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“Blog is short for Web log, an online personal essay. Blogs are informal, informative and often entertaining. They sometimes resemble newspaper columns: Both provide individual responses to current news stories as well as to other issues-everything from favorite recipes to terrible first dates to product evaluations” (Marsh, Guth & Short, 2009).
Blogs are your very own space, intended for your unique voice and audience. In order to get the most out of your blog, or to make your blog most effective, four factors should be taken into consideration when designing your space: Purpose, design, content and audience. These four factors blended together help make each level of your blog more appealing, thus insuring your intention or purpose of the blog while captivating your audience.
Purpose/Audience
According to Marsh, Guth & Short (2009), the purpose of a blog is to communicate with individuals who avoid traditional media and/or who seek the less formal, more personal relationships that successful blogs can build. Blogs actively invite written responses, offering a Comments link to allow readers to agree, disagree or extend the discussion (Marsh, Guth & Short, 2009).
In other words, blogs are personal spaces designed to interact on a more intimate level. When choosing subjects, content, and words, the author should be sure to use items that illicit a response from their readers. This draws your reader in and allows them get involved. A good blog provokes the reader to respond and get involved with your topic.
Design
According to Marsh, Guth & Short (2009), when producing a blog, the entries usually begin with a headline in large type. Beneath the heading, in smaller type, is the date and time of posting. The text of the blog is single-spaced, with extra spaces between paragraphs. The text type is often sans-serif typeface such as Lucida Grande. Blogs contain highlighted links to earlier posts, other blogs, online documents, videos, or Web sites and/or similar information sources. Many blogs include previous entries beneath the current entry, which readers can access simply by scrolling down the web page. Many blogs also include an RSS link; this allows your readers to automatically receive new posts from your site.
When designing your blog, your blog should be designed with your audience in mind. You should not only write your subject, but also include as many other informational sources as possible. Your blog should be designed with your audience’s ease in mind. In other words, all posts, informational links, and feeds should be viewable and easily accessible to your audience. This will allow your audience the opportunity to become as informed as possible on your subject and maneuver around your site as easy as possible.
Content
Marsh, Guth & Short (2009) state that blogs must be updated frequently; many are updated daily. Successful blogs generally address different aspects of broad topic such as, politics, product development or the stock market. In other words establish an area of expertise, make it interesting and keep your audience coming back for more.
Blog posts can range from one paragraph to several paragraphs. Be informal: Use the first-person pronouns I and we. Sentence fragments and nonstandard grammar are fine. However, deviations from standard grammar should be intentional, non standard grammar should not appear to be the result of sloppiness or ignorance. Bloggers must frequently review readers’ comments and respond when possible. You may delete threatening comments but not comments that simply disagree with your post. According to Marsh, Guth & Short (2009) the best way to learn how to blog is by looking at other blogs. Websites such as Technorati.com can help steer you to blogs that might interest you.
In other words, blogs should be designed using an interesting or controversial topic; one that can be multi-topical, or spread out in a number of different posts. The content of your blog should be intimate and appealing. Your posts should encourage interaction with your audience through the Comments box. This not only encourages a following but helps you develop a target audience.
Conclusion
Blogs are a personal way to communicate. The main purpose of a blog is to gain an audience or following of your topic. This can be done by choosing interesting subjects; ones that encourage interaction, feedback and repeat visits from your audience. These posts should be updated frequently, to keep your audience engaged. Another way to encourage an audience is by making links, posts, and RSS feeds easily accessible. And lastly, a blog should be fun!
Reference
Marsh, C., Guth, D. W., & Short, B. P. (2009). Strategic Writing: Multimedia writing for public
relations and more. USA: Pearson
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