Establishing Yourself Online: How to Become a Blogger
If blogging sounds interesting to you, but you don't know how to begin, you are in luck. While initially it may be a little overwhelming to get a blog started, it is actually a very easy way to get your voice heard. Answer the following questions, and you will be able to establish an informative blog that others will want to follow.
Why are you starting the blog?
Once you answer that question, you are much more likely to succeed with your site. For example, do you want to share your expertise about a particular topic? Will the blog be linked in to a business that you are running? Or, are you starting the blog for entertainment purposes only? Thinking through the purpose of the blog will help you set goals for yourself - goals that will keep you on track and productive as the blog progresses.
Who is your target audience?
You must know who you are "speaking" to with your blog. For instance, if you are writing about the best senior activities in your local town, you are going to adopt a particular style and tone that probably wouldn't be appropriate for college students. Your audience is going to want to get specific things out of your blog. If you meet their needs, they are going to keep coming back time and time again to read your posts.
How can you "welcome" others to your blog?
In order for your blog to be success, you need to be able to draw others in and engage them in conversation. Obviously, you want to use a friendly tone in your text, but what else can you do? Ask people to comment on your posts, and make sure you write back to them, for one thing. Not only will that make your fans feel like you value them, it should encourage others to post as well. Also, try visiting other blogs and making meaningful contributions. Readers from those forums may come over to your blog if they like what you have to say.
What should you write about?
Your posts should have something to do with the first question you answered, regarding why you started the blog in the first place. But in general, it is important to remember that visitors want to see some of your personality shine through in the words that you write. They want to know what you are passionate about. They don't want to read another boring "news" article. Write like you are talking to your best friend over a cup of coffee. And, make sure you maintain that style across every post you write. Once readers get to know you, they will expect certain things of you and you want to deliver.
Once you have given some thought to each of the four questions above, you should be ready to get your blog set up. If you have any questions along the way, refer back to them to keep you on track. Most of all, have fun with your blog; it is your voice to the world!
