10 Tips for Bloggers

I've been doing this for a while and I think I got the knack on being a blogger. It's tough, there are so many of us, saying the same thing or posting similar things from the popular blogs.

While it can be daunting, it can be done and done well. So, I wanted to share some pieces of wisdom that has helped me over the years. Maybe they could help someone out there.

1. Stay current and ahead with info. If you are posting current events, make sure they are current.
2.  Find the best news blogs out there and stick with them. See if their style and subject matter match your own. 
3. Make sure your info is correct. We all stumble with this, but if possible, make sure your sources are 99.9% to 100% right all the time. 
4. And speaking of sources, always link them. Unless you're right there when the news happening, always provide a link to a source.
5. Never pander, beg, or suck up to bigger named bloggers. It's foolish and sad. You can be a fan of other bloggers, but don't beg them to follow you or post your work. If you are good, your work will speak for itself.
6. Mix it up, talk about different things. Surprise your readers.
7. Challenge your readers to think differently. Sometimes a lot of bloggers will say the same thing or support the same point of view. That's fine, I just think it's healthy to challenge the popular view point. It's good to see things from different angles, and you know how bloggers can get stuck in the bubble. So, flip the script.
8. Don't waste your blog bitching and moaning. We all have opinions and passion points, but if you spend your entire blog talking about how you were wronged, or betrayed... Folks won't care as much. Some folks do this way too much. In fact, it is a given (From these particular bloggers) that out of 8 posts, 6 of them are all about being wronged. Get over it and get over yourself... Maybe find a therapist too.
9. Always remember why you are doing this. If you're trying to be famous or if you're trying to keep folks aware of the injustices in the world, always keep your eyes of the prize and go for it.
10. Read other blogs and be supportive. I wouldn't be here if I haven't met some of you. So, make connections and make friends.

Question of the Day

How many Bloggers have you met? Are who do you want to meet?

I'm going to the Haas LGBT Journalists Convening this weekend

I have been invited to the Haas LGBT Journalists Convening this weekend. This event is sponsored by National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.

I will be joining some of your favorite journalists and bloggers, discussing issues within our community. I'm very honored to be a part of this event. There will be about 30 or more of us in Houston, Tx so it should be a grand ole time.

I'll be blogging and tweeting all weekend, so stay tuned.

This is for You

Hi all

I've noticed some of you are having a rough moment in your lives. Things seem uber-crazy and who knows when a silver lining will come through.

So I wanted to share this song with y'all. It helped me many years ago. It's Hard Candy Christmas, by Dolly Parton and the girls from the Chicken Ranch

I hope things get better.

Are Some of our Gay Bloggers leading us into a Wall?

I'm just going to cut to it. This so called gay revolution is heading into a wall if we continue to operate from misconceptions, misinformation and assumptions.

I've noticed from several blogs, actually from several gay blogs that are considered "The top of the top" that their anger and misinformation can really hurt our movement.

Here are some examples

AMERICAblog attacks Jennifer Chrisler, head of the Family Equality Council, for going to the DNC event. The blog goes as far as calling her a "sell-out", then says

"I'm sure Chisler, as she sips her champagne and eats her fancy French hors d'oeuvres to commemorate the gays and lesbians who rioted for her civil rights 40 years ago, will do her best to hold the president's feet to the fire.

Please.

You should see her quotes in the article, how she wasn't satisfied by the "limited benefits" provided for in the memo the president signed last Wednesday. Yeah, real unsatisfied - that's why she stood over him clapping like a giddy schoolkid, providing him the political cover he needed at a time that our community needed her.

I seriously hope someone looks into who the donors are for this apologist organization. No gay person should ever give a dime to the Family Equality Council again. Ever."

So I guess if you have a different opinion from John Aravosis, you are an enemy of the state. Maybe John will request that any other LGBT person who attends the DNC event to burned at the stake.

Then on Pam's House Blend, they have a header that reads, Star and Stripes confirms HRC deal with WH to de-prioritze DADT. But as you read the piece, you see this:

Timothy Kincaid at Box Turtle Bulletin discovered quite a bit of business in the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.

One can only assume it is referring to HRC, since it is our lobbying org on the Hill: An official with the House Democratic leadership said the House is committed to repealing "don't ask" but has agreed with civil rights groups to put new hate crime legislation and a workplace nondiscrimination bill on the legislative calendar before taking up the military issue.

So, you say, it's confirmed it's HRC and then turn around to say that, One can only assume it is referring to HRC...that's misleading and assuming.

Also that Stars and Stripes article doesn't name the HRC as the civil rights group, so even that is a big assumption.

And Queerty, another popluar gay blog consistently post broke ass, poorly researched mess daily.

I have to ask...What in the Hell is really going on? Why are they pushing this stuff, when it's either inaccurate, a flat out lie or just pure foolishness. Now, I'm not trying to start a fight (I would win from all the Buffy I've watched), but I'm really getting worried that all this hype can hurt our cause. Right now, some of the LGBT community are fired up; mostly from reading these blogs.

But if the info is wack, what good is it?

Attacking and tearing down each other will not solve anything in our quest for civil rights.
Running on assumptions and hunches are not productive towards our progress.
Trying whip up foolishness and drama is destructive and divisive to our community.

This bothers me so much because many LGBT folks read these blogs and others like them. If folks are pushing misinformation and mess in their faces then that's a disservice to the community. They have to realize that our community is looking for hope. Let's help them find it, not lead them into a dark mirky ditch.