There are loads of good reasons for using quotes in your blog posts.
As Emerson said: “The next thing to saying a good thing yourself, is to quote one.”
You can use quotes to:
- Provide food for thought - for you and your readers
- Link out - to the work of other bloggers (more to come on how and why to link)
- Add variety to your blog
- Help you keep blogging when you're busy
- Break up chunks of text and give your readers an eye rest
The trick to the last point is remembering to use the block quotes function, which you'll find in your toolbar. (You start the quote with the "open speech marks" and show where it's come to an end with the "close speech marks"). That way you're showing off your quote, letting your reader grab the message, and making your post a lot more readable. It'll end up indented, like this:
A short saying often contains much wisdom (Sophocles)
As an extra tip, I find it easier to apply the block quotes after I've done the rest of the post - that way you're less likely to unwittingly select the rest of the text which can lead to a bit of unpicking of the code.
There are lots of good quote sites that you can use - like ThinkExist and BrainyQuote - though if you're anything like me you've probably already acquired a good collection of your own. (Or perhaps you're famous enough that you're now being quoted!)
Do you use quotes as part of your blogging technique? If not, could you see a way to work some in?
This is part 3 of the mini-series Showing Off Your Content, part of the new Practical Tips for Business Bloggers programme at Business Blog Angel.
Episodes to date include:
Intro: Showing off Your Content
Part 1: Should I Have A Welcome Post On My Blog?
Part 2: Use Bold And Bullets To Break Up Your Posts
Part 3: Break Up Your Posts With Quotes
Part 4: One Simple Programme That Can Save You Blogging Time
Part 5: "Continue Reading" With Style
Part 6: How Do I Format Links?
Part 7: How A Footer Helps You Blog for Business
If you've got questions or comments you'd like us to cover here please leave us a message in the comment box and we'll see what we can do...
Meantime, have a Happy Easter all.
