What makes a successful blogger?
year I just may be working on my annual weblog project at a high
school. I’ll be meeting with the instructional technology specialist
tomorrow.This is exciting, especially since some of the kids there will
be ones I’ve taught in the past. Now none of them have been in my
weblog projects but some will have been in my technology classes. Today
I’ve been browsing high school sites for good samples (send me some if
you have suggestions). I came across a post by Elizabeth Fullerton (August 2004)
What makes a successful blogger?
What does make a successful blogger? Here is a list put together by Asterick* that
attempts to give us an answer to the question. The list covers just
about everything. However, there is a long list of comments that add to
the debate. After you read this post, visit Asterick* and read the
comments. Some of them are quite good. It’s also a good example of
discussion using the comments feature.
A successful blog (or blogger) is:
* Well written. Good content will make or break your blog. Period.
This it the #1 thing that makes a blog successful in my book.
* Frequently updated. Unless you’re a guru of some sort you really need to stay on top of it. This can be a real challenge.
* Consistent. This is kind of a combination of the first two. I like
sites that are able to maintain quality and frequency overtime.
* Open. I like to read people who are honest and willing to talk about tough issues in a free and open way.
* Responsive. Those who respond to feedback and try to adapt to the
wants and needs of their audience get high marks from me.
* Well designed. Yes, I do judge a blog by its design. It’s not the
most important thing, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter at
all.
* Aware of its audience. If you don’t know your audience it’ll show.
* Varied in topic. I feel there are lots of people who would disagree
with this, but I like sites that change the subject every once in
awhile.
* Personal. I tend to enjoy a blog with a bit of a personality. I want
to get to know, to a certain degree, the person(s) behind the site.
Tone and style have a lot to do with this.
* Thick skinned. With any successful site comes nay-sayers, trolls, pedants and spammers.
* Honest. Readers are smart and they can smell bull.
* Accountable. Mistakes are inevitable and there are times when it’s best to fess up and admit where you’re wrong.
* Funny. I like a blog that can make me laugh on occasion.
She gives credit
to Asterick. I give credit to both of them but I wanted to have
it on this blog so I could bring these ideas to the table with my
students.
April 29th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Hi Anne. I manage programs for “technically inclined” K-12 students (everything from tinkering with digital editing to computer science). I’d love to talk to you some time about the work that you’re doing. Shoot me a note!