The Blog Basics

When men and women start a blog they have a general idea of what kind of content will be showcased. Men blog about sports, politics, kids, wives, or conquests and they have a voice. Women blog about similar items, but when the spotlight is turned on Mom bloggers the voices are or can be an evolution of sorts. Mom bloggers start out posting about all the ticks and funnies of her day-to-day with kids and or husband in tow. However, at some point in time the voice of the blog may change.

Format & New Format

The voice or format of a blog may change based on how someone blogs, is the day-to-day post based on product plugs or just a nonchalant mentioning of the types of products he or she uses. The voice can also change based on the entire content. One mom blogger I have spoken with states that she originally started as a “mommy” blogger posting and writing about her kids, newlywed life, and her family all around. She goes on to say how she began turning her blog into adult content, writing about the lifestyle she and her husband entertain. The rest is history; she and her husband maintain two complimentary blogs about their sex lives and conquests that they enjoy. But she did tell me that in the beginning, when she changed her blog content, she lost readers and how followers began to trickle on and off because of her new content. In the end she has stuck to her true alternative adult lifestyle blog content.

Blog Voice and Your Audience

Not all content will please every reader, follower, or passer-by. If your blog voice is to appeal to families then stick with that voice. If you blog is bold, stick with bold. The reason why you have a large audience is because the content is appealing, readers can relate, and above all the content is meaningful. By meaningful I mean that the voice of the blog is written by the author with passion, with honesty, without influence or plagiarism, above all else the content does not badger the audience. Blog audiences do not want to read about how you were paid to eat the horrid food sample and because you were paid to eat said sample you feel obligated to say you slightly enjoyed the food. No passion, no vindication, no voice. Blog audiences do not want to hear how you think this mom or that mom is a terrible blogger, if they do, the audience is only reading because the content is like reality television and a complete train wreck. No reader ever wants to read a post where they are degraded as the reader or they have been insulted by the author because of a post or comment. Mothers did not say “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” to waste their breath.

Blog Etiquette

Your blog is in essence your own little piece of the internet world and to do with as you wish. But sometimes doing as you wish can have repercussions. For example if you maintain a bold blog, speaking your mind, some readers and or followers may comment on the content. Let them do so without moderation. I used to moderate my comments and this was time consuming and useless. Just as your blog voices your opinion, the comments should voice the opinion of the reader or passer-by. Not all comments will be nice, flattering, or complimentary, but they can be constructive criticism, entertainment, or pure eye candy on your blog. Commenting back to inappropriate comments on the commentator’s blog will only start a blog war of words. Maybe post a small blip in the comments stating you appreciate his or her feedback and leave the comments at that. Delving any further may incite a situation that may not be able to be extinguished. Comment retaliation through blogging is also not wise. The world of bloggers is a small world and tight knit word travels faster than the “enter” and “send” keys and before you know what hit you, comments and blog posts are flying and blogs are all abuzz. Read Mom Blog Soap Opera Drama if you don’t believe what can happen.

Blogging is a way for people to write because they love to write, to tell a story, to share experiences, and if you are like me I love to write and blog for therapy along with all the aforementioned reasons. Blogs are not a science, but a communication and media outlet to share with the world. Everything posted on the net and in a blog or comments page is forever burned into the electronic world so find what works for your blog, find your voice, stick with your voice, and while doing so maintain a level of respect and courtesy for others who are doing the same and do the job with passion.

Related posts:

1. Beneficial Blogging Basics
2. Why I Blog
3. Take Your Blog To The Next Level
4. This is why I blog
5. The Lost Art of Blog Strolling