How to Blog; 10 Ideas
Wednesday: December 5, 2007 7:31 AM
A few weeks ago, we posted the concepts around a blogging strategy. What I didn’t include was the ideas around “How” to blog, so here are 10 tips that help me.
1. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Writing a blog is like having a conversation, you don’t have to over analyze your thoughts. If you have a tip on Sharepoint then just write it up. If you have an interesting article idea then jot down and post. If you want to complain about the chicken in the salad then write it in bold. This isn’t a research paper and no one is going to give you a content or grammar grade during your performance review.
2. Ensure an interesting title in the post. While some folks are starting to utilize the RSS feeds and actually subscribe to specific blogs, the majority of the traffic still comes off the main page. We are seeing more and more posts on a daily basis so you won’t be able to stay above the water mark for very long. The key is to think about your title and first couple of sentences as an advertisement for the post.
3. Use tagging wisely. The tag cloud is a great utility but you should use is to your advantage. While I might like to include “Collaboration and Online Services” in the keywords, it would be smarter just to use Collaboration. This ensures consistency but also builds up the content over time which makes your tags bigger. If you look at the current tag cloud reference you see enterprise 2.0, coaching, iPhone and Sharepoint leading the way.
4. Utilize internal links. I am so bad at this but we should try to include more and more links inside the body of the post so that generate the network effect of information. Overtime, we want to build a network of communication and information that has natural connections designated by the authors. Not just search and tagging associations.
5. Once is never enough. While I wouldn’t recommend you posting everyday, you should try to post weekly. This is especially true if you are blogging about your product or service. Look, it’s simple, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
6. Just do it! No, this is not a Nike commercial. What’s holding you back from sharing your knowledge? Fear? I am sure we could list a hundred reasons for not opening up and sharing your knowledge and experience but none would make much sense in a Web 2.0 world. Or even an AT&T 2.0 world. When is the best time to start blogging? Yesterday!
7. Be consistent! While I do have other opinions other than Enterprise 2.0, they would be out of context here on this blog. Ok, I do tend to rant about the customer experience and petty management control but we all have our vices. Still, try to stay consistent with your topic or product information.
8. Don’t do it yourself. Our Sharepoint blog has four different authors and why not? Locate some like minded folks that want to contribute and create a community blog. There is no reason that you have to carry the burden on your shoulders alone.
9. Keep a back log of ideas. Some days the ideas just come at you from every direction. Other days, you couldn’t think your way out of a paper bag. On the good days, why not go ahead and write the blog entries. Then you have a secret stash of great idea for the bad days. I will say it’s better to blog one entry for ten days than 10 entries in one day.
10. Comment. It’s simple, conversations are not just one way. Take the time to comment on other blogs and wiki entries.
What other tips and techniques can you think of?
A few weeks ago, we posted the concepts around a blogging strategy. What I didn’t include was the ideas around “How” to blog, so here are 10 tips that help me.
1. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Writing a blog is like having a conversation, you don’t have to over analyze your thoughts. If you have a tip on Sharepoint then just write it up. If you have an interesting article idea then jot down and post. If you want to complain about the chicken in the salad then write it in bold. This isn’t a research paper and no one is going to give you a content or grammar grade during your performance review.
2. Ensure an interesting title in the post. While some folks are starting to utilize the RSS feeds and actually subscribe to specific blogs, the majority of the traffic still comes off the main page. We are seeing more and more posts on a daily basis so you won’t be able to stay above the water mark for very long. The key is to think about your title and first couple of sentences as an advertisement for the post.
3. Use tagging wisely. The tag cloud is a great utility but you should use is to your advantage. While I might like to include “Collaboration and Online Services” in the keywords, it would be smarter just to use Collaboration. This ensures consistency but also builds up the content over time which makes your tags bigger. If you look at the current tag cloud reference you see enterprise 2.0, coaching, iPhone and Sharepoint leading the way.
4. Utilize internal links. I am so bad at this but we should try to include more and more links inside the body of the post so that generate the network effect of information. Overtime, we want to build a network of communication and information that has natural connections designated by the authors. Not just search and tagging associations.
5. Once is never enough. While I wouldn’t recommend you posting everyday, you should try to post weekly. This is especially true if you are blogging about your product or service. Look, it’s simple, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
6. Just do it! No, this is not a Nike commercial. What’s holding you back from sharing your knowledge? Fear? I am sure we could list a hundred reasons for not opening up and sharing your knowledge and experience but none would make much sense in a Web 2.0 world. Or even an AT&T 2.0 world. When is the best time to start blogging? Yesterday!
7. Be consistent! While I do have other opinions other than Enterprise 2.0, they would be out of context here on this blog. Ok, I do tend to rant about the customer experience and petty management control but we all have our vices. Still, try to stay consistent with your topic or product information.
8. Don’t do it yourself. Our Sharepoint blog has four different authors and why not? Locate some like minded folks that want to contribute and create a community blog. There is no reason that you have to carry the burden on your shoulders alone.
9. Keep a back log of ideas. Some days the ideas just come at you from every direction. Other days, you couldn’t think your way out of a paper bag. On the good days, why not go ahead and write the blog entries. Then you have a secret stash of great idea for the bad days. I will say it’s better to blog one entry for ten days than 10 entries in one day.
10. Comment. It’s simple, conversations are not just one way. Take the time to comment on other blogs and wiki entries.
What other tips and techniques can you think of?
Comments (1)
This is great, Todd. Thanks. (Might want to add a few links though.) I have a number of folks I'm "coaching" in my company on blogging now. I'm constantly telling them not to forget links. They're smarties like you; so it's hard for them to remember to keep reaching out to other members in the community to stimulate conversation.
Posted by: Susan Scrupski on December 5, 2007 16:08