Keith Robinson’s Asterisk is 3 years old: What’s he learned from blogging

Keith Robinson is a Seattle writer, designer, artist and publisher with a background in user-centered Web design, Web standards-based development and Web content. He does some wonderful work out of Phinney/Bischoff Design House.

As proof he doesn’t sleep, Keith publishes Asterisk, one of the better blogs I subscribe to. Unlike most blogs, including mine, which act as clearing house of information on a niche topic, Asterisk is provoking and practical original content on Web design and development. I get a half a dozen good comments to my blog’s posts in a month. Keith may get a dozen to one post in less than a day.

In honor of the 3 year annniversary of Asterisk, Keith posted a long list of things he’s learned from blogging. You can check out the full list on the site and add your own by commentting. Here’s some of the ones I liked best and have learned as well in the last year plus of blogging.

• The world is both bigger and smaller than I’d ever imagined.
• There is great power in words.
• Making a mistake and being called on it can be one the best learning experiences you can have.
• You really can meet cool people online. And many of them are not so bad in person either!
• It’s easy to mix up “it’s” and “its”. Same goes for “your” and “you’re”. Oh and “too” and “to”.
• Don’t trust spellcheck.
• Blogs are great for marketing and PR if done the right way. (emphasis added)
• The world is full of passionate people.
• Storytelling is one of the best ways to convey a message.
• Defensiveness makes you look bad.
• People I’ve never met care about me, and I care about people I’ve never met.
• Links are a new form of currency.
• Blogging is a great way to express yourself.
• Blogging is a great way to manage knowledge and lessons learned.(emphasis added)
• Most people are more positive than negative.
• Some people actually can make a living blogging. Imagine that.
• A well-placed f-bomb can go along way.
• Everyone has a bad day.
• Crankiness comes in waves and effects many at once.
• Popular doesn’t always mean good.
• The best way to become better at something is to keep doing it.
• Comments make great content.
• Conversations are a great way to communicate.
• You’ve got to love what you do to do it really well.
• People actually do read Web content.
• Making an ass out of yourself will get you lots of attention.
• Censorship is lame.
• Perfect is the enemy of the good.
• Clever writing can be frustrating.
• If you step away from it, the blogosphere will still be there when you get back.
• Asking a question is a great way to get a response. (Obvious I know)

Great list Keith. I’ll have to remember to keep coming back to it. And one of these days I’ll have the honor of meeting you around Seattle.