A Twitter friend of mine, Paul Snyder, sent me an email yesterday wondering how to go about starting a new blog. Why he chose to ask me, I have no idea, but it got me thinking anyway.
Here are some snippets from our email exchange:
1. Is a blog without some kind of central theme worth a crap? The first point I made in a Twitter primer I prepared for some clients months ago was: “Ask yourself ‘Why would I do this?’” I’m not sure I have a good answer for that when I ask it of myself related to a new blog.
I don’t think it’s 100% worthless, but don’t just write about your day slash dog slash cold sores. Try and tie everything back into one theme – whatever that is. Like I said, niche is important, even if it’s not everything. Why exactly do you want to have a blog? For yourself? To get things off your chest? Or are you looking to promote something? Help people? Get work? Make a list of what exactly you want to accomplish and then revisit the theme issue.
Now, if something is connected through your own experiences, then it is, in fact, connected. Take Penelope Trunk for example. She writes about her love life, her job, her family, blogging and Gen Y careers – things that may not be related but are connected through her. Regardless, having something specific is important or else you don’t have a target audience and you’ll spread yourself too thin.
2. Should I wait until I have enough common thread material or industry experience (in a new job in which I have zero experience, no less?)
Not necessarily. If you have questions about the new job, it seems like other people might too. You don’t need to be an “expert” to write a blog. People like to accompany you on your journey and whatnot. So don’t let that stop you, but definitely wait until you have at least 5 posts in you before you start actively promoting the blog (if that’s what you want to do).
3. What do you think are some other relevant questions I should ask myself before launching in to a new blog?
Ask yourself:
- Do I have enough material? Do I have at least 10 posts in me? 50?
- Can I sustain this for a long period of time? No one like a blogger that stops writing/can’t commit/etc.
- Will I really love writing about Topics x, y and z? Or will it feel like a chore?
- Do I have enough material? Do I have at least 10 posts in me? 50?
- Can I sustain this for a long period of time? No one like a blogger that stops writing/can’t commit/etc.
- Will I really love writing about Topics x, y and z? Or will it feel like a chore?
Here are two excellent links that can help get anyone going:
Chris Brogan’s Best Advice About Blogging
I am in no way the expert so seriously take what I say with a grain of salt. Entirely possible I’ll be useless, but I hope this provides at least a little food for thought and is moderately helpful in its own… special… way.
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