By Iain Dale - Read Iain's Blog
Blogging has reached a tipping point in this country. Several blogs have broken major stories over the
past few months, which have influenced the media and political agenda. Blogging is something the
Conservative Party itself would do well to embrace.
It is simply incredible to me that my meagre little blog gets far more hits than the official
Conservative Party website. Why is this? Because it gives people what they want and enables
them to interact in a small but perfectly formed community.
The Conservative Party website, in common with those of the other main parties, is static. It doesn't
involve people. It doesn't speak to them and engage in a conversation - it talks at them.
Francis Maude is one of the few politicians to 'get' blogging. He understands the dangers and risks
but more importantly he understands the benefits. He knows that with blogging you have to take the
rough with the smooth.
Very few politicians write blogs. In some ways I understand why, because it can be a risky business.
But in politics we can't play safe all the time. We need to take some risks and if speaking your
mind is nowadays considered to be a risk, it's a reflection on the state of our political discourse
in this country.
So to all those aspirant MPs reading this, I would encourage you all to consider starting your own
blog. It doesn't have to be racy or gossipy, but you can use it as a free means of communicating
with your electorate without the filter of the media. Where else could you find that opportunity?
Blogging is here to stay and we Conservatives need to maintain the lead we have built up in the
British political blogosphere.
If you want to start your own blog you can do it for free and within ten minutes of reading this article.
Go to www.blogger.com,
www.wordpress.com or
www.typepad.com. It really is as simple as that.
And if you do start a blog, make sure you let me know and I'll publicise it. How about that for an
offer you cannot refuse?!
Iain Dale (iain@iaindale.com)
Iain Dale's Top 10 Blogging Tips
- Write something every day
- Don't write an essay - be short and snappy
- Interact with your readers who make comments
- Don't try to copy another blog - make yours unique
- Choose a blog name that is easy to remember and not too long
- Don't pander to what you think people want to hear
- Be controversial, but not for the sake of it
- Don't be afraid to offend or be offended
- Link to your favourite blogs and ask them to link to yours
- Sign up to a Stat Counter, which can track how many hits you get
