What do I need to Blog?

Simplicity.
Computer.
Internet connection.
Something to say: content, content, content!

Be consistent:
The best way to be reliable is to provide content that is true and accurate. Double check your facts and be prepared to back them up. Remember, your blog is a powerful means of branding yourself, and if you keep to the truth, you will build the strength of the words you say in your blog, and magnify the influence you have with your readers. Once you build your word, your recommendations will then truly mean something to your readers.

Timeliness:
If you publish a blog called "The Wednesday Afternoon Report", and you start out posting to it every Wednesday afternoon, then your audience will begin to expect a new posting every Wednesday afternoon. You can think of your blog like a newsletter. Consistency is key. This consistency is what will increase the number of visitors that come back to your blog. Returning visitors give you the opportunity to build a relationship with your readers.

Clean Graphics:
Structure your blog so that it is easy to read and find past postings. Don't put so many graphics that it detracts from what you are trying to say. Highlight relevant postings that you may have made in the past that relate to your current posting. A good way to highlight your past postings is to link to them directly from the blog post, or if they are more general, and relate to many postings, you can list the links to your latest postings to the side, next to your main blog entry. Another good technique to use with your blog is to separate your postings into categories when it makes sense. That way, visitors can access a more specific group of postings they may be interested in. For an even more robust blog, a search function will allow easy access to your postings, especially when you have quite a few posts.

Fresh Content:
You will want to set up your blog so the most recent postings are placed at the top, or on the first page, which is like the reverse format of a diary (where the most recent entries are on the last page). Most blogging software today is set up to have the latest postings at the top (or on the front page of the blog) to allow your newest postings to be seen first by your visitors.

Give Readers a Reason to Return:
Blogs that have a personal and human component are more interesting to read than blogs that have no personality. Putting unique and personal experiences in your blog, like how your computer meltdown experience relates to today's posting, adds a wonderful new dimension to your blog. Visitors actually want to connect with you, and sharing your personal experiences is a great way to connect with them. Increase the deliverability of your message by being passionate and conveying emotions in your postings. People are emotional beings and connect on an emotional level rather than an intellectual one. Adding emotion to your blog will add an additional way for your readers to connect with you. Blogging can be a very rewarding experience, is a powerful way to connect with your visitors, is very flexible, and can be done to fit anyone's style. However, no matter what the style of blogging you choose, certain rules should still be followed to make the reader's experience more enjoyable. You can also learn other techniques to increase reader participation and reader response rate that can make your blog a powerful tool to earn an additional stream of income. Research the many good ebooks available that cover these techniques in detail.

Excerpted from How to Supercharge your blog and improve your visitor's experience, by B. Hopkins.

Why Blog?

You have something to say.
You need an alternative communication tool.
You want to grow a community.

Westfield State College's First Annual Technology Workshop

Blog & Blogging: What’s it all about?

Workshop Summary: This hands-on workshop explores, creates and plays with blogs and teaches how you can bring blogs into your virtual classroom, augment your current classroom into the virtual realm and/or establish a blog for your business. Examine ways to embrace this innovative technology and leave with formations of your very own blog. Come with an open mind, curious attitude and playful manner.

Workshop Description: Blog & Blogging: What’s it all about?
This workshop briefly describes what blogs and blogging are all about and leads participants into the discovery of what blogs can do for them and how to create them. You will play with blog technologies using visual imagery, text and journaling skills in the creation of your very own blog. Come with an open mind and leave with the tools to start blogging.