How to Create a Snazzy Blog

I have seen a lot of blogs, and used a variety of blog layouts. This is my limited expertise in the topic. I have narrowed this post down to explain what I think should be "musts" and "no-no's" for (most) every blog, and confirmation for common blogging myths.

Musts:

1. Use correct grammar and spelling.
Make sure to always spell correctly, or use spell check if need be. Make sure your grammar as a blogger is also up-to-date. It is not pleasant to read a blog that says something like: "My friend and me went to the Market 2day: it was fun." It's okay if you make mistakes; nobody is perfect!

2. Blog "Hop"
"Blog hopping" is when a blogger visits other people's blogs and leaves comments/gathers links to add to their blog. Make sure to add a separate subdomain or sidebar list of your favorite blogs, so they gain traffic and you are possibly added to their list, gaining traffic of your own. Every time you leave a comment on somebody's blog post, be sure to link your website URL to your name, so users can click over to your site if they're interested in hearing more from you.

3. Use subdomains and pages
If creating your own domain name for your blog, do not only use the homepage. Get creative with pages (ex: www.____.com/about) and share your talents. It is fun to hear from somebody that has more to say than what's in their niche (personal interest topic within blog). If you can't learn to make pages quite yet (Blogger has a very nice, easy service for that), create a subdomain (ex: www.about._____.com) that works just as well.

4. Advertise and get paid (optional)
There are plenty of built-in options for page ads and product reviews on most blogging hosts, and loads of instant, independent websites that scope you out themselves! If you are looking for paid opportunities, check out PayPerPost.com.

5. Photography
You don't have to be a pro photographer, but at least buy a $100-$200 camera and take some shots for each post. You'll be highly respected by your viewers when they find a beautiful new picture on your blog that you have taken especially for them.

6. Uniqueness and Inspiration
Though anyone can make a lifestyle blog like mine, what makes it unique is your special life experiences and outlooks. My inspiration comes from many of my friend bloggers and world famous blogger Karen Cheng. It's important to use a common environment that your viewers feel comfortable in, but think outside the box with your design and what you post.

No-nos:

1. Cboxes or unusual widgets
Tacky and not fun at all. If you want to be more user-friendly and "trendy" (unprofessional), go ahead. They can be fun for casual bloggers, but perhaps not for middle-bloggers like myself.

2. Smileys
I cannot stand reading blogs with smileys! Try using creative writing to express what you feel while using the smileys. Many find it much more original. Unique writing and phrases get you a long way; smileys are bold and can make for messy paragraphs.

3. Comments
While comments can be a great discussion prop, they can cause conflict and are not all that important in gaining traffic for your website. Be cautious when choosing whether to keep or rid comments on your blog posts.

Myths:

1. It doesn't matter what you blog about.
In fact, it does a great deal matter what you blog about. You never know who could be taking a peak at your website. A future employee, a co-worker, even a teacher or a parent. I know my parents read my blog and enjoy it, but therefore I am also very careful about what I post.

2. Blogging costs money.
No, it does not! If you want your own domain name (.com, .org), you do need to pay a small price of $10-$30 per year. Most bloggers start out on sites like Wordpress.com or Blogger.com, and then convert to Wordpress.org. Some choose to make it even more small on LiveJournal or VOX (discontinued). All are great, but I'd suggest Blogger for newcomers.

3. Blogging is for people with "the gift".
There is no "gift" of blogging. You cannot be born to blog. You can be born to write, however, and the people with selective writing skills are more prone to get the most readers and fans on their blogs. If you have something important to say and you know how to word it right, you can most definitely blog!

I hope this post helps you bloggers just getting started! These are the words of (minor) experience.