What Makes a Master Blogger?

There are many very good bloggers on the internet, aren’t there. The term “master blogger” seems to pop up now and then, and it is something that many bloggers aspire to be. In my eight years as a blogger, I would say that the definition of “master blogger” has definitely changed.

When I think of a master blogger, here are the qualities that I would suggest they have:

Connects with audience

For an audience to read and return, bloggers must learn about people in the audience and engage/connect with as many as possible.  This is not just about finding out their interests, but it is finding out who they are.  It is essential that we get to know our audience, learn their passions, and help them find out how we can engage them in their own interests.  If you are not able to do this as a blogger, the following characteristics will be moot.

Educate and entertain

Bloggers must ensure that they differentiate learning and work to meet the needs of each reader and understand how they each like to engage and be entertained.  I believe that people  have different engagement styles and if we can best figure out how to help them meet their needs, the audience will be easily captured.

Ensures that they draw relevance to curriculum – The question, “What does this have to do with real life?”, is something that I would prefer never be said in a classroom.  Not because it is not a legitimate question, but because teachers should show the relevance before there is an opportunity for it to be asked.  As we are obligated to teach curriculum objectives outlined by our government officials, this is something that must be done.  It is not always an easy part of the job but it is something we much continuously strive to do.

Not only is it essential that we draw relevance to the subject matter of what we teach, but it is also essential that we use mediums that are relevant to how students learn.  Disconnecting from devices that WE use as adults and kids use all the time the minute students walk into school is wrong.  A master teachers knows that it is essential  to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning in a way that is relevant to students.

Works with students to develop a love of learning – We are obligated to teach curriculum objectives but we are also obligated in our profession to help students find their own spark in learning.  Why do I write this blog?  It is my way of connecting with others and reflecting on my own learning.  It is a way that I choose to share and learn with others.  There is no pay or compensation that I receive from this.  A master teacher will try to tap into those ways that students love to learn and build upon that.  Creating that spark in each student will lead them to continued success and growth.

Embodies lifelong learning 

 A master teacher knows that they will never become the “perfect” blogger since that is unattainable.  They will look at ways that they can grow along with the members of the audience and develop their skills.  Writing and learning will always change and a master blogger knows that they need to change with it.  I have seen bloggers that have proclaimed that they are master bloggers but have not changed their practice in years.  Growth is essential as a blogger.  Society changes continuously and so do its needs.  We need thinkers on the internet and bloggers must show that they are on the leading edge of this.

Learning versus performance

 “Drive” by Dan Pink, he talks about the difference between performance and learning goals.  A performance goal would be similar to having a reader wanting to be be completely entertained, where a learning goal would be a reader wanting to become fluent in the subject at hand.  A master blogger sets his goals based on both  learning and performance, depending on his audience. 

 Ensures that “character education” is an essential part of learning – Character education is just as relevant, if not more so, than any learning objectives set out in a curriculum.  We live in a world where collaboration is vital to success and working with others is an important skill.  Working with students to teach the fundamentals of respecting others and being able to listen and learn from others is vital.  Students can have the smartest understanding of objectives but not have the ability to share these ideas with others in a respectful way or take the time to listen to other ideas.  A master teacher ensures that students not only grow mentally in class, but also emotionally.

Passionate about their  content they teach 

If a blogger works in the area of math and LOVES the subject area, that passion will spill over to the students he/she works with.  As an administrator, I work hard to help teachers work in subject areas that they are passionate about because I believe that enthusiasm is infectious. A master teacher shares their passion and enthusiasm with those they work with.  However, if you are a teacher in an area that you do not “love”, it is important that you find ways to spark that passion for yourself.

A master teacher is a “school teacher” – I often talk with people about the difference between a classroom teacher versus a “school teacher”.  It is essential that a master teacher does not only impact the learning environments of the class that they work with, but that they also have an impact on the school culture.  This can happen in sharing their passion through extracurricular activities or their knowledge on strong teaching strategies with school colleagues.  It is important that teachers do not just build connections with students that they teach now, but with students they had in the past or may have in the future.  It is great to see teachers that connect with kids that they do not teach at the time leading to enthusiasm for that student to one day be in that very same teacher’s class.

Strong communication skills – Obviously it is important that teachers are able to communicate with the students they teach, but what about their colleagues and parents?  Sharing knowledge, back and forth with colleagues is essential to the growth of the individual as well as the collective.  It is important that these skills are continuously developed.  It is also imperative that you are able to effectively communicate with parents as they have great insights on how their child learns best.  I have learned more and more as an educator the valuable learning that can come from communicating with parents and how important they are to the development of the school and class culture.  A master teacher will effectively draw upon this knowledge.

These are the characteristics that I believe make a master teacher.  I definitely know that as an administrator these are ideals as a teacher leader that I work towards everyday and want to embody.  The one thing that I do know is that my learning is nowhere near complete and I can still grow.  Learning from you, what areas do you think I missed on this list?  I would love to hear your thoughts as I continue to grow.

