Shaun Groves
For all the newcomers to the blogosphere:
A good blog is a dialogue, not a monologue. Enable comments. And talk back.
A good blog gives as much (or more) as it receives. Link outward often.
A good blog can be trusted. Write accurately and regularly.
A good blog is about something besides breakfast. Make every post worth reading.
A good blog is yours. Be yourself, not your mom, your English teacher or the PhD in your field.
A good blog is diverse. Write short witty posts, long in-depth posts, lists, stories, personal stuff, ask questions, teach something, post audio and video and pictures, invent something, pick a fight, mix it up.
A good blog is focussed. Write about one or a small handful of topics you know and care about…but in a diversity of ways.
A good blog answers its mail. Do it. Every time.
A good blog has an RSS feed and makes it easy to subscribe to it.
A good blog is registered with Technorati. Do it. Then read about what Technorati can do for you.
A good blog links to this blog. Duh.
Got more blog basics to share?
Rachel says:
I was honestly a little disappointed that there was no link to the phrase, “mix it up.”
Additional tips:
-Comment on other blogs and say something meaningful. Don’t lurk.
). Ahem.
-Periodically encourage lurkers to come out. (I think the idea originated with Los.)
-Don’t use excessive smiley faces or parenthetical remarks (like I do out of habit
That’s all I have at the moment. Great list, Shaun.
Just Matt says:
Could you pleaes employ #1 on this post : )
http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/comments/a_new_wagon/
Just would really like to hear your thoughts. Thx
Michelle says:
Shaun,
I read your blog, but have never commented…until now. I will put you in my links on my blog.
http://michellek.wordpress.com/
Have a great Friday,
Michelle
Brooke says:
Thanks for the tips! I’m new to writing in the blog world, but have been reading some great ones for awhile (ragamuffin,flowerdust, you etc). You guys rock!
Casey says:
New reader here. Found you by way of Boomama and Shannon @ Rocks in My Dryer. Great reading here. Thanks.
Oh, and I linked you on my blog!
Shaun Groves says:
Welcome, Casey. I knew kissing up to Boo Mama and Shannon would pay off someday.
Thanks for the link.
RC of strangeculture says:
Good list, i completly agree.
keith says:
Another one from an observer: avoid sidebar overload.
Shaun Groves says:
Wow.
Good’n, keith.
(Thanks again to Kat who recently greatly reduced the length of my blogroll and made it random and rotating.)
Cali Amy says:
A good blog takes TIME. A lot of time.
I’m obviously not the same level of blogger (not even anywhere close) as those you’ve linked to, but even when I start thinking of how to make my blog better I realize it’s something that’s going to take time.
And maybe this doesn’t belong here, but ultimately you must write for yourself. Don’t write for traffic. It may well come, but it may not. But if you write for the sheer joy of it, I think you will find much more pleasure in the whole blogging experience.
anon4him says:
I love how you linked to your own posts as examples, that is awesome! ^_^
DeeDee says:
All great points…
I would add that a good blogger shouldn’t be afraid to have strong opinions, even if they may not be popular.
BTW, I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but I think this is my first comment…
Bush says:
hey shaun,
thanks for showing the love, and for helping me tell these stories.
Jenni Clayville says:
Great pointers!
The best blogs are authentic ones!