Blogs…are there really any rules?
First of all, I feel there are way too “experts” stumbling upon each other, publishing general rules about writing blogs.
In my own estimation, a blog should be an enjoyment to the writer. Why write if the content is something the author is not passionate about? I agree that the blog creator is not writing for themselves, they are truly writing for their readers, but there has to be a level of interest for the writer to even turn out good copy.
Does it really matter if the print is left or right aligned. One blog that I visit is normally center aligned. I love what the writer does! I find her blog refreshing.
If a person is writing a business blog, does content always have to be business related? Absolutely not! We are living in a period where marketing and business is returning to an “olden times way of thinking.” Meaning, trust is so very important. It is like going back to the era when mom and pop stores were popular. It is important for the customer to know who they are buying from, know the integrity of the business, and to know what the business is all about. All of this means so much more to a potential customer than putting out 100 ads a day that say, “Buy my spectacular product!” Blah, blah, blah…we get enough of that nonsense!
I agree, blogs should hold a certain level of professionalism and quality, even if the blog is simply written for family enjoyment.
A blog should also contain valid information. If statements are copied, credit must be given to the writer, and credit must be given to the original article. Validity in an article is crucial!
I want to tell you a funny story. A story about a piece of my writing. I use a milking machine when I milk my goats. For years I have called the cups that fit on the goat’s teats an inflator. At one point, if you did a Google search for goat inflators you would have found blog posts, and a few articles, written my moi, yes me (tee hee). Why just me? Because I assumed the cups were called inflators…oops…they are inflations. Now do a search for goat inflations. There are more articles out there than those written by Ms. Mary!!!!
Are there solid blog writing rules? Not per se’, but I do think we need to be responsible. I love the variety in our blogs. I love it that I have the opportunity, for example, to write as freely as I want. This is MY opportunity to write, something that I always dreamed of doing. I do not have to submit my work to my boss, nor do I have to submit to a publisher, but I am responsible for editing, and I am responsible for making sure my work is accurate.
Happy blogging…and please, do not get so hung up on the “rules.” Who in the world wrote the rules on blogging anyhow? To my knowledge there weren’t/aren’t any! So, as Cheryl Phillips (The Daily Blonde, a writer that many of us associate with) said, “Just be yourself!”
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The blogging rules were probably written by BLOGGERS! What I like about blogging is that my blog is MINE. If I like a blog I will read it whether they go by any rules or not. Kind of like everything else in our lives, we are all different enough to be unique. Our lives are all different,our looks ( even if we try to copy someone elses’ ) are different. As are our blogs, thankfully! I certainly don’t want all the blogs to be the same, what would be the point?
That is a funny story about you calling the piece of goat milking equipment by another name. It is a good thing for us to be careful to give credit for quotes, and info and pictures we use that originate from another source though. Very important! Besides being illegal to copy without permission, it is just courteous to give credit where credit is due. Thanks for the thoughtful post on one of my favorite activities, blogging!
I agree with you, Mary.
I try to write the content for my blog, like I’m sitting with a friend, discussing daily life around the farm.
The thing I like mostly about blogging is that everyone is different and live in another area. I get to read everyone’s opinions, see pictures that go along or pictures of a place I may never see otherwise.
It’s one big blogging family and we should always provide links or credits to an original writer. Introducing them to others, just as we would if we were face to face.
Also, it is our responsibility as writers to provide correct information. Rather than to lead someone in a wrong direction.
And your funny story, *giggle* I would never have known the name difference, if you hadn’t pointed it out.
Great post, Mary!
I love this post, Mary, because it gets right to the heart of a lot of things I also believe.
The other day when I wrote my “jealousy post,” I was concerned I may have crossed some invisible line when mentioning the email I received which was the catalyst for the post. I was careful not to identify anyone specifically – and truth be told, the post wasn’t about them… it was just stimulated by them. Whatever.
Anyway… my worries were for naught, because today I found that my post had been mentioned on David McMahon’s Post Of The Day blog. Blew my mind. So see? What is one person’s broken rule might be another person’s glory.
I’m so proud NOT to worry too much about rules and let my conscience be my guide.
Um, I totally just sounded like Jimminy Cricket, didn’t I?
Alix, I have experienced similar situations. I practically bite my nails, wondering if I am being too bold, or if I am trying too much to act like an expert, and then I post anyhow. Wondering all the same if I am going to offend someone!
Well…no longer! I read a post the other day that set me straight.
I will never purposely try to offend anyone, that is not my style, but to undermine my own writing, within my own blog. No. We lose credibility very quickly when we write with doubt!
Congratulations on your mention, by the way. I am behind in blog commenting today!
Kathy, yes! We are all different. And that is what I truly enjoy about blogging. There are no rules, except to be credible, responsible. And then, those are not rules, just good common sense.
Becky, I try to write that way as well (as if I were having a conversation with my friends in the same room). When I read loud, I try to make sure it “sounds like” me. Isn’t it fun, though? I think so. I enjoy it tremendously!
Thank you for the in-depth comments!!!!
Mary writes: ‘We are living in a period where marketing and business is returning to an “olden times way of thinking.” Meaning, trust is so very important.’
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I so badly want to return to a more honest time. If people of similar beliefs just keep finding each other, we can make it happen.
I mainly write devotions from Our Daily Bread but every once in awhile I will write about family or the critters around here or some type of story.
as they say in poetry: know the rules, and then break them. 🙂