Blogging is cathartic and offers an immediate outlet for intense emotions. It is a healthy serving of good ole self TLC, a discreet way of building your own online shrine. It is also a moneymaker; generate enough traffic and companies will want to start advertising on your site. But not all blogs are created equal. Here are the 7 powerful tips to increase your blogging prowess and help your blog rise above the heap.

1. Pick a good blog site. Pick a site that is free, offers a lot of features and is popular.

2. Pick a killer template. Use strong colors like black, red and other primary colors. Pastels are cute but if you want a blog that packs a serious punch, stick with the primaries.

3. Make your visually riveting. Stick with visuals or graphics that are eye-catching but are not too busy to detract the readers attention from the blogs entries.

4. The right background music can complement the visuals and words of the blog making the visit a feast for the senses. Stay away from music that is too popular but pick songs that are still catchy although not immediately recognizable.

5. Write about controversial topics. Write about issues that strike a chord not just with local readers but with the international community. Do not shy from politics, religion and terrorism. Controversy generates publicity and publicity, good or bad, is still publicity.

6. Be tech savvy. Learn the skills you need to tweak your blog into heights unknown to the common blogger. Instead of relying on ready made templates, create your own to make your site more distinct and attractive. You can add flash animation or upload your own short films or other works.

7. Use power words. Pick titles and topic headings that have strong recall and are interesting on their own without a single entry being read.