As you may be realizing, writing for your legal blog is a little different than writing in just about any other media or format.  Part social media and social networking, part online visibility tool, and part soap box, your blog truly is (or at least should be) the cornerstone of your professional presence online.

Whether you're just learning about blogging now, or are a veteran blogging maven, here are my favorite resources for learning more about authoring a successful blog:

• Darren Rowse's Problogger
• Brian Clark's Copyblogger

While those two are probably be enough, if you're already subscribed, or looking for more, check out Daily Blog Tip's Top 25 Blogs About Blogging (ranks blogs according to their Google Pagerank, Alexa rank, number of Bloglines subscribers and Technorati authority).

If you're a legal professional looking to start blogging or other ways of growing your reputation online, check out Real Lawyers Have Blogs, Lawyerist, and our Lawyer Marketing Blog.

The above resources will provide you with an overwhelming amount of information on blogging.  So, for those that are just getting started, here are some fundamentals to remember:

1.  Unless you do something to make it private, EVERYONE can see your blog.

2.  Your professional reputation is your most valuable asset.

3.  Blogging WILL increase your exposure online, for better or for worse.

4.  Blogging takes time.  It takes time to author posts, and it takes time to reap the fruits.

5.  Research your posts, cite your authorities, engage your readers.

While there is more to think about to successful blogging than just those 5 points, omitting any of the above fundamentals will significantly handicap your success.

Any blogging resources or fundamentals I missed?  Commenting is now open.