The Blog on Branding

Tips for First Time Bloggers

Sure, we’ve all heard about the phenomenon. You’ve probably fallen victim to a day-long “blog binge.” Tucked away in your cubicle or bedroom, you’re more than happy to neglect your real work. Who knows – you might even be working on your own blog at this very moment.

Whether people own up to it or not, blogging plays a pivotal role in daily lives across the globe. But that role can often become a problem. Maybe you’re not receiving as much traffic as you want. Or perhaps, you’re headed down a path of destruction – you’re allowing your blog to run you.


“Blogging plays a huge role in lives across the globe.”





For more details:

• Basic definition of a blog
• Reasons to be a blogger
• Blog like a pro

Defining a Blog

Our pals Merriam & Webster define a blog as – a website containing an online personal journal with reflections, space for comments, and various links to other sites. Their popularity has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years due to their ability to connect individuals online – eHarmony need not apply.

Why Blog?

All of us, at one point or another in our lives, have something to say. By blogging, not only can you say it – you receive loads of feedback from fellow bloggers. Everything in this world begins with an idea. Who knows what could happen if you finally get that idea out of your head and onto the web?

Whatever your reasons behind launching a blog, it’s important to know that it won’t always bring you fortune and fame. Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA Dallas Mavericks and creator of one of the top 1,000 blogs on the web, told NY Times readers last year “don’t go into blogging to make a living.”

What are you interested in? Shoes? Politics? Alligators? All of the above?


“Dont’ blog for the money—do it out of passion.”

Whatever you feel passionate about – a subject that should be placed in the spotlight, an overlooked issue that deserves attention, or even a more comical approach to lifestyle, religion and social order- blogs afford you the opportunity to get your content out there – voting every 4 years isn’t the only way to be heard.

Best Blogging

• Write Efficiently

This may seem like a hazard for those of you who get in touch with their artsy side while blogging. Go ahead – make it frilly and colorful, noisy and vibrant. But make it coherent.

Too much “text language” like BRB and LOL can really frustrate, and ultimately repulse a more mature audience. Know your subject matter.

Is your blog more of a diary with quirks and quotes, or a professional, adult environment? Match your tone to your topic, and write accordingly.

Also, don’t always feel the need to write something new every day. Chances are, especially if you’re just starting out, your following isn’t big enough to be checking you out every day. If you have something to say, say it – no matter if it’s once a week or once a month.

But don’t crowd your blog with mindless clutter out of fear of losing readers.


“Don’t feel the need to write something new every day.”

• Read other blogs

Don’t be an online hermit. If another blogger writes about a similar subject, or simply one that is of interest to you, read it!

The last thing you need when blogging is to lose your originality – make sure you keep up with other blogs and topics so you don’t look like a fraud, “copy-cat”, or even a blog snob.

• Read & Tell

Okay, so you’ve read a blog and have a question or opinion regarding its contents. Well, don’t be afraid – leave a comment!

Although, it is difficult to manage your own blog, read others, and leave concise, thoughtful comments for the authors.

Strategize! Set time aside each week to focus on every aspect of the blogging process.

You’ll earn respect and recognition in the blogging community.

• Comments & Networking

These are two key elements to a blogger’s success. Remember, this is a community, so be social. Something as simple as an emoticon can go a long way. Proper writing comes into play here as well. Blogging is the one place where traffic is king.

And how do you get traffic? Leave an encouraging comment, or if the site resembles your tone and outlook, link it back to you.

Also, don’t be greedy. If you link yourself through a comment on another blog, allow others to do the same on your site.

If you’re the new blogger in town, be patient, but friendly. Don’t overstep your bounds too quickly with established bloggers or it may just mean your site’s demise.

Alyse Popp Want content written for your Brand that shows up #1 on Search Engines and brings you new customers? Contact us.