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There are so many blogs out there covering all sorts of topics - some personal, some general, some helpful, some interest-based - on and on it goes and the list grows exponentially everyday. Blogs can have similar genres but only the cream of the crop can make it far.

So what sets a blog apart from the run of the mill types? The blog 'x-factor' - a unique quality that other blogs can keep imitating but will never be as good.

Here, I will share five things you can do to make your blog stand out:

1. Have a signature voice. Like a living individual, blogs speak to it readers the way its writer would. Evaluate your writing style find out how you sound in print. More importantly, how would you like to sound?

Each blogger must find his voice. Some prefer to be personal as if writing on their private journal, others write in a conversational tone as if talking to a friend. There are also those who write in a matter-of-fact manner like a mentor to a student.

What ever your writing style may be, stick to it and make it your own voice. It's the tone that will sound most natural. Many readers are able to tell if bloggers are faking it. It's one way of showing that you are real. A style may work for one blogger, but that doesn't mean it's going to work for others, too.

2. Use humor. Blogs need not be entirely serious - that's what separates it from news articles and fiction pieces. But even a detailed explanation of how you converted your gas guzzling car to run on water may not entice readers to finish your piece.

Bloggers need to go the extra mile to be remembered - you can choose to give more information or just present things in a satisfactory way. Since humor sells like pancakes on a Sunday morning, it's not a bad idea to use some. Throw in some punchlines and share funny anecdotes to your readers. You can also share images that made you laugh.

3. Innovate storytelling. Showcase your story in an innovative way. This technique also improves the blog's character. Don't let your story fall into the been-there-done-that types. Use your creativity and practice your storytelling skills to come up with a different twist to an ordinary story.

General topics will not sound boring if you add some of your personal input into the mix. Cite real-life examples to give your readers a feel of what your experience was like. Readers will be able to relate well with your blog entry if you write it from the heart.

There are also unorthodox ways to write which you can try. There are bloggers out there who experiment with with unusual storytelling ways like posting in reverse chronology, open-letter style and suspense novel types. These types of entries will surely keep a reader engaged.

4. Add stunning images. Blogging to photography is like coffee to milk. A blog is lifeless and boring without photos.

Not a photographer? No problem! There are blogs out there that make it even with just a cellphone-camera. The important thing is to have original images that depicts what the post is about. Tutorial posts are more easier to follow when step-by-step images are presented.

5. Write for your audience. People have varied reasons for keeping a blog. Some do it for fun, others do it for money. What ever the case may be, always be true to yourself and your readers.

Together with the blog's popularity, offers for advertisements, guest posts and sponsorships also increases. To keep your blog up to par, make sure only quality articles, advertisements make it to your blog.

Another thing that you'd most likely encounter on the way to popularity is SEO (search engine optimization). There are SEO strategies that might force you to adjust your writing style. Just try not to overdo things.

It doesn't take a professional writer to have a stand out blog. The blogger's authenticity and creativity shines when a blog stands out.

Learn how to start a blog, get people to read and share your blog, and make money from blogging with a step-by-step tutorial at howtostartablog.com.