Why Web 2.0 is more than a buzzword (and how Kathy is blogging better than you are)

November 27, 2006 By

Kathy Sierra is one of my favorite writers and her post on why Web 2.0 is more than a buzzword is a good place to start.

I’ve been getting more email lately from people asking how they could make their blog better (which, translated, means, “how do I get more traffic?”)

Well, go and study what Kathy is doing. Some things I’ve gleaned.

1) She uses great graphics that hook readers into checking out the article (I saw her post in my feed list on Google Reader, and getting me to stop hitting “J” — which goes to the next post — is something very few bloggers do).
2) She uses typography in a way no other blogger does. She emphasizes things with italics, bold, and underlines. I think I’ll start playing with those in my own writing.
3) She joins in an already existing conversation and adds to it. She doesn’t always try to start a new conversation. Joining in a conversation that’s already going means you already know that people are interested in what you’re talking about and at least you can post on people’s comments and use trackbacks and links to get people to check out what you have to say.

I love her little dig at my blog evangelism at the top of her page, too.

Filed Under: 1
  • http://pierg.wordpress.com/ PierG

    Great link, thank you.
    PierG
    http://pierg.wordpress.com

  • http://pierg.wordpress.com/ PierG

    Great link, thank you.
    PierG
    http://pierg.wordpress.com

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  • http://nodependenciesnologo.wordpress.com/ Nils (formerly Napfisk)

    I knew Kathy’s blog but I’m gonna check it out once more, because it does look interesting. But I really don’t like all those italics and CAPITALS and what have you. It made me dizzy to tell you the truth.
    Honestly, have you looked at it? It’s how Thomas Friedman would write if he was trying to transcribe his intonation while he talks. Please don’t go this way yourself, Robert. You write concisely and clearly as is and you don’t need this.

  • http://nodependenciesnologo.wordpress.com/ Nils (formerly Napfisk)

    I knew Kathy’s blog but I’m gonna check it out once more, because it does look interesting. But I really don’t like all those italics and CAPITALS and what have you. It made me dizzy to tell you the truth.
    Honestly, have you looked at it? It’s how Thomas Friedman would write if he was trying to transcribe his intonation while he talks. Please don’t go this way yourself, Robert. You write concisely and clearly as is and you don’t need this.

  • http://blog.ideasperminute.com/ Phil Crissman

    Great points about Kathy’s blogging style. It’s a step beyond what your garden-variety blogger is doing, and very effective.

    Not only that, but she can write. I’ve been in the “hate the web 2.0 buzzword” camp for awhile now, and hers is the first post having me seriously reconsider that position. Not to say I’m stubborn, but I’m not necessarily easily persuaded, either… ;-)

    Regarding emphasis (italics, bold text, etc) within a post… you’ll have to find what works best for you, I think. Standard copy writing wisdom is to eschew emphasis as much as possible, in the hope that the text speaks for itself. Blogging is not completely synonymous with copy writing, however, and it certainly works for Kathy.

  • http://blog.ideasperminute.com Phil Crissman

    Great points about Kathy’s blogging style. It’s a step beyond what your garden-variety blogger is doing, and very effective.

    Not only that, but she can write. I’ve been in the “hate the web 2.0 buzzword” camp for awhile now, and hers is the first post having me seriously reconsider that position. Not to say I’m stubborn, but I’m not necessarily easily persuaded, either… ;-)

    Regarding emphasis (italics, bold text, etc) within a post… you’ll have to find what works best for you, I think. Standard copy writing wisdom is to eschew emphasis as much as possible, in the hope that the text speaks for itself. Blogging is not completely synonymous with copy writing, however, and it certainly works for Kathy.

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