The evolution of blogging can be seen in the increase of content that has a wide range of subject matter and relevancy to life experiences
of the writer.
The importance of blogging and use of social media can be seen in the engagement, connectivity and networking individuals are becoming forces that are rivaling traditional media. Because there is growing content that easily crosses time zones and international borders the effects of blogging are seen in education, business, finance, commerce, and development in political arenas.
There are no barriers that would delay the posting of content even by age or gender. Students of all levels are creating content based on their learning experiences and developing their brands. This explosion of digital content has created a challenge in determining what is important to read and what to discard.
The “Elements of Blogging” and the “Significance of Content Creation” is an area that must be addressed. Workshops, seminars and conferences are available now to help people and businesses create worthwhile content to market their services and products. No matter the purpose of blogging the ultimate goal is to have people “View or Hear” what is written. Certain criteria must be thought of and used as a gauge to help bloggers in their quest to develop content that pleads to be read and interacted upon. In education you have objectives, in business you have agendas, other areas have their own design. bloggers must ask certain questions to help them align their content to standards.
Listed are a few guidelines to help develop content and keep on track during the creation of content.
Why do you blog
Any blogger must have a reason to do what they do. There should be passion, excitement, and commitment when you put fingers to keyboard. During the blogging process, it may change just as the content changes, but every Blogger should have an answer as to Why Do You Blog.
What is your demographic
An important element to go along with Why is What is your audience? Is there an age group, gender, nationality, culture or specific group you want to connect with? People enjoy having a connection with their bloggers. Any successful blogger knows what/who their audience is and tries to give them what they need and to keep coming back for more.
What type of content do you share
Sharing is very important. You want your audience to understand that you are sharing a part of yourself with them. You’re not thrusting things down their throat, but providing something that they need or as you grow in your writing giving your readers something they think they need. Create the atmosphere of sharing which helps in receiving feedback from the reader. Don’t make it a give/take relationship, but a sharing and beneficial one.
How do you support your brand and content
Do you have a domain name, are you using a free site, is there a lot of advertising, is there adult content, video, audio, and multimedia? Supporting your content requires some research on your part to validate what you are stating. In the educational, political, and business environments you have to backup what you have stated with links, quotes, and data. When I blog I try as much as possible to obtain valid and trustworthy resources to back up my comments/statements. In my blogging, I’m at times competing with traditional media so I have to go that extra step to help my readers understand where I’m coming from, how it can help them and where else they can go for additional help.
Do you use photos, video, graphics
The power of a picture, video or multimedia can never be underestimated. If there is a video that can be used or you create your own do it. This provides an extra element to attract and keep readers to your content. Search Engine Optimization does need help with text (words), but additional elements that provide audio (podcasting), video (YouTube) and multimedia to create an interactive platform. Never be scared to branch off into new areas to help engage and excite your readers.
Do you offer a service
What can you provide your audience? Do you sell something, what type of service or services do you have? The popular blogs of relationship building, natural hair, nails (hands and feet) provide a service that can be seen and engaging. There is a service that results can be seen. Think very hard on what service you can provide if this is your choice. Be sure that you can keep your customers happy.
Do you evolve
One of the important things about blogging is keeping your audience and that means evolving. No blog stays the same, there is an evolution process that writers go through. Just as age and maturity happen so should bloggers content evolve because their readers evolve and change. What you wrote about 3 years ago may not be of the same interest for your readers now. Their lives have evolved (changed) so as a blogger your content must evolve also.
Do you have a brand
Can you brand yourself to the public? What are you known for, what does your title of your blog site bring thoughts and feelings of? Branding is important because of the interest it generates in readership. Creating a brand allows for Marketability especially if you are trying to make money with your blogs.Branding makes you who you are so the public will make that connection.
Can you be marketable
To make money is only one important aspect of blogging. Eventually, a blogger considers how can they make money so must be wise in how they Market their content. Who do they market too? Basically selling yourself to the world so they can pay for your content. This may take a team to get the word out about you and promote what you are doing. Using social media tools is another way, but this must be strategic and planned.
These nine elements are worth considering and using as a guide to anyone blogging. Your blogging content, goals, designs and objectives will change the more you blog so be ready to make adjustments and evolve to keep pace and stay important enough to be read.
