How to Write a Great Blog

How to Write a Great Blog

Thinking about starting your own blog? Here's some tips from Annabel Kantaria – Telegraph Expat’s Dubai blogger and author of Coming Home.

Has expat life inspired you to write? Are you full of ideas but not sure how to start? Whether you simply want to document your expat adventure, or have visions of growing and monetising a commercial operation, these tips for getting started should see you on your way.

1. Know who your audience is. Before you start, decide who you’re writing for: is your content for mums, expat wives, people back home, people here or will you focus on something more niche like a hobby?

2. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes... What would they want to hear about?

3. Keep your eyes peeled for material. If you’re writing about life in a new country, you never know when you’ll see that priceless sight or stumble across a quirky news story.

4. Always keep notes. Jot down funny or interesting things when they happen; you’ll never remember when you’re at your desk.

5. Take lots of pictures while you’re out and about! It’s good to have a library of images you can use when you need them.

6. Keep your posts short and snappy. 500 words absolute max.

7. Write honestly about your feelings. Readers can tell when you’re faking it.

8. Let a piece of writing sit for a while... And then read it through again before you post it.

9. Go out and experience new things. Don’t sit at your desk trying to write. Try to do one new thing a week.

SEE ALSO: The ExpatWoman interview with Annabel Kantaria

10. Talk to people! They’re a whole new source of ideas and funny stories.

11. Post regularly. At least three times a week. It’s far better to have three short posts that draw readers back to your blog than one interminably long one that no-one will get to the end of.

12. When you have a little spare time, plan out an editorial calendar. Keep a list of topics that work best at certain times of the year.

13. Interact with your readers. If they leave comments, respond.

14. Don’t get into arguments with trolls. Block them.

15. Use social media to grow your readership. Post links to your blog; read and comment on blogs similar to your own.

Above all: enjoy!

About Annabel

Annabel Kantaria is a British journalist who has actively written for publications in the Middle East. Since 2010, she is The Telegraph's "Expat Blogger" from Dubai, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Find out more about Annabel, here >>