There is still a great interest in writing blogs. One of the reasons I know this is that my course on blogging currently has twelve sign-ups. That may not sound a lot, but many courses at the City Lit have far fewer.
Read Moreblogging
Blogging: a course
Every so often I read some pundit, or usually a journalist pretending to be a pundit, suggesting that blogs are dead. What can I say? They’re not.
Read MoreAI for bloggers
In my recent blogging course, I abandoned my carefully-prepared lesson, or part pf it, threw caution to the winds, and suggested to the class that we experiment with using AI for writing blog posts. Here’s a partial blog post it came up with, which you will agree is utter rubbish…
Read MoreCan artificial intelligence be used to write blog posts?
I decided to find out! In this post I show the results of:
Asking AI to create some personas, ie target readers.
Come up with some blog post ideas.
Write an outline for one of them.
Write an article for one of them.
Creating personas
I asked Claude.AI to create some personas for my writing about different forms of writing. What was the result?
Read MoreCourse: Writing For Blogs -- A Taster Nov 2022
If blogging was a person I can imagine it saying, like James Cagney, "I ain't dead yet!"
Read MoreBlogging: not dead yet
Every so often I read a blog post or a ‘commentary’ on Twitter by some self-appointed guru or other saying that blogging is passé.
Read MoreThe trials and tribulations of blogging as a SWOT analysis (Updated)
To blog or not to blog? That is the question. Here’;s a SWOT analysis to help you decide.
Read MoreIdeas for making your blog work for you (revisited)
This post from 2014 is still relevant, not least for the ‘90 tips’ article referenced within it. Enjoy.
Read MoreThe right way to write blog posts?
What is the 'correct' style for a blog post? Indeed, is there a correct style?
Read MoreCategories or tags? Or both?
It was hard enough to pluck up the courage to start your own blog, and now all of a sudden you have discovered there are things called categories and tags. What are they?
Read MoreThe best length of a blog post
Which of the following broad categories “should” your blog posts fall into?
Read More7 blogging questions
There are not really many hard and fast “rules” of blogging as such, but here are a few thoughts based on my experience of blogging, teaching teachers about blogging and teaching a course on blogging.
Read MoreCourse: Writing for Blogs: A Taster 2021
My upcoming course on blogging is not a technical course, meaning that if you want to know how to set up a blog on Wordpress or something, this course is not for you.
Read MoreConverting an offline course to an online one
When teaching a course online at an adult education institute I would say that proficiency in using the technology to teach a lesson online is an obvious prerequisite of success. In addition, an understanding of good practice in teaching adults is also essential.
Read More7 things that every serious blogger should do
If you're going to blog, please don't disrespect your reader by publishing non-proofed copy, verbose (aka pompous) writing, gratuitous swearing, incorrect words and other horrors that could easily be avoided.
Read MoreThe trials and tribulations of blogging as a SWOT analysis (Updated)
Blogging is not necessarily easy. Even if writing itself is not a problem, there are several other factors that need to be taken into account.
Read MoreBlogging: to comment or not to comment, that is the question
Is it rude to comment on blog posts?
Read MoreBlogging: Categories and tags
While I was walking, or having a swim, or doing my version of a workout in the gym, it all suddenly made sense. Categories! Tags! Of course! (Editor’s voice: enough of the exclamation marks already.)
Read MoreAnatomy of a blog post
What are the elements of a typical blog post, and why are they useful?
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