Why Blog?

Firstly, what is a Blog for those new to all this, as quoted from sydneyanglicans.net:

Blog is short for ‘web log’ and is an online journal or diary that encourages interaction. There are blogs on cricket, crochet and Christianity. Mums have ‘blogged’ their experience of pregnancy and parenting. Some companies use blogs to connect with employees. Blogs can be short or long. They have three characteristics: They are very regular (e.g. weekly), ordered chronologically and exploit the internet’s ability to link to other sources.

In the latest Briefing from Matthias Media there was a story on blogging and how it can be a useful ministry tool.

I was interested in expressing what I regard to be some “rules” to check off before beginning a blog. They are:

1. Have a purpose
   
2. Commit to content
3. Don't follow the crowd into the blogosphere
   

Purpose
Knowing your purpose will determine how you answer every other rule. It shapes what will be the focus of your blog. It can be very specific or broad as you like, as long as it is clear. Take into account that if it is a specific purpose then what you can write about will be limited. You probably should work out a purpose before starting.

Content
Doesn’t have to be a lot, but has to be regular. A blog everyday I think is way too much, but a few times a year is nowhere near enough. It really depends on your purpose. It’s probably a good idea to write some content before starting a blog to see if you have the interest in writing down thought and ideas that fulfil the purpose. I like to draft everything in Word while others like to write straight off the top of their heads. Whatever works for you. You shouldn’t feel obliged or forced to add to a blog. If you feel like this then dare I say, perhaps a blog is not for you.

Blog for the sake of it
I argue that if you aren’t committed to producing content to fulfil the purpose then you are blogging for the sake of blogging. It does seem that lots of people have a blog these days. Still, just because there is a multitude of good blogs out there doesn’t make it a good idea to make it your main reason to start a blog. As someone once said to me, “If I got a blog it will take up my precious Battrick time.”