5 Tips for New Bloggers

I have come to realise in its most simplistic terms, that a blog is a web page or site whereby the blogger expresses their opinions and observations. Furthermore, a blog has been described as an online journal or diary. This blog will not be dissimilar to a journal whereby my experiences with net studies will be posted.

As I am new blogger, I went searching on the Internet to find tips on how to blog. It was interesting to see the vast array of opinions that people prescribe to blogging, however there were some common themes. Generally, these include linking freely, make posts interesting and the general formation of your blog site. Below is a summation of tips that I believe will be of use to me and hopefully whoever else is a newbie looking for some hints.

1. Define your Purpose
Determine why you have created a blog and what you want out of it. I guess this comes back to the definition of blogging ie. Opinions and observations. This tip is useful for me, as I can continuously develop and post useful and meaningful content and maybe reach a goal.

2. Enable Comments to your Postings
Blog posts can enable or disable comments. In this blog, comments on posted topics will be very useful for my learning. I feel it is the same for any blog. By enabling comments to postings, it encourages conversation and provides for alternate opinions from peers and other sources. This too is a learning mechanism, whether you take it or not.

3. Credit the Sources of your Posts
If you have ripped off someone else’s stuff and put it up as your own, you may end up with “egg on your face” for the world to see. It is simple to add links to the source of your post, you can always agree with the original source and specify that opinion.

4. Blogging is a Social Experience
Your postings are there for everybody to see, so be nice to others who have differing opinions if you want to maintain a positive experience from your blog. This may also be reciprocated by users of your blog and could even promote long term relationships with users. However, the tip does not mean you can’t disagree or provide an alternate view with the comments posted, just be nice about it. I guess this comes under blogging etiquette. (http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2006/10/top-ten-blogging-tips-insights-from-a-novice-blogger.html)

5. Participate in the Blogosphere
Get to know more about blogging and posting comments on other blog sites. Get used to updating posts on your blog on a regular basis. Experiencing other blogs can provide ideas for your own blog site if endeavouring to improve the experience for both yourself and the users.