keel blogging | tips on creating a great boating blog three sheets northwest

Keel Blogging | Tips on creating a great boating blog

Three Sheets Northwestwww.threesheetsnw.com

Deborah Bach

Marty McOmber

http://www.threesheetsnw.com/files/2008/12/croatia-2005-570.jpg

www.threesheetsnw.com

The leading online magazine providing news, features and resources focused exclusively on boating in the Pacific Northwest.

The site is both a trusted news source and a hub for local boaters to share information online.

Overview | Why blog about boating?

Top reasons:

• Update friends and family• Share your passion with other boaters• Blog for profit


It’s about having fun:

• More than 70 percent of blogs are “just for fun.”• Self-expression and sharing expertise is the primary

motivation for bloggers.• 70% say personal satisfaction is how they measure

the success of their blog.

Source: Technocrati | technorati.com/blogging/feature/state-of-the-blogosphere-2009/


Can I pay for my boat by blogging?

•Mean annual revenue from “professional” blogs is $14,477 for part-timers

Source: Technocrati | http://technorati.com/blogging/feature/state-of-the-blogosphere-2009/

Basics |Where do I start?

59% of bloggers use a free, third-party hosting service:

blogger.com (google)wordpress.comtypepad.com



Many more exist, including boating related sites:

Yachtpals Sailblogs Three Sheets Northwest


Other free options give you more control, but require more technical expertise:

wordpress.orgdrupal.org

(13% build their blogs from scratch)



The average annual amount spent on a blog is:

• $1,600 for hobbyists • $10,000 for pros


How to | First things

Picking a good name (it’s your URL):• Make it easy to say• Make it easy to remember• Make it easy to spell• Make it meaningful

(Just like naming your boat)


Create a good “About” profile:• Tell us who you are• Tell us why you are special• Tell us why you are credible

(Remember, good blogs reflect the personality of the people who write them)


Include a way to converse with you:• Comments are conversations• Email contact is important• No means of contact hurts you credibility

(Blogging is a conversation – don’t frustrate your audience)


Picking a design for your blog:• Clean, simple, expressive • Keep the eye on the content • Don’t clutter the screen

(When it comes to well-read blogs, looks matter)


How much traffic can you expect:• 56 percent of hobby blogs get less than 1,000

uniques a month • 78 percent get less than 5,000

(Remember, the most important measure is personal satisfaction)



The most popular applications for tracking traffic:•Google Analytics (55%)•Sitemeter (15%)•Statcounter (14%)

(Warning: stats can be addictive)


How to | The art of boat bloggingTips on the writing:• Write tight• Write often (2-3 times a week)

• Be honest• Find your voice

(It’s a boat blog, not a boat log. Show us why you love boating)

How to | The art of boat blogging


Deep thought:

“The majority of bloggers describe their blogging style as sincere, conversational or expert. Snarky and confessional are the least popular styles.”


How to | The art of boat bloggingMaking your blog sing• Pictures, pictures, pictures• Video and audio• Maps and charts• Keep your gadgets at hand

(The web is primarily a visual media—and what’s more visual than boating?)


Do it yourself:

• 73 percent create the photos, video, or audio they post themselves about half of the time

(This is your chance to be creative. Have fun doing it)



Updating your blog underway: • Wifi• 3G/4G• Cell phone

(Keeping it fresh and real will make it more fun for readers)

How to | Boating blogs we like• bitterendblog.com• gigharborfishinginfo.blogspot.com• johnvigor.com• nomadness.com/blog• pugetsoundmaritime.com• shilsholed.com• svbellastar.com• threesheetsnw.com/lateentry• uscg13.blogspot.com• windborneinpugetsound.blogspot.com

keel blogging | tips on creating a great boating blog three sheets northwest

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