Let's talk about truth. Simple enough, you say. But, here's the not-so-simple dilemma: When blogging, do you infuse all of your posts only with comments and claims that are factually accurate? Or, do you succumb to the siren songs of sensationalism, plagiarism or flat-out falsehoods?

In my judgment this is a fundamental standard that every blogger must come to terms with, to wit: Shall I be a reservoir of factual, proveable information, or will I write with little regard for the truth?

One can make the case for both approaches. It is entirely possible to craft a blog from the depths of one's imagination. But, don't pass off such postings as anything other then pure fiction. Indeed, properly labeled, such a blog can be extremely popular in the hands of a gifted, imaginative writer.

On the other hand (and this represents the vast majority of blogs), people tend to write the truth. It's the stuff that opinions are made of, or a heartful endorsement, a thoughtful observation, a deeply felt sense of indignation.

Successful writers write what they know. This is true for most every kind of missive, from books to poetry to blogs. Keep this in mind the next time you're tempted to make up a sensational charge about someone or stretch the truth about your sex life or your uncle's political pursuasion. Now, get writing!

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Posted By: Neal - Category: No Category

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What's your style?

September 23rd 2006 12:00

How do you approach blogging? Are you a serious writer who makes it a point to post at least several times a week, if not every day? Or, are you more casual about posting, writing only occasionally and only if you have something really significant to offer?

It's important to remember that both approaches are acceptable. That's the beauty of blogging. Write what you want, when you want. The first rule of blogging is that there are no rules. Having said that, there are a few things to consider that will define the scope of your blogging experience.

If you envision making money with your blog via Google Adsense or another advertising option, then you need to be writing at least four times a week. Every day would be better. Content is the most important aspect of blogging, and readers will only return to your blog if it is regularly updated with fresh information.

If, on the other hand, your approach is to write posts that reflect your personal thoughts, in the style of an online diary, then you needn't feel the pressure to write on a daily basis. This kind of blogging is very personal and directed toward family or friends typically, and usually is of little interest to a broad audience.

As noted earlier, either approach is quite acceptable, and each has a significant similarity. Blogging is not as easy as many presume it to be. This is especially true for the "professional" blogger - one interested in writing for profit. The most successful bloggers are disciplined writers, who make (not try and find) the time to post.

At the heart of it all is the freedom to express yourself in the way that most benefits you. Once a week, or three times a day - all that matters is you write because you want to, knowing that the right kind of audience will read it. Good luck, and start writing!

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Posted By: Neal - Category: No Category

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Visual appeal

September 14th 2006 12:30

Color and typeface matter

There are several basic rules that bloggers ought to follow, or at least consider as you refine the look and feel of your blog. While all of these are strongly recommended, it is important to understand that your circumstance is unique and that there really isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to visual appeal. However, most successful blogs adhere to most if not all of the following.

Colors
Most Web-based blogging systems provide writers with design templates created by professional designers who understand the importance of color. Tools like Blogger and Typepad also allow users to modify these settings, and this is where many well meaning amateurs drop the ball. Color combinations should be complimentary not contradictory. What does this mean?

Take a look at top-tier blogs and you'll see that muted colors are almost always used as borders, panels or accents. And, these colors are either of similar shading, or would be found opposite of each other on an artist's color wheel. For example, varying shades of pastel blue or gray work well. And contrasting hues in the same color famiy are usually appealing. Also, plenty of white space is left around posting and photo areas, and often is the color used for the page background. This creates a visually neutral look that draws the reader's eyes to what is most importnat - your post!

Fonts
While creative folks have given us a vast number of interesting font choices, my recommendation is to stick with the basics. There are half-a-dozen or so fonts that are Web-safe (can be properly displayed by any browser) and easy on the eyes. These include Arial, Times New Roman, System and Trebuchet MS. Sure, there are fancy-shmancy fonts that swirl and twirl, but they should be avoided. As noted earlier, the most important thing is to keep the focus on your words. Don't make readers work too hard or they'll be off to another site in no time.

Images
Pictures and image art are a great addition to almost any blog. But, remember that simple is always better. Limit your image uploads to photos or image files that are well composed with rich, complimentary colors. Personally, I am drawn to abstract images that cause the viewer to think about the relationship between what they're seeing and what they're reading.

Remember, moderation in all things. Too much of anything is, well, too much. Take a few minutes and go over your blog with a critical eye. Do colors match/compliment? Or, do they clash or jolt the viewer's visual sensibility? Is your font choice one that visitors can easily read? And, have you made the best choices for photos and images? Doing such a review will be time well-spent, and your readers will thank you for it. Now, start writing!

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Posted By: Neal - Category: No Category

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Blogging rules

September 13th 2006 08:53

Welcome to bloggercoach.com. I suspect that you are here because you'd like to learn more about how to be a better blogger. And, that's exactly what I'll be addressing here on a regular basis. In this first post I wanted to introduce myself and share my qualifications.

I am a media specialist, having worked in journalism, pubic relations and higher education my entire professional career. I have a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Anderson University, and an M.S. degree in Media Arts and Science from Indiana University

[ Click here to read more ]

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