1) Limit your word count
If you can learn anything from "old media", in which I also write, it's that many bloggers can have much too much to say for themselves. We're interested in what you've got to say, but I say, 'Get on with it'. The joy, and the trouble with writing for the web is that your space is infinitesimal. Restrain yourself. Few people are going to read your 3,000 word thesis on rare Botswana butterflies. They will start it, because it sounds fascinating, but they won't finish. Think of the reader. I would suggest rarely no more than 500 words. Keep them hungry. The reader will want to return for more.
2) Edit and re-edit
This is very important. Don't simply write your blog of 600 words on butterfly populations and press "send". In tabloid newspapers, if I write a story, at least four other people will read, edit and rewrite it before it is published. It may even be sent back to me for a complete re-write. Imagine if your blog was given back to you for a rewrite? Try to apply those disciplines to blog writing. Improve your quality. Have I written this sentence in the best possible way? The likelihood is "not". Send your blog to a friend first. You will hate the thought, but feedback is essential.
3) Keep it simple
The cliche is true. Brevity is the soul of wit. The same goes for blogs. Keep your sentences simple and your style plain. Boring I know. With blogs I much prefer substance over style. Also try to avoid phrase upon phrase, sub-clause upon sub-clause. Don't show off your knowledge of grammar. No one is interested. It ceased to be taught in schools years ago. Always think of the reader. The practice of reading on the web is far different to sitting with a book. Web readers tend to run their eyes across material much faster. They are looking for information, largely speaking. Don't lose the point of blog in the writing of it. No one will remember it for your construction.
4) Do an outline
Plan what you write. It's boring but necessary. Novelists and screenwriter do, so why not bloggers? If you know where you're going, you can avoid repetition. An outline will also help you to construct your blog. Simply write down a list of ideas/thoughts. It doesn't matter how your write them down. They're just thoughts. Now you can begin. You know where you're going. Enjoy the journey. By planning what you want you will avoid being too indulgent with your own writing. You won't waffle, either. Have five good thoughts before you start. It's exactly how I'm writing this blog. It works.
If you can learn anything from "old media", in which I also write, it's that many bloggers can have much too much to say for themselves. We're interested in what you've got to say, but I say, 'Get on with it'. The joy, and the trouble with writing for the web is that your space is infinitesimal. Restrain yourself. Few people are going to read your 3,000 word thesis on rare Botswana butterflies. They will start it, because it sounds fascinating, but they won't finish. Think of the reader. I would suggest rarely no more than 500 words. Keep them hungry. The reader will want to return for more.
2) Edit and re-edit
This is very important. Don't simply write your blog of 600 words on butterfly populations and press "send". In tabloid newspapers, if I write a story, at least four other people will read, edit and rewrite it before it is published. It may even be sent back to me for a complete re-write. Imagine if your blog was given back to you for a rewrite? Try to apply those disciplines to blog writing. Improve your quality. Have I written this sentence in the best possible way? The likelihood is "not". Send your blog to a friend first. You will hate the thought, but feedback is essential.
3) Keep it simple
The cliche is true. Brevity is the soul of wit. The same goes for blogs. Keep your sentences simple and your style plain. Boring I know. With blogs I much prefer substance over style. Also try to avoid phrase upon phrase, sub-clause upon sub-clause. Don't show off your knowledge of grammar. No one is interested. It ceased to be taught in schools years ago. Always think of the reader. The practice of reading on the web is far different to sitting with a book. Web readers tend to run their eyes across material much faster. They are looking for information, largely speaking. Don't lose the point of blog in the writing of it. No one will remember it for your construction.
4) Do an outline
Plan what you write. It's boring but necessary. Novelists and screenwriter do, so why not bloggers? If you know where you're going, you can avoid repetition. An outline will also help you to construct your blog. Simply write down a list of ideas/thoughts. It doesn't matter how your write them down. They're just thoughts. Now you can begin. You know where you're going. Enjoy the journey. By planning what you want you will avoid being too indulgent with your own writing. You won't waffle, either. Have five good thoughts before you start. It's exactly how I'm writing this blog. It works.
No comments:
Post a Comment