There are ONLY 5 types of Blogs…

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on The Only 3 Blogs that YOU will Really REMEMBER. While I presented the reader’s view on what kind of blog posts a reader usually remembers, I now look at the other side of the coin. The blogger’s view….

I entered the world of blogging in March, 2010. In the past 2 years, I have read zillions of blogs on diverse topics from diverse individuals. Of course, they have all had an impact on me – I have learnt from some, laughed at some, gotten a bit wiser after reading some, pondered a lot after a couple, some touched a deep emotional chord, some I did not understand (either they were too complex for me OR they were written in a fashion that was beyond my literary comprehension) and some I just did not feel like reading (either too long or too boring or just not my taste…)

Today, as I step back and analyze the different types of blogs and logically categorize them, I realize that there are really only 5 types of blogs:

1) Blogs which are about what YOU THINK
2) Blogs which are about what YOU KNOW
3) Blogs which are about what YOU DO
4) Blogs which are about what YOU FEEL
5) Combination blogs – Which combine two / more of the above 4

In this post, I will elaborate on each of these, and highlight specific posts which I was able to recall with amazing clarity and the key characteristics of these blogs that stood out.

1) Blogs which are about what YOU THINK

These are blogs in which you write about your thoughts. When a blogger blogs about his / her own thoughts – it is usually exclusive, unique and personal; and most importantly, it has the power to make a reader also think.

In my personal assessment, the best examples of posts that stand out in this category are Chris Bogan’s post on 106 Excuses That Prevent You From Ever Becoming Great or my post on ProBlogger on Why You should wear the 6 Thinking Hats on your blog? or Angela Maiers post on The 12 Most Important Ways to Let People Know They Matter or Corbett Barr’s post on 5 Simple Principles for Becoming an Expert

Majority of the blogs that I have visited have at least 20% of posts published on what the blogger thinks. But in general, the categories of blogs which are primarily about the bloggers thoughts are probably those by film critics, economists, financial advisors, academicians, researchers, scientists, politicians, self-help gurus, spiritual leaders, professional services blogs – be it marketing, technology, etc.

If you blog about your thoughts, you typically are able to attract a diverse set of readers. Simply because many readers are usually interested in what fellow bloggers think. If you’re already an online or offline celebrity, then you are able to attract a global reader base as people are interested in knowing and learning about what you really think.

2) Blogs which are about what YOU KNOW

These are blogs in which you write about things you know – either by virtue of the theoretical knowledge you have or because you have had real-life experiences which contributed to your knowledge, comprehension and realization of a specific subject

From my personal experience, the best examples of posts that stand out are Guy Kawasaki’s post on 12 Most Valuable Lessons I learnt from Steve Jobs or my own post 12 Most Mesmerizing Mantras on how to publish 321 blogs in 321 days

In terms of categories, the cookery blogs are a classic example. Take a detailed look at Alana Lowes blog or Aparna’s blog – They combine knowledge of their core skill which is cooking, and supplement it with the power of photography to showcase their knowledge.

If you blog about what you know, then the kind of readers you typically attract will be those who have a specific interest in knowing or learning about the specific subjects you blog about – either because it has some relevance in their professional or personal context OR they are just curious to learn or know more about the subject.

3) Blogs which are about what YOU DO

These are blogs in which you primarily write about things which you do as a part of your personal or professional life.

In my personal experience, the best examples of posts in this category are the Photography blogs. Take a look at the Darren Rowse photography school blog or the Kristie Hines photography blog to see what I mean. Other examples are the blogs on social good and social welfare which primarily showcase the work done towards a specific cause, marketing blogs, technology blogs or even several corporate blogs.

If you blog mostly about what you do, then the kind of readers you typically attract will be those who have a specific interest in knowing or learning about the specific subjects you blog about – either because it has some relevance in their professional or personal context OR they are just curious to learn or know more on the subject.

NOTE: There sometimes is a thin difference between what you know and what you do – simply because many times we tend to do things that we know primarily, but its important to understand that there is a difference

4) Blogs which are about what YOU FEEL

These are blogs in which you write about what you feel. And these are very powerful posts because they are based on your own human emotions; and hence have the potential and power to get a reader to also feel.

The best example of posts which come to my mind are Jamie Wallace’s post on 36 Things I Want My Daughter to Always Remember or my own post 12 Most Wonderful Moments in the First Year of Motherhood @ or Bruce Sallan’s post on Revisiting Gratitude

In terms of specific category, the Mommy / Parenting blogs stand out. If you read them, they usually are very personal, expressive and are able to stir or evoke emotions. I have yet to come across any mommy / parenting blog that did not make me emotional. The point is that most of these blogs are about a women’s / parent’s life journey and hence intensely personal. And invariably, they have the power and potential to touch your heart.

If you blog about your emotions, you typically are able to attract a reader base who maybe experiencing similar emotions, and probably would want to learn about how you dealt with these emotions or sometimes just to feel that they are not alone in experiencing these emotions.

5) Combination blogs – Which combine two / more of the above 4

These are blogs in which you combine two or more of the following – What you know? What you do? What you think? And what you feel?  Most blogs I come across are usually of this type. And they are undoubtedly my personal favorites.

In my personal assessment, the finest example I can give is Lisa Petrilli’s post on What I learnt about networking when I asked a stranger for a kidney. To be honest, I’ve read this post many many times – and every time I read it, it inspires me. And this sentiment has been echoed by almost everyone I know who read the post.

When I objectively look at why this post has this effect, the following things stand out:
1) The title – You just can’t miss it! I know I read this post for the first time on a very busy day at work when I was working to meet a deadline I had already missed. That’s how compelling the title was! And once I read the post, I was glad that I did.
2) The articulation – It is so beautifully written and it is evident that Lisa has written it straight from her heart
3) It is a classic example of a combination blog in which Lisa has written about what she knew, thought, felt and did.
4) Most importantly, the message that Lisa conveyed was so positive and inspirational to any reader

Other examples of posts which I can recall are Leo Babauta’s post on 9 Essential Skills Kids Should Learn, my own posts on 12 Most Life Molding Basics You should Invest in and 12 Choices to Transform your life

If most of your posts fall in this category, you will typically be able to attract a diverse set of readers, enjoy your blogging journey and be able to keep at blogging for the long haul.

Finally, Nischala’s Pearls of Wisdom:

• Based on the type of the blogs you choose to write, you will be able to control and influence the following:
-The title of the blog posts
-The content on your blog
-The kind of readers that your blog attracts
-The larger impact of your blog on the lives of your readers – both in the personal and professional context

• In all my blogging experience, I have found that the REAL and MOST PROFOUND impact of a blog is when you write a combination post including elements of What you know? What you do? What you feel? and What you think? And if one of those elements is What you think? OR What you feel?, then it increases the power to influence and impact the reader.

• Most importantly, if you write from your heart and it touches someone else’s heart, you have a real testimonial for your success as a blogger as this requires a complete command of your literary skills, creativity of expression, courage in articulation and control of your emotions and thoughts. This is not easy and only a select few have been endowed by this ability.

So if you are one of those gifted few, do leverage your gift for the larger good.

And if you have found a blogger who you believe has achieved this level of mastery, then do continue to read their blogs.

Reposted from here 

Images Courtesy jdhancock and wwworks