A Blogging Mantra

There are many keys to a successful blog, but adopting a mantra like this can ensure that – whatever happens with your blog – your online voice is never corrupted:

• I Will Be Consistent

I will post in my own style and I will stick to it. I will not try to copy or emulate someone else, but will write as I speak. Thus, my visitors will know who I am, through my words.

• I Will Be Clear

I will say what I mean and not meander aimlessly. I will choose my words carefully, so that their meaning is never in question. I won’t use dark blue text on a black background.

• I Will Be Accurate

I will check my references. I will link to sites where I find interesting posts and from which I glean the basics upon which I comment. I will not make up statistics (even though 78.4% of people do).

• I Will Be Helpful

I will not post without purpose. I will ensure that there is something useful in every entry on my blog – even if it is just something to make my visitors smile. Spreading happiness is as helpful as the most profound insight.

• I Will Be Generous

I will not jealously guard useful information that could help others, nor knowledge I acquire as I walk life’s winding path. I will thank contributors, point visitors to helpful sites and make efforts to build a community of which I am proud to be a part.

• I Will Be Firm

I will not enter into insult-throwing matches with trolls. I will not apologise for my opinion. I will state what I believe and be willing to discuss it, but I will not allow psychotic commenters to perturb me. This is my home, and my rules apply.

• I Will Be Careful

I will check my facts. I will not offer opinion without supporting evidence. I will not give out personal details online. I will proofread my posts and ensure they contain no errors.

• I Will Be Modest

I will neither claim that I am the best thing since sliced bread, nor that I am the next ProBlogger. I will remember that, although this little piece of the Internet is mine to do with as I will, there are people out there who know more, have done more, have seen more and have achieved more than I ever will (no matter how I define those things). I will remember that I can learn from them.

• I Will Be Contactable

I will answer comments. I will check my email and I will make sure that visitors to my blog know that I am not just a disembodied voice, converted into bits and bytes. I will remember to Tweet. I may even get a FaceBook login. Or maybe not.

• I Will Be Searchable

I will make sure I remember to use tags and keywords. I will ping Technorati and maintain an RSS feed. If a visitor loses their bookmark, I will make sure that they can find me again.