Blog Rules

The blogosphere is a world unto itself, with its own set of rules and regulations. Newcomers break them at their own peril. Here's what you need to know before jumping into the fray.

By Jory Des Jardins
 

1. Bare it all

You don't have to give away trade secrets, but effective blogs require a certain amount of candor. There's nothing more boring than a blog that pulls its punches.

2. Update frequently

Content gets stale fast online, so refresh the blog at least three times a week, if not more often. And mind the spam in the comments section--business blogs get tons of it.

3. Be interactive

Encourage visitors to post comments. And join the conversation. Visitors to business blogs generally want one thing--to be heard by the business.

4. Stay cool

If commentators get nasty (and if your blog is any good, they will), don't go on the offensive. Engage them in conversation. And wait it out: There's always a new controversy around the corner.