A QUICK GUIDE TO GAY BLOGGING

Bridget Jones and her diary can think again; times have moved on and from trash gals Britney and Lindsay Lohan to hot-geeks Zach Braff and John Mayer everyone’s blogging. If you haven’t yet joined this self-publishing internet revolution there are hundreds of places for you to host your blog. But before you start typing follow our advice on the dos and don’ts of a keeping an internet diary.

Do: Blog about something interesting. Feel passionate about teenage rights? Attend every gig your favourite band plays? Get angry at the Iraq war? Have an unstoppable crush on your teacher? Be it about current affairs or any other kind of affair, make it attention grabbing by being a bit controversial.

Don’t: Write anything you may regret. Fancy being a spy for MI5 in ten years time? Then don’t reveal the secrets of the first time you licked banana flavoured lube off your boyfriend.

Do: Start a fictional blog and don’t tell anyone. Turn yourself into the character of your dreams and watch as other people have no idea it’s all made up.

Don’t: Reveal too much information. Internet safety is vital so don’t reveal your home address or phone number.

Do: Update on a regular basis. Once every 2 to 3 days is perfect.

Don’t: Worry about the colour scheme. As long as it’s clear to read it’s fine.

Do: Take advice from the experts. Robin Hamman, Acting Head of the BBC Blogs Network says: “Most blogs are only intended for around 6 people, but if you do want to show off I suggest either adding your blog to Google (www.google.co.uk/addurl) or, the easiest and most interesting way in my opinion, would be to use other networking sites and link your blog from there. Flickr is a great way to do this as you can show off your photographs and tell people where they can read more about the event taking place.”

Don’t: Expect your blog to be an overnight success, however. But stay persistent and keep promoting in the right- subtle- ways

Do: Add a spark of new media. The BBC’s Assistant Editor of New Media, Robin Morley, explains why podcasts are a great thing to add to your blog: “ Anyone with a computer and a microphone can create their own radio-like show. You can talk about anything and it’s a great way to spark a debate between friends. Podcasting is unique because it allows people to subscribe to your episode and download it. It enables young people to become broadcast journalists in an instant.”

So, grab a keyboard and get typing- we’re dying to read what you have to say!
Links:
www.blogspot.com
www.livejournal.com
www.bbc.co.uk/blogs
www.flickr.com