Blogging has been around for a while. Some people embrace it while others just don’t get it.  The bottom line is that writing for a blog is exchanging and broadcasting information. Some governments build them into their official website while others branch out and use social media to draw an audience to a blogging platform like Blogger or WordPress.

Regardless of how you decide to blog, taking the first step is crucial, and a game plan is necessary.  Here are some key considerations for crafting your social media strategy and creating your editorial calendar for blogging.

1. Know and say why. Every blog needs a purpose. A local government blog will serve to inform and educate constituents on matters at hand. The sooner you publicize your mission statement, the better people will understand your blog and want to follow along. 
2. Create an editorial calendar.   An editorial calendar is vital to scheduling weekly posts and topics to stay organized and on track.
3. Utilize guest posts. Hosting a member of your local government or expert in his or her profession to write a guest post provides a different or new perspective about a situation or issue.
4. Create a spotlight. Highlight members of your community who are actively making a difference and promote their cause.  In addition to bringing your government issues to light, this is the perfect time to showcase charitable causes or campaigns that are occuring in your community.    
5. Involve your youth. It’s hard to deny that millennials have a natural understanding of the virtual environment. Give opportunities to young people looking to gain real world experience and allow volunteer or remote internships to students in your area with an interest in journalism, editing, web design, or social media strategy.    
6. Read.  Check out a few articles on why blogging in local government is important.   

• Paul Hogarth back in 2009 wrote, “Why Blogging Local Government Matters” about the impact of local government that citizens might not be aware of and the importance of citizen involvement.  
• Emerging Local Government Leaders let the people vote this year on the MVP of Guest Bloggers. 
• Localopolis shares his ideas about the type of blogging that local governments should participate in.
• Ingrid Koehler shares her ideas for possible future posts for a local government blog.  
• Don’t forget to check out the ICMA’s help site for using our blogs and our Social Media Topic Page for the latest innovation in social media.  

Check out a Knowledge Network blog, In the Know, as well as other blogs found on the Knowledge Network.