or a third!

2. Link to your own Blog posts – this way you can offer threaded topics that develop over time rather than the reader having to search for them. This is something I only discovered recently and it’s so obvious I can’t believe I didn’t think about it before!

3. Give credit where credit is due. If you adapt someones idea or include a post based on something you read elsewhere, include that reference – that way if someone quotes your Blog or one of your ideas then hopefully they will give you the credit you are due.

4. Use tags, keywords and labels to organise your posts into sections. This helps readers follows common threads, themes and ideas.

5. Be original – if you talk about something try and add a new angle or get an original perspective. Readers often reach posts through search engines so they have probably read many similar posts before and are often looking for something new and original.

6. Be aware of other people who don’t necessarily understand your ‘lingo’ – what you mean may be implied quite differently across the globe.

7. Build up a network of Blogging friends who are interested in writing about the same things that you are – this can often help stimulate ideas. I’m still working on this!

8. Keep your Blog fresh and up to date. Perhaps a new style or a useful widget if you are running short of content ideas. But don’t change too often otherwise you’ll lose the valuable ‘branding’ that identifies your site.

9. Be careful about dropping out confidential information, about yourself, friends, employers or anyone else that won’t appreciate it. It’s easy done but could land you in hot water!

10. Don’t expect success overnight but keep at it. It is easy to give up early when you don’t get the readership you’d like but like all good things you need to develop as a writer and once people get ‘in your zone’ you’ll soon find the readership increasing.

But above all, enjoy yourself – this is your place after all so if you aren’t enjoying the process then it will come through in your writing.

References

[1] Blog Tips – Central Register, LivingRoom
http://www.livingroom.org.au/Blog/archives/Blog_tips_central_register.php

[2] What do You Know Now About Blogging that You Wish You Knew When You Started? ProBlogger
http://www.proBlogger.net/archives/2007/06/24/what-do-you-know-now-about-Blogging-that-you-wish-you-knew-when-you-started/

[3] Blogging Tips – Hundreds of Resources for Finding Content for Your Blog, Lorelle on Wordpress
http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/01/23/blogging-tips-hundreds-of-resources-for-finding-content-for-your-blog/

[4] 12 safety tips on blogging for parents and kids, Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/activities/blogging.mspx

[5] Daily Blog Tips, Daily Blog Tips
http://www.dailyblogtips.com/

[6] Plan Your Website, Save Money and Time, Terinea Weblog
http://www.terinea.co.uk/blogs/terineatechtips/2007/06/23/plan-your-website-save-money-and-time/

[7] Ten Tips For A Better Weblog, Rebecca’s Pocket
http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/ten_tips.html

[8] Twenty Usability Tips for Your Blog — Condensed from Dozens of Bloggers’ Experiences, I’d Rather be writing
http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2007/04/09/twenty-usability-tips-for-your-blog-%E2%80%94-condensed-from-dozens-of-bloggers-experiences/

[9] Top ten tips for blogging and podcasting, ICT Hub Knowledgebase
http://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/bloggingandpodcastingtips

[10] 9 tips for a well liked blog, The fantastic site of Lord Matt
http://lordmatt.co.uk/item/620/