The blogosphere is an interesting, ever-changing, and ever-growing place. Since starting, I’ve learned a lot of things about blogging that I would never have learned otherwise. My perspectives have simmered these past couple years, so I’ll share ’em.

1. There’s a blog for any topic imaginable.

If you’re truly passionate about something, chances are someone else is too—and is blogging about it. Whether it’s in the form of a review, anecdote, how-to guide, or photo gallery, there are a ton of ways to elaborate on the most niche interests.

2. Facebook works.

People are interested in writing by people they know. So when they see a friend’s post appear on their feed, they’re more likely to read it. It’s a win-win directed advertising technique because of that connection.

3. Keywords are key.

The start of a discussion, the crux of a call to action, or any marketing approach relies on the people you reach. Tags–keywords–funnel in the right readers, and more of them. Even a few tags make a difference in readership.

4. Aesthetics are essential.

Better blogs look better; from color scheme to background, it all matters. But something that most people don’t think about is how text is arranged. Huge walls of it usually intimidate readers while stanza-ish paragraphs are easier for the eyes and brain to digest. Pictures can function not only to explain or embellish, but also to break up large chunks of text.

Blogging is a science. Presentation and delivery need tweaking, comparing, streamlining, sweetening. It’s interesting to see what decisions improve the reading experience. I wonder how my blog will function, look, and adapt in the coming years.