OK, now you have a blog. What are you going to do with it?
There are a few things you should know about writing a blog posts. While there are examples of every conceivable style of writing on blogs across the Web, there are a few qualities which blog writing tends to share:- It’s short: Reading on the screen isn’t as enjoyable as reading on paper, so people tend to shy away from really long pieces. 2,000 words is long for a blog post; 1,000 words is a pretty good goal; short pieces of 300 words or so are perfectly acceptable.
- Paragraphs are shorter: Because you have to scroll a lot when reading on a screen, paragraphs tend to be shorter so a whole thought can fit in a browser window.
- Important points are highlighted: Online readers tend to skim through pieces, so web writers often put key points in bold type so their readers can easily pick out the crucial stuff.
- Bulleted lists are common: Bulleted lists are another way that skimmers are accommodated, making all the main points easily available.
- It contains links to other sites: Blogging tends to take advantage of the ability to link to other work, either to offer up references (e.g. a link to a definition of a difficult word or concept on Wikipedia) or to continue conversations started elsewhere (e.g. a link to a post on another blog which you’re responding to).
- It’s conversational in tone: Blog writing tends to be a little more personal than most writing. What readers tend to respond to is the writer’s unique voice, their personality as expressed through their writing. That means you can use “I” and “you”, you can use slang.
- It says something unique: Readers aren't going to want to read through your posts if all you do is self promotion. Besides being against our terms of use, it really is bad form. Let the rest of the site promote who you are through the Artisan Directory or your Profile. Blog posts should be what you find interesting besides just sales.
When deciding whether to post your item to the front page of byhand.me, make sure that it will offer every user on the site something valuable that will keep them coming back. If you are blogging about something personal, it's best to leave that in your own blog and off the front page. However, if you found a shop you couldn't live without, say a supplier that has great customer service, this would be very front page worthy so that other artisans are informed.
Read the full article where some of these tips were gleamed on LifeHack.
Additionally, there are certain rules to follow for posting your blog entries to the front page of ByHand.
Member Blog entries are placed in the Community Blog for crafters and buyers alike to read and enjoy. Buyers can review products or make recommendations on their blogs or share artist interviews, while artists can promote their craft, selling tips, tutorials, run contests, and more. Members can also choose to have their blog entries posted to the front page of ByHand. Everyone can help promote handmade by taking part in this vital section of the community. Please be sure you've read the TOU regarding blogging to the front page to avoid having your entry removed to only the community blog.
Please note that repeatedly posting blog entries promotional material to the front page for the purpose of bumping yourself up is prohibited. Posting about your work, sales and contests is fine, however please do not post the same deals more than once before their expiration. Also, front page blog entries should consist of several paragraphs. Short one paragraph entries and one liners will be removed from the front page.
Need more help?
Please use our Help forum if you need additional assistance. Here are a few help topics already in place:
