The document analyzes different types of blog posts and their effectiveness. It identifies 10 types of posts: memes, lists, piggybacking, life blogging, detractor posts, breaking news, links, reviews, surveys, and live blogging. For each type, it explains what it is, provides examples, discusses why it works and its difficulty to create and potential to generate attention. The conclusion rates each type based on these criteria to help bloggers determine what kind of posts may work best for their blog.

1. What sorts of blog posts work? A typology of blogposts

2. You can write dull posts on a blog that no one will read

3. And you can write interesting posts on a blog that no one will read

4. But some posts work better than others

5. The answer (in brief) Memes Lists Piggyback Life blogging Detractor Breaking news Links Reviews Surveys Live blogging

6. Now we will: Explain each type of post give you examples Tell you how it works Rate how difficult they are to write And how much attention they can receive

7. Memes How do you do it? A list of questions that you found on another site You answer on your site and Nominate other bloggers to take the questions from your site and repeat ad nauseum

8. For example Iain Dale takes on a meme, develops it and passes it on.

9. Why do memes work? Because you are building a network (the site that links to you and the sites you link to) It’s been proven to stimulate debate by the other sites (or else you wouldn’t have picked it up) Difficulty: 1/5 Buzz: 4/5

10. Lists A list of things, such as: Top 10 films this year 5 best holidays 10 favourite outfits 50 best games of football 10 favourite sportspeople

11. For example This frontpage of The Times shows that 2 of their 4 most read stories were lists

12. Why do lists work? They create debate Why wasn’t X in, why wasn’t Y higher Easy to read Compelling title Frequently used search term Difficulty: 2/5 Buzz: 3/5

13. Piggyback Giving your view on a top issue of the day BUT You need to have a unique view either from your perspective, knowledge or research

14. For example

15. Why does it work? Lots of people are interested in the issue You can link to your blog from other sites talking about the same issue Difficulty: 1/5 Buzz: 2/5

16. Life blogging Posts about your life, anything from: what you did at the weekend to Why you need to take the car to the garage It works when: You can give advice to other people in the same situation (what’s good to do in Bristol with young children, where’s a good garage to change your exhaust) You have a regular following of readers who want to know more about you

17. For example

18. Why does it work? Very useful for a small number of people Long term usefulness for search engine users It’s like writing an open letter to a group of friends Difficulty: 3/5 Buzz: 2/5

19. Detractor Criticise something A piece of technology A bad restaurant An unreliable tradesman Be careful of libel and defamation legislation; it still aplies

20. For example

21. Why does it work? Long term usefulness for a search engine Very valuable to prospective purchasers Choose a low profile product and your review will be one of a few Choose a high profile product and it could be useful for a journalist reviewing a product launch Difficulty: 3/5 Buzz: 2/5

22. Breaking news Just as it says on the tin

23. For example

24. Why does it work? It’s unique Other sites will (mostly) link back to you when reporting it You will get repeat visits as the story unfolds Difficulty 5/5 Buzz: 5/5

25. Links Provide links to low profile (or news) websites and blogs

26. For example

27. Why does it work? The other (smaller) sites will be grateful to you and link to your site Difficulty 4/5 Buzz: 2/5

28. Reviews of products, films, books, music etc.

29. For example

30. Why does it work? Many people see bloggers as more authentic than professional reviewers You can get traffic through search engines (though unlikely for frequently reviewed products or films) If someone really disagrees with you, it can create buzz Difficulty: 2/5 Buzz: 1/5

31. Surveys What do your readers think about a topic?

32. For example

33. Why does it work? Engage your readers Create new content Difficulty: 2/5 Buzz: 1/5

34. Live blogging Giving your thoughts during an event

35. For example

36. Why does it work? Engage readers in a minute by minute commentary Involve them in a developing event Hold your readers for the duration Difficulty: 3/5 Buzz: 3/5

37. In conclusion Memes Difficulty: 1/5 Buzz: 4/5 Lists Difficulty: 2/5 Buzz: 3/5 Piggyback Difficulty: 1/5 Buzz: 2/5 Life blogging Difficulty: 3/5 Buzz: 2/5 Detractor Difficulty: 3/5 Buzz: 2/5 Breaking news Difficulty: 5/5 Buzz: 5/5 Links Difficulty: 4/5 Buzz: 2/5 Reviews Difficulty: 2/5 Buzz: 1/5 Surveys Difficulty: 2/5 Buzz: 1/5 Live blogging Difficulty: 3/5 Buzz: 3/5

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