Brandon's Puppy

My First PayPerPost Direct Post, aka A peek at the life of a bus driver

A very sweet woman named Jennifer sent me my very first PPP Direct opportunity. She started her blog The Life of a School Bus Driver almost two years ago, on New Year's Eve 2005. Her goal is to write every day, or at least a few days a week, about the daily things that make life special. She has an absolutely beautiful two-year-old daughter named Kyra, and I can attest that, when one has a young child, you get to experience the world through their eyes and with their innocence. An ordinary day can become extraordinary.
Browsing through her blog, I found a post relaying her daughter’s fascination with cell phones, and what happens when said phone somehow gets lodged inside a toilet bowl. What happens, you may ask? You gotta get a new toilet bowl, of course! I thought this was hilarious, mostly because I have a fear of dropping my cell phone down the toilet when it’s in my back pocket. Fortunately that has never happened, but we all know my cell phone did end up going swimming not too long ago).
Jennifer also recently posted about the 15 Good Blog Posting Tips she saw over at Build a Better Blog, and I pretty much arrived at the same conclusion she did: I don't follow these tips very well either.

Here's a quick run-down of the 15 tips, with my commentary in bold:

1. Be really clear about why you’re blogging, who your ideal reader is, and what your core message and/or theme is. I think I partially cover this one. I blog to keep friends and family updated on stuff the stuff that's happening to and around us. I don't really have an ideal reader, anyone and everyone is welcome. Unless they are some psychotic pedophile or homocidal maniac or something like that. Then it's thanks, but no thanks.

2. Write with the reader in mind: what’s in it for them? To learn all about MOI! ;-)

3. Write declarative sentences: short and to the point, right off the bat. No starting with: “I was thinking the other day about…” or “Summer’s almost over and…” Um, how 'bout, no. I write how I speak, as if this were a conversation with a dear friend. Otherwise, I think you lose the personability of blogging.

4. Write less. Omit all unnecessary words. (Hint: this requires you actually read your post before you publish!) See number 3. I do edit and re-read my posts, but that's because I type fast, so I need to check for typos, and usually I will also change certain words to make the most more flow-y.

5. Write good headlines, using your strategic keywords (the ones you’ve researched and
know will pull in the readers you’re looking for). Put keywords first if you can. Nope, can't say I do this.

6. Write a good first paragraph using your keywords. Tell readers what your point is right away.
That just kills the art of storytelling, doesn't it?!

7. Keep paragraphs short, only one or two sentences at most, then break. White space is your friend. See number 3 again.

8. Use subtitles to make your posts easily scannable. Nope, don't do this either.

9. Break your post up after 2-3 paragraphs using the Extended Post feature, so that readers are asked to click here to continue reading. I do this sometimes, especially when I include lots of embedded pictures in my posts. I just makes the overall blog look neater, IMO.

10. Don’t take yourself too seriously; keep a sense of humor but be cautious about trying to be funny; people read things the wrong way. You don't know me, do you?! I am the Queen of Facetiousness!

11. Write like readers were paying you and their subscription is about to expire. Again, see number 3. That takes away from the whole "friendly" thing. I don't talk to my friends as if it's the last conversation we'll ever have!

12. Avoid business jargon, empty phrases, and clichés that are too cliché. I was trying to think of something cliché-y to say, but it's late, and my brain is tired.
13. Use bulleted points and lists as often as possible. Nope, not on this blog. Well, lists once in a while, but not bullet points.

14. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. Check!

15. Always ask readers for their opinions, their experiences, their input. For sure! Commenters are awesome, especially mine! ;-)

Okay, it seems like I went off on a tangent there with those 15 tips. Anyway, I just wanted to tell Jennifer that if my boys ever end up riding the bus to school, I hope they have as thoughtful and as sweet a driver as you.
Go on, people, check her out.

Posted by Amanda at August 17, 2007 8:20 PM | TrackBack