Blogging is a powerful tool that can have a major positive effect on your business and your life in general, but it’s important to remember the opposite side of the coin.
Here’s a list of things not to do on your blog:
1. Make tons of spelling and grammar mistakes. Yes, not everyone’s a natural writer, and a error or two on your blog probably won’t end your career, but lots of mistakes will make you appear less intelligent in the eyes of your readers. Use the spellcheck button and try to get someone else to proofread your blog once in a while, because fresh eyes may pick up undetected errors.
2. Use lots of widgets/flash/general design clutter. Keep your blog sleek, clean and easy to read - the goal is stand out because of the content, not because of flashy design (unless you’re a graphic designer or in the visual arts - then you can go a little crazy).
3. Get overly personal on a business blog. Mentioning outside interests and sharing some personal quirks is good (no one wants to work with a robot), but spare the web the details of your love life and anything else that could be considered TMI - too much information. On all my blogs, I like to ask myself “would I be embarrassed if my mom/grandmother/boss read this?” if there’s any question about whether I should post something.
4. Rant and rage excessivly about well, anything.  You don’t have to be all sunshine and rainbows, but an overly negative attitude or overwhelming vitriol will scare people away (or possibly keep them around for the wrong reasons if you manage to post about things you abhor in an entertaining manner).
Fortunately, there are a lot more “do’s” than “don’ts” when it comes to blogging, so tomorrow I’ll be back with your regularly scheduled programming of positivity.
