Writing doesn’t take too much courage. Heck, you can post a lot of drivel on the Internet. No one may read a word, but you get to express yourself.

Billions of words appear daily on the Internet. Some words inspire change and major paradigm shifts. Some face the wrath and doom of Alexa and Google.

Lots of palaverous politicing has been expressed lately. Some of those “rhetorical flourishes” are worth hearing.

Clearly, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign inspired a pivotal transformation in U.S. politics. History will educate us about the impact of this political metamorphosis on Pennsylvania Avenue brings to the Main Streets of America.

Imagine the courage or chutzpah Barack Obama garnered when choosing to become the president of the United States. Dissuasion would come from every quadrant of his life. Nothing thwarted his intention; failure was not an option. But most importantly, he was not afraid to fail, nor were any of the other many candidates.

Here are a few observations about our president-elect analogous to writing.

1. He’s cool.

He does not seem to hide. He appears “comfortable in his skin”, and he’s not afraid to declare what matters to him. I’m not naive; politicians express themselves to achieve a purpose, but after two years, we’ve become accustomed to his face. What this may indicate is a man who knows where he’s going.

Writers must possess the same clarity. Where are you going with this article? What is the point? What difference will it make? These themes resonated in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign strategy. He knew where he was going.

2. He’s intelligent.

Dr. Seuss wrote intelligent books too. One of my favorites is “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. This one has a little star, this one has a little car.” Dr. Seuss makes the difficult simple, colorful, and lively.

Not many attend Columbia or Harvard Law School. Mr. Obama considers this a privilege that his mom and grandmother both encouraged and pushed him toward. As you may remember, his mother awakened Barack at 4:30 in the morning to tutor him. That’s commitment for both of them.  

3. He’s willing to sell himself to us.

The crowds around Barack Obama made other candidate events look like high school reunions. Voters crowded themselves to hear his message. He’s not a god, but he certainly created enthusiasm. I think he’s  affective because he believes in himself, and he’s the product.

Look at all the better blog writers, Internet article writers, or copywriters. Each has similar approaches to get results, but each distinguishes themselves with the unique personality of their message. They know themselves, and they parade their strengths. Writers should do likewise.

William Zinsser writes, “Ultimately the product that any writer has to sell is not the subject being written about, but who he or she is. I often find myself reading with interest about a topic I never thought would interest me….What holds me is the enthusiasm of the writer for his field….This is the personal transaction…. Out of it come two of the most important qualities…humanity and warmth.”
(On Writing Well, William Zinsser, 2001, p5)

Learning to write with human warmth, caring, and kindness are the most basic and essential rudiments to good writing.

Frankly, I’m not sure. So many blogs with more added daily. So, who has time to read them all, and what would attract them to yours (or mine)? This is the important question. No one can read many blogs, but we can read blogs that interest us if the content answers a question, provides direction, and gives us a suggestion.

Here are my guidelines (and there are many more that could be added).

1. Timely topics - what search topics come up within your specific niche?

2. Timely entries - add to your blog at least one time per week.

3. Give readers a reason to leave a comment. Stir-up some thoughts, some emotion, some controversy

4. Link your blog to your web site.

5. Link your blog to specific pages on your web site.

6. Write about topics that interest your readers.

7. Don’t step outside of your expertise, interest, or passion.

Jerry Work offers similar suggestions in his article A 7 Step Plan for Writing a Blog that No One Will Ever Read.

Jerry makes two important points. Ping blog directories each time you add a blog comment, and make sure you link your comments to other sites that provide further elaboration to your comment. As Jerry states, “If your blog is good, they (readers) will be back.”

Sun Microsystem’s blog policy includes three points I’ve mentioned.

1. “Be Interesting Writing is hard work. There’s no point doing it if people don’t read it.”

2. “Write What You Know”

3. “Quality Matters” All the grammar, spelling, and punctuation stuff.

4.  “Think About Consequences” Don’t write what you cannot defend. Don’t forget what your grandmother told you, “Be nice.”

You’ll find the “Sun Microsystem’s Policy on Public Discourse” in The Corporate Blogging Book, by Debbie Weil (the list is on page 161).