Archive for June 6th, 2009

Seth Godin speaks about my greatest blogging fear when he writes a post called:  You’re boring.

This is something I’ve been worrying about. It’s good to be a fluid writer, but what if I have nothing to say? If there’s no there there, so to speak,  it doesn’t matter if I’m a stylistic genius, there’s still no point in people reading what I’ve written.

In the context of daily blogging, what’s a person to do to keep from being boring and losing readers? Some just have a gift. Others have to work at it. I have found the following to be helpful in considering whether blog posts will resonate and generate hits or not:

1. Posts about activities that people could do, such as attending a concert, are always more attractive.

2. Posts that offer information about a skill or institution that people may be trying to research, such as how to start tomatoes inside or visit the botanic garden, are more likely to be read.

3. Posts that are written in great emotion, whether fear, anger, or love, are more attractive and interesting.

4. Posts that focus on others or offer service to others (profiles, our Fort Worth on the Web posts, reviews) are attention-getters as well. They are helpful particularly  if they save readers legwork. If I check a place out, you  don’t have to take a risk. It all comes down to this: what will the readers take away when they go?

This morning I’m going to preview the annual Fort Worth Hidden Gardens tour organized by Historic Fort Worth. I’ll enjoy the tour, and then I’ll write a review so you’ll know what it’s all about.