Tips For Beginning Bloggers

A class at the college is having all of the students blog about course content and resources for the first five weeks of the class to generate a common understanding and develop the course from the student perspective.  In support of this I developed some ‘words of wisdom’ to help get them thinking as bloggers.
Be Authentic â?? Your blog is your online voice.  Write to express yourself not to impress others or attract an audience.  When you focus on expressing ideas, facts, and concepts that matter to you in your own voice others will pay attention to your blog.

Be Aware â?? The words your write are a public as if you were shouting from the town square but unlike the town square your self-expression can linger for a lifetime or longer.

Give Credit Where Credit is Do â?? Blogging culture is collaborative and social by nature.  Expect that others will quote you and link to your posts and you will do the same.  It is good form to provide links to the authors and posts that inspire your ideas or solicit your reactions.

Just Blog â?? Writers block is a terrible thing, but force yourself to post and you will get through it.  Start small and be persistent.

Grow as You Write â?? Blogs are works in progress.  The key is to post and revise your thoughts through subsequent posts in the end you will have something you can be proud of.  Even if it is not where you thought your thoughts were heading originally.

Solicit Feedback in your Posts â??

For posts that you are trying to â??flesh outâ?? ideas in, consider ending with a few questions to help your readers know the kind of comments that will help you develop your ideas.

Comment on The Blogs You Read â?? The value of blogging lies in the interactions and the ability to revise thoughts and thinking patterns because of those interactions.

What are the other tips that beginning bloggers are given?