No matter which subject you choose to write your blog about, and no matter what theme you choose or have made for your site - there is one thing, and one thing only, that will truly make your blog stand out - and that’s you.
Your writing style is your “voice” online, and once you find it, your blog will begin to shape around it. If you’re new to blogging, it may take a while for you to find your own style. When you first start its very easy to either be too dry and news-like, giving you no voice at all, or too much like one of your favorite bloggers.
Just like any writing, when you’re first starting out you will most likely look at examples of others, and whether you know it or not, will emulate them in some form or fashion. After you’ve begun to blog for a while, however, you’ll find your voice starting to creep out and eventually taking over.
For me, it was actually surprising, at first - since I was writing in the tech sector - I tried my best to emulate the big boys in that blogging world. The problem was, I didn’t really like the big boys in that world. So I quickly grew tired of it, and found my own style which has served me well.
The real question is - how do you find it?
Three words: practice, practice, practice. The more you write, the more comfortable you’ll be, and the more your true personality will shine through. Blogs, no matter what the subject, are driven by personality. It’s what separates blogs from other publishing platforms. We are allowed, by the very design of our means of publishing, to be more spontaneous and personal. So don’t be afraid to let your true voice and attitude shine through in your work.
When you write, keep in mind that if you’re reporting something like industry news, that people can go to any blog or site on that subject and get the same news. It’s the way its presented to them that makes them come to your site.
How do you present your news and information in a way that is unique to you?
Those of you that have been writing for years offline or even in forums, will probably not have trouble letting your personality show through in your blogging, but even still, you’ll find - over time - that your style will change and evolve to fit the medium in which you’re writing.
Don’t rush it, though. Take your time finding your “groove” when you first start blogging. Set a schedule that you can keep, and stick to it. If you’re more experienced, try to take an objective look at what you’re writing, and how you’re writing it. Make sure you enjoy reading what you’ve written. If you don’t find it engaging - how can you expect the reader to?
There are thousands, if not millions of different voices out there in the blogosphere, and each one them is interesting in different ways. That’s how crowded niches can still be successful for multiple blogs. It’s the different voices that make the sites unique. Find yours, and your blogging will become a little easier...and a lot more fun.
Finding your Blogging “Voice”
- MichaelMurphey
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