Know-How Exchange : Other

1. Be very clear on what the objective is. How will you know if your new blog is successful? Establish clear metrics and watch the results closely. Be prepared to change course if it doesn't look like you're going to reach the goal you've established, or modify the goal if appropriate.

2. Read the collective mind of your target audience. The better you understand what their self-talk is, what is important to them, what they value, what keeps them awake at night, etc., the better able you will be to deliver meaningful content in your blog. And the more relevant you are to them the more valuable the blog will become.

3. Unless the blog is just to satisfy your own need to be creative, stay focused on your goal and your target audience. Re-read points #1 and #2 above.

First, determine the goal of your blog. Why are you writing it, whom are you writing it for, and what do you hope to provide and/or gain?

Then, consider your audience. What is appropriate and what is of interest?

Read through blogs that you read or that are posted across Mashable - what do they have in common? Typically, short lists, numbers, and statistics help hold reader interest.

Wow, that's a big question with many possible answers. I'll offer one piece of advice that I've found invaluable as a relatively new blogger myself: develop an editorial calendar. That will help you ensure you can keep that beast fed regularly. Consult your goals and objectives, and keep your target audience in mind, constantly while developing your editorial calendar. Review it at least monthly for currency, as you'll find inspiration for new ideas everywhere. Consider opportunities for curating content from time to time, or tapping a guest blogger, to give you a break from time to time. Hope that helps! Best of luck to you.

Thanks so much for these answers.
My knowledge is in geographic information systems@ database/spatial data processing, or GIS, used to work for WA DOT, certified GISP.

I started mappaMundiGIS LLC to be my own boss. The software I have experience with is too expensive, so I''m retraining in open source GIS software.
I''m involved with the professional groups for surveying an GIS, and have been following and writing about LightSquared''s I''ll advised push to get the use of wireless bands at almost nothing from the FCC. If this service stArts, then. GPS will be intefered with and we lose a valuable public utility.
Here''s why
1 I want to stay on top of new stuff in GIS/ surveying.
2. I want to build my brand while retraining
3. I need a central place for GIS related info as well as poetry etc.
4. I want to build links/ networks/reputation that will help me get business.
Audience is GIS/Surveyors worldwide
I go to meetings, hang with and post answers and news on the listserve to be current.

Blog goals:
1 post cool stuff about GIS
2 post news, controversy etc
3 be fun to read
4 attract traffic that I will use to offer GIS services
5 finally, as an old dog learning new tricks, I will blog at least weekly on what it''s like to move from MS software to opensource
(motivation. For retraining & continuing theme)

Like the Blog
to support itself with click ads but have to find out how.
Schedule sounds good
Thanks again I look forward to your comments
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