What Is a Blog?

Apr, 21 2009

 

Blog, blogging, "The Bloggosphere." You can't be online long without running across one of these terms. But what on earth is a "blog" anyway? If it's the newest chic thing, how can you take part?

 

A blog is like a journal, but one that the whole world can read. In fact, that's exactly what the first blogs were – online journals. Now wait a minute, you might be thinking. Why on earth would I want to keep a journal? I'm not in seventh grade anymore!

 

A blog is like a journal, but it is so much more. Sure, some people use blogs simply as a creative outlet or a place to describe their emotions, but they are also powerful marketing tools. A blog typically runs on a theme, whether it be family news, money saving tips, or technology tidbits. But it doesn't have to. Anyone who wants to take five minutes and throw up a free website can have a blog.

 

Blogs are everywhere. They are like that pesky little brother you never could shake as a kid. Your favorite news anchor probably has one. Your local newspaper likely has several. Even your favorite celebrity has one (and you can bet they don't write them personally).

 

But just what is it?

 

Blog is actually short for weblog (web log), which is an online diary. The first page shows the most recent post, or entry, and all prior entries are archived and organized by dates and, possibly, topic as well. After the entry, the blog has a place for readers to respond by posting comments.

 

What makes blogs so appealing is the fact that they can be instantly updated. You do not have to call your web designer to add a page to your blog. If you can connect to the Internet, you can be blogging. They do not require any technical know-how or a knowledge of HTML. Basically, blogs could be called "Websites for Dummies." You simply type up your thoughts, throw in a few pictures, hit "publish," and the whole world can see what you are thinking.

 

Blogging is a huge marketing tool. A good blog will build a community of readers – people who have to get their "fix" and visit the blog frequently to check for new updates. Businesses who create helpful blogs can grow this community and offer new products and services to the unsuspecting masses. Individuals who have something to say that others want to hear can put advertising on their blogs in order to "monetize" them. Imagine, now there is a venue where you can get paid for nothing other than writing down what you are thinking right now. Of course, you only earn money for ads if people are actually reading those thoughts.

 

"Do you have a blog?" is becoming the new catch-phrase, not just for the internet-savvy, but for everyone. If you haven't jumped on the blogging bandwagon, rest assured that it's easy. Do this: turn on the T.V. to your favorite show and connect to the Internet. Before the show is over, you can have your blog set up and running its first post. It's that easy.