What makes a good blog post?

Quality over quantity

Don’t feel like you need to write about every last detail of your trip. That’s exhausting for both you and the reader. Instead, focus on using the blog to reflect on a big idea, event or lesson you learned from an individual experience.

Brevity

It’s generally accepted that 250-600 words is an ideal blog post length. But don’t feel so constrained that you don’t go outside that format. Here are three things to consider about how much you write.

Photos

Why you want photos

To add photos, click on the first button after “Add media” above. Then click on “upload media,” add a caption if you like, and insert it into the post. Viola! That’s worth 1,000 words.

It’s your blog

The freedom of blogging allows you to write in first person and sound like yourself. You may be excited, overwhelmed, exasperated, amazed and in awe of your experience overseas. Sometimes all at once. You want the world to know that — and you can. Here are some additional tips on developing your style

1. Write – write – write. The more you write the more your style and voice will evolve.
2. Imagine the people who will read your blog. Think about individuals vs. a group.
3. Talk to the people who read your blog. Think conversation vs. lecture.
4.Let your personality come through. Include your own ideas and thoughts.
5.Read a couple of your blog posts aloud. Do you sound like you?
6.Enjoy the adventure. If you’re having fun, your passion will come thru.

Build a community

Blogging is more fun when it’s part of a conversation. So let all your friends and family know about the blog, and encourage them to comment. You can also email them all links when you have a new post up. Don’t be shy!

Have fun

That’s it! No, really!