How to Start a Political Blog

It's very easy to start a political blog. To get a political blog with clout, one that people respect and quote is another thing. If you want your articles and opinions read by thousands each day, it takes one main ingredient: perseverance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Determine what kind of political audience you are trying to reach. Are you a conservative, a liberal, or are you more of the middle of the road type? This question only you can answer. It is important only in the beginning, though, because your blog will take on a personality of its own.
2. Find a free website. There are many such websites that will host your blog. They are usually very simple blogs that are beginner friendly, such as Word-Press and Blogger.
3. Get a snappy or unusual name. Some people use plays on words like the "Left is Right" and the "Right is Wrong." Some people use their names in the blog. No matter what, your blog must have a title. This is sometimes no easy feat because you often will find that a name you thought was unique is already taken. Writing a political blog is even more difficult in that you will want to have your views incorporated in the name so that people know what kind of content they will be reading.
4. Try to have a sort of "mission statement" on your blog introduction. A short sentence about where you lean politically and what you believe in is sometimes all you'll need. You can always change it if the blog morphs into something unanticipated.
5. Allow for comments. When putting your blog together your host will ask you if you wish to have comments displayed. Say yes. People might not read articles that they can not comment on.
6. Add extras--advertisements, site meters that tell you how many visitors you have had, polls and links to your blog. Links might be a way to represent your blog. If you link to other blogs that share your political views, it will be easier for people to understand where on the political spectrum you are.
7. Link your blog to other blogs. This usually can't be done at the beginning unless your friends who have blogs are willing to link with you. Expect this to be a very lonely existence until people find you. Eventually they might, depending on whether you have anything worthwhile to say. Sometimes your readers will provide interest to your blog. Smart snappy comments will attract readers.
8. Remember, there are thousands of political blogs out there. Most come and go without notice. Write your blog to get your thoughts off your chest. It's a great way to lower stress levels. You also never know who will be affected by what you write.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to write anything so personal that you would be hurt if someone "flames" (treats you rudely). Some personal things shouldn't be for public consumption.
• Don't attack people even if the comments they write are cruel and nasty. Either ignore them or attack the comment, not the person. If someone sees that they can get to you, they will never stop. This is your blog, however, and you can call somebody's idea "moronic"--but don't say they are a moron.
• Don't get into an online argument unless you like that sort of thing. If you do, then don't hesitate.
• Don't give your address out on the blog. It's better that some people don't know where you live.
• Don't post copyrighted work. Some photos and articles are copyrighted. You may use up to 499 words of an editorial or a news story without permission, but any more than that you will need permission. You also have to give credit to the source and the writer. Don't assume that your blog is so small you won't be caught.