Choosing your niche March 26, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in Blog networks, Internet, blogging, headlines, structure, style, technique.1 comment so far
One of the most important things you have to do when thinking of a good blog is to figure out what you believe is your blog’s specialty. If you try to hit everything, you will only get nothing but confusion from potential readers.
The question then remains: “What should I blog about?” For many, it’s a particular thing they enjoy. Salon.com has a segment known as “Ask the Pilot,” which is a blog written by an airline pilot. You can find theme blogs all over. I’ve found blogs on pugs, naval ships, even toilets.
It all boils down to what you want to talk about. Think well, and knock yourself out.
How to write a great blurb November 26, 2006
Posted by JamesVinzer in articles, blogging, structure, style, technique.add a comment
A blurb is a mini-article. These articles are often used for describing new technologies, or gizmos, gadgets, etc.
These blurbs usually consists of one, and no more then two paragraphs. This means that you will need to summarize all of the information you desire in those two paragraphs, because anything more will lose the attention of the reader.
The two paragraphs can be broken into two separate areas. The first paragraph is directed at the audience of the blurb, and the second is a description of what is being blurbed. (Is that a word?)
For our example, I link you to a particularly good Gizmodo blurb. Note how Mark presents a reason why you would want to buy this thing: “For only $3, you can own a pocket spy camera that takes stills and movies, and can double as a webcam.” He’s trying to get you on the price of the camera, as well as the fact that it is easily pocketable.
In the second paragraph comes the specs, or the description of the camera. In here, you play the specifications that people will like. Here, people are wanting something that is small and will fit into their pockets. But Mark doesn’t discuss the history of the gadget in question, which if you check the comments of the site, doesn’t seem rather good. Now, I’m not saying you should outright lie about the description (You shouldn’t.) But you can present only the specs people will care about.
Lastly, especially for a cheap P.O.S like this, it’s good to include a little humor about the object. Just a little something to make the reader chuckle.
Blurbs are good for people who do things like reviewing small things such as software, devices, billboards and the like. The only things I’d recommend you stay away from are things like movies and restaurants. Those require a full-scale article for reviewing.
Happy Blurbing, and good Blogging!
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