Whether you are new to blogging or have been around the block a few times, I am sure you have thought about your role as blogger. What do your readers expect from you? How can you give your readers what they expect while maintaining your identity as a blogger?

The following list of blogger musts was compiled from various blogs about bloggers, specifically, Liz Strauss’ Successful and Outstanding Bloggers.

1. Pick topics that interest you. Your passion for a subject, or lack there of, comes across in your writing. For this reason, always write about something of interest to you. Think about it; would you rather read an article about orange cats by someone who doesn’t know or care a wit about them, or an article by someone mildly fanatical about all things Garfield? Always write what you know.

2. Stay the course. When writing, it is easy to meander off the path in front of you. When at all possible, try to keep your writing flowing in a simple, easy to follow channel. By doing so, you make it easy for your readers to take away your intended message. After all, do you want to read something that is all over the place, or something that is written in a simple informative manner, bringing you exactly to the point?

3. Write for an audience similar to you, but that doesn’t know the tidbit you are writing about. By doing this, you will have a much easier time. It is too hard to write for both PhDs in astrophysics and middle school dropouts. Rather than trying to write for some imaginary “mean” reading level, write for yourself; this is probably where the bulk of your readers reading levels fall.

4. Plan, plan, plan! By planning your course before hand, you can weed through all of your thoughts and information, whittling out the less important pieces. This allows you to organize your writing into only the most informative, interesting pieces.

5. Tell your reader. This may seem simple, but it is often easy to forget. You are in the business of conveying information to your readers. Don’t forget that you need to express what you are trying to say in simple, informative terms; don’t beat around the bush. Clearly convey your ideas. This is the best way to get your ideas across.

6. Write in a readable manner. Don’t try to sound smarter than you are; this always backfires. And remember, not all of your audience is going to have the same comprehension level that you do. If you can say it in a simpler way, with smaller words, than by all means, do so!

7. Don’t talk down (or up) to your readers. Although you want to write in a readable manner, don’t dumb it down. Readers can tell when you talk down to them, and it shows a lack of respect. Conversely, don’t talk up to your readers. This is also obvious when done (remember, big words always backfire) and can make you look like a bit of a fraud, or not so bright at the least.

8. Stand firm. Do not waiver in your stances, and above all, don’t offer apologies for what you write. If you believe it, write it. Don’t worry about any controversy a post may generate. Controversy is often one of the greatest readership generators. After all, where there is smoke, there is fire.

9. Summarize. At the end of your posts, tie everything together with a neat little bow, but don’t beat a dead horse. Summarize the main points of your post, but don’t bore your reader.

10. Respect your readers. Never ever, ever belittle or embarrass your readers through responses to comments or in the blog itself. Your readers are your life-blood; they are why you do what you do.

So remember, write entertaining, enlightening posts about topics you care about, ensuring that your reader feels like you didn’t waste their time. And, listen to your readers; they are the reason you are doing this.