Top Tips for Bloggers

Top Tips

1. Create an "About" page about your organization, purpose of the blog, list of contributors and any other key organizational information.

2. Choose your blog name carefully.  This could be the organisation's name or another name. If you choose the latter then make sure it fits in with your organization in some way. Remember you can change your blog name BUT if you do, it will be like starting all over.  So choose the name carefully.

3. Post often. It will take time for your blog to become known in the blogosphere. The more you post, the more comments you make on other blogs, the more your blog will become known. If posting often is not possible try at least to be consistent and organize a posting schedule so your readers will know to expect new posts every couple of weeks or once a month or whatever schedule you decide. Erratic posting looses readers.

4. Write quality content that readers can benefit from.

5. Try not to write too long posts. Remember people are reading on a computer not on paper. If you need to publish a long document you can setup a separate page on your blog for documents which you can link to.

6. Revisit old posts. If you are writing on an issue important to you‚ return to other posts and build on them.

7. Get to know your readers. Treat them like friends even those who do not necessarily agree with you. If they return,  they do so because you are reaching them in some way.

8. Read other  blogs and make comments. Build networks and relationships with other blogs and organizations that are online. This will help to publicise your blog. By building relationships with other bloggers, whether locally or internationally, you create a community that will support you in your advocacy and campaigns and you in turn can support them.

9. Do not force people to register on your blog in order to comment. Most people won't bother and just go away. Keep your blog open and use comment moderation instead

10. Publicity is important which means you need to register your blog on a blog directory such as Technorati and aggregator such as Afrigator; contact other bloggers who you feel will be sympathetic to your cause and inform them of your blog or even a particularly important post. 

Bloggers are generally helpful.  If you ask for help they will respond so do not be afraid to ask for support.

11. Change your blog in response to changing needs, audience, political climate and just because sometimes it is good to change the layout and colours in your home.

12. Do not use technologies just for the sake of it. Use appropriate technologies. If you bandwidth is low then do not use video. For example use a podcast (audio broadcast) if you believe it is the best way to communicate a particular piece of information. Don't  use it just because you can.

13. Do not clutter your blog. You want to focus on content. Do not use flashing icons and  or add music to your blog, many readers find these irritating as they also slow down loading of pages and distract from the content and the message.

14. Keep your design simple. Choose two or three colours and a simple layout that is easy to follow.

15. Link to other blogs by creating a  "blogroll" (list of blogs you enjoy) on your blog.  Add badges and banners from other blogs and campaigns onto your blog.

16. Join Carnivals . Carnivals can be weekly, bi-month, or monthly roundups on a particular issue or topic such as the Erase Racism Carnival or International Carnival of Positives l. You can set up your own carnival and invite other blogs to join in. Again don't  expect your carnival to take off immediately. It takes time and perseverance.

17. Include a "Contact Me" form in your blog or give your email address on your "About"   page so readers can contact you. Always write out your email address to avoid spammers. For example. Me@yahoo.com should be writte‚   me at yahoo dot com.