A friend of mine once told me that they considered blogs a bit like pens – almost anyone can use them to share the written word – put they don’t make you Shakespeare.

It’s this, along with the growth of micro blogging, that has fueled the argument that blogging is dead. After all, if any man and his dog can share what they had for breakfast then who cares?

The truth is, some blogs receive more hits than the national press. Knowing about your chosen blogging subject is central – but it’s the quality of the writing along with making it relevant to your audience that will keep people coming back for more.

Today, I read in the Guardian about a blog that has done just that – well written, engaging and colourful – based on the personal experience of a British policeman.

“Night Jack – an English Detective” is an insight into the everyday life of the police. Case stories and policing procedures sit alongside practical advice on how ‘nice people’ should use the same tricks employed by the ‘baddies’ when dealing with the law.

Night Jack has just been awarded the Orwell special prize for blogs – and the anonymous author, who stopped posting this month, has pledged to donate the prize to the Police Dependents’ Trust. He’s now considering writing a book.

Of the millions of blogs online, it’s the power of the public that decide what will be followed – and quality, as always will win out.

This week, we’ve been swotting up on the mummy blogs and even that of the marmalade fantics – all of them doing well because, just like Night Jack, they’re well written, know their stuff and understand their audience. Wannabie Shakespeares – take heed.