Blog Startup Checklist

Thinking of starting a blog?  Before you jump in, make sure you have done your homework and can support and maintain it.  A blog is a long-term project that requires constant care and feeding, so it’s important to make sure you will have the time and resources to keep it going, before you start.

1. Think about why you need a blog

a. What problem will it help you solve?
b. Who is your audience?
c. How it will help you meet your organizational goals?

2. Develop a strategic plan

a. Decide how you will govern the blog and manage your content

3. Determine resource needs

a. Do you have resources to create, regularly maintain and promote a blog?

4. Choose a blog tool

a. Find federal-compatible Terms of Service Agreements for many free social media tools and apps to improve your website

5. Get training

a. Learn how to use your blog tool and, more importantly, how to write compelling content

6. Decide how you’ll measure success

a. Analytics can tell you how many people you reach
b. Visitor comments reveal whether your blog is useful and informative
c. What kind of data will tell you whether your blog is fulfilling its purpose?

7. Document policies

a. Document the ground rules, including how you will manage comments and comply with any applicable laws or requirements
b. Policies protect both your organization, and your bloggers

Once you’ve done all this—NOW you can blog!

Content Lead: Lisa Nelson
Page Reviewed/Updated: August 6, 2012