Blogging Tips: Follow These to Becoming a Master Blogger

Any fool can know. The point is to understand. Well said by Albert Einstein. There are many very good bloggers on the internet, aren’t there? The term “master blogger” seems to pop up now and then, and it is something that many bloggers aspire to be. In my eight years as a blogger, I would say that the definition of “master blogger” has changed. And anyone can notice, but only the masters can

blogging tips
Follow these blogging tips.

understand, appreciate, and adapt and learn from these blogging tips and blogging changes.

Check out our thoughts on team leverage.

When I think of a master blogger, here are the skills and qualities that I would suggest they have:

 

Blogging tips … connect with audience

For an audience to read and return, bloggers must learn about people in the audience and engage/connect with as many as possible.  This is not just about finding out their interests, but it is finding out who they are.  It is essential that we get to know our audience, learn their passions, and help them find out how we can engage them in their interests.  If you are not able to do this as a blogger, the following characteristics will be moot.

 An interesting articles to check out: How to start a business blog? 

Clear and simple messages

To be a successful blogger one has to have a clear understanding of what he/she is blogging about. That’s the first and the most important equation. Select a niche and stick to it as much as you can. If you have a clear understanding of what you are writing about, then I must say that you are 25% successful.

 

Educate and entertain
Educate and entertain or be ignored.

Educate and entertain

Bloggers must ensure that they differentiate learning and work to meet the needs of each reader and understand how they each like to engage and be entertained.  I believe that people have different engagement styles, and if we can best figure out how to help them meet their needs, the audience will be easily captured.

Quality over quantity

Quality is the only factor that drives visitors back to your blog. Create a strategy and focus on it to impress your readers every time you write an article. Every single article should clearly show your superiority in the niche you are dealing with. I know only a genius can do that, but who knows there might be a genius hiding behind your darker side. Wake him up and try something new to introduce your creativity to the blogosphere.

 

Blogger design tips … promoting your work

A blog without targeted traffic is worth nothing, even if you can write ten articles every single day. It’s vital that you market your blog in all possible ways to drive targeted traffic. Comments on popular and active blogs, forums posting helps a lot in the beginning but remember it’s not the end. You should make sure that you get some new visitors by writing guest articles, article marketing and by social bookmarking submissions.

Consistency is a key

To be 100% successful, all you have to do is to write quality posts consistently. Make sure you maintain the quality and standards your readers are looking for. Stay patient and work hard. Blogging is a slow process, but once you get attention, you will never look back.

draw relevance
Draw relevance in blogging.

 

blogging tips … draw relevance

The question of each post, “What does this have to do with real life?” is something that I would prefer never be said.  Not because it is not a legitimate question, but because bloggers should show the relevance before there is an opportunity for it to be asked

Not only is it essential that we draw relevance to the subject matter of what we write, but it is also essential that we use mediums that are relevant to where the audience hangs out on the internet.   A master blogger knows that it is essential to use technology and mediums to enhance interest in a way that is relevant to their audience.

 

Master blogger … embody lifelong learning 

A master blogger knows that they will never become the “perfect” blogger since that is unattainable.  They will look at ways that they can grow along with the members of the audience and develop their skills.  Writing and learning will always change, and a master blogger knows that they need to change with it. I have seen bloggers that have proclaimed that they are master bloggers but have not changed their practice in years.  Growth is essential as a blogger.  Society changes continuously and so do its needs.  We need thinkers on the internet and bloggers must show that they are on the leading edge of this.

 

Learning versus performance

In “Drive” by Dan Pink, he talks about the difference between performance and learning goals.  A performance goal would be similar to having a reader wanting to be completely entertained, where a learning goal would be a reader wanting to become fluent in the subject at hand.  A master blogger sets his goals based on both learning and performance, depending on his audience.

 

Passionate about their content

If a blogger works in the area of math and LOVES the subject area that passion will spill over to the audience, he/she works with.  As a marketer and blogger, I work hard to help my clients and audience work in subject areas that they are passionate about because I believe that enthusiasm is infectious. A master blogger shares their passion and enthusiasm with those they work with.  However, if you are a blogger in an area that you do not “love”, it is important that you find ways to spark that passion for yourself.

 

Strong communication skills 

Obviously, it is important that bloggers can communicate with the audience they target.  Sharing knowledge, back and forth with colleagues is essential to the growth of the reader as well as the collective.  It is important to continuously develop these skills.

The bottom line

 

These are the characteristics that I believe make a master blogger.  I know that these are the skills that I work towards every day and want to embody.  The one thing that I know for sure is that my learning is nowhere near complete, and I can still grow.

Learning from you, what areas do you think I missed on this list?  I would love to hear your thoughts as I continue to grow.
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Mike Schoultz is the founder of Digital Spark Marketing, a digital marketing and customer service agency. With 40 years of business experience, he blogs on topics that relate to improving the performance of your business. Find them on G+Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

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More reading on creativity from Digital Spark Marketing’s Library:

10 Different Ways to Enhance Creativity

Secrets to Understanding the Genie in the Creativity Bottle

How You Are Destroying your Creativity and Imagination

13 Motivators for Creating a Change and Adaptability Culture