Blogging regularly is a great way to establish yourself as a professional. It sharpens your skills, broadens your perspective, expands your network, and it's simply fun to do. Starting a free blog is easy. So there’s no excuse! In this blog, I’ll give you ten tips to get you started. The difference between a blog that appears online and something you write privately in your word processor is the simple fact that you’ll have readers. Readers who follow you, inform you, challenge you, and energize you. 10 tips to get you started with blogging:
1. Don’t worry about (potential) negativity
This is probably the most important point. It doesn’t matter what negative people—if they even exist—think, say, or write. Be open to criticism, but only if you can truly learn from it. Write with your positive readers in mind. They are the ones who give you energy.
2. Write ‘evergreen content’
Don’t just write about current hot topics, but also about subjects that will stand the test of time. That way, people will keep coming back to your blog. The information remains relevant.
3. Write about something you enjoy
When you write about something you love, people will notice. You’ll notice it yourself! Write about things you could talk about endlessly. Your enthusiasm will shine through the text and people will enjoy it.
4. Let it mature
Let your text sit for a while. When you’ve written something, don’t post it immediately. Instead, set it aside for a bit. Then come back to it and read it again. You’ll likely make some very useful edits that will improve the text or make it more readable. Only then should you publish it.
5. Take notes
Throughout the day, you’ll likely see or hear things that inspire you. Or you might suddenly get a brilliant idea. Write it down immediately, for example in the notes app on your smartphone. That way, you can use it later in one of your blogs. If you don’t, your brilliant idea might be lost forever. What a waste!
6. Get inspired
Read lots of other blogs from people who inspire you. Talk to interesting people. Watch documentaries, read books and articles, attend trade shows, and get inspired! You’ll never run out of topics for your blog.
7. Make it personal
Write about yourself. From your perspective. That’s what grabs people’s attention and keeps them interested. Most of the time, they’re following you, not just your blog.
8. Pay attention to the layout
Make sure your text looks good and is easy to read. Choose a nice background and a good font. Break the text into easily digestible chunks.
9. Just start writing
Have you been staring at that blank screen for hours? Don’t! The days of mechanical typewriters are long gone. Just start typing and don’t worry about mistakes, order, or layout. Just make sure what’s on your mind gets onto the screen. You’ll probably delete half of what you write, but that’s fine.
10. Write with the intention of helping others
As I mentioned in the first point: always write with your (positive) readers in mind. How can you help them? What do they need? Always aim to help them with your blog. Enjoy blogging! I look forward to reading along with you.
Raymond te Veldhuis DataJobs.nl & CheckData