1B: Blogging for Dummies

Warning: This post may cause brilliant blogs and first-time bloggers who think that they are better than everyone else. Please consult your physician before reading on.

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As an amateur blogger, the vast world of blogging tends to be overwhelming. The elements that go into creating an eye-catching and thought-provoking blog seem endless. While conducting my research on some famous blogs on sites like nytimes.com, time.com, npr.org, etc., (in addition to the assistance I received from my best friend, Google), I came across what I consider to be the essentials of successful blogging. 

No matter the style of the writer, every blog has similar key components. 

1. Interesting, attention-grabbing, titles: The title of the post is everything. If the subject seems bland and uninteresting, who is going to want to read it? When choosing a title think, If I were browsing through blog sites, would this title spark my interest? Would this title make my curiosity tingle so immensely that I simply have to click the link and read on? If you answered yes, blog away. 

2.  Pictures or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oiov0L4blIw videos: Please try to show me a person who wants to stare at thoousands of words on a computer screen with no visual interest. I guarantee you won't be able to find one. Whether your blog post is instructional, political, cultural, or entertaining, pictures and videos are a must. You need to keep your reader interested, because if no one is reading your blog, why bother?

3. “My blog is a collection of answers people don’t want to hear to questions they didn’t ask.” 

― Sebastyne Young. Quotes: Quotes are always a great aspect to tie into a blog. No matter what the topic you're writing about is, I guarantee someone out there in the big, wide world is talking about it. It is never a bad thing to get an outsider's opinion on the topic you want to talk about, because yours is not the only theory that exists. Your readers deserve a well-rounded conversation. 

4. Create a voice for yourself: Think about the tone you want your blog to have before you begin writing. Should it be serious, comical, strictly informative, personal, objective, or subjective? Your voice is your choice, but stick with whatever you choose to the end. 

5. Make your blog posts interactive: If somebody wants the straight facts about a topic, they will look them up in a dictionary. No one wants to read a monotonous essay in his or her free time. Make them feel like you are speaking to them directly. Converse with the reader in a way that makes them feel personally connected to the topic at hand. Am I right, fellow bloggers?

6. Connect with with your blogging brethren: As a blogger you must network yourself. I'm sure we have all had a Myspace or Facebook or Twitter at some point, so we already have mastered the prerequisite of social networking. Look around the internet for other bloggers who have similar interests, and comment on their blogs. The best way to get your thoughts out in the open is to leave your mark in someone else's territory. They will be intrigued and want to find out more about the mysterious stranger with the courage to address their posts.

Finally...

7. Express yourself: Be who you are! Don't be afraid to let your freak flag fly! You're hidden behind a computer screen, and no one can hurt you from your bedroom. There are so many opinions and personalities on the internet already, why not be an original? Just have fun with it because honestly, nobody likes boring people.

I hope this post can help someone out there get started on his or her first blog. Good luck!