How to start a blog, with Mashable.com founder Pete Cashmore

Posted by Sarah Schewe on July 17, 2008 at 9:52 AM

The Seattle Post-Intelliger recently interviewed Pete Cashmore, founder of Mashable.com, for top tips on how to start a blog. Below is an edited transcript of what appears on seattlepi.com.

What's the most important thing to remember when starting a blog?

Pete Cashmore: Persistence. It takes a lot of time to start a blog. It's kind of a Catch-22. You can't get people reading a blog until you've got content on there, but you need feedback to get going. Once you see a glimmer of traction, you just steer into that momentum, learn from readers.

How do you decide what to write about?

PC: You find a niche. If you can focus on one core thing, then you're able to attract a core audience around that, be the number one leader in that space...If you're a real expert on Thai food, do Thai restaurants, then you can get traction and expand later.

There are a lot of blogs out there already. How do you know yours will have a shot?

PC: You have to add a twist, a voice, a unique angle. You say, 'Can I build more value than what is already out there?'

What about feedback? What do you do with it?

PC: When you get feedback, make sure you respond. It's a really great thing when someone is interested in what you're doing - they build your brand. That's going to make the difference between traditional journalism and blogging: It's about discussion and conversation.

For more tips on successful blogging, check out Paul Chaney's editing checklist.

Source: The Seattle Post-Intelliger