How to write a good blog post. A lesson for Peter, aka The Curmudgeon.

 Okay, I was going to call this 'How to write a great blog post', but it's best to start down the line a bit.

(readers like a pun)

The first step to writing a good post is to pick a good topic. Here is a list of good topics, topics that will grab public interest, and bad topics:

GOOD TOPICS...

Changing violin strings. Getting ready for a double bass gig. Twelve things that will improve your violin jazz playing. What's happening on the blogs. Sunday morning at Richard's Bass Bag.* Hey, what strings do you use? Choosing a bass bow.

BAD TOPICS...

A storm that blows an outside chair over. Building a fence. This red wine has been chilled! How to make dinner out of communion hosts. The Curmudgeon talks to some dead person. Gardening. Windows in my house. The trailer needs fixing.

Okay, you're probably needing an example of an interesting blog post, so here's one...

Time to change those violin strings!

As you know, tone is a very important part of violin playing. Things like how you use your bow are important in tone production, but it also helps tremendously to fit good strings. Don't buy the cheapest strings available. This is similar to buying a car or an electric drill - buy the best strings that you can afford.

(this picture creates interest for the reader)

Personally, I go for Evah Pirazzi Gold, and they are not cheap!

Remember that you don't want your bridge or soundpost to fall over, so don't take all the strings off at once. 

Maybe replace the E string first. Don't forget to get that little sleeve, that only this string has, sitting on the bridge. That will stop this thin metal string from cutting into the bridge. Maybe do the G next. Get them tuned approximately right to keep pressure on the bridge. The A string is going to be the hardest to fit because its tuning peg is very close to the scroll and it can be tricky to get the string through the peg's little hole. 

(pictures help to keep the reader's interest up)

Let's finish off with replacing the D string. 

All done, except that now it's time to tune and tune and tune because the new strings will stretch and maybe even slip a bit. Don't worry, they should settle down in about two weeks.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to leave a comment.

* * *

Okay, there you go. Always remember to use a signing off remark. Notice how I encouraged people to leave a comment. If you can get your comments up to about 12, this will make you look good and make your blog look successful. If you get no comments, you can always leave some yourself - just use the Anonymous function and make up a name.

Here's an example...

Anonymous said...

Hey, great post! This post had a nice flow to it and was interesting.

Thanks.

Viol Linbo

See how I had a bit of fun with the person's name too. Readers like that.

Okay, I admit that good posting is an art, much like playing the violin. Ask yourself, "What are my readers likely to be interested in?"

A topic, like changing violin strings, creates an interest because a lot of readers are probably wondering about how it is done.

AN IMPOSTANT NOTE TO FINISH...

When the post is finished, you are not!

There are probably little grammatical or typing mistakes. Here are two examples...

When I play golf, I like to have clean crubs.  (sloppy typing)

Tell me, what is you're favourite meal?  (grammar!)

YOU ARE NOT FINISHED UNTIL YOU HAVE PROOFREAD YOUR POST!

This is something that you will often notice when reading posts by Peter and Robert (two bloggers on this circuit). It can be very off putting for readers who come up against this writing carelessness. 

It really doesn't take long to proofread what you have written AND it adds a lot to reader enjoyment.**

* the original bass bagging site

** especially if they are old schoolteachers