How To Become A Blogger

In response to a recent email, for the millionth time, here is "How To Become A Blogger":

1. Read some interesting blogs
2. Make (non-spam) comments there, so the authors begin to know who you are
3. Start a blog, making posts commenting on some of the more interesting things that those other bloggers say
4. Respond to comments and links
5. Go to 1, repeat.

Results may vary. If a rash develops, discontinue.

Comments

[Dundee]

Pretty simple and funny.

[Lorna Li]

Hey Stowe,

Thanks for breaking it down so simply! It's easy to get bogged down with all the things you can do to trick out your blog, SEO your blog, widgetize the heck out of it etc, and this can suck up all your time.

Even writing regularly is a huge discipline, let alone writing the requisite 2 posts a day that is the hallmark of most successful blogs (according to stats shown at the Web 2.0 Expo). I must admit, I'm hitting a 6 month lull in blogging motivation. Thanks for making it simple again!

Cheers,

Lorna Li

[Mayank Agrawal]

I have heard a lot about blogging and seen people talking about bloggers and hiring them. Really felt an urge to start blogging myself. I typed "How To Become A Blogger" on google and saw this. And m on my way blogging. Thanks

[Christopher Herot]

That's essential advice for getting integrated into the infrastructure of the blogosphere, i.e. ensuring that when you write something interesting that some influential people will take notice and tell everyone else to read it. Once you are in that position you need to write something interesting. I've found that when I write something from personal experience it can get 10x the readership of posts that merely riff on something I read somewhere else. Your mileage may vary.

P.S. May favorite posts of Stowe's are those that reflect on how he does consulting. I retained him as a consultant on the strength of those posts. Another benefit of blogging.

[Jeneane]

Oh, a rash *will* develop.

[Colin Fast]

#3 is exactly the problem with most blogs today: too much retreading of other people's posts, not enough original thoughts. If you really feel the need to have a blog for vanity purposes then I guess this works, but you're not adding much more value to the conversation than you would by just sticking to commenting on other blogs.

[Small Business Marketing]

You forgot to add...Do most of this in the middle of the night.
I love this post.

[garry]

WOW! what an informative article, I wish everyone put as much time and effort into their work as you do. Truly inspirational, I feel after reading this my blog is going to move to a much higher level.

[nikhil upare]

I am a Computer Engineer from INDIA but didn't know anything about blogging...............but as I know myself I have very good in thoughts with my knowledge but by sharing it with world I can share my knowledge with people and same way can improve my knowledge So thank u for introducing me about blogging I will be very thankful to you............

[Liz]

I'm doing a career research project at my school. And for this we have to research a career after taking this career aptitude test, right? And for me the highest is communication, and "blogger" was an option which struck me for some reason...this kinda helped me out. Like by telling me what things I might want to look into to actually become a blogger could help out younger people lost in the dark. And this way, you can get a feel for what it is exactly that you're looking into, and it was helpful.