How to become a famous blogger

So we have reached the end of the road.  Time has run out for this blog and its blogger and whilst this might be a relief for some(!), it also an opportunity for some reflection, some insight and some helpful hints for any who follow in the footsteps of the ERST 633 Class of '11.

Whilst I've tried to maintain the cheesy travelogue theme as far as possible, there's not much "travelly" about feedback. So I've prepared a simple guidebook page on what to expect in the world of blogging, and (most importantly) what not to expect.  It also contains some analysis in ways to generate some more comments and interest in IEM blogging.. No holiday snaps this time, I couldn't find any to match!

Fame and fortune

One option

A lot of bloggers go into the bloggersphere in the hope of finding fame..and fortune..and immortality. But unfortunately, unless you are picked up by some Fairfax/APN webpage there is little to be gained in celebrity from blogging.  

And of course, the topic/theme/raving lunacy you pick to blog about will have a huge impact on the number of followers you get.  In this case, the theme of the blog was set (IEM, integrated environmental management) as well as the range of content of a certain number of these entries (3 were designated "theory", 5-8 as "IEM in current affairs" and 1 being the feedback you're reading now).  However, this does not mean that there is not a great amount of flexibility in what each post contains. Use your imagination, think outside the IEM box/matrix - and draw from your own experience.  I know Alicia impressed us all with her seemingly unlikely use of the "coloured hats" that many had to sit through in primary school.  But actually, in an environmental management context, it doesn't sound so naff after all! There is merit and usefulness in de Bono's theories, beyond that of getting kids to work together in the classroom.  Good stuff Alicia.

Don't be shy - learn from others

Work with the rest of the class - it's not a competition. Don't be shy about sharing your blogs early on.  The input of fellow ERST 633ers is invaluable, not to mention they are great proof readers! Thanks to Lara, I figured out that I can't just copy and paste pictures into my blog, I have to go through the process of uploading them, otherwise they end up as nasty red crosses, and the blog suffers from overtextualisation.  Something that no one wants to see in a blog, a presentation or even a report.  Which brings me to another point - pictures, pictures, pictures!!!  Relevant or not, they will help break up the barren wasteland that can be an IEM theory blog post - as well as hitting home some of your more salient points (signposting anyone?)  If you want people to stay interested in your post beyond the first line, it pays to give their eyes something to look forward to, not to mention it'll give your blog some nice padding!!

Blogs take time

Really - you shouldn't have..

Blog on time! Make it a weekly routine. In a world where people followed my blog, this would be important to keep them entertained. However, this advice is purely practical - blogs take time.  You can't leave them all until the last week (which I didn't thankfully, but I know the stress that others have been through!) Even if you aren't writing a blog post each week, at least be on the look out for likely blog topics. Keep a list, note down ideas, it will make things much easier when you are able to find the time to make the post. There's nothing worse than trying to make a blog post out of nothing.. If things get tricky, go for something pithy. Don't slave away at paragraph after paragraph - you won't be able to change the [IEM] world if your readers are asleep at the start line.  Make it short and sweet and insightful, rather than dull and lacking substance.. (I should be careful what I say here, something about stones and glasshouses comes to mind!)

When all else fails, sell your soul

I thought that I might gain some more followers (and maybe actually earn some money) by signing up with Google Adsense ("take advantage of AdSense For Feeds to increase your blog's potential").  However, to date, I have earned a grand total of 82 cents. Needless to say I'm not waiting for the cheque in the mail.  

This experience did provide some entertainment however, including some rather unusual advertisements (a man in his boxer shorts does not make me think NZ Army, not sure which demographic they were going for there..).  You may even find some interesting ads as you read this blog post.

And that, my friends, is the last you'll hear from me! Until next time.