July 13, 2008 68 Comments

If You Intend To Blog Seriously

Blogs are not traditional media, and bloggers are not journalists. Unless they are. But it’s not a requirement. A blog is software. It’s something one puts up on the web to capture information, of whatever type one wants to put on there, and thus, if anyone tells you that you’re doing it wrong, that’s just silly. There aren’t very many wrong ways to do it (legal things like stealing from others might be something you could screw up, but otherwise). And yet.

If you’re going to blog seriously, consider the following:

  • Consider the goals and value of your posts. Are you adding to a body of work? Are you blogging to educate, inform, deliver some value?
  • Facts do matter. If you’re stating opinions, stress that they’re opinions. If you’re claiming a fact, try to cite it. (I tend to state mostly opinions).
  • Remember that defamation is still an issue, potentially legal.
  • You can always ask questions BEFORE you blog (novel, I know).
  • Brevity matters. I know that I blog about this often. I just see several posts where one has to wade through to try and decipher the salient points (often my own).
  • Disclosure is key. If you’re doing something to make money, if you have a business relationship with an organization that you’re writing about, if there’s anything that might potential change the way something is perceived were it be to be measured against what you wrote, consider that.
  • Link when you’re mentioning other sites or information that has a link. It’s good manners. It’s the way the Web works. It’s more resources. Linking only to yourself says something about you (and it’s not flattering).
  • Review the body of your work every 10 or so posts. Are you improving?
  • Review the body of your work every 30 or so posts against the most recent. Are you repeating?
  • Review the body of your work against 5 other blogs in your space. Are you an echo?
  • Ask yourself WHY you’re posting what you’re posting. Pretend you’re the reader. Is this worth their time?
  • What else could you be doing with your blog to add value to your core community?

There are lots of reasons to be blogging: capture your thoughts, share moments, build relationships, establish thought leadership, sell electric toothbrushes, whatever. None of them are especially wrong. But if you’re going to blog with the perspective that you are a professional, give it your best. Your audience deserves it.

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The Social Media 100 is a project by Chris Brogan dedicated to writing 100 useful blog posts in a row about the tools, techniques, and strategies behind using social media for your business, your organization, or your own personal interests. Swing by [chrisbrogan.com] for more posts in the series, and if you have topic ideas, feel free to share them, as this is a group project, and your opinion matters.

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Newer Comments →
  • http://www.harveypalmer.com.au/ourblog/ Luke Harvey-Palmer

    Nice Chris…I like this stuff, as I am personally always trying to improve my blogging! Will be curious to see the comments here, and how self aware people are, when willing to admit that “maybe my blog ain’t so great?” Anyway, taken several of these points on board, and back on the train if continual development!

  • http://www.harveypalmer.com.au/ourblog/ Luke Harvey-Palmer

    Nice Chris…I like this stuff, as I am personally always trying to improve my blogging! Will be curious to see the comments here, and how self aware people are, when willing to admit that “maybe my blog ain’t so great?” Anyway, taken several of these points on board, and back on the train if continual development!

  • http://www.mediabadger.com webconomist

    brevity. Facts. All true. Its like we’re all learning a whole new set of conversational skills. Fascinating times!

  • http://www.mediabadger.com webconomist

    brevity. Facts. All true. Its like we’re all learning a whole new set of conversational skills. Fascinating times!

  • http://www.larakretler.com Lara Kretler

    Another tip that belongs on this list – it was true when Mom said it years ago, and it is still true: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all. Criticism for the sake of criticism is not a blog post, it’s just negativity and why put something like that out into the world. I’d like to think each blog and each post can add something of value, something positive. You know, sort of like yours do! Hey, I’m not saying I get there, just that I try. :)

  • http://www.larakretler.com Lara Kretler

    Another tip that belongs on this list – it was true when Mom said it years ago, and it is still true: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all. Criticism for the sake of criticism is not a blog post, it’s just negativity and why put something like that out into the world. I’d like to think each blog and each post can add something of value, something positive. You know, sort of like yours do! Hey, I’m not saying I get there, just that I try. :)

  • http://clientserviceinsights.blogspot.com Leo Bottary

    I’m posting number 100 since my return to blogging less than four months ago. I agree with everything you said. It’s about always trying to get better. There’s a lot of great blogs out there. I’m just trying to return the favor.

