10 Unwritten guidelines for blog writing

Every half second, someone creating a blog in the Internet, it's no surprise that the internet is no longer just a place for young people to post their weird memes and anxiety-filled pubescent thoughts. Blogs can be a great way to find a creative outlet, meet people who have the same niche interests as you, and become more knowledgeable about any topic you can imagine.

So you want to build a successful blog - a well-read, well-respected space on the Internet. Where do you get started? Many people would suggest having a gorgeous site, cranking out witty posts, or getting noticed on social media. But actually, there's an even more important step, and one that should come first: Defining your blog's brand. After all, in order for people to be interested in what you have to say, they need to know what to expect from you - who you are, what you're doing, and what you have to offer your readers.

Whether you're starting a new blog or want to take your existing one to the next level , these 10 guidelines will help you.

1. Blogs need a theme - Regardless of whether it's just for you or for everybody, it's easier to keep blogging if you know generally what you're blogging about. Plus, your theme can be broad so that there's an endless supply of material available.

2. Post frequently - keep people engaged and coming back, you should post three or four times per week on your blog. Ideally, plan and keep to a regular schedule.

3. Use a friendly voice - One of the best parts of blogging is that you're highly encouraged to write as yourself. Say I, we, you. Use contractions as you would normally (you'll). Write as if talking with a friend.

4. Keep Paragraphs Short - Because reading is harder online it's best to break text into manageable chunks. Paragraphs should be much shorter online than on paper with two to six sentences per paragraph a good guideline for blog posts.

5. Give credit - It's okay to be inspired by posts that other bloggers do and to write something similar, but make sure you do in fact mention them in your post. Giving a little credit is always nice.

6. Use high-quality image - If you include photos, make sure they're high-quality. Invest in a better camera, or find free, beautiful stock photos

7. Bad writing and poor grammar - Who wants to read bad writing and poor grammar on the internet? No one.

8. Social media - Speaking of social media, don't create and list social media accounts for your blog unless you can grow and maintain them.

9. Reply comment - If people do comment on your posts, respond to them as soon as possible with a thoughtful message. Engaging with your readers is a great way to keep people coming back

10. Be clear about your re-posting policy - Decide up front whether or not guest contributors and freelancers can re-publish their content on their own blogs. Be clear about when they can do it, and how they should link back to your blog if they re-post.