Blogging has become the opinion column of today’s readers. When you’re looking for an honest, down-to-earth appraisal of an idea, product, or service, most likely you’ll turn to a blog (and the ensuing comments) to find out what real people think. That’s because a blog is more likely to present both sides of the story and to offer practical information without the sales hype you might find on the company page.rnAs an article writer, I am often asked to write blog posts for websites on topics ranging from social media to landscaping to plastic surgery. While it’s impossible to present a first-hand opinion on every one of those topics, I have learned that you can still give readers the personal connection and constructive information they’re looking for without simply rehashing someone else’s blog post.rnrn Follow the Rules of Good WritingrnrnGrammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling—they’re all rules for a reason, and it’s not so that English geeks can snicker at you when you use a semi-colon instead of a dash. Following the rules of the road as an article writer helps communicate your message more effectively.rnrn Be ConcisernrnDon’t take four sentences to explain something that could be said in two. Great writers know how to communicate in as few words as possible.rnrn Be ConversationalrnrnOne of the unique aspects of blogging for an article writer is that you can talk to your audience as if you were in the same room. That means it’s okay to give an opinion, write in first person, and offer personal experiences. The less academic you sound, the better your readers will relate to you.rnrn Offer a New Take on an Old TopicrnrnThere are plenty of people out there who have already written about the same topic you’re tackling, and they might have greater experience. So it’s important that you not just rehash what they’ve written, but instead find a new way to express those previous ideas. Every post should aim to produce quality information, not just fill space.rnrn Make ‘Em LaughrnrnDon’t leave your sense of humor at the door. One of the best ways for an article writer to connect with people is to make them laugh. That doesn’t mean you have to tell jokes. It could mean relating an embarrassing personal experience you had that others can relate to.rnrn Fight FluffrnrnAbove all, make sure that every post you write actually says something. The reader should leave the page with more knowledge than he had before. If he doesn’t, it won’t be long before he abandons your blog altogether.
