Writing a blog... From a non-blogging expert...

I have now been blogging fairly regularly for the past 3-4 months. It's been tough trying to manage three blogs, and trying to post regularly on each of them, but I have enjoyed it and I am still learning a lot about writing my posts and getting them out there.

I am by no means an expert, but I thought I might share a few things I have learnt about blogging, for others who may want to start a blog themselves, and a good little exercise for myself.

Choosing a Topic
It's important to make sure you choose a topic you know a fair amount about and are passionate for, rather than just choosing a topic that might please a bigger crowd. More importantly, you want to sound like you are an expert in that field, and if you don't know what you're talking about, many readers will be able to spot a fraud from a mile off.
I chose three different subjects for my blogs. Sports - which I am fairly knowledgeable on and passionate about. TV and Film/Scripts - the basis of my university degree (whether that makes me an expert is up to you). Bits and bobs - this was created for any blog, such as this, that I may like to write which doesn't fall into the other categories. But same as the blogs themselves, I have to make sure I am knowledgeable on the post's topic.

Research

There's nothing worse than writing about a topic, coming up with a great argument, and then finding that all of what you said was wrong. Do your research before writing. Find stats. Find quotes. All helps you appear an expert in that field.

Write in Your Voice
More often than not, I've found that people are more inclined to read your blog if you write in a more relaxed, relatable tone; rather than one that may be found in a newspaper. The rule I have learnt - if it doesn't sound like something you would say whilst having a coffee with a friend, change it.

Check for Spelling and Grammatical Errors

And yes, I still trip up on this one. It's easy to blitz your way through a blog that you've written, get to the end and just want to get it out into the stratosphere as quickly as possible. You will soon been seen to not be as knowledgeable on a subject if your spelling and grammar is all over the place and people will tend to focus on that rather than the contents of your blog.
Grammatically, don't think you have to write purely in the 'Queen's English', as she is probably the only one who still talks and writes like that. Grammar and the English language is always changing and evolving.

Use Images and Videos
This helps to break up what could look like a meaty, lump of text. It also helps when referring to a topic.

Break Up Your Paragraphs
Don't try and write long paragraphs unless necessary. People prefer quick and easy content that they can skim through, and long paragraphs don't allow for that. 

Don't Set Unrealistic Goals
You're not going to hit thousands of views on your first blog, so don't expect it. The more you post, the more the views will come.
Also, manage your expectations on how many blogs you will post. Don't aim for one a day as that isn't likely, especially if you have other commitments. Start with one or two a week and build from there.

No Word Counts
You're not at uni here. Don't limit yourself to only a few words. If it's going to add something to the discussion, mention it. But don't ramble on if you don't need to. The blogs can be as long or as short as you need them to be. Quick, clear content or longer, more detailed and informative content. It's all right.

Link Within Your Blog
This could be something as simple as writing a topic about Liverpool FC and linking to their website (as shown in the sentence). This will help with clicks to your blog, but also helps your search engine ranking.
You can also link to previous blog posts or, as I do at the bottom of every post, link to other blogs that you may do.

Post to Social Media and Other Sites

This is important to help get your content out there. Your personal social media will help as friends and family will read it. If it's good enough, or if they're just nice enough, they may even share if onto their friends, and so on and so on. 
I have recently begun sharing my blogs to Reddit. Reddit consists of sub-reddits, of which there are millions of every subject you can think of. Posting your blogs on the relevant sub-reddit will help get your blog to a wider, possibly more interested audience.

Enjoy It
No, not the film, but enjoy that too. Or even read a blog on IT.
But seriously, there is no point writing a blog if you aren't going to enjoy it!

What are your tips on writing a good blog? What are the challenges you have faced if you have started your own blog? Share and comment. 

You can read my other blogs at FeedTheSport and ScriptEye here.

A. Weavers - @AdamWWeavers94 (Twitter)