You have probably heard about blogging by now – it has been growing in Australia for some years. But if you haven’t quite worked out whether it is an activity that will suit you or not, that’s okay. Here are some tips that might help you decide:

1. Do it on your terms.

Of course, stories are reported in the media of the meteoric success some bloggers experience. That’s an important word – ‘some’. Consequently, fledgling bloggers can feel a burden of expectation that they need to secure a book deal, or a syndicated column, for example. Now, ambition is fine – admirable – but if all you want to do is use your blog as a creative space for experimentation, or you think you might only do it once a week or fortnight, that is also totally valid. It is much easier to blog when you set suitable boundaries.

2. Remember: it’s not a race.

Getting used to the blogging platform you chose to work on can take a little while, and the number of social networking and sharing sites at your disposal are vast. And don’t even get me started on how many photo editing apps there are for our smartphones. But before you get overwhelmed, just remember, it’s okay to take things slow. Familiarise yourself one app or network at a time.

3. Appreciating your readers helps cultivate community.

It’s the little things: respond to comments as often as you can, read other blogs and comment on them too. I’ve made many friends and met so many peers over the years this way. It’s been a wonderful way of networking, right from the lounge, or even bed. By showing your readers you care and value their input encourages them to keep reading, subscribe to your feed or newsletter and be your potential customers if you ever decide to create a product or service. Success, at the end of the day, really lies with them.

Karen Andrews will be running her Powering Your Blog workshop on Saturday 5 July.