Weaver's Webblog Guide

Weaver's Guide to Blogging
Keeping your blog focused, professional and simple while also keeping it up to date makes a blog worth visiting and credible. Images, graphics and video dress it up, but it will always come back to good, solid writing and communication. That's exactly why you should never post a first draft entry. Edit what you write. Spelling errors and typos tarnish you and your blog. I suggest writing & editing entries with a word processor, then copy and paste into the blog.

Here are more tips I offer my BC Capstone students when it comes to blogging:

Showcase Good Communication Skills

1. Invest time and research into your content.

• Write enough to communicate meaning with the reader, but avoid overkill. Have a point and get to it.
  When students blog, potential employers could be watching.
  KEEP YOUR WEBLOG PROFESSIONAL & POLISHED.
  
  You must always think about your audience, no matter how niche it may be. You should also keep ethical and leg
• Write what you know about-- concentrate on what you're passionate about and make that the focus of your blog.
• Showcase your work. Promote your talent, skills and experience.
• Demonstrate your knowledge and experience by correctly using the terminology of your profession.
• Connect your entries to topical events and issues in your field.
• Offer your own style and voice and be consistent with it.

2. Always attribute!

• Plagiarizing, fabricating or other BS is not tolerated. Such misdeeds will often be challenged publicly and will haunt you in your professional efforts.

3. Offer Links!

• The more links you offer the better the chances your blog could turn up in a web search.
• Link back to your sources (this offers transparency, attribution and validity to the points you want to make).

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU'RE PUTTING IT OUT THERE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE!

What you post is public so be ready to stand by it.

1. Never reveal personal, private information.

• Never blog about your personal life. Limit contact information to comment areas or postings that your blog can forward to you. Also turn on the blog features that will let you screen out e-mail scrapers, SPAMMERS, etc.

2. Never blog proprietary or privileged information. Never disclose company secrets or information shared with you in confidence. Off the record means off the record. Don't even hint about something proprietary or priviledged as it will flag the attention of corporate lawyers who are now in the business of patrolling blogs for such violations.

• If you're blogging about internship or job-related experiences, inform your employer about your weblog.
• Promote transparency. Invite the employer to read your blog and offer feedback.

3. Ask about restrictions or limits on what you can and cannot blog.

• Many companies now have strict rules about employee blogs.
• Some media savvy companies encourage blogging but have specific guidelines.

• If the employer prohibits blogging about work experiences, then comply.

4. Be Positive- Showcase your ability to think critically and creatively.

• Offer solutions instead of only pointing out problems.

5. Be clear when expressing opinion or comments.

• When engaged in criticism, remain constructive.
• Recognize opposing positions.
• Support your points with evidence and attribution (include links).
• Never engage in personal attacks.

6. Update entries on a regular basis.

• Develop a routine so regular visitors can expect timely updates and will want to interact with your blog.

7. Entertain and inform your readers

• INCLUDE PICTURES: Offer interesting and appropriate images and context.
• Write engaging headlines.

Be Prepared- Avoid Legal Entanglements

1. Be truthful & ethical.

• Read and understand the Blogger User Agreement.
• Understand the impact of what you write.

2. Remember libel applies to weblogs.

• Remember false light applies to weblogs.
• Remember invasion of privacy applies to weblogs.

Other Tips- Read & Comment

1. Read other weblogs.

• Routinely search for weblogs discussing topics of interest to you.
• Bookmark weblogs you think are written well or speak to you.

2. Offer constructive feedback and comments on blogs you visit.

Some places to get started with weblogging:

Blogger

WordPress