Blogging is one of the newest and biggest trends we face today along with the boom of the different social media platforms. A month doesn’t go by without at least one of my Facebook friends announcing they’ve just started a blog about whatever topic they’re interested in. Some of these are about traveling, others about design and DIY crafting. And some of them even decide to make a blog in a diary style, telling people about their day and highlights.
There is such a great variety of topics and of styles in which a blog can be done, that sometimes it can be confusing both for the reader to decide what they want to read, and for the blogger to decide what they want to write about. I hope this article helps you understand a little bit more about the essence of blogging and how it is usually done.
A voice to be heard
Every generation is known for its self-expression in a certain way. In the past, and even today, young people made a good use of music and the arts as a way for their voice to be heard. Songs of love, songs of protest, songs of anger and songs of unity were all a part of a young movement attempting to communicate. There was also literature, poems and books, filled with stories, anecdotes and thoughts that in their time were revolutionary.
Of course both channels continue to be used today, but since the arrival of social media, people from all ages and all backgrounds have been able to communicate their realities, thoughts and opinions in a way that was not possible before. People now are able to read what other people think in a second, and are able to make their opinions public at anytime and almost without restrictions. And here is where blogging comes in.
A modern day magazine
Blogging can be defined as a modern day magazine. A blog is a webpage in which you can find different posts or articles sometimes written by the same person and sometimes written as a collaboration of different authors. You can find blogs about any topic, from science and architecture, to religion and relationships. People usually use their blog to write about what they are passionate about or to discuss what they are interested in, so in that sense it is very similar to a paper magazine.
You do not need to be famous in order for people to read you. What matters at the end of the day and what will give you the most readers, is what you write about and how you do it. In fact, blogging is a perfect platform for amateur writers, young people and experienced writers to expose their talent and move towards their next step as a public figure. The truth is, that your writing style will always continue to develop, but the success of your blog will depend on the quality of your content, whether it is interesting or not, and in the connection you make with the audience. If people relate to your topics and find them useful for their everyday life, you are taking good steps.
How do you create it?
There are many blogging platforms out there that you can use to create your own blog. Amongst the free websites that provide you with an easy-to-use template we can find WordPress, Blogger, Wix and Tumblr. These website also allow you to buy the domain if you wish to have your own.
As any writer, you will have to start with your topic. What do you want to write about? What do you want people to know about you? What skill or knowledge do you want to share with others? What do you think the world needs to hear?
Once you decide on your topic, you should also think of your audience. Who do you want to write for? Do you want to write for the academic world? Do you want to write for young people? Do you want to focus on a “creative” audience? Politicians? Are you writing for anyone to read it and find it useful? You decide.
Of course, whoever you write for, will determine the language that you choose to write with. If you pretend to be read and be taken seriously by people in the creative industry, you will have to not only make your writing attractive, but you will have to take care of the visuals of your blog as well, for they will not read what doesn’t look attractive to them.
If you write for everyday people, you will have to ensure you use everyday language, and if you are writing for more academically inclined people, you better ensure your language is appropriate.
How does blogging work as a career? Learn how to make an income from blogging in our next article!
