Thanks for sharing the ‘gem’ Rob. Being very green on blogging and feeling my way through not only the subtleties of what it takes to blog well (while wondering what the blue blazes I'm crouched in front of this screen for yet another few hours after work!?), but trying to decipher the other code too... the intricacies of the technology behind the blog! Not only am I often baffled by the navigation through the menus, but working out what half of these weirdly-named plug-in like icons do…!? I feel as though I’m Harry Potter arriving at Hogwarts and there are not only strange rules I don’t quite get, but the odd trick step on the stairs and Peeves tossing things my way! Boy, do I agree with Kaushik’s #3 – this lot takes time! Ah well, time to go slay some dragons, so that’s me. Keep up the good work.

Posted by DaveG on 2006/10/10

great article, I see its important to convey some "personality" through the blog, it is afterall a social experience, people disseminating information, discussing ideas, etc.

Posted by gavin on 2006/10/10

Thanks, great article. Hang in there Dave. I've been researching and then researching some more. I don't consider myself as nearly an advanced user yet, but then I do feel that I'm making some headway here. With articles like these, it makes the job easier. It's also very funny seeing the faces of regular users when you start talking blog lingo. ;-)

Posted by Henre on 2006/10/10

I think point 7 is particularly pertinent - a readership is built up over a long period of time, and you need to be pretty patient in the beginning.

Posted by Craig on 2006/10/10

Verbose is only bad when the" verbs" you choose are of no meaning Mr Stokes. Clearly Mr Kaushik has the right kind of action words to draw inspiration from when creating a post. Point 5 "respect the intelligence of your audience" is my favourite. I understand this point as the ability to produce content that will not undermine or over-estimate your audience's intelligence. Stay with them intellectually and they will stay with you indiscriminantly.

Posted by Smallz on 2006/10/11

A question for those who are further down the path in Wonderland here ('scuse me - I'm feeling a lttle Alice'ish today). How exactly does one get to know your audience? I suppose that through comment and debate they test the value of your thoughts? As one begins, like I am, should I be conversing with a "virtual" target audience and let it go from there? Methinks I may have answered myself there?... ah well, tea with the March Hare anyone?

Posted by DaveG on 2006/10/11

To try and answer dave's question I would have to refer to point 8 from Mr Kaushik - "Have goals. whatever you want them to be". When you have a goal, the target audience should be a natural progression. However, things change over time and you may find that a different unintended audience is warming up to your content. I would think that this is the part where your blog will begin to have a exciting life of its own, although ultimately shaped by its audience. You may also need to change strategy if you notice that nothing is happening after a significant amount of time. I hope this helps.

Posted by Smallz on 2006/10/11

@ Dave. My simple answer is to read a lot of related blogs and be an active participant in the conversation. Commenting on other's blogs is almost more important than writing on your own.

Posted by Rob on 2006/10/11