You certainly don’t need a journalism background to be a blogger. But if you’re trying to win over repeat readers, it can help to think like a journalist when it comes to your blog.
An ability to analyze data and provide clear and concise posts will win you readers who will turn to your blog as a trustworthy, reliable source of information.
Here are five lessons from journalism that will help give your blog a journalistic edge:
1. Consider the Inverted Pyramid Style. Put the essential data for your post in the lead. What will a reader learn by taking the time to read your post? Put it upfront.
I love reading (and writing) a well crafted, magazine-style lead. But the clever lead doesn’t work as well online since readers tend to do more skimming than leisure reading. The inverted pyramid of old-style newspaper journalism works for online writing.
2. Always Check Your Facts. The last thing you want to do is misspell a proper noun—especially a name. Sure, it’s an easy correction. But how many of your readers will see that you’ve botched a high-profile person’s name before you correct it? Always doubt yourself when writing a proper noun (names, cities, companies, titles). Even if you think you have it right, make a habit of double-checking before posting so you won’t be embarrassed later.
3. Question your sources. Don’t rely on one source if you’re reporting anything as a fact, especially if it’s a community-generated site like Wikipedia. Use Wikipedia with discretion and find a more reliable source for confirmation.
4. Be economical with your words. First drafts tend to ramble. Most people write wordy first drafts and wordiness is annoying to your readers. After you’ve written a post, go back into the rough draft and strike through the modifiers (adjectives and adverbs), and only keep the essential. Don’t be precious with your words. Make the delete key your friend when you’re in edit mode.
5. Use a consistent style. Every journalist is familiar with the trade bible the AP StyleBook since most newspapers and magazines adhere to AP Style. Should you capitalize “Internet”? Spell out a state’s name or abbreviate? You don’t have to use AP Style, but be consistent. Consistency will give your blog a professional appearance and set you apart from the great blogging masses.
*flickr photo by Jonathan W
-Maria Schneider
Who are your favorite bloggers? Please share here (with links, of course!)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
You mean besides you? :)
My favorite blogger right now is Chris Brogan (just popped out to check the spelling on that). I love the way Chris writes. Most of the big bloggers all seem to be saying the same things (seems like an echo chamber sometimes) but even if Chris does that, he always sounds fresh.
And I find Copy Shark very useful. Honesty is a wonderful thing.
~jon
I’m not a journalist, but a full-time copywriter and I honestly believe that my job has helped and improved my creative writing over the years. It has given me more discipline and shown me how important points 4 and 5 in this list are, particularly.
Useful post – thank you.
Some readers have said I blog like a reporter. I guess that’s a good thing.
Let us all “master the simple declarative sentence.” (Writer’s Digest tip, 1970s or so)
Your are Great. And so is your site! Awesome content. Good job guys! Interesting article, adding it to my favourites!
This is fabulous information, especially about Wikipedia and rambling. I’ve found people like a lot of pictures along with the words. I also enjoyed your 60/40 rule of self promotion. I’m relatively new to blogging and this is great advice. Writing for the internet and search engines is different and I totally agree to put the most important information at the beginning. I’ve experienced the difference for myself when I see what words readers used to search eventually landed them at my site. Thank you so much. You have a terrific blog and I shall return again soon.
Sam Hoffer