This has been a fun Fall practicing with some new people on program ideas. (Thanks Marj, Holly H and Holly T for the ideas!) Today we are going to talk about Blogging and Websites with some of our patrons.There are a couple ideas that I want to make sure I am communicating to those people new to blogging.
Write in your authentic voice. I still think of blogging as a a personal conversation that the entire world can participate. Be true to yourself.
Understand what your blog is about. Mine is about librarianship with a big emphasis on work life, collection development and quality and reference service. My other blog is about Awful Library Books and other than a few detours, I keep that stuff on that blog.
Write often. I wish I was better at taking my own advice so do as I say not as I do! Time gets away from me and I don't post as often as I should. I often suggest to people that you carry around a notebook (or something!) that will allow you to jot down ideas for blog posts.
Be sure to understand your company's policy on social media. Many careers have been ruined by comments, blog posts, Twitter remarks, Facebook posts that employers did not appreciate. Be sensitive to who is reading your blog.
Think about design, I am terrible at the artistic stuff, but I can recognize when a website or blog is "too busy" or overloaded with bells and whistles. Add things to your site as you need them and make them easy to understand or find.
Don't be long winded. Blog posts should be short and sweet. You can always write a part two or three in a separate post. In the world of blogging, less is more.
Above all don't be mean spirited in your blog. Be passionate, be strong, have an opinion, but keep anger in check. When you write angrily, no one will see the reason, just the anger. Besides that kind of stuff makes you look crazy and ultimately no one will take you seriously. If you think you might be dangerously close to being "too" angry, have someone read your post before you publish.
Happy Blogging everyone!
Mary
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