Later this week I’m leading a session for a client that’s being called “How to Write a Blog.” Actually I believe they’re calling it “Blog Training Writing” but “How to Write a Blog” sounds a little better. As I’ve been preparing for this session over the last two weeks I’ve been struck by the fact that the title is all wrong.

Initially I was all for leading a session called “How to Write a Blog” but now I don’t think it’s sufficient. A more appropriate title is “How to Be a Great Blogger” because the actual writing aspect of a blog is just part of the mechanics but being a great blogger is another thing entirely. Learning how to write a blog means you discover some tips, strategies, and thoughts on what to do…but you can know all of that and still be a really bad blogger with a really bad blog.

If your focus is on what to do, you’ll never learn how to be. If you want to “do” blogging you can start today. Go to Wordpress.com and get yourself a free blog and start blogging. But, if you want to “be” a blogger there are many other things you need to think about… things like tone, voice, attitude, style, and personality. Those aren’t things you really do. They’re things you are. They develop as you “do” blogging.

Sure, there are some things every good blogger should do…but in the end it’s not enough if you never cross the line to be a blogger. If you’ve been blogging for a while (or maybe you’re just getting started) ask yourself if you’re more interested in what to do or how to be. I recommend you keep your eye on how to be. The “doing” will come along the way.