  • http://clientserviceinsights.blogspot.com Leo Bottary

    I’m posting number 100 since my return to blogging less than four months ago. I agree with everything you said. It’s about always trying to get better. There’s a lot of great blogs out there. I’m just trying to return the favor.

  • http://fastwonderblog.com Dawn Foster

    It’s also important for people to show their personality in blog posts. We aren’t mindless automatons. We’re people.

    Too many bloggers try to write like journalists would write for a newspaper, but blogs can be less formal, fun and interesting when the unique personality of the blogger shows through.

  • http://fastwonderblog.com Dawn Foster

    It’s also important for people to show their personality in blog posts. We aren’t mindless automatons. We’re people.

    Too many bloggers try to write like journalists would write for a newspaper, but blogs can be less formal, fun and interesting when the unique personality of the blogger shows through.

  • http://www.JenChicago.com Jen Knoedl

    Wow, Chris… it’s like you are writing this 100 posts just for me as I venture out into vlogging. I think most all of the same rules apply, so this will be a great reference for me.

    I wish SOBcon08 (http://www.sobevent.com/) was quarterly so I could be in the same room with all of you again!

    Thanks for the info, Buddy.

  • http://www.JenChicago.com Jen Knoedl

    Wow, Chris… it’s like you are writing this 100 posts just for me as I venture out into vlogging. I think most all of the same rules apply, so this will be a great reference for me.

    I wish SOBcon08 (http://www.sobevent.com/) was quarterly so I could be in the same room with all of you again!

    Thanks for the info, Buddy.

  • http://writenewmedia.com Neal Jansons

    Those are some great tips, Chris. Blogging, unlike print journalism, usually has no one holding you responsible for the quality of your work. Techniques to hold yourself responsible are important.

  • http://thepuckwrites.com thePuck

    Those are some great tips, Chris. Blogging, unlike print journalism, usually has no one holding you responsible for the quality of your work. Techniques to hold yourself responsible are important.

  • http://www.mousewords.wordpress.com mousewords

    Great list, thank you! I’m taking a new look at my blogging, and I’m feeling excited–like webconomist said, these are fascinating times!

  • http://www.mousewords.wordpress.com mousewords

    Great list, thank you! I’m taking a new look at my blogging, and I’m feeling excited–like webconomist said, these are fascinating times!

  • http://www.itgumbo.com/IsraelInnovation20/ Lisa

    Great points, Chris. I especially like the suggestions of reviewing every 10 and 30 posts and am going to start doing that. Can’t wait for the next post!

  • http://www.itgumbo.com/IsraelInnovation20/ Lisa

    Great points, Chris. I especially like the suggestions of reviewing every 10 and 30 posts and am going to start doing that. Can’t wait for the next post!

  • http://getinternetmarketingstrategies.com/2008/07/the-favicon-is-essential-for-website-promotion/ The Favicon is Essential for W

    Great points, I know when I blog, my entire goal is to provide useful information, and I check myself with every post to make sure that I am inline with that goal. If I am tired or not in the mood, my posts reflect that and so they don’t go live until they are up to par!
    Thanks Chris,
    JR

  • http://getinternetmarketingstrategies.com/2008/07/the-favicon-is-essential-for-website-promotion/ The Favicon is Essential for Website Promotion

    Great points, I know when I blog, my entire goal is to provide useful information, and I check myself with every post to make sure that I am inline with that goal. If I am tired or not in the mood, my posts reflect that and so they don’t go live until they are up to par!
    Thanks Chris,
    JR

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  • http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com Todd

    Great post….it’s a great reminder that we constantly need to review our work and not get lost in posting as much as possible.

