By Rhi Bowman, Special to the Observer
Bloggers are often in tune with hyper-local issues or niche interests that span everything from neighborhood happenings to how-to guides. Using online platforms, they create content people with similar interests might find useful.
If you’re interested in creating your own blog or hyper-local news site, here are a few tips to help you get started.
First off, you need to identify your audience and their interests. Do that by asking yourself:
- Are there others who feel like you do about a certain issue?
- If you’re an expert in some area, will a blog allow you to share your knowledge and experience with others?
- Is it time for your community newsletter to go high tech?
Then, decide between a free or paid blogging service:
- Free services, like WordPress.com and Blogger.com, are great for those new to blogging.
- If you want your own domain name, like www.YourName.com, and know how to write and edit CSS or HTML code, services like Drupal and the Thesis Theme are inexpensive options. (Search www.whois.com to find out if your domain name is available and to purchase it.)
- Know free sites may limit your design options, but they often offer free templates.
- Whichever you choose, back up your content regularly.
Once your blog is online, you’ll need to promote it. Do so by:
- Sharing your blog with your networks, both online and in person.
- Reading other blogs that discuss topics you’re interested in, and posting comments.
- Guest posting on another blog.
- Checking your blog’s stats, or analytics. What types of posts attract the most readers? Write more of those!
Posting the best content
Now that you’ve established your blog, hone it.
Improve your writing:
- Use strong verbs, like “chuckle” instead of “laugh.”
- Get your facts straight.
- Attribute sources.
- Anticipate, and answer, readers’ questions.
- Keep it brief. Clear, concise sentences are easier to read.
- Don’t publish your first draft; rewrite it and correct any errors.
Discover new ideas:
- If something interests you, chances are it will interest others, too.
- Attend public meetings.
- Ask your network what they’d like to read.
- Localize a national news story.
- Ask organizations to add you to their media contact list so you can receive press releases and invites to events.
Establish sources, or people who can provide valuable information and insight:
- Seek out, and keep in touch with, people who are experts in their fields.
- Take the time to establish trusting relationships.
- Do what you say you’re going to do.
Understand the law:
- Don’t copy and paste someone else’s work.
- If you’re advertising for a product or company, say so.
- If someone gave you a product and you’re writing about it, say so.
- Under North Carolina law, know gifts may be considered income if you promote them.
- Learn about copyright law at www.copyright.gov.
- It’s fine to use small portions of another person’s content if you’re commenting on it – that’s called “fair use.” However, be sure to attribute it to them and link to their site.
Seeking traffic? Join – and forge – networks
Getting started is one thing, but how do you manage your blog once it becomes popular? Here are some tips.
Spread the word:
- Search for people with similar interests on social media sites and follow or friend them.
- Share links to your posts with friends and family via e-mail.
- Tell people about your blog when you meet them in person. Invest in some inexpensive business cards.
- Encourage other bloggers to guest post on your blog.
- Post links on Facebook and Twitter.
Develop networks and alliances:
- When you find a blog you like, add a link to it on your site.
- Interact with your commenters and social network followers, and be genuine.
- Share content with other bloggers in exchange for their sharing content with you.
- Be sure to link to your social media accounts.
- And remember, building a strong network or alliance takes time.
Upgrade your equipment and your skills:
- Buy a digital camera and add photos to your blog.
- Learn how to take and edit videos, and upload them.
- If you started with a free blog, maybe it’s time to buy your own domain name.
- Consider paying a designer to jazz up your blog and make it more interactive.
- Learn more about how to customize your blog’s code.
- For WordPress users, add plug-ins to your site. They’ll help you do things like check your site for broken, or outdated, links and add things like Facebook “like” buttons.
To turn your hobby into a business, make a detailed plan
After you’ve created your blog, developed your network and shared links to it, now it’s time to decide if you want to try to turn it into a business. Here are some things to consider.
Plan ahead:
- Decide how often you will blog.
- Consider themed posts, like “Wonderful Wednesdays,” where you write about something, or someone, that’s wonderful in your area or within your niche.
- Develop a business and marketing plan, stick to it and re-evaluate it regularly.
- Establish yourself as an expert in your field or area of interest.
- Make a list of things you’d like to blog about and add them to your schedule.
Consider advertising:
- Ask local businesses to buy ad space.
- Utilize Google Ads, which is a free service.
- Ask other bloggers if they’re willing to trade ad space on their site for ad space on your site.
Expand partnerships:
- Find out if local media organizations will post your work, link to your blog, or interview you as an expert. (The Observer’s Public Insight Network is collecting names of experts for use in stories.)
- Become a regular guest blogger on one of your peer’s blogs, and include an author’s bio that directs readers to your blog.
- Network with bloggers in your area and share tips.
- Join professional organizations, like MediaBloggers.org or the Society of Professional Journalists (spj.org).
Other ideas:
- Make it easy for your readers to subscribe to your blog’s e-mail list or RSS feed.
- Add a “donate now” button, so loyal readers can contribute.
- Seek grant opportunities.
It takes time to establish a successful blog, but you can follow some of these tips to get a solid start.
