In the Beginning, Blog!

Note: what follows is an article I wrote for bloghology magazine when I was a staff writer- notice, I was. I am no longer associated with that site and network.

What can you tell me about blogging? Who was the first blogger? or what about the first blogging network to hit the scene?

Your response may depend on your setting, experience, who you ask and so on. I know, why would someone ask you about blogging or its history? How many bloggers actually know anything about their heritage?

The concept of blogging is expanding, changing and companies are taking notice- traditional media can no longer ignore the Blogosphere.

Don’t know much about blogging or its history? No worries, when I first discovered blogging, it appeared in the form of Xanga, which is in journal format, at least the last time I checked. Times certainly have changed, before we move forward it’s necessary to know the shoulders of past we stand on.

According to “Wired magazine,” Jorn Barger coined the term “weblog” on December 17, 1997. The editor also notes that Barger’s weblog served “to describe the daily list of links that “logged” his travels across the web.” Sounds a lot like del.icio.us.

Wikipedia also notes that “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Enough of the definitions. Our aim is to help you become a problogger- hard but possible. The blogosphere has too many self proclaimed gurus or so called experts. I’ll hold my complaints for now.

But since the blogosphere is growing, doesn’t that mean there’s plenty of room for more probloggers? Certainly.

If you’re new to blogging, (applies to those old timers as well) the following points are for you. The aim is offer principles that will guide you through the changing online community known as the Blogosphere. Build your plan on the following points.

Why not learn from one of the internet’ s first documented bloggers? Jorn Barger offered these tips in his interview with Wired magazine. We thought, why not bring a little bit of history and solid blogging tips together? Of course, for your benefit and to enhance your blogging experience.

Jorn Barger’s Top 10 Blogging Tips For Beginners

1. A serious weblog, is a place for all your links you want to share or remember.

2. Include links, if you have more original posts (reflecting your own thoughts) than links, learning humility should be at the top of your “To Do list.”

3. Browse around the blogosphere before you post, someone else likely wrote about your idea already.

4. Be yourself, don’t suppress a link because it’s not hip enough; at some point, your readers need to get to know you!

5. Make sure your readers know what page their visiting; provide a full description of your links.

6. When listing links, be sure to include some adjective describing your own reaction to the link page or product (useful, witty, clever, great, and so on.)

7. Give props to the sources that led you to a particular site, product, idea, etc. This allows your readers to move upstream.

8. Offer a heads up about the links cited, don’t disguise main links. Warn your readers about weird formatting, extra -long files, etc.

9. Take your sites key words, a favorite author and or celebrity and create Google news feed that tracks every mention them; this allows others to follow them via your weblog. (another handy tool is Google alerts)

10. Repost your favorite links ( or posts) from time to time for people that missed them the first time around.

Disclaimer!

A note about the third tip, you have a unique voice and perhaps, a different perspective- use it! Just because someone else wrote about the same topic or idea, doesn’t mean you don’t have anything fresh, new and exciting to offer to the discussion and blogosphere.

Miguel’s 10 Blogging Tips

1. Find your voice- thousands of blogs are created daily, believe it or not, you have much to offer! Know your views and make them known.

2. Partner up- it’s easy to find like minded people, join multiple blog communities and forums.

3. Sharpen your grammar- buy books, listen to pod casts, and carry a pocket size grammar style book with you.

4. Develop a publishing schedule- plan your posts topics, site related tasks and writing schedule in advance. I use a timer, commit to writing for a set time without distractions. Focus on creating quality content.

A friend told me, “know your plan and work your plan.”

5. Tune into your site’s niche- create a Google alerts account, monitor forums, similar blog sites and so forth.

6. Solve problems- answer people’s questions (don’t know, connect them to someone who does). Remember, a handy tool- Google alerts.

7. Offer value- practical tips, quality links, how to posts, some call it pillar articles; something people will refer back to, link to and even bookmark.

8. Determine your site’s keywords- Do a little research, know what sites are ranking where on Google, Technorati and so on.

9. Fill in the gaps- discover what topics, products or services are not being offered, meet the need!

10. Participate in social media sites- establish a presence, set up your profile, add a picture- Don’t spam!

Final Thoughts

As I was preparing and revising this post, I realize how far I’ve come over the last 11 months. Next February 7 will make one year since I first started blogging with WordPress! This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive, there’s more points that could easily be added.

But that’s where you all come in as the reader. As a blogger, I don’t think I’m the be all to end all- I’m not a blog expert or self lifted guru but that doesn’t mean I don’t have something of value to add to the blogosphere.

Ask the Reader & Call to Action

What else could be added to the list? How would you go about implementing these points as both a new or experienced blogger?

Schedule time (use a timer) today or this week to apply the first point about allowing your voice to be heard- share how you feel about a blogging trend, high profile blogger, pop-ups and so on with your audience.

Don’t forget, come back and let us know how you applied some of these points to your blogging.

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