Blogging Tips for the "MSM"

Quietly, without fanfare, Inga Saffron at the Inquirer has started to blog. She's not listed as a blogger on Philly.com's main list, but should be. I'm mentioning her because her blog has something that the others on that list, excluding Attytood and Blinq, and including the ballyhooed Early Word do not - a blogroll. For that brave step - I'm happy to include her headlines here at Philly Future.

A few words of advice to thos bloggers listed Philly.com (this excludes Attytood and Blinq), and for any other local media that is deciding to hop into the fray:

The first - (and it seems that Early Word is gets this) - speak with a personal voice on the subject matter you are covering. To cut thru the noise of the net, readers need something more than just the facts - they need to hear the writer's passion on the subject they are covering. Passion and authenticity build trust.

Secondly - link outbound. Link to others who are covering your topic. To be radical - link to bloggers you disagree with. To be typical - at least link to bloggers you find are interesting and support your point of view. Linking to articles and resources across the web makes your site valuable to the reader - you are providing a filtering service for them - a new form editorializing - and it shows the reader you aren't simply promoting your employer. Most importantly - linking outbound actually expands conversation. And that is what the mass of blogging is all about - the conversation that takes place between bloggers via their links and posts.

Third - and speaking of conversation - visit other bloggers and comment when you feel the urge. Don't hold back! You'd be surprised at how sharing your opinion at someone else's blog can encourage them to check out yours. It's about the conversation. The more we share and connect - the better.

Fourth - add a blogroll. This is related to the linking outbound tip. A blogroll shares with the visitor other sites you find are interesting. Blogrolls aren't necessary - and some would say they are actually detrimental because they are standing links - but they show a willingness to be open - and let us in on who you read regularly.

Fifth - change your design template from the defaults that the weblog tool provider gives you. Leaving the default up is - sorry to say this - boring. How about hiring a local design firm - and hyping their service? Philadelphia has some of the best.

I've talked about Blinq and Attytood a lot here at Philly Future. I'm a fan of both. But now when asked for favorite local bloggers who work for newspapers - I will definitely share one more - Philadephia Weekly's, Daniel McQuade authored Philadelphia Will Do. It has established itself - by following all of the above tips I am sharing with you - and doing it with wit and great writing.