I’m in the process of updating some training on blog writing and so asked my Twitter followers for their top tips and how they approach writing a post.

Here’s what they came up with:

• Think about using The Pomodoro Technique® (structured time keeping for activities) here’s an example post using it. – @abigailH
• ‘Think about where else it might get re-produced write with a specific audience in mind.’ – @AdamVincenzini
• ‘Use a local/offline editor — on the Mac, MarsEdit is king.’ – @nevali
• ‘If I can nail the title, the rest of the post just writes itself. The title describes “what?” and the post fulfils “so what?”‘ – @helenduffett
• ‘Don’t be afraid to amend or add to a blog post after it has been published as a story evolves or new facts emerge .’ – @jonworth
• ‘Do it somewhere different from other work. I often write posts with my laptop on the kitchen counter (with coffee).’ – @stray_and_ruby
• ‘Really, really keep most posts under 300 words. Always look at the word count, so you know how much you write.’ – @gregorymarler
• ‘People love reading about themselves, so write about people.My concert reviews of visiting USchoirs are widely read.’ – @timothywriting
• ‘Find your voice.’ – @dickyadams

And mine?

I try to think about what might be useful or entertaining to others and I occasionally use this blog to think aloud. Presuming that you’ve already decided roughly on a topic or have an idea these tips might also help:

• Write your post as an email to yourself
• Explain your idea for a post to someone else, thinking about the main thing you’re trying to say, then write it down
• Don’t worry about writing from the top, start in the middle and then fill in as you go
• Think about how you would explain something to someone else
• Just go for it, then edit
• Have a person in mind that you’re writing to

UPDATE 20.45, 16/06/2011
I think I’ve been caught out…


;-)