A blog is basically a live website that you use as an online journal. You can post articles, stories, thoughts, ideas, opinions and practically anything that you want people to read. You can also add images, video and audio as well. Blogs come in different shapes, sizes, styles and formats. It is completely up to the user as to which blog setting they wish to use.
Blogging is especially easy and useful for first time users or those who are not the best on the computer. You can simply choose from any number of templates and fill in the sections as you wish. The design and arrangement of the page is done for you. Anyone wanting to start a blog can do so by simply signing up as a member of the blogging site of their choice. By far the most popular ones are WordPress and Blogger, both of which are free to use.
A standard Blog will contain these features:
•Header or Title - Allows you to label and personalise your blog pages and posts
•Body- The main area where you post the content on your blog
•Trackbacks or backlinks - Where you can link other sites to your blog
•Permanent link- Every single page and post you write will have its own unique URL Comments- Allows your readers to post comments and feedback on your blog.
There are no rules when it comes to blogging. Bloggers have the freedom to express themselves how ever way they want. Blogging is not just limited to personal usage. There are a lot of blogs that follow a theme such as: sports, politics, philosophy, social commentary, etc. These blogs focus heavily on their specific theme which allows blogging to become a great way to share knowledge and opinions about a variety of themes and topics.
Some bloggers even use their blogs as a means to advertise their business or product. This is a great advertising method as it is not only free but if you have a good business or product you will get comments and positive feedback on your blog which will translate into more customers for you! Other bloggers often use a blogs to discuss or present their point of view on currents issues, events, news and catastrophes.
Thousands of entrepreneurs have profited from blogging by promoting their businesses on their blogs. With over one third of the world now using the internet, there are literally billions of people online at any point in time; therefore blogging is an effective way to get your business in front of people! Some bloggers promote their products or business online, some promote other peoples' products as an affiliate and others simply profit through advertisement.
By far, still the most popular blog type is the one that takes the form of a personal journal or diary. This is the kind that is usually used by first time bloggers. Often people want to document the daily struggle of their everyday lives, or to share stories of how they have overcome difficult times and adversity to provide hope to others.
Bloggers usually communicate and follow other bloggers. Networking and meeting like minded people in a safe environment is one of the major appeals of blogging.
If you are a first time user and want to get an idea of what blogging is all about, simply google the topic you are interested in plus the word blog ie. "topic + blog"
Blogging is really for everyone. It is fun, simple and easy.
