Wayne TullyBlog what you know
January 24th 2008 13:56
One of the most challenging issues facing bloggers is developing new, compelling content on a fairly regular basis. As I've noted here before, without regular postings it is unlikely that readers will return with any degree of certainty. And after all, isn't that a primary reason that you blog - to share your ideas, opinions, reactions, etc?
One of the best ways to develop content is to react to issues in the news, on a global scale. Here are some suggestions on how to do that. By employing these techniques you will, at a minimum, always have several starter ideas for posts that new and returning readers will find interesting.
There is no magic formula per se for creating a successful, well-read blog. But, these tips and other idea starters are a good way to get your brain in gear. Now start blogging!
One of the best ways to develop content is to react to issues in the news, on a global scale. Here are some suggestions on how to do that. By employing these techniques you will, at a minimum, always have several starter ideas for posts that new and returning readers will find interesting.
1. Read, read read. By plugging yourself into current events you'll be able to pick from a variety of things that people are thinking and talking about. Read a newspaper, or read online. The point here is to familiarize yourself with the world around you.
2. Subscribe to RSS feeds. If you know how the do this, great. If not, find out. A feed reader is a tremendously powerful tool that allows you to parse the avalanche of Web-based information and have it sent to you on a schedule of your choosing. RSS is probably the least used, but most valuable tool available to novice bloggers.
3. Form opinions quickly. When you read about current events, see them on television or hear them being discussed at the local coffee shop, ask yourself "what opinion do I have about this?" If you have a strong feeling about an issue, then consider blogging about it. Be judicious when doing this - remember, once your post is out there, it's out there. However, clear opinions about current events are one of the best drivers of traffic to blogs.
4. Check the competition. Do you read other blogs, especially those that tend to deal with the same subjects that you write about? Great ideas can be spawned this way. Always guard against plagiarizing from another blogger, but you certainly can take a thought, opinion or idea and expand upon on your own terms.
5. Think globally. There really is more to life than our little corner of it. Introduce yourself to other cultures, ideas and events. You'll be surprised how much in common we have with our global friends.
2. Subscribe to RSS feeds. If you know how the do this, great. If not, find out. A feed reader is a tremendously powerful tool that allows you to parse the avalanche of Web-based information and have it sent to you on a schedule of your choosing. RSS is probably the least used, but most valuable tool available to novice bloggers.
3. Form opinions quickly. When you read about current events, see them on television or hear them being discussed at the local coffee shop, ask yourself "what opinion do I have about this?" If you have a strong feeling about an issue, then consider blogging about it. Be judicious when doing this - remember, once your post is out there, it's out there. However, clear opinions about current events are one of the best drivers of traffic to blogs.
4. Check the competition. Do you read other blogs, especially those that tend to deal with the same subjects that you write about? Great ideas can be spawned this way. Always guard against plagiarizing from another blogger, but you certainly can take a thought, opinion or idea and expand upon on your own terms.
There is no magic formula per se for creating a successful, well-read blog. But, these tips and other idea starters are a good way to get your brain in gear. Now start blogging!
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