Successful blogs focus on many different aspects of
the medium, but it has to be able to write compelling and engaging content on a
consistent basis over time. How you do this varies from blogger to blogger to
some extent as each blogger has their own style; however there are some basic
principles of writing good blog content that should be worth keeping in mind.
Everything that I have read about blogging expresses
“Content is King”. Ultimately defining what good content is like defining what is
a good book or a good movie. Some posts are likely to cause a little debate as
each person will identify with it differently depending upon their personality,
their needs, the topic that they are talking about and maybe even their ethics.
Not only will bloggers themselves each have a different view on what is ‘good’
content, but readers tend to also. For a blog to be successful your content needs
to be useful and unique to your readers (Jenkins, 2006). Bloggers should blog
about their own passions, experiences and knowledge. It is important that you
are aware of your reader and that you create content that will add something to
their lives (Jesella, 2008). Give people something useful.
Another factor to consider when thinking about good
content is whether it is unique. With a blog being created every second and
with blogs on virtually every topic you can think of, the challenge for
bloggers is to build a blog that stands out from the crowd. In most niches you
will find that sites are all offering very similar information in pretty much
the same voice, tone and style. On any particular topic you have a choice, you
can both replicate what some other blogger is doing and try to do it better or
you can distinguish yourself in some way from what others are doing. Just
because someone else has written about it does not mean you should not write
about it too, because your post may offer information or insights that the
reader has not come across before. It might also mean writing in a different
genre of posts (i.e. if everyone else is writing “newsy” posts you can try to
write more “opinion” type posts).
Most research I have read seems to argue that the
most effective titles are short, simple and easy to understand. While breaking
these rules can help grab attention, they can also confuse, frustrate and put a
glazed look in the eyes of possible readers (Jesella, 2008). Good titles set
your posts apart from the clutter around them and then draw readers into your
post. Grabbing attention might happen using tactics of shock, big claims,
controversy or even confusion (Jenkins, 2006). While these tactics do work at
getting people in, it should also be said that they can do more damage than
good if the rest of your post does not live up to the promises your title
makes. An effective title draws people into reading more because they feel you
have something to say that they need to hear. Some readers will be drawn into a
post by a cryptic title that does not tell them much about what they will be
reading, but the majority of readers need to know something about what they
will find if they read further (Martin, June 26).
Titles should describe what readers will get in the main posting in as few
words as possible (Jesella, 2008). Treat your title as a mini advertisement for
your work. Take at least a few minutes to not only make sure your post is in
order , but that your title is going to do everything it can to maximize the
chances that people will listen (or read rather) what you have to say.
References
Jenkins, H (2006). Fans, Bloggers, and Gamers. New
York: New York University Press.
Jesella, K (2008). "Blogging’s Glass
Ceiling". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
Martin, M. (June 26). 7 Elements to Make
you Blog Look Great. Pro Blog Design. Retrieved from http://www.problogdesign.com/design/7-elements-to-make-your-blog-look-great/
Metcalf, S "Fixing a Hole", New York Times,
March 2006
