So you’ve finally found your way over to HomeschoolBlogger.com and decided to take the plunge. You’ve selected a sensible user name and a snazzy template. Now what? You stare at the screen, paralyzed with indecision. What do you write about? That is both an easy and a hard question to answer.

It’s easy to think of things to write about but hard to know if you should. You ponder the thought of telling the world about your day. But then again you don’t want to discourage any readers too quickly with the “real you.” So you think something a little more inspirational might be better. Suddenly, everything that sounded so profound while you were washing the dishes went down the drain with the sudsy water. The words seem trite and insignificant. You decide to take a break and come back later. And your blog is very patient to wait for your return. Unfortunately, every time you do you are hit with the same blog clog … what do I write about? Your blog sits in anxious silence waiting for your thoughts to dazzle the blogosphere. It would be nice if someone created a product called “Braino” that lets the blog out. But don’t look for that anytime soon. However, something that might help is to figure out why you blog.

The purpose of a blog is different for every blogger. It is the next step in blogging that many don’t take the time to think through before they start to blog. But to be a successful blogger, your blog should develop a purpose. Note that successful does not necessarily mean the most popular. By successful, I mean knowing where you are heading and accomplishing your purpose.

When a teen finally gets his driver’s license, he just wants to get in the car and go. But the thrill of being behind the wheel wears off fairly quickly unless there is a destination in mind. Like the driver of a car, bloggers need to consider their destination. Where do you want to go with your blog? Defining your purpose will help you determine what you should and shouldn’t write about.

Let’s stick with the driving analogy and look at a few “drivers” and their purpose for blogging. You may find yourself in one of them or you may be a combination. This analogy is meant to help you steer your new blog.

The Sunday Driver
Some bloggers just want to visit friends and family. Think of them as Sunday drivers. They post as often as necessary to keep everyone up-to-date. They tell of the happenings around their home, often using those events to share a small insight about life that they have learned. They blog to encourage others. Their experiences are personal, often humorous, and meant to let their readers, who usually know them, know what’s going on. Their blog is an online journal, and they are content to let whoever meanders into their blog world share in the journey.

The Newspaper Carrier
“Newspaper carrier” bloggers like to keep up on all the latest events and developments in the world. Information is their life, and they love to share in the excitement of passing it along to others. Sometimes they will share their opinion to add some spice to the news. Otherwise, they’ll let the news speak for itself. Their posts are short and to the point, leaving the reader to click on the links to get the rest of the story.

The Taxi Driver
Good taxi drivers engage their passengers in interesting conversations and friendly debates to help pass the time. The taxi bloggers are very similar. They like to write provocative prose and get into a discussion with those who catch their blog. Eventually, the conversation moves on, and they’ll pick out a new topic, hoping to snag a few readers to ride along with them.

The Race Car Driver
The race car drivers are the driven bloggers. They love the speed of information, and they desire to post it first. They are high energy and exciting. Debate and controversy fuel their blogs. They want to be the best and are “competing” with the other bloggers to rise in the blogosphere. They look for hot topics and seek to create their own “blog swarm.” But like many, they can crash and burn if they don’t watch out.

The Commuter
Commuter bloggers are all business. Their blogs are topic or industry driven and may be about politics, finance, or cooking. They blog about their industry and all the latest trends. This blogger often has a product to sell or a service to offer. They are focused and determined to use their blog to increase visibility. Hopefully, their effort will translate into an increase in sales.

The School Bus Driver
School bus bloggers typically drive the same route every day, visiting all their favorite blogging friends. Occasionally, they stop and blog a short post of their own. Or they may take a detour to a new blog to find others who are interested in sharing the ride with them. They have a long list of blogger “friends” on their sidebar. They make frequent blog stops and leave comments everywhere.

The Tourist
“A picture is worth a thousand words” is the motto of the tourist bloggers. They love to post pictures of anything and everything that they find interesting. They let their photos do most of the talking. Their blog becomes an online scrapbook of their adventures in life.

Of course, it’s possible to revert to the horse and buggy. Some people are intimidated with the whole idea of throwing their thoughts and ideas out for the rest of the world to read instantaneously. So they stick with pen and paper. That’s okay too. Many great writers throughout history have made quite a name for themselves doing just that. And a letter in the mailbox is still a welcome treat around my house.

Rules of the Road
Just like a driver on the highway, a blogger needs a few rules of the road. These are guidelines that as a Christian I follow to keep me in check.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). There are a lot of things to blog about, but they don’t all meet this fundamental standard. There are many news stories that are funny but would not be edifying for the reader. And certainly vulgarity and crudeness have no place on a blog. Remember, the Lord is a reader of every post.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise (Proverbs 10:19). Writing just for the sake of having something to post is not what blogging is usually about. A 2-year old babbles on just to hear herself speak and to draw attention to herself. God will hold us accountable for the words that we speak and write. Avoid idle words meant to entertain the ears but that have little profit for the soul. Our words should edify others and draw attention to Christ.

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment (Proverbs 12:9). Bloggers need to write truthfully and with integrity. Once a blogger loses her credibility, it is difficult to regain. If you make a mistake, admit it and correct the situation as soon as possible.

But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine … Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored (Titus 2). This Scripture lays out a high standard for what is acceptable to talk about in life and on a blog. Our speech must be fitting for sound doctrine, good, and sensible. There are dozens of things that go on around a home that could be humorous, but they would not be sensible to share in a public forum. Avoid speaking about family or friends in a way that dishonors them or the Lord.

Beware of Blog Rage
If you cruise the blogosphere long enough, you will eventually encounter “blog rage.” This is the behavioral equivalent to road rage. Although not as deadly, it can still do a lot of damage to your blogging enjoyment. First, don’t be guilty of “blog rage” yourself. Don’t let unkind comments affect you. Don’t blog while angry. Consider waiting until a calmer moment and then write. If you do write something, save it as a draft and read it again later when you’re not as upset. Time has a way of refining our perspective and softening our tone.

If you write enough posts, eventually someone is going to disagree and probably get angry with you. The Scripture says in Proverbs 26:4-5, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” Pray and use discernment about when to answer a comment and when to just let it go and move on.

Blogging is fun and can be an effective way to share your life and your faith. Once you have defined your purpose, write with enthusiasm and passion about the things that interest you most.

Let’s meet a few bloggers from HomeschoolBlogger.com who are doing just that.