How to be a blogger

Anyone can be a blogger. All it requires is setting one up through any provider, like onmason.com. But what does it mean to effectively use a blog and be a better writer? These are the issues tackled in chapter two.

Why are blogs important?

Blogs changed web publishing and journalism. They provided an online forum for people discuss different stories and provide feeback to writers. The real question is how to make the most out of a blogging experience for both the writer and the reader.

So you want to blog?

• have experience with basic news writing skills
• be an avid reader of other blogs
• learn the language used in the blog world
• make a plan about what you want to blog about and choose a blog system

You can create free blogs from sites such as Blogger.com or WordPress.com, or if you are a George Mason University student, and Onmason account.

You have your blog

Now you can begin to make your blog unique:

• pick a name
• choose the theme
• customize the layout, fonts and colors, and widgets

While you are blogging

There are several tips on how to make your blog more readable and attract a bigger audience.

• organize your ideas and be concise (most online readers scan pages and look for key elements and the move on)
• add links
• be specific with your headings (what are you going to talk about?)
• use photos and videos (blogs are interactive for the reader)
• post at least once a day
• read and comment on other blogs (they just might read yours as well!)
• put links to other blogs in your posts