They say “a week can be a long time in politics” but I reckon a couple of weeks is a long time in the blogosphere too! My learning has been exponential -the more you get involved, the more you realise how much there is to learn and some of it sticks.

I have been blogging for only 6-7 weeks (as many readers will know as part of a learning journey where we are developing a Personal Learning Network) and the experience has proved fascinating.

If you want a positive and collaborative experience from blogging  I have learned the following simple things to extend your audience

• tweeting your blog posts – announces new material
• commenting on other people’s blogs
• tags seem to help (but I am not yet sure how)
• bookmarking your blog on Delicious or Diigo and using tags (haven’t tried this but read that it works)

This assumes that you are blogging for an audience beyond yourself – if you blog purely for personal reflective experience then, none of this matters.  Personally, I enjoy the comments – it helps and I learn from them too.  It makes you realise that you are not writing into a void.  I read somewhere that 1% of people who read a blog will comment.  I have played with Traffic feeds and enjoyed watching the stats.  It certainly makes the world feel small when a teacher from Melbourne can write material that is read in many corners of the world.  It does put on pressure to find something worthwhile to add .

My interest has been contagious within my household and my 17 year old daughter has joined this world as well.  She is interested in writing and sees a potential in this sphere as well.  Have a look at her first post if you have the time.  Like me she is still considering her purpose and audience.   Motzie’s Blog (not her real name) 🙂