Blogging lessons from Walden Pond

I think Henry David Thoreau would have made an excellent blogger. I’m currently listening to Walden, his account from an over two year sojourn of isolated living, in a cabin he built himself, along the shores of Walden Pond, in Concord, MA in the late 1800s.

Basically, the book was born of the following perspective:

– I did something quirky

– People were curious about it

– So I wrote down why I did it and what I learned from it

Blogging basically follows the same formula. When you breathe life into the facts of an account through stories and personal experiences, you form a connection with the reader. Readers enjoy feeling connected, so they read more.

Now, Thoreau does have some long-winded pontifications, and learning the art of concise communication is another important aspect of successful blogging. But the essence of your account can still be obtained.

Take for example a more modern day account of simplifying your life. Andrea Dickson over at WiseBread gives an interesting perspective on why she doesn’t own a television. It’s quirky. She explained why she did it. And she offers lessons from her experience. And the result? Over 60 comments in a week.