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).