Thou shalt Blog!

Romin Irani

www.xoriant.comOct 2014

General Guidelines

Blogging Tips

Q & A

<Agenda/>

3

Course Requirements

Basic working knowledge of HTML, JavaScript and CSS

Use a Text Editor or any other IDE of your preference to write all code samples

We shall run all examples on various browsers

Say what you are going to write about?

Write it Say that you wrote it!

…. simple .. Isn’t it ?

This is how you write a blog post!

That was not a joke !

Title [Intro] Say what you are going to

write about? [Sections] Write it [Conclusion] Say that you wrote it!

3 Simple Steps !

But .. I have never written before ! I am not an expert at language ! I am afraid of what readers might say (or

even do)? I don’t know the tools ! How can I compete with experts ? I don’t have time ! I don’t know what to write on ?

Top Reasons (Excuses) not to write

Change your mindset

ThreatChallenge

Just because someone has written on the topic does not mean you cannot !!

Topic Target Audience

First Things First !

Most Important Comfort Level

Pick a Topic

Product/Domain/Technology/Tool/Process Analysis How To Tips Tutorial (Single | Multi-part) Experience Top 5 Features News, ……

Blog Post - Types

How long ? TitlePlan out sections

Intro -> Sections -> Conclude Code (Get it to work first !)Start filling gaps

Plan it Out

Elements of SUCCESThat is

not a typo!!!

Identify the core message / write that in a compact way

Interesting v/s Important Applies to the introductory

paragraph and / or titleUse Analogies [People relate to it]

Rule 1 : Simplicity

Surprise the reader. Get them interested.

Then comes the tough part : Keeping them interested.

Examples: Save XX by moving to OSS Cut Development Time by 50% Reduced turnaround time by 90% Response time cut down from 1s to 10ms Secrets to a successful Enterprise Mobile

Strategy

Rule 2 : Unexpected [may Apply]

Don’t talk in abstract termsPresent the idea in a way people can

relate it, can understand and can remember

Best Analogy : Moral Stories taught to us as children.

Examples Be a Better Developer v/s 5 App

Performance Tips Profitable v/s Sharing numbers and how

we got there Garbage Collection v/s showing it actually

with a tool

Rule 3 : Concrete

People have to believe you Use authorative sources for

quotes/data/statistics Danger: Be careful of using authorative

sources too Examples:

If pitching a product, use current numbers / marketshare to make the reader believe you

Sinatra Test : If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere !

Testable Credentials : People relate to it. For e.g. Do you think Java is still plagued by the problems that have been there since last 5 years like ….

Rule 4 : Credible

This does not mean tears ! Appeal to their self-interest

Behaviour Economic

Two ways people make decisions Consequence : Rational Self-Interest Identity Model : Who am I ? What kind of

situation is this? What does someone like me do in this situation?

Rule 5 : Emotional

Can help people act via simulationThey could relate to their situation and how it could help

Helps them better understand a situation and then picturize themselves

Rule 6 : Stories

• Pay AttentionUnexpected• Understand &

Remember itConcrete

• Agree / Believe youCredible• CareEmotional• Be Able to ActStory

Writing Blogs that Stick: SUCCES Rules

Think of a catchy title.Be YourselfFirst paragraph should summarize what and/or why to get the reader interested quickly.

Stick to the facts. Don’t make them up!

Back your arguments or conclusion with data

Company/professional blog : Check the language – Be Safe (Hint : Get it Reviewed)

Writing Style

QuotesImagesDataVideosPlease attribute!!

Content Sources (Reference)

It’s ok to get inspired, Its NOT OK to copy.

Psst… Can we look at some typical blog

post formats ?

Discuss the flow (if needed)Get the blog post reviewedSoak in the feedback Rewrite sections if necessary

Before you publish

Be ready for commentsSpend time to understand the comment

Try and reply with most sincerity

Over time, you will learn to accept extreme negative comments too !

Comments / Feedback

Various Platforms exist [WP, Blogger]

Text / VideoRecording Software (Jing, Camtasia,etc)

Spend time with these tools. You will get better over time.

Blog Post – Mediums/Tools

Make sure it is responsiveLow maintenance or ZERO maintenance

Integrated with best in class tools for Stats/Analytics, Themes, Social Media Integrations

Blogging Platform

English is the language of business

Avoid basic bloopers (Formatting rules)

Best Strategy – Keep writing Even Better Strategy – Ask for Review

English ! What English ?

Embrace themKnow your audience

Where Which topics are most popular How did they reach your blog

Search , Referrers

Analytics

Cross Link your postsDomain NamePublicize at various sites

Social Media Technical Sites Via Comments Via Forums

Contact Details

Promoting your Content

Write something everydayUpdate your postsDon’t try to game the systemProduce Quality ContentReaders will read youRecruiters will recruit you

One piece of Advice

Communication Skills (Most important !)

You will learn Build up lots of patience ! Networking Effect Serious Feedback + Learn Digital Presence Creativity Time Management

Blogging ke Side Effects !

Q & A

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple” – Dr. Seuss

If you never did, you should.

These things are fun and fun is good.

All the Best !

Start Blogging!

Thank You !