Is your blog suffering from Lame Blog Syndrome? Unsure of what to post on a new blog? This session offers tips on finding your unique voice, and expressing your passion through blogging. Learn how to share your story with your followers and keep them coming back for more!

1. SARAH COLEMAN
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
SARAH.COLEMAN@JEFFCOLIBRARY.ORG
Blogging With Passion and
Authority

2. Presentation Outline
My Blogging Experiences
Know Who You Are
What Makes You Unique, Snowflake?
Why Your Voice Is Important
 Finding Your Unique Voice
Blogging Examples
Tips for Creating a Blog Post
Questions?
Use What You’ve Learned

3. My Blogging Experiences
JCPL Kids’ Blog
http://jeffcolibrary.org/kids/jcpl-kids-blog

4. Blogging With Passion and Authority
Hugh McLeod’s Website: http://gapingvoid.com/

5. Know Who You Are
What is your blog about?
 Be specific
 Niche down, if possible
What values do you stand for?
What is your story?
Image via: http://movisol.com/

6. What Makes You Unique, Snowflake?
Biggest stumbling block: The belief that you do not have
anything original or unique to contribute!
You have something to contribute that no one else can:
Your voice and perspective on the world!
Image via: http://goo.gl/2nfUM

7. Why Your Voice Is Important
Lack of voice translates into bland, yawn-worthy blog
posts!
People follow your blog because your words resonate
with them. Without a voice, you can’t resonate with
anybody!
Most of us have been required to use an Academic
writing style at some point: We need writing rehab!

8. Finding Your Unique Voice
Blog like nobody is reading
Record your speaking voice and analyze
Don’t censor yourself and your emotions
Practice, practice, practice
Ask for feedback and help

9. Blogging Examples

10. Additional Examples: Cecil County Public Library
Historic Treasures In Our Backyards:
http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/blog/?p=3256
Larger-Than-Life Crime: http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/blog/?
p=3221
Transporting The Library In My Carry On:
http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/blog/?p=3206
The Real Housewives of History:
http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/blog/?p=3000
Imported Novels – Germany’s New Grim:
http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/blog/?p=2891

11. Tips for Creating A Blog Post
Passion: Use your emotion to fuel the blog post
Authority: Write about what you know, use your
perspective
Image via: http://writinghappiness.com/

12. Questions?

13. Use What You’ve Learned
Time to practice, practice, practice!
I’ve created a blog for our presentation group
 bloggingwithpassionandauthority.blogspot.com
Create a SHORT, ANONYMOUS blog post
Select at least one image to accompany your post (give
credit)
When you are finished, email me your blog post in the
text of the email and attach your image(s)
sarah.coleman@jeffcolibrary.org
I will upload all blog posts (including my own) to the blog