2017 A Time To Blog and Develop Content
by William Jackson @wmjackson
Digital content creation is prevalent on the web, an increase in
blogging, microblogging, podcasting and other forms of digital
media is expanding across the Internet. Content creators are
global, generational and smart.
The evolution of technology has opened opportunities for students
from K to higher education to tell their stories, spread their
entrepreneurial wings, expand their networks from local to global.
Bill Gates, 1996 “Content Is King”
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 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. Why is a very important question and should
have a definite answer. 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.3. 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.4. 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 backup
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.5. Do You Use Photos, Video, Graphics – The power of a picture, video or
multimedia can never be under estimated. If there is a video that can be
used or you create your own do it. This provide 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.6. 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.7. 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
happens 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.8. 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 make you who
you are so the public will make that connection.9. Can You Be Marketable – to make money is only one important aspects
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.![cutuzgewiaaolzm]()
