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Tips for Starting a Blog in Law School

By William Vogeler, Esq. | Last updated on

Writer's block.

Law students know it especially well -- that blank space that stares back at you when you're trying to write an essay. We would curse it, except that it changes nothing and all you get back is more blank space.

Here's a tip: start a blog. It's a great way to uncork writer's block and even launch a career.

Chillax

Blogging is not the same as writing an exam answer. It is not -- and should not be -- a template for most legal writing. And that's all good because it means you can take it easy.

"Blogging is low stakes, quick, and voluminous, giving you plenty of time to practice, make mistakes, or play around," says FindLaw's Casey Sullivan.

In other words, chillax. Think of it like warming up, cracking your knuckles to get ready for the fight that is law life.

Focus

While blogging is easier than, say, writing a summary judgment motion, it is serious enough that you can't just write anything that rolls through your brain. You don't really want to blog like Donald Trump tweets, who "says whatever comes into his head at the moment," according to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

No, you need to focus. Focus on what your blog is going to do for your career. Because, as they say in the blogosphere, "the internet is forever."

"Identify a niche, practice area, or career goal that interests you and make it yours," Nicole Black says for Above the Law. "Learn everything you can about it."

Write

"Write what you know," somebody else said (no attribution needed here because, after all, this is a blog). Anyway, it's about giving your particular insight to readers.

Of course, that assumes anyone actually reads your stuff. Blog readers are frenetic readers, like hummingbirds, who flit from page to page.

But in a world where everybody is constantly looking for information, you might actually blog the answer to somebody's question -- or at least entertain a few people.

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