Before Blogging – 5 Things You Should Know
So you want to join in on the blogging phenomenon? Before you get started, there
are a few things you should know about blogging. Blogging is a lot like an online
journal. There are thousands of bloggers online posting each day. It is a trend that
started in 1997 and has continued to grow steadily. If you are interesting in blogging,
but have not yet began, read over these five things you should know before you
begin.
You Can Be Personal
Many times new bloggers are really not sure what to post. They know that their blog
is a personal space, but they are afraid to make their posts personal in any way. The
best bloggers do put themselves out there via their posts. They will post what’s on
their mind and their views or opinions on pressing issues. They may do so in a
humorous manner or be quite serious. Sometimes new bloggers are afraid to post
their true thoughts because their blog can be commented upon. The fact is however
that not everyone will agree with your thoughts and posts, but you should not let that
hold you back. These are people who don’t personally know you, so their comments
really don’t matter much anyway. Don’t be afraid to let your true feelings show on
your blog, after all, that it what an online journal is all about.
Don’t Be Too Personal
Although it is fine to be personal in your posts, you might not want to be too personal
in how mu ch you disclose about yourself. For example, including your phone
number or address in a post or on your profile is probably not a good idea. You
should think smart and only allow people to know things that you want them to
know. For your own safety, you might not want to post your last name either. When
someone has a lot of information about you, it is easier for them to victimize you
through identity theft, harassment, or other crimes. So, stay safe and never post
really private information.
Never Use Real Names
When you are posting, and keeping it personal and real, there can be times in which
other people in your life come up in topic. Be very careful including other people in
your posts. First, never use their real names. This is a huge mistake. Unless the
person gives you permission to write about them, you should never do so. It will
only lead to trouble. If the person you mention reads your blog, they could get
offended that you are writing about them. Even if the post is positive, it can be seen
much like talking behind their back. Try to keep the posts about you or celebrities or
other public figures. Let everyone else’s business remain their own.
Keep It Fresh
One of the best things you can do as a blogger is to keep your blog fresh. This means
that you should be posting often and changing things around when doing so. Post on
different topics so your audience can stay interested. Also, post at least twice a week.
People who will become fans of your site will want to read as much as possible on
your blog. Updating your blog regularly will allow them to be entertained. If you
only post once a month, chances are no one will remember to keep checking your
blog and your traffic will not be impressive.
You Can Blog For Free
Before you pay an arm and a leg for a blogging space, you should know that there are
sites where you can blog for free. Yes, for no charge at all you can set up your own
blog. These sites are great for the new blogger. If you want something a little more
sophisticated, you might have to pay for it. The free sites are very well maintained
however. They are easy to use and offer several different templates for you to use
when designing your blog. They automatically update your posts for you, which
make them a breeze! Remember, you should not pay a large fee for your blog,
especially if you are new to blogging. Do your research and find the free sites!
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