In
order to create an effective blog, there are key elements that must be
considered. First, the blog must have a purpose. Secondly, it must have an audience
for which it is geared to. Thirdly, the information must be set in a design
that the audience can understand. Finally, the content of the blog must be such
that the audience remains captivated and interested in returning.
Purpose
Blogs
are intended for an audience to read and experience the information that their
author wants to present. “You need a reason for your audience to visit your
blog on a regular basis” (Nobles). There has to be a purpose
attached to the blog that is consistent and easily understood by the target
audience. The purpose has to create interest and find a way to maintain the
audience’s attention through its design and content. 
Audience
It is important to understand and
establish a blog for the reader that you are looking to reach. “Your ideal
reader should be somebody who shares certain goals with you” (Problogger, 2010,
para. 13). The audience is who will take the time to read the information that
you post on the web. With this in mind, taking the time to understand what you
want in an audience and then making a blog to reflect that is essential.
Design
It
is important to focus on the design of a blog in order to attract the
appropriate audience and effectively maintain their attention. “The goal behind
effective blog design is to make your visitors take action” (iNBoundPRO).
You want your blog visitors to take whatever action that you intend them to
take whether that be to join a cause, learn about information you find useful,
or showcase your talent as a writer. Any of these are actions that you want
your perspective audience to take when they look at your blog. Taking the time
to create a blog that meets the needs of your audience is key in doing so. We
must “…think about the action we want our audience to take and then design a
page that increases the chances of that happening” (iNBoundPRO).
Content
With
technology providing so many options to communicate, focusing on the content on
one’s blog can be an overwhelming task. Not only is the written content
important but now, so is the additional information that is included in the
blog. There are podcasts and videos that can be included that can help to fuel
interest in the audience while providing them with a different way to obtain
the information that is being provided by the blog. A slideshow can be an
addition to a blog that helps the reader interact with the content. Additionally,
“…[slideshows] let you determine the “flow” of your content by pushing users in
a certain direction…” (Blogging Tips). So, content is important
to maintain interest and direct the audience.
References
Blogging Tips. (n.d.). 5 Types of Content to Help Your Blog Grow
On-Site and Off-Site. Bloggingpro. Retrieved April 12, 2012 from, http://www.bloggingpro.com/archives/2012/01/31/5-types-of-content-to-help-your-blog-grow-on-site-and-off-site/
iNBoundPRO. (n.d.). Effective Blog Design: What Makes Your
Audience Click? iNBoundPRO. Retrieved April 12, 2012 from, http://www.inboundpro.net/effective-blog-design
Nobles, R. (n.d.). Blogs with a Purpose. Retrieved April
12, 2012 from, http://www.searchengineworkshops.com/articles/blogs-purpose.html
Problogger. (2010). Build the Perfect Blog Audience for You.
PROBLOGGER. Retrieved April 12, 2012 from, http://www.problogger.net/archives/2010/10/15/build-the-perfect-blog-audience-for-you/
No comments:
Post a Comment