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| 1. Always start with a graphic. |
Some thought the title means that blogging is better than any other form of communication. But it also means there are some rules that can be followed to prevent ennui, disinterest, and charges of plagiarism.
1. Always start with a graphic. "A picture is worth a thousand words." Graphics make people laugh, or at least smile. They are inspirational when linked with quotations - Scriptural, hymn, famous theologian quotations. I also like to combine horrible statements with a graphic. Those who do not wish to deal with Photoshop can use Photofunia.
2. Blogging is ideal for linking other posts (which I do routinely) and other blogs.
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| This is a Photofunia graphic for last year's wish list - Bethany Lutheran Mission in the Philippines. We leverage their work and goals, and they communicate to the world with their Gospel work. They are building a permanent roof next. |
3. Blogging can also leverage other forms of communications - books, pamphlets, recordings, video, and audio.
4. Besides that, those other forms of social media can leverage the blog. Almost all Lutheran blogs and discussion sites boycott this one and refuse to allow links to this blog (as commanded, in one instance, by plagiarist Paul McCain). However, that is best, because it makes this site a secret source of information. How delicious, to hear an OJist using exactly the same lies as predicted on Ichabod. In one case, a group of OJ clergy were shot down by laity who studied the issues from....."name him not!"
5. "Writing makes a precise mind." Blogging requires clear and precise thought from the writer. This is always a challenge, but like going to the gym for a workout, it builds writing power when others are just blabbering.
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| Captions matter in blogging, and linked captions create a new source for people finding graphics in Google Images, etc. Many grieve that I own so many topics on Google Images, but have they spent 12 years at it? No. |
6. Blog posts can be sources of information for everyone. The most encyclopedic one I know is ChurchMouse. He is generous in listing an enormous number of blogs.
7. Congregations are troubled about outreach, and I can understand why. Many older forms are worn out (mailings) or just not welcome (house to house visits, aka making a survey of church attendance). A blog communicates with the world, instantly and for free. I showed two people in business how they could expand their customer base with no-cost, do-it-yourself blogging. They were stunned by the new walk-ins from blogging. And happy. Our membership has steadily grown, with few losses. We have people from other congregations watch our worship service when they are snowed in or sick.
8. Blog posts can be copied into Word and sent as attachments. I do that for each worship service. A post can be featured as a "sticky post" on the left or right column, which we do at the request of various readers. The ESV comparison has the largest number of views for recent posts. I linked it twice - I said I was shameless. Bold helps the Search Engine Optimization, too.
9. Regular posting is essential. For me, the day normally starts with one or two posts. However, my work is at home, so that is easy to do. Other people may use once or twice a week as their goal. A blog teacher said "Only a crazy person would blog more than once or twice a week." I said, "That explains a lot." People come back to fresh posts, so many hobby-bloggers get tired of it and quit after a few months.
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| Our congregation spends money to get Luther's writings to people for a very low cost. Or Luther's works and others for free! |
