What makes a good blog? Let’s begin with the basics. What defines something as a blog in the first place? “A web blog or blog is simply a Web page or site for frequently updated posts, or entries that typically are arranged or presented in reverse chronological order, so that new entries always appear on top” (Writing for Digital Media).
This definition is a good place to start, but it is lacking. Blogs should also contain pictures, links, tags, hash tags etc. that connect the so-called blog to other aspects of social media. These additions (as opposed to just words on a page) create a multimodal experience, which contribute to the making of a great blog. This allows readers to connect to all aspects of what the Internet has to offer. It helps promote other blogs and at the same time keeps yours eccentric and interesting.
Photo Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Social-media-for-public-relations1.jpg
Personally, I don’t keep up with many blogs, but the ones I have had the pleasure of reading offer a great sense of voice—an almost conversational tone. They are easy to read and to the point. In his article, Digital Writing and Uprising: Third order Thinking in the Digital Humanities, Sean Morris points out, “that the words themselves are active. They move, slither, creep, sprint and outpace us. Digital words have lives of their own.” This is important in the world of the Web because it keeps blog readers interested. The use of voice offers a way for readers to personally connect to something that billions of other people have access to. When the right tone is achieved, readers keep reading, and bloggers know they have created something worthwhile. As Pete Rorabaugh says in his piece, Organic Writing and Digital Media: Seeds and Organs, “Growth of [ideas or composition] is determined by the encouragement and critique of the community.” Bloggers themselves need the reassurance from their readers (or community) that they have something special and meaningful, which brings me to my next point.
Photo Source: http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/speak_up.jpg
A blogger should consistently be posting to their blog. No one wants to fall in love with a blog that they have to wait months on end to read the next hot topic. Once we like something, we want more if it. It’s the way we’re programmed. More posts mean more regular readers, which means more support and in turn a more successful blog.
In summary, blogs should offer more than just a script that one reads. This gets boring, and no one wants that. The tone of a blog should be conversational—witty, serious, dark, light etc. There are endless possibilities, but there is no need for formality. A message to all bloggers: “be yourselves and not the writers you would channel when writing a history paper.” Last but not least, frequent posts are a must. Everyone craves that guilty pleasure that they can’t unglue their eyes from. All of these aspects will make for a great blog—one that will keep readers coming back for more, time and time again.
Note: All images are labeled for re-use.