Is Blogging For You? Take This Quick Quiz
by
Michael Cheney
There's a new craze sweeping the world. It's called 'blogging'
and a
new blog is being created every few seconds. But what is it all
about and should you join in?
What The
Hell Is A Blog Anyway?
The
word 'blog' is a shortened version of 'web blog'. A 'web log'
just means a log or diary-type entry on the web. So if you were
away
travelling on a round the world trip you might post a diary on
a
website so your friends and family could keep up to date with
your
progress. On this online diary, or 'web blog' you might also
post
photos for your friends and family to view.
And
so - the BLOG was born. And it's really nothing more than that
-
a collection of thoughts and information from one individual
to be
read and seen by others.
So What
Makes A Blog Different To A Website?
A
blog is more immediate and informal. A blog doesn't have a
homepage as such - it just has blog entries or 'posts'. The author
or 'blogger' makes regular posts into the blog that are archived
as
new ones are added.
The
main difference between a website and a blog is that a blog
is
designed to be added to much more frequently than a website.
Some
blogs are added to by their authors once a day or more! But it
has
to be said that such bloggers are in the minority.
Is Blogging
For You?
Well,
it provides you with a unique opportunity to keep in close contact
with a specific group of people. The CEO of a company may choose
to launch a blog to keep in touch with staff members and shareholders.
As a business-owner you might want to start a blog to let your
customers or suppliers know what is happening in your business.
Blogs
are not for everyone, so here's a few key questions to ask
yourself.
Question
1
Do
you want to keep in close contact, on a one-to-one basis with
a
specific group of individuals?
Question
2
Do
you have the time to add a new and valuable information to
your
blog at least once a week? (Or can you pay someone to do this
on
your behalf?)
Question
3
Do
you find that people are always coming to you wanting more
information about your product or services and that maybe posting
regular updates on the Internet about this might free up your
time to
be spent on other activities?
Question
4
Are
you offering information products or services that you can
provide 'tasters' of in a blog?
If
you find yourself answering yes to most of these question then
you
should seriously consider starting your very own blog.
It's A Gut
Feel Thing
Ultimately
the decision comes down to whether you have things to say
to others on a one-to-one basis. Unlike many websites you see
out
there, a blog is very much a person-to-person experience. A
corporate blog wouldn't really work unless you had a face and
name
that people could put to all the posts.
It's
also worth noting that a blog can be a two-way communication
tool. Most of the blog software available includes options for
readers to be able to post comments in response to what has been
written. This can be an excellent marketing and research tool
for
your business if handled in the right way.
Whatever
you do - don't take the decision to start a blog lightly.
It can be a big commitment and once you've started out on that
road
there's no going back. People will be regularly checking your
blog
after you've publicised it and the pressure is then on to deliver
readable material on a regular basis.
Some Blogging
Software To Consider
Typepad
- very popular and comes with a free trial and upgrade
options
BlogHarbour
- also comes with a free 30-day trial
Blogger -
the 'grand daddy' of blogging
Happy blogging!
My blog: http://michaelcheney.typepad.com/
© Michael Cheney
Michael Cheney
is Author of The Website Marketing BibleTM. Take the Free 7-Part
Course "Internet Marketing Made Easy" and get your free
sampler of 'The Bible' here: www.websitemarketingbible.com/marketing/