Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Alia Haley. Please read more about Alia in the bio footer.
The world of blogging is rocking now. There are more than 10 million blogs in the blogosphere and this is a constantly increasing number. If you are not yet into blogging, it is never late to start. And once you start, you will realize the existence of two lines of thought.
One suggests that blogging is a highly personal endeavor and one should write what one truly feels. The other line is that a blog is written for others to read. Why else would you want to publish it and not keep it in your personal diary? So one should give the readers what they want.
Both these lines of thought have their merits and demerits and thus, it would be appropriate that we adopt both of them partially. The question arises as to where do we draw the line?
A reader wants the blog to add something to his/her life. Thus, when anyone approaches a blog, they are either seeking information/wisdom/knowledge or just some enjoyable reading. This is the approach of a majority of readers. In that sense, you better offer them either one of the two if not both! If your blog is neither informative and educative nor enjoyable and entertaining, you better stop writing.
At the same time, it does not mean that you dance to the tunes of the readers. Every person has some individuality and uniqueness and the blog has to reflect that. Unless you write on topics and subjects that you are passionate about, you can expect to write creatively and well. So, when it comes to the subject and content of the blog, you better choose something that is close to your heart or something that you have expertise in.
But while you decide the content, the manner of presentation of the content should be in sync with what the readers enjoy. Whatever subject you write on, you will have a group that is interested in those topics and thus follow you. And so, it becomes your responsibility to make their reading experience as memorable as possible. And to do this, there are some tips you could keep in mind.
For instance, everyone likes a dose of humor. Do not try to force it in but sprinkle it liberally wherever it fits. Nothing pleases the reader more than a healthy dose of laughter. The most important thing, however, is to remember never to talk down upon the reader. Putting yourself on a pedestal and doling wisdom will never be appreciated. Your readers know at least as much as you if not more. Add photos, videos and illustrations wherever it is appropriate.
It goes without saying that some blogs expect a certain grammar. This varies from an academic blog to a travelogue. Read more and write more. That is the only way you will improve and develop your own unique style. Having done all that, know that there will be some criticism always. You just cannot please everyone. Be gracious in receiving positive comments and graceful in receiving the negative ones. You will definitely earn your reader’s respect.
In conclusion, it could be said that while you blog, your subject and content must be solely dependent on what you know best, what you want and what you are passionate about. But the manner of writing and the expression could be modified to make the readers happy. After all, is that not what writing is all about?