As some of you know I have entered the $500 USD BlogEngage contest over at BlogEngage, I’ve got my fingers crossed and hopefully I’ve been doing well in the competition and have been in with a chance of winning one of the prizes.

Any way here are the entrants so far, including myself that are in the current running for the $500 USD Feb 2012 Guest Blogging Contest, check them out and please don’t forget to stop by my article and show your support for me and the Blazing Minds blog, don’t know why I’m saying that as I know you will anyway.

So have a look at some of the great fellow bloggers in the contest and happy reading and ReTweeting, Liking, Stumbling, voting and so on and so forth.

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How does it feel to have your own little part of cyberspace, where you can air your thoughts, views and ideas? Doesn’t your blog give you a great opportunity to share, impart learning, learn from others and grow as a person? Sadly, not everyone is using their blogs positively or responsibly. Here are the 10 rules of responsible blogging.

1. Verify Information Before You Post

If the information you’re going to post is not true, of if you’re not sure of its veracity, be honest with your readers about it. The credibility of you as a blogger and that of your blog depends on the integrity of what you publish.

2. Respect People’s Viewpoints

Don’t use your blog to come down heavily on anyone’s viewpoints, be they religious, political, moral or whatever. Allow your blog to be an impartial ground where people can discuss multiple viewpoints but insist on respect.

3. If In Doubt, Wait Before Posting

If you’re not sure about a particular post, wait for at least 24 hours before posting it. Yes, we know, all bloggers undergo pressure to post and stick to a schedule. Check with your friends and network if it’s sensible to post it. If your counselors indicate in the negative, refrain from posting it.
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While take up of mobile broadband has been strong on the UK, some people still don’t feel they really have a need for it. But if you’re a blogger, it’s safe to say that if you’re not getting online on the move, you’re probably missing out.

Ways To Get Online

There are two key ways to get yourself online on the move, the most common now being via a smartphone. It’s fair to say that the rise and rise of apps has been a massive boon for bloggers, and not only for the social networking opportunities that constant access to the likes of Twitter brings.

Blog sites have been quick to embrace the technology, with the likes of WordPress, Tumblr and Squarespace having dedicated apps so that you can blog on the go. You can also easily take pretty decent snaps with your smartphone, and then get them online straight away.
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Have you ever read an article and half-way through the article you wondered where the blogger was going? Sometimes, the author is back on track by the following paragraph and you mentally think to yourself, “That was weird, but ok” and go on with your reading.

There are times when this technique can be effective, especially with readers that want to figure out why the writer did what they did. And, in some cases the off-topic meanderings won’t impact other readers at all. And, for many of the readers, and especially the “skimmers,” it will just bounce off them, lost in the “skim excess” of unread material in the article.

Now, before I continue, I will make it clear that in my brain, a brain that pops from one thought to another like a monkey jumping branches, I am guilty of at least wanting to get “unfocused,” if not actually getting “unfocused” and off-topic. In my conversations, I interrupt myself to say, “Sidebar” before one of these moments.

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The Internet is home to an abundant collection of wonderful resources where we can share information about anything, anywhere and at any time. So how do you make your blog stand out above the rest?

Blogs are a useful way to share tips and do research, which can be to a targeted to a specific audience. However, with the sheer plethora of information available, knowing which sites and recommendations to trust can prove to be a challenge.

By becoming a trusted source of information which is well researched and interesting then you can encourage your readers to come back time and again. These six top tips will help you add value to any post.
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SocialMedia

If you are interested in making social media website work for you, given here are some simple yet extraordinary effective strategies;

1) Ask for response from the clients
You might need to be really tough to digest some of the unflattering comments, but at the same time you will be amazed at the popularity of this technique. Everyone enjoys offering their words of advice or giving suggestions. You need not choose something which is blatantly contentious or an element of your business which is bound to invite a counterattack.

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If you want to make it big in your business, experts would say you have to engage in internet marketing strategies. One of the ways to expand your internet business then would be to learn how to blog – and how to blog right.

Blogs – basics

Blogs are different from websites. A website is composed of different web pages. It can be a collection of blogs. A blog is just a part of a website. However, even if it is only a website component, it could give you an edge ahead of your competition. Websites are serious, but blogs are a combination of serious and fun, in one package.

Blogging can come in the form of personal, diary like entries where you have to share your experience. You speak your mind. However, when you do it for business, you have to have better content. You cannot just write about anything that catches your fancy. Most of the time, blogs are done to give out information, to educate.

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