How search works

Blogging

Watch Blogs in Plain English.

Blogging has been around longer than you probably think. Stop for a minute and consider when you think blogging began.

In 2002, when a blog search company called Technorati launched, it counted just under 13,000 blogs. By 2005 that number had skyrocketed to 20 million blogs. According to BlogPulse, there were 126 million blogs in 2009!

Blogs are different than conventional web sites. According to Weil, blogging is different because it is:

•interactive.
•written in a conversational voice.
•created using instant publishing software; usually no tech expertise and no techies or IT staff are required.
•offers an efficient way to alert interested readers every time something new is added – without using email. (NOTE: we’ll learn more on this in the next unit on keeping current).
•frequently updated, so that is almost always gets higher rankings in search engine results than a static site.
•a form of viral marketing.
Today, blogging has become ubiquitous and most internet users have probably visited a blog. The characteristics listed above are important to remember and reflect upon as you engage in blogging for this class. Take a moment to read the list of items above again.

Nothing to be afraid of, right? By far, one of the most successful methods for being a blogger is to read and interact withother blogs. By interact I mean you should be commenting on other blogs and linking where appropriate.


Blogging allows you to generate conversations using a piece of software that is easy to use and easy to manage. Blogs are typically fast, using a database system in the backend. Blogs allow for multiple authors on the same site.

How to Blog

There are many great sources online to guide you in the blogging process. Here are a few highlights:

1.Catchy, short, and clear title.
2.Lots of white space; break up the paragraphs frequently for easy online reading.
3.Add appropriate images and/or videos.
4.Link. Link. Link.
5.If you make a change to a blog post after it has been published, the practice is to use strikethrough and leave the original information posted even if it is embarrassing.
6.End with a question to solicit participation from your readers.
7.Use the “Insert More” button (in the toolbar – ) after the first or second paragraph so the home page doesn’t become cluttered with very long posts.
8.Read. Read. Read. Especially other blogs. See 47 Lists of Bloggers to Watch in 2010 (ProBlogger)
Other sources:

•How to Blog Almost Every Day (Chris Brogan)
•How to Blog (Slate)
•How to Blog Your Way to Small Business Success (US News & World Report)
•The Death of the Blog Post (Smashing Magazine)
•Use it or lose it: Five Tips on How to Keep your Blogging Regular (ProBlogger)
Conclusion

Here is a great list of tips for writing a successful blog.

1.Choose the right topic (be sure it’s specific)
2.Find your voice
3.Invite a conversation
4.Package what you write (10 tips, 5 rules, 7 ways, etc.)
5.Always, always link
6.Write for Web readers
7.Write for Google searchers
8.Publish consistently
9.Take risks
10.Have fun