The first post of Janathon is an important one; it is this post that other Janathoners read. It is this post that other Janathoners base their judgements on. Will they read tomorrow's post? Will they come back later in the month and read again? Will they avoid it like the plague? Will they avoid commenting?
So I thought long and hard about what to post, about what this strange breed of people would want to read. I decided to approach this like I would approach a non-fiction text with my students. We would PALL it: purpose, audience, layout and language.
Purpose. What is the purpose of the blog post? Well a couple of reasons I suppose. Firstly, it is part of the rules, you have to: jog, log and blog. Secondly, and more importantly, it is to inform. People will want to know how I'm doing, won't they? But they won't want to daily read a load of pointless statistics about the latest 400 yard run round the block. So….thirdly, the post is to entertain. I should make it entertaining. A couple of jokes included? Some amazing word puns? But wait a minute….other runners will be reading it. So maybe the post should also advise? But surely I'll end up explaining stuff? Even describing what I've been upto? But then again, I'll also be persuading people to get on the Janathon train? So sorted….my post needs to: adhere to the rules, whilst informing, entertaining, advising, explaining, describing and persuading.
Audience. That's easy. Anyone and everyone. Any person in the world can stumble on 'Lengthorn's Blog'. That's no good! I need to write with a more specific audience in mind. Ok….this month the blog is mainly for other Janathoners to read. So I need to understand what a Janathoner is. Definition will help:
Janathoner. A person short of the correct amount of brain cells resulting in some ridiculous idea to run every day of the month of January.
So there you have it….my target audience are all crazy! Should make the blog post a lot easier to write.
Layout. Does it matter? Probably not. Although I think a few photos might help…Janathoners are naturally a nosey bunch. Also, avoid going on and on and on. Keep it short.
Language. We've already discovered that the majority of people reading this post are crazy. Avoid words of more than two syllables. Keep. It. Sim-ple. Employing ambitious, strenuous and gargantuan vocabulary will only result in an influx of participants requiring appointments with General Practitioners with diverse forms of cephalgia.
So I'm ready to write a blog post about Janathon day 1….but to be honest…I really can't be bothered.
Nice going, it doesn’t seem five minutes since we were doing Janathon 2013!
You’re absolutely right! Times flys! Good luck for 2014
Oh excellent first post! And I’m loving the graphic. Very posh. Looking forward to reading about the rest of your Janathon
Cheers! Long way to go!
Good start with 2 miles and entertaining blog. I look forward to reading tomorrow! Good luck! xx
Like the layout!
Nice graphics. Yes us simple folk like a good pic! We’ll done on getting out there today. 2 more than I managed.
As a Janathon newbie I appreciate your words of wisdom 🙂 Looking forward to the next dose of craziness
well done on your 2 miles 🙂
Cheers!
Hmmm….spot the English teacher! Good luck with Janathon x
Posh graphic! Where do we find these?
It’s an app…Phoster. Try it!
Nice one Phil, great to see a familiar face 🙂
Hey you! Have a good one!
oooooohhhh the pressure, I wish I had read this before putting my post together….can I start again please sir??
Always think of your audience! Remember…all crazy!
Well, you big red sign is certainly going to get people to come and read!
Well well well, here we are again. Happy wet running this January, Phil!
Here we are again indeed! Good luck!