Thinking about writing a blog but you’re not entirely sure how to go about it?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Plenty of folks feel like they’ve got something to say and have a real desire to express it. The problem is, they don’t know exactly how to make it happen. So, if you’ve decided to take this step into the blogosphere, here are a few tips to make it go smoothly.

First, I suggest you have a plan for your blog.  For starters, you need a topic. Then you need to create an outline, research your subject matter and make sure all your facts are straight.

Next up, as with any type of article, you need to come up with an eye-catching headline. Nobody’s going to be interested if your headline is “It’s dark outside” so come up with something that will grab attention, like “Total eclipse of the sun plunges North America into darkness for hours.”  Yeah, a little dramatic but you get my drift.

Another key is to make sure you have some good artwork to go with your blog. Great photos, graphics, etc. will only enhance your blog post, making it more attractive to look at while breaking up all the verbiage.

Now it’s time to write your blog. Don’t feel like you have to fly through it. Take your time and come up with your first draft, which will, in all likelihood, be rewritten and edited multiple times before you finally come up with something you’re satisfied with (and most writers are never satisfied – even once they’re submitted their copy).

Finally, use a very critical eye to edit your blog. It can be difficult to edit your own copy so it’s even more important that you’re diligent about checking for typos and grammatical errors. Read your blog out loud to make sure it flows well and afterward, if possible, let someone else read it after you’ve made your corrections. And if that friend has some critiques, listen and try to keep your feelings out of it. They may have some good points that will only improve your blog post.

Happy blogging!

Lori Worley
Director of Public Relations