| So you've decided to start a blog? You've written a | | | | significantly diverse. Another consideration is how long |
| few entries, but it's not getting the responses and | | | | can diary entries about family and friend's activities |
| feedback you expected when you decided to take | | | | hold anyone's attention if he's never met them - and |
| the initial plunge. You don't want to give up, but quite | | | | isn't likely to anytime in the future? |
| honestly you can't understand just why blogs are | | | | If the writer pays attention to each entry, applying |
| such a big deal. What's all the fuss about? And why | | | | good grammar, humour and writing in a style that |
| does everyone talk about blogs in such reverent, | | | | makes readers want to know more about the |
| awed tones? | | | | featured characters there's a chance a few may |
| The word blog is an abbreviation for Web Log. | | | | return. However part of the appeal of this blog is the |
| Described as an online diary, a blog gives its writer | | | | personal approach, and there's a very real risk of |
| the freedom to express his or her personal thoughts | | | | losing the chance to build on the interaction between |
| and opinions to what is potentially the biggest | | | | a crowd of people who have a physical connection |
| audience in the world. The freedom and accessibility | | | | rather than one formed in cyberspace. The best |
| of the Internet means that anyone in the world can | | | | approach in this instance would be to write each blog |
| access any blog at any time. Theoretically a blog has | | | | entry as though it's a chapter in a book about the |
| the potential to be read by more people than any | | | | characters. |
| best selling book. It's a disturbing, yet exhilarating | | | | Personal blogs can be used in other ways too. Some |
| thought. | | | | people use an entry to write a poem, a chapter in a |
| Blogs are virtually the ultimate soapbox, and the true | | | | novel or a short story. Others will debate their |
| success of a blog depends on how the writer wants | | | | religious, political or other beliefs. Some will write |
| to reach his or her readers. There are a number of | | | | about their thoughts and feelings on current news |
| different ways in which to write a blog, and the | | | | items, others may use them to describe personal |
| content supplied needs to be considered according to | | | | feelings during a crisis, such as coping with an illness |
| the audience you want to reach. There are many | | | | or death of a loved one. In this instance writing the |
| different kinds of blogs, and I've selected the ones I | | | | blog becomes a cathartic experience, and the |
| feel most relevant to a personal blogger. | | | | support of readers can help the writer cope with a |
| Some of the most popular blogs are cultural. These | | | | deep, personal issue or crisis. |
| attract a wide audience, and discuss different cultural | | | | As most blogs are personal there are a number of |
| activities, ranging from sports to theatre and films. | | | | ways in which the blogger can maintain and possible |
| One way to use a cultural blog is to write a book or | | | | increase his or her audience. |
| film review, or share the experience of attending a | | | | Be Diverse - vary your entries every day. Share an |
| live concert. Imagine being able to share the | | | | anecdote about a friend or family member in one |
| experience of attending a concert given by a popular | | | | entry, then follow it with a story about your pet. If |
| entertainer like Madonna with readers from all over | | | | you've read an interesting story on the news |
| the world. Imagine being able to compare your | | | | dedicate an entry to it. Share a joke you received on |
| concert experience with people on continents who | | | | an email from a friend. You could write a book |
| have seen the same show. That's why cultural blogs | | | | review or share your thoughts on a film or DVD |
| are so popular. | | | | you've just watched. Think Forrest Gump: Life is like |
| A topical blog is more specific, in that it focuses on a | | | | a box of chocolates - you never know what you're |
| niche market. Local blogs, covering events in a | | | | going to get. |
| neighbourhood, a town or a city fit this description. | | | | Be Candid - be truthful, frank and straightforward. |
| The people living in the specific area featured in the | | | | Know your facts. If you're commenting on a topical |
| blog are actual participants to all events and | | | | story or issue research your facts before committing |
| happenings in the blog. Another type of a topical blog | | | | them to the blog. Explain the reasoning for your |
| is one that covers a specific subject rather than a | | | | beliefs, and back them with proven facts. |
| physical area. For example: a patient living with cancer | | | | Be Neutral - don't scorn, condemn or criticise those |
| can share many aspects of the condition with | | | | who disagree with your beliefs. Accept that |
| readers. He can share his daily feelings as he | | | | everyone's entitled to his or her opinion. It's an idea |
| undergoes treatment and the reactions of his family | | | | to reflect both sides of the argument in an entry, |
| and friends with readers who may have the same | | | | taking care to avoid criticising or berating others. |
| medical dilemma. Organizations covering human rights | | | | That's the basis of democracy, and it's a good point |
| abuses in a specific country can blog about their | | | | to remember when debating a "hot" issue in a blog. |
| findings, making people all over the world aware of | | | | Be Friendly - acknowledge those who take the time |
| the situation in which they're working. On a lighter | | | | to read and contribute to your blog. If someone's left |
| note pet owners have written blogs from their pet's | | | | a comment in your blog with a return email or blog |
| point of view, allowing their animal to narrate the | | | | address, send a message. Or better still pay a visit to |
| entries. Animal lovers all over the world can | | | | the relevant blog. It could be the beginning of a |
| contribute and share their own experiences with their | | | | beautiful friendship. The visitor may tell others about |
| owners in a light hearted, humorous style. | | | | your blog, and their visits will increase your blog's |
| A political blog is dependent upon the media and the | | | | popularity - not to mention your viewing statistics! |
| news, and the blogger will combine personal | | | | Be Entertaining - use your sense of humour, don't |
| observations with links to other blogs and articles on | | | | take yourself too seriously. Sharing thoughts, ideas |
| the Internet. A more serious politician will feature his | | | | and experiences in writing is the same as sitting in a |
| or her own beliefs and comments, with links to | | | | room with a group of friends. Just because you |
| supporting blogs and media articles. Political blogs can | | | | cannot see their faces doesn't mean they're not like |
| inspire fierce and enthusiastic debates among | | | | you. Your blogging friends are special people, who've |
| readers, which makes them extremely diverse and | | | | taken the time to respond to your words. Share |
| interesting. A warblog focuses upon news event | | | | some of yourself with them, and you'll find your |
| about an ongoing war or military action, although | | | | blogging circle grows. |
| these types of blogs have been accused of | | | | A blog is a powerful communicative tool, and it needs |
| supporting war rather than remaining neutral. | | | | to be handled properly. A well written, interesting blog |
| Perhaps the most common type of blog is the | | | | has the ability to be read by people from all over the |
| personal one. Popular with students and those | | | | world. There are now more than 60 million blogs on |
| wanting to share their experiences with family and | | | | the Internet, and that number is increasing daily. Self |
| friends, entries are usually written in a personal diary | | | | publishing house Lulu recently announced the winner |
| format. Although growing in popularity, it's more | | | | of the inaugural Blooker Prize. Julie Powell wrote a |
| difficult to attract large reader numbers to this kind | | | | blog about her attempts to cook all the recipes in an |
| of blog. For example: a student living in a country in | | | | old French cookery book. Her blog was turned into a |
| Africa will probably not bookmark a blog written by | | | | blook and to date she's sold 100,000 copies. |
| someone from a country like Scotland. The cultural | | | | Now that's food for thought! Who knows what |
| and environmental differences between the two are | | | | direction your blog will take in the future? |