Today's question comes from Lila, the lovely blogress out of Gran Canaria. She writes:

Yo Phil,

What do you think of the 'new blogger power' the nouveau blogger rules, blogger types, followers and leaders?

*Activist in disguise*
Lila

Lila,

I find your query intriguing. The "new blogger power," as you put it, is actually quite the opposite. In fact, new bloggers by and large lack experience. Their blogs tend to be menial and silly, but given time, they will improve their blogging skills. Before you know it, they will become seasoned veterans like us old bloggers.

It has been my experience that the nouveau blogger, due to lack of experience, is really not always that great. When I started out, my entries were not what you would consider stellar. In fact, they downright sucked.

Should you be looking for a set of guidelines for how to blog, I highly recommend reading Jeff's 360 rules, and Daisy's friend rules.

Here is a condensed version of their rules, if you don't have to time to read them for yourself:

Jeff's rules - Keep it real, man.

Daisy's rules - If you're not a total whacko, I just might let you be my friend.

In my own words, here's a good example of how not to blog:

"So yesterday, I went to the grocery, bought over $100 worth of
groceries, chatted up the cashier about the latest gossip on
Marie's husband Joey, and oh my god, I think he has the hots for me, but that'd be so slutty of me to go with him, but I think kind of fun too, and since I'm into kinky shit I just might go for it."

Chances are, if your blog looks nothing like this, you're on the right track.

The world itself is a very diverse place, and the blog world is no exception. There are many different types of bloggers out there, some who maintain a theme and others who prefer to post a variety of stuff. Those who lean toward variety generally are the most fun, but are harder to make fun of. I refer again to Jeff, who put together an amazing list of blogger types.

When you read through it, notice that the it's very easy to make fun of those who tend to blog more or less like a one trick pony. Here's some examples:

-True story: I received an invite one time from "360 Nasty Girl," a leather and lace gal who despite her devilish appearance came off as quite sweet, unless you count the odd list of interests and, though she was still new and didn't have many blogs posted, the soon-to-be super "sexy" blog posts.

Okay, that's enough examples. Refer back to the simple blog entry quote above for the rest.

And finally, followers and leaders. There are always followers and leaders, in any aspect of life. As a blogger, I like to think that I maintain my very own style, one that is unique to me and that only I maintain. There are times, however where others inspire me to write something (in which case I usually mention them) and some tag games can be fun. Should you want to play a tag game, or "copy" something because everyone else is doing it, by all means go for it. My only advice is to put your own spin on it. There are no rules, and anything goes, so you might as well have fun with it.

I sincerely hope this helps, and I wish you all the best in your blogging ventures.

-Phil

*If you wish to ask Yo Phil a question, simply leave a comment or send him a message. Yo Phil is a trademark of Phil's Blog, "All Things Phil," 2005-2006.