I read a number of blogs and listened to a number of podcasts that are encouraging people to "get out there" and start creating content. I just received a new iPod for my birthday and back to listening to podcasts. I less than one hour, I heard the voices of Mitch Joel, CC Chapman and Joe Jaffe answering the simple question, "Why blog?"
I started this endeavor a couple months ago to get a sense of what blogging is and what are the challenges people face when entering the blog-o-sphere as a contributor. Joel, C.C., and Joseph were my inspiration. Now here is what I have learned by my 10th post:
1. Writing a post is never easy. I found that it is best for me to blog what is on my mind versus some grandiose content schedule. I am usually thinking about some thing in my work life and here is where it ends up.
2. Content first, publicize second. As a starting blogger, I worried a lot about growing an audience. That is kind of backwards. In this web 2.0 world, content is king. The audience follows.
3. Allow your writing to help you identify your niche. I am still working my way through this one. Should I focus on IT or think more broadly about internal change inside companies? Through my posts, I am getting the feeling it is the latter. IT is important to this change, but not the only thing.
4. Join the conversation. Start to actively participate in the blog-o-sphere. I never commented on posts from other bloggers before August. There are two things wrong with that. First, commenting on other people's blogs makes you think deeper about the content and it ends up stimulating thoughts for your on blog. Second, blogs are meant for conversations and community, not just screaming your point of view. So move from lurker to full participant.
5. Content generates search results, and not the other way around. We are now in a content driven world. All the SEO strategies in the world will not help you if your content stinks. What is true in marketing goes the same for social media...good advertising will kill a bad product faster.
6. Start with your own social network to build an audience. I am slowing gaining readership by telling both colleagues and clients about my blog. A mention in an e-mail or meeting can go a long way to building the foundation of an audience. As long as you think your blog can authentically help them vs. building numbers for you, this is a very good thing to do.
There are my six quick thoughts (sounds like a Six Pixels of Separation - thanks Mitch Joel for the template). I am still very new at this, but starting to get into a rhythm. My next question will be, "once you have the content, how do you build the audience?"
Feel free to throw in your two cents. We'll all be richer for it.