The document provides guidance on how to blog effectively in 4 key steps: 1) Create a topic by keeping a journal of ideas and combining notes into blog topics. Consider turning topics into a series. 2) Draft the blog beginning with an opening line, main points, and call to action. Revise by adding depth, links, and editing. 3) Finalize the draft with good writing that is useful, scannable, and uses a plain style and style guide. Consider the audience. 4) Post the blog and continue engaging by responding to feedback, updating posts, and promoting conversation.

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How to Blog
A Quick Overview

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Workflow
•Jot notes down in a
First Draft •Follow any the style
Post it!
journal guide
•Review your notes •Write the first draft •Write in a everyman, •Update things change
•Combine several ideas •Look what others have plain style •Respond to feedback
in your notes into a topic written •Keep the Audience in •You are not the
•Run the idea past Mind smartest person on this
someone else topic
Create a
Final Draft
Topic

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Create a Topic
Keep a Journal
• Ideas need time to germinate
• Combining a couple ideas into a post
• Think about a series of posts
Don’t Do “Me To”
• Be Useful
• Be Unique
• Partner with someone to do posts
Is this a series
• Is there more to say than just one post can take
• Are you adding on to something you said before?
• Are you adding on to something

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The First Draft
The Parts
• The Opening Line
• Your Points / A Call to Action
• Your Title
Revise
• Add Depth
• Links to Community
• Use an Editor
Quality Control
• No Jargon / Use a plain style
• Grammar
• Spelling

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The Final Draft
Good Writing
• Useful
• Scannable
• Use a everyman, plain style
The Style Guide
• Correct Colors
• Correct Fonts
Who is your audience
• What language do they use
• Are you using any undefined nouns
• Be respectful

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Post It!
Things to consider
• Timing
• Promotion
• Conversation
Updates
• Do not delete
• Use Strikeout
• Mark additions as Updates
Respond to Feedback
• Write a Blog in response to good ideas
• Openness of your response to feedback
• Your audience is smarter than you

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What is Scannable Content
• Use Lists
• Use fonts (Bold, CAPITALS, Italics, Underlining)
• Use Headings
– and subheadings
• Use Pictures
• Use Block Quotes
• Use White Space
• Get to the Point
– Highlight your points
– Reinforce your main point
– Don’t introduce new ideas other than your main point