I only started blogging a few months ago.  Recently on a Knowledgewebb live chat, I was asked a very central question about what I do: What are the biggest challenges you have in blogging? 

A few admissions: I have distinct advantages that 90 percent of bloggers don't have.  I have built-in access to a defined audience. Everyone who subscribes to Knowledgewebb gets a notification once I post a fresh entry.  Also, the company owner trusts me and doesn't control what I say. Therefore, it's totally on me to have a story and stick to it  and that story should add value to a subscriber's experience on knowledgewebb.net. Finally, I have a blast and my editor also is kind to me too.  It's utopia, I know it.

But, most people don't have such.  So, to answer the posted question I responded saying, "I need to make sense.  It may seem easy, but it is not. The smartest thing from the start was to get someone to edit my blog. I got Chantal de la Rionda, who interned at NPR when I was there and she and I have remained in constant contact.  She has a lot of experience editing the columns for NPR's Ombudsman for several years and most importantly, she understands how I think. This has gone a long way toward helping me focus the blog, and keep it on track while still showing my personality."

I develop my own ideas.  I know my subject matter and know the mission of the site and the company.  It's a team concept and I do my part.

So, if you want to start a blog or re-examine what you have started, here's my two cents:

1. Make it relevant.

2. Write in your own voice.

3. Know your story and stick to it.

4. You can say what you think. But, be a professional, be helpful and be courteous.

5. If you take comments, take the ones that are substantive.  Keep it meaningful. Do not argue with people.  Seriously.

And finally, sometimes "less is more." 

Really.

*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog