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Gov 2.0 Toolbox: Blogging Guide

Department of Premier and Cabinet, August 2010

1. Blog basics

A blog, short for weblog is a form of an online diary. It can be an effective way to provide information updates, express an opinion and/or receive feedback.

A blog is essentially a publication of text, images and media objects that are arranged in chronological order and viewed in an HTML browser. Updating a blog is called blogging and someone who keeps a blog is a blogger.

2. Planning your blog

Like any communications project, developing and running a blog needs planning. Your plan should include details about the following:

• aims and objectives of the blog
• the primary audience
• roles of those who will be involved
• content management: for example: when and how often the blog will be updated
• the approval process for posting content
• terms of use: for example, is the blog moderated or unmoderated, will you be responding to posts
• resource allocation including any budget requirements.

3. Creating your blog

In creating a blog, you will need to choose blogging software to write and publish your blog. Options include Wordpress, Blogger and Typepad. The second thing you need is a place on the Internet to put your blog so that that people can find you. This is known as hosting as a server (a type of computer) will be hosting your site.

If you use other social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter, you should consideration incorporating these on your blog.

4. Maintaining your blog

Maintaining a blog requires time and effort. Here are a few tips:

• post regularly to be current and relevant
• stay on top of developments about your subject matter
• facts and details need to be accurate if your blog is to be seen as credible and relevant
• blog entries should be clear and easy to understand - write in a conversational style and avoid using technical jargon
• give people an incentive to read your blog – don't rehash old news or regurgitate press releases
• encourage interaction by allowing comments to be posted on your blog and respond to them in a timely manner
• include your blog's content in an RSS feed to increase readership and distribution (see the glossary on the Gov 2.0 tool box for an explanation of RSS)
• don't forget to spell check and proof-read – what goes on the web stays on the web.

5. Further Information

If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format other than html, such as large print or audio, please telephone 61 3 9651 5814 (TTY).

The Department of Premier and Cabinet, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, 3002.

The The Gov 2.0 Toolbox: Blogging Guide is also available for printing in pdf format (152kb). (This document requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader). .

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