Saturday, December 29, 2007

Blogging Fundamental Principles

By Zigfred Diaz

As I read through several blogs and several books on blogging, monetizing your site, internet marketing etc., I have observed that majority of bloggers agree on certain fundamental principles that each has seriously followed throughout the years. The said principles are:

1.) It's all about passion - Articles you write in your blog should be something that you are passionate about. Topics that you have somewhat achieved a level of expertise in, topics that puts you on fire, topics that makes your eyes wide open when discussed about, topics that awes and amazes you and opens your mouth wide.

2.) Blog for people - Although search engine optimization is something that should be seriously considered by all bloggers, it should not take precedence over people. Blogs should not be all about keywords, tags or any other gimmick out there in order to make sure that we all each get a higher search engine. What is important that people keep coming back to your site because your post actually helps them or is relevant to them. I believe it was legendary marketer John Chow who said "People First before Google."

3.) Its not how long are your posts, its how many times you post. - What is important about a blog is that it is frequently updated. The length of your post will depend on the topic discussed. It does not matter how long the post are. What is important is how frequently you post.

4.) Just blog - If you are a new blogger, don't worry about your site statistics or that you still do not have comments on your site. Just blog away ! It takes a while for search engines to index your site. Also if you write good posts and you are blogging for people the traffic will just flow.

5.) Bloggers are learners - In order to be a true bloodied blogger, you should not stop learning about how to be more effective in your art. Keep on reading on topics about how to be more effective in blogging, search engine optimization, etc. You stop to blog if you stop to read and learn.

6.) Bloggers are readers - Personally I believe that there is nothing to blog about if you do not read about your passions. You must have an insatiable thirst for learning and a passion to communicate what you have learned to your readers.

7.) Schedule your blogging - Being an organized person, following a structure brings out the best in me. A blog schedule will also ensure that I have more or less an equal number of articles on the categories that I write about. It is my pesonal belief that a blogging schedule will somehow force you to think of something to blog about. This may not work well for others as they just write on whatever stuff comes into their mind. But for me this is how I do it.

8.) Be personal - Your readers must feel as if you are personally speaking with them. The words you use should not be too complicated that your readers will have to search a dictionary before they could comprehend what you are trying to tell them. Write in layman's term as much as possible, no matter how complicated the subject matter is. Be funny if you must.

9.) Aim for the best ! - Aiming for the best does not only apply in school or at work, it very much well applies when it comes to blogging. Among other things, you must go over and edit your posts. You must make sure your presentation and layout are user friendly and not an eye sore.

10.) Blog for life - Don't view blogging as something that you are temporarily doing just because you don't have anything to do as of now or something which you do in order to achieve a certain amount of money and afterwards you will then stop blogging since you have already achieved your goal. Plan to blog for life. Blogging may bring you monetary "blessings." However always consider that such is only secondary. As you go about your day to day experience, having an attitude of blogging for life will make you further appreciate such experiences since you will looking forward to writing it to on your next posts.

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