Waterscape blogs

Waterscape is experimenting with blogs by BW staff members:  Blogs on Waterscape.com 

I think this is a great move and sets a good example for other public corporations.

In any organisation it's tough to get going if it's imposed from the top.  That is, it's not enough for the boss to say "Right, you you and you, start blogging!"   There'll be one long, rambling article about nothing in particular, and then nothing at all thereafter. 

Instead, it's more about encouraging those staff who write good and sensible emails to be open with their thoughts.  If they've always been sensible (and literate) in their emails, they will probably be good bloggers.

Seven good guidelines when you are starting to blog:

1. Have something you want to say.  Don't just sit down and think "right, I need to do a blog today, what shall I write?"
2. Think of it as a memo to the boss.   Be positive: say how things could be better, don't say what's wrong.   If you do rant, give a positive flourish to the end.
3. Make the main point in the first paragraph.  In other words, if someone doesn't read beyond the first para, they should still come away with the gist.
4. Keep it short - no more than a screenful if possible.  As a rule of thumb, if readers need to scroll down to read it all, they probably won't bother. 
5. Add links; give people a reason to leave your site.  If you give good links , they'll come to rely on you and return to read you.   Link, link, link to stuff you like.
6. Try to keep on one subject.  Split different points into different posts.
7. A list of things (as here) always works well in a blog post.  People love lists.

You can break these rules when you are experienced and have developed your own voice, of course, but sticking to them will help in the early days.

[I've updated and expanded this post from its original pocket-sized version]  

Comments

[Bill Rodgers]

I agree with your suggestions especially no verbal diarrhea (my words) but would add, one picture is worth a thousand words.

[Chris]

Hi Bruce

Good idea - RSS feed is now up, at http://blog.waterscape.com/feed

Cheers,

Chris

[Bruce Napier]

Glad I normally read you in RSS feed!

Speaking of which, an RSS button on the Waterscrape blogs would be good – I'm not going back to the main site all the time to check for additions.

All the best

(and good luck with sorting the site)

Bruce