The internet has awarded everyone the potential to become a writer, a director, or the next YouTube sensation. The problem is no one tells you what’s right and what’s wrong in the eyes of internet users. While we can’t advise you on how to best mock Miley in your next Vine video, we can tell you how to write a blog. Below, we’ll discuss what to avoid when writing a blog for your business or personal website.
What Should I Blog About?
Just because anyone can be a blogger, doesn't mean they can do it well, however. It takes time to find your voice and hone your craft. Blog about what you know. For instance, if you are an immigration lawyer, blog about common questions your clients ask you. Answer the questions honestly and in a manner non-lawyers can understand. Visitors to your blog will begin to respect you and trust you, and continue to seek advice from your blog. And eventually, they may even become clients. That’s exactly what you want.
How Do I Get Started Blogging?
It's simple: avoid the mistakes everyone else keeps making. We've collected three of the worst offenses and we'll not only tell you what they are, but we'll tell you how to dodge them altogether.
3 Cardinal Offenses in Blog Writing
The good news is anyone can be a blogger. But like we said before, just because you are a blogger doesn't mean you can blog. The bad news is sometimes that fact is blatantly obvious. Here are some of the trademarks of bad blogging:
Offense #1: The eternal paragraph. Keep in mind that we live in a content-saturated world. This means people make snap judgments based on what's visually apparent about your blog.
One long paragraph makes prospective readers think you have a poor grasp of the English language and very little of the information you impart is useful. Whereas, a blog that is well-defined and organized with clear paragraph breaks indicates that you are well-spoken and have compelling ideas to share. Incorporate high-quality, interesting photos or information-rich, catchy videos into your blog, too.
Plus, who has time to read 100-word sentences and 5-inch long paragraphs anymore? No one.
Offense #2: All signs point to sale. Contrary to what some bloggers like to believe, your entries aren't all about selling something. They're actually about building a reputation and a readership. They are about solving a problem and offering interesting content that can benefit someone. Try "hawking your wares" constantly and not only will no one buy your product, no one will read your blog.
Offense #3: Mean Becky Syndrome. Also known as a personal tirade that gets lost on its way to a universal point or application. Keep your blog relatable, but avoid personal over-shares.
Circumvent these pitfalls and reduce the size of the toxic blogging footprint in your area.
Questions and Final Thoughts
With content marketing at the forefront of online marketing, knowing how to blog is a must. Avoid the above mistakes, and remember, keep your blog interesting, relevant and real. Do that, and you will not only gain a following, but you will also earn people’s respect and trust.
