“The time has come,” the Writer said,

 “To talk of many things.

Of posts, and platforms, words and such,

Of blogs with wondrous wings.”

A blog can be a writer’s way to soar! But before you find where your blog will take you, there are a few W’s you should consider. 

Why and What To Blog

A blog is a web log, an online writing journal. Perfect for us writer types, right? But it’s a good idea to decide, before you start throwing words around, what you want to achieve with your blog. Do you want to promote yourself and your work, maintaining a business blog? Or do you want a blog on a more personal level, a spot where you can explore and share your experiences? Or will you combine personal and business? The content of the blog you fling out there in the wide world of the web determines the readers you’ll pull in.

If you’re writing personal observations, your friends will read your blog to keep up with you and your goings-on. These readers will come back regularly because they think you’re swell. And if you’re a particularly swell writer, with an entertaining voice, you’ll eventually start to attract other readers. You may even attract the eye of a publisher. That’s even sweller! (Yes, I know that’s not a word. But here’s another plus to blogging: you can make up your own words! Whee!)

A business-oriented blog can be a handy promotional tool, attracting folks across the professional and personal spectrum. But all promotion and no fun makes for a dull blogger. If your blog is simply promoting your next stop on a book tour, or the next book that will be published, or a link to your splendiferous interview, your numbers won’t go anywhere. So, if you want to build followers along with your business, and shore up your platform, give a little something something to your readers. It may be a book-giveaway, or a discount on the class you’re offering, or tips of the trade. What you give away doesn’t have to be grand, but it should have value to your audience.

Here’s the bottom line: A good blog promotes you while also promoting your concept, your brand, and/or building a platform. A great blog manages all that, while giving something to your readers to keep them coming back. 

How Now?

Setting up a blog is like decorating a house; it should reflect your style. Are you cute and cuddly, or the classic and sophisticated type?  Zip around and check out your favorite blogs. What do you like about them? Bet you’ll find out very quickly what appeals to you, and this will help you make decisions about your own blog.

If you have a website, you may want to incorporate the style of the blog in with your website. But if you’re starting from scratch, then anything goes! Well, almost anything. You don’t want to break any of those pesky copyright laws.

The two most widely used blog servers are Blogger and Wordpress. And they’re free, free, free! Folks argue all the time about which is best. Let’s just pick the easiest one first: Blogger. If you can read, you can set up your blog on Blogger. Choose a template and plug in the basics. Then you can add neat things like widgets, or blog counters, photos or badges, even advertising if you want to monetize your blog. Think of a blog as a fluid thing, adding or taking away components as you learn the ropes and define your needs.

Wordpress offers page options, so many writers like to park their blog there. If you’re using a blog as a kind of online resume, this functionality is perfect. You can have one page to list your books, another page to use as a bio, and yet another page if you want to slap up artwork or photos, while your blog’s on your main page.

Choose the blog style and server that’s the best fit. Then, write your inaugural post. No one will know that it took you two hours to write that first 200 words. And in no time at all, you’ll be spitting out 300 word posts willy-nilly! Well, maybe I should a say a word about that…

Know When to Say When

In the first glow of blogging, you may find that the words just flow and flow and flow. Studies show that 300 words comprise the ideal blog post. I don’t know who did these studies, but I do know that when I see blog posts that go on and on and on, I don’t read them. So based on my own study, 300 words seems about right as a limit. There will be times, perhaps when you have a guest blogger, that the post may go over that word count, and that’s okay. Blog readers expect a little variety.

Speaking of variety, you’ll want to add spice to your blog and include pretty pictures in your posts. If not your own, borrow from Flickr or another photo service that provides free photos. Pics, logos, even videos break up those long columns of words. Plus, who doesn’t love a little blog bling?

And finally, a word of caution. In the beginning, you might be so excited that you’ll blog every day. Wow! That’s impressive. But it can also be a drag on your writing time. Soon enough, you’ll decide you can’t possibly blog every day. So you’ll quit…for about three months. Oh, dear. Begin again and establish a routine for your blogging, whether it’s daily, once a week, or once a month. Then stick to it, as much as you can.

The Who Rocks!

Of course, the who is you! You can do it, and you’re going to love your blog. Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your blog doesn’t have to be a super-techno wonder the first week. Give yourself time to figure out Where (You thought I forgot where, didn’t you?) you’re blog is going, and build the blog you want as you go!

Cathy C. Hall is a humor writer, published in both fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. You can follow her all-purpose writing blog at Cathy C.’s Hall of Fame. Or catch up with Cathy at Finders & Keepers, where she finds children’s writing stuff you’ll want to keep!