A weblog, or "blog" started out as a personal journal on the Web. They have evolved far beyond that initial concept. Now, weblogs cover as many different topics as there are people writing them. Some blogs are highly influential and have readership which exceeds most traditional newspapers, while others are mainly intended as personal journals to be shared with only family and friends. So, should you consider blogging?
The power of weblogs is that they allow millions of people to easily publish their ideas, and millions more to comment on them. Increasingly people write, read and comment on blogs. Many people mistakenly believe that blogs are only personal diaries. More and more, blogs are being used by businesses to attract customers. Since blogs now come in all flavors, lets look at the basics of blogging.
A blogger is someone who writes a blog. The Blogosphere is a word used to describe the online community of bloggers and their writings. A blog differs from a website only because it is a website that is updated frequently, most often displaying its material in journal-like entries. An entry, a post, or a posting, are the terms often used to refer to a specific article or commentary written by the blogger on his or her blog. Many weblogs allow readers to write a reaction to what was written in the blog entry. These comments can often be found directly following the blog entry.
For millions of people, blogging is a hobby. For some, like journalists, writers, business leaders and political leaders, writing blogs enhances their professional careers. A blog gives the voice a broader audience and allows more direct and interactive contact with the readers. Some bloggers have readership numbers approaching that of big media and are able to earn income from their blogs. But potential profit should not be the primary motivation for blogging.
Why should a blog be part of your business marketing strategy? The blogging movement is picking up speed, particularly for businesses. Blogging is one arena where the size of your company wont matter. A blog is NOT the place to promote your product or company. It is a place to promote your ideas, provide tips, and express yourself in the hopes of building an audience. That audience may , in turn, become customers.
There are two key concepts to keep in mind when deciding whether you will launch a blog or not; providing quality content and blogging regularly. These are critical to creating an audience for your blog.
A successful blog is written with a distinct audience in mind. In this way, you can provide content that is unique to your audiences issues, needs, or desires. If you create content they like and wish to return to read, you will produce quality content. Successful bloggers have a focused topic and a unique personality.
Both your topic and unique style will cause your audience to return to your blog. When they return, it is critical to stay true to your audience and tone of your blog. If people are reading your blog, its because they like your topic and tone. Try not to stray from your typical topics and style too much. This will give your readers a reason to link back to your blog on an ongoing basis. But your content and tone are just one element to consider. Also critical to your ongoing blogging success is how frequently you update your blog.
If you don't update your blog often enough, blog readers will move on to other blogs. There are too many blogs out there competing for your readers attention. Blog readers will go where the content is.
Successful blogging takes a commitment of your time. When you begin blogging and wish to capture an audience, you should be prepared to blog every day. In this way, you can develop an audience who counts on you to help them begin or end their day. This means you should also try to post at the same time each day. Your readers will get accustomed to your schedule and check your blog at the appropriate time. The time of day is not as crucial as the consistency in your posting.
So, is a blog right for you? You tell me. Do you have a distinct topic in mind? Do you have a strong opinion or passion for the topic? Do you know what audience you are writing for? Do you have the time to commit to regular postings on your blog? If so, see you in the blogosphere!
Michele Schermerhorn calls herself a Corporate Freedom Fighter dedicated to freeing cubicle prisoners to experience their own successful online business. She has over 30 years experience in the business world and over 12 years running her own successful online businesses. She is President of Online Business Institute Inc. (http://www.obinstitute.com), authors a sassy marketing blog (http://www.imarketblog.com), and regularly conducts free online seminars. Online Business Institute Inc. exists to Create Successful Online Business Owners One Person At A Time.
Business Blogging: Where Do I Start?
The new hot commodity is a blog for your small business so you've decided you must have one.Before you begin think about it long term. Where do you think
the blog is headed? What is the objective? Do you want it to be
found by the search engines for specific terms? How often
will you post? Who will the audience be? What will it look like
a year...
Five Reasons You Should Be Blogging for Business Right Now
Although web-logs (called blogs) started out as personal online diaries, todaysblogger can be anyone from a stay at-home-mom to a corporate mogul. Andeven the stay-at-home mom is likely to be blogging for business, not simplysharing her personal life with the online world.If you're a small business owner, here are five reasons you should be bloggi...
How To Blog On Your Niche Topic And Build A List Of Loyal Readers And Prospects For Your Business
Blogging on your niche topic will help you to quickly build a following of loyal readers who will form the basis of your online business. Once you have set up your blog you will want to blog daily for at least a month so that your blog has more of a chance of standing out from the other million or so blogs that are not read by many people, if at al...
Poker Affiliates and Blogging: The Importance of Blog Design
Blogs have enjoyed increased popularity over the past few years and if you are a poker affiliate and aren't using blogs as a tool to build your business, now is the time to start. Blogs can be a tremendously effective way to promote poker rooms through affiliate programs.As you you're setting up your blog, there are some important things to keep in...
Blogging - Should You Quit Your Day Job to Blog?
I am a firm advocate of blogging. I am also living proof that you can make a living writing on the Internet. Beyond this, I believe that there are many untapped markets and opportunities just waiting for the right person when it comes to blogging.Do I believe that you should quit your day job to blog? Nope. At least, not to start with. Why? There a...
Make Money With A Blog - 3 Terrific Ideas To Make Money With A Blog
As simple as it may sound, you can make money with a blog
and if you use the following tips, you will boost your
results in no time at all.Tip #1 - One of the easiest ways to make money with a
blog is by adding targeted "Google Adsense" ads.What you do is, go to google.com and sign up for free
"adsense" account. Follow the easy set up instructi...
Turn Your Personal Blog Into A Money Making Machine
Have you been blogging for some time now? While you already enjoy the personal satisfaction that you get from maintaining your blog have you ever considered that you could also be making money doing what you enjoy? Of course there are many that like to keep a blog simply because they are happy doing so, but if you are in the group that would like t...
