Blogging: What Matters Most

When I sign up to lead a workshop, I know I’ve just signed on for a win-win experience. Not only do I get to talk on a topic about which I’m excited, but I also benefit from the research I do in preparing for the workshop: I learn more (or re-learn what I’ve forgotten) about whatever I thought I already knew.

This is especially good to remember when a workshop gets cancelled for one reason or another, which was the case with my Blogging and Social Networking for Writers, II. I know, Boo. But life happens, and we move on. And hey, the prep I did was not in vain. You’re here (grin).

So, before I file all that research away for another day, I’ll share a couple of tidbits with you.

Your website, or your blog (sometimes, they are one in the same), is your calling card. Your P.O. Box online. Meaning, if you’re an author, people will Google you. You want them to see in one quick screenshot a glimpse of who you are, and you want to hook them long enough, so that they’ll scroll through a little more. Here are two tips on blogging aimed at keeping your readers’ attention.

The Layout

Think of your [blog] like a room–the only room in the house you can show to the world…where every item is displayed for the sole purpose of impressing visitors. ~ Maria Ribas

Determine what you want readers to see on first click. While you may be broadcasting a list of your publications, you’re also giving readers a taste of your writing and your style. Make sure your blog design reflects your style

Also, allow for easy navigation. Here I think of a time years ago when my husband and I went on a tour of homes and saw several different bungalows decorated in all sorts of styles. One house was full–every window sill, every shelf, every table–of nicknacks and tiny statues and…wait, was there a mannequin? I think there was a mannequin. The place was eccentric, definitely told me a lot about that person, but I couldn’t wait to get out of there. And, I didn’t want to go back.

When that quote above says “every item on display for the sole purpose of impressing,” that doesn’t mean every single clickety-click link or scrolling tweet or slide show. Don’t put a mannequin on your blog. Keep it simple. Keep it clean. Keep it uncluttered.

The Post

Use your space to your advantage. We readers in the digital age have a short attention span. And sometimes, as writers, we’re battling against constraints of tiny, mobile screens. Follow a few simple guidelines for posts.

• Write good headers that give readers instant information on what to expect and/or keep them reading.
• Keep paragraphs short and incorporate bullet points or bolding.
• Limit your post in word count: 600 to 800 words is a good range.

Think like an artist; consider the flow. In painting, there is a focal point. Everything on the canvas drives the viewer’s eye, no matter where they begin their study, to that point. And usually, that flow is directed by lines, shapes, or images throughout the painting.

Think of your blog post as your canvas. Make your post easy to read with formatting and white space, but keep the reader’s eye on the page with images.

There’s more, but I can’t give away all my secrets. Instead, I’ll leave you with a few resources for further reading:

• “Why Design Matters for Your Author Website,” by Maria Ribas
• “HOW TO BLOG: a guide for authors,” by Anne R. Allen
• “How To Use Images in Blog Posts to Increase Engagement,” by Tom Ewer

What (or who) is your go-to guide when it comes to blogging?