I’m not a blog snob. I’m a blog enthusiast.

As a journalist, I feel like I always hear one of two extremes about blogging from professional journalists, professors and other students.

They either believe blogs are a great way to showcase your personal style of journalism, or they think they are useless and aren’t real journalism.

I can see the validity in both viewpoints.

Yes, oftentimes people do abuse blogs and use them to vent about stupid, pointless life happenings.

However, they can also be used by journalists to write about topics they are passionate about, but may not be able to cover in their typical 9 to 5.

I’m an electronic music fanatic and love writing about it, but I can’t do that as a staff editor for a daily publication. So instead, I write about it on my blog.

Professionalism is important to me, but so is my love of music and throwing myself into all aspects of it.

My blog allows me to combine my two favorite things in the world: music and journalism.

I try to stay on a schedule with my blog and update it at least once a week and have even put it on my résumé.

I respect my blog, and I think that’s an important quality of anyone who maintains one.

I believe a blog should display your abilities as a writer and/or journalist while allowing you to expand on a topic or interest.

It should allow you to be professional but have fun at the same time.

If you take the time to set up a blog and maintain it, you should take the time to actually care about its content.

Make sure it’s professional and double-check your hyperlinks, grammar and formatting.

No matter what the topic, remember it is essentially on display to the world and is a direct representation of your “brand” as a journalist and writer.

Much like a Facebook or Twitter page, keeping things classy and not trashy is key.

Sure, my blog has a casual feel, but I’m talking about music, not the goings on of a corporate company.

Despite the colorful background and conversational tone I maintain on “Dexter’s Beat Laboratory,” I still stick to my guns when it comes to professionalism.

When it comes down to it, I encourage fellow web writers to not add to the bad rap many bloggers have.

Add to the positive and unique literary experience only a blog can have.

Show your writing style and let your voice be heard, but remember the relationship you have with your readers and the picture you want to paint for them with your words.

Robyn Dexter is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].