Blogging can be a daunting task whether you are a new or veteran blogger but it doesn’t have to be. Over the next few weeks GMT will feature a series of posts about the essentials of blogging. We will cover a variety of issues that can arise and how to handle them including: overcoming roadblocks, common mistakes, and how to gain more readers. It seems fitting to start a series on blogging about why it is an important tool and how to get started writing your blog.

Why blog?

• Blogging is one of the simplest ways to get involved as an online voice of an issue or to build your brand, especially for non-profits.
• Blogging is also a great tool to make your supporters, funders, and advocates feel more in the loop about what is happening. It puts a personal voice behind your issues and work.
• A blog is a very casual but effective way to communicate.

Where do you begin?

• First you should decide which blogging platform you and your organization would like to use, if you don’t have an option already. Some popular choices are Blogger, Wordpress, and Tumblr.
• It is important to define your audience. Knowing who your audience is will help you in creating relevant content.
• An easy way to begin the creation of content is to pick one of the most relevant and timely issues or news pieces you would like to share with your audience.
• Keep it simple. You’ll want to post concise but meaningful content. As you become familiar with blogging making longer posts may be better but to initially engage readers shorter posts that are quick to read are preferable.
• Try to post often. The more often you post the more opportunities you have to interact with your audience and build a following.  Updating frequently will help to get readers to come back.
• Another way to help get readers to come back is to begin a series. For example, an environmental group that focuses on water conservation may start a weekly series on how communities around the world work to conserve water.  
• Start writing!

A great thing about blogging is that you can make it almost anything you want it to be; you just have to start doing it. The more often that you blog the more comfortable you will become with the process. Be sure to check out our post next week on overcoming roadblocks.