  • http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com Todd

    Great post….it’s a great reminder that we constantly need to review our work and not get lost in posting as much as possible.

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  • http://www.kwanzoo.com Supernetuser

    I would argue that the Internet is unregulated, so defamation may not be a total issue if you keep referring to someone as a pronoun without using their name directly. I’m really tempted to start my own blog soon enough. At this point, I’m fed up with the way everything is going, somehow I need to find an outlet.

  • http://www.kwanzoo.com Supernetuser

    I would argue that the Internet is unregulated, so defamation may not be a total issue if you keep referring to someone as a pronoun without using their name directly. I’m really tempted to start my own blog soon enough. At this point, I’m fed up with the way everything is going, somehow I need to find an outlet.

  • kallan

    Kia ora Chris!

    Some good points there. I’m new to blogging but I am also aware of most of the points you raise here. This is mainly due to some expert coaching by Michele Martin and Sue Waters and some blog reading I have been doing.

    It is always good to be reminded of these important points and this is a proper time for me to be reminded of what seems to be a list of good points for bloggers.

    I haven’t really made up my mind whether I intend to blog seriously or not. I think I do.

    Ka kite

  • http://newmiddle-earth.blogspot.com/ Ken Allan

    Kia ora Chris!

    Some good points there. I’m new to blogging but I am also aware of most of the points you raise here. This is mainly due to some expert coaching by Michele Martin and Sue Waters and some blog reading I have been doing.

    It is always good to be reminded of these important points and this is a proper time for me to be reminded of what seems to be a list of good points for bloggers.

    I haven’t really made up my mind whether I intend to blog seriously or not. I think I do.

    Ka kite

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  • http://rainmakerwebsites.com James Shewmaker

    This posting was featured in the left sidebar of Rainmakerwebsites.com.

    Excerpt from posting:
    ” …successful blogging usually requires that the authors personality can be seen in what is written,…sometimes an internet writer lets his hair down too much….How does an Internet writer show his audience his or her real self while also maintaining a degree of professionalism necessary to developing a good brand?”

  • http://rainmakerwebsites.com James Shewmaker

    This posting was featured in the left sidebar of Rainmakerwebsites.com.

    Excerpt from posting:
    ” …successful blogging usually requires that the authors personality can be seen in what is written,…sometimes an internet writer lets his hair down too much….How does an Internet writer show his audience his or her real self while also maintaining a degree of professionalism necessary to developing a good brand?”

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  • http://www.ridgelinereconstruction.com Michigan Construction

    Nice post….Hey it’s a great reminder that we constantly need to review our work and not get lost in posting as much as possible. thanks a lot..

  • http://www.ridgelinereconstruction.com Michigan Construction

    Nice post….Hey it’s a great reminder that we constantly need to review our work and not get lost in posting as much as possible. thanks a lot..

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  • http://www.joshauriemma.com Josh Auriemma

    Chris, this is slightly off-topic, but I saw you mention a website that tracks your comments *SOMEWHERE* and I cannot for the life of me remember that url. Could you help me out?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

      Are you thinking of BackType.com ? That’s a great service.

  • http://www.joshauriemma.com Josh Auriemma

    Chris, this is slightly off-topic, but I saw you mention a website that tracks your comments *SOMEWHERE* and I cannot for the life of me remember that url. Could you help me out?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

      Are you thinking of BackType.com ? That’s a great service.

  • http://www.joshauriemma.com Josh Auriemma

    Yes, that’s the one! Thanks a ton!

  • http://www.joshauriemma.com Josh Auriemma

    Yes, that’s the one! Thanks a ton!

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  • tekmiss

    Chris, is it as effective to have a blog build INTO a content management system as it is to use say, Blogger.com?

  • tekmiss

    I agree! One of my clients writes pet messages. Her blog is written in the voice of her pet Babe, and it's just adorable!

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