Blogging Tips!

October 29

Blog tip no.2: Create a theme

Pick something that’s slighlty comical in your life - like that pair of socks that has WAY too many holes but you just can’t bring yourself to toss - and mention it every 4-5 entries.  Write an entry devoted to the socks to start off with - the story about WHY they’re so confusingly important to you, and then proceed to bring them up now and then.

So I have these socks.  They’re nothing special.  White.  Got some pink stripes.  Girly.

But they’re filled with holes.

And internet, I know this is terrible of me, but I just can’t bring myself to throw them out.

Any other pair of socks?  Fine.  I toss them so fast you’d think they were swarming with maggots.  Holy socks are the worst, especially when you’re walking a long way and you keep getting rubbed on the bare spots.

The deal with these particular socks, though, is that I’m pretty convinced that they’re lucky socks.  My husband things I’m crazy, but let me explain before you go agreeing with him.

While writing about something bland, just throw it in.  New readers won’t catch the punchline, but older readers will feel like they’re part of an inside joke.

I was finally ready for my interview, hole-filled socks and all, when Josh annonced that, um, honey?  The car has broken down.

Shit.

It works well!

+

Blog tip no.1: Address your readers

There’s something appealing about a blog that speaks directly to its readers.  Instead of  writing as though there’s no one around (other than your goldfish, Stanley), make it seem like you are TALKING to your best friend.  Ask questions.  For example:

“Today I ran into Steve on my way to yoga, which was fine, except that it totally amplified the fact that I still have a madly inescapable crush on him.  I didn’t say anything, as usual, but guys:  What would YOU do? I mean, yes he has a daughter and I’m not into the whole KIDS thing, but I think I might be able to cope with it.  She seems sweet.

Maybe I should just tell him how I feel…”

This gives the reader a REASON to comment, and also makes them feel included.