Blogging

For all first timers:

A blog is:

A Blog is short for Web Log. An online journal. A diary that you just happen to share with a potential audience of hundreds of millions of other people. Entries are displayed in reverse chronological order.

Blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, webpages and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most early blogs.

"Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Then Why Blog?

1. To Express Your Thoughts and Opinions

You have something to say, and blogs provide a place to say it and be heard.

2. To Market or Promote Something

Blogging is a great way to help market or promote yourself or your business, product or service.

3. To Help People

Many blogs are written to help people who may be going through similar situations that the blogger has experienced. Many parenting and health-related blogs are written for this purpose.

4. To Establish Yourself as an Expert

Blogs are wonderful tools to help bloggers establish themselves as experts in a field or topic. For example, if you're trying to get a job in a specific field or hoping to publish a book on a specific topic, blogging can help legitimize your expertise and expand your online presence and platform.

5. To Connect with People Like You

Blogging brings like-minded people together. Starting a blog can help you find those people and share your opinions and thoughts.

6. To Make a Difference

Many blogs are issue-based meaning the blogger is trying to provide information to sway people's thinking in a certain direction. Many political blogs and social issues blogs are written by bloggers who are trying to make a difference in their own ways.

7. To Stay Active or Knowledgeable in a Field or Topic

Since successful blogging is partially dependent on posting frequency and providing updated, fresh information, it's a perfect way to help a blogger stay abreast of the events in a specific field or topic.

8. To Stay Connected with Friends and Family

The world has shrunk since the Internet has become more accessible. Blogs provide a simple way for family and friends to stay connected from different parts of the world by sharing stories, photos, videos and more.

9. To Make Money

It's important to point out that most bloggers don't make a lot of money blogging, but the potential does exist to generate revenue from your blog with hard work and commitment. There are many bloggers who bring in big bucks. With patience and practice, you can make money through advertising and other income generating activities on your blog.

10. To Have Fun and Be Creative

Many people start a blog simply for fun. Perhaps a blogger is a fan of a particular actor or loves knitting and wants to share that passion through a blog. One of the most important keys to successful blogging is having a passion about your blog's topic, so you can write prolifically about it. Some of the best and most interesting blogs started out as blogs that were written just for fun and to give the blogger a creative outlet.

...One of the reasons there are so many blogs is because people can make money blogging. There are several ways to make money by blogging. Read on to learn how to get paid to blog.

Instructions:

Make a list of your interests and hobbies. Brainstorm topics that you could blog about.

Focus on the reason you would like to start a blog. Some people blog to become semi-famous on the Internet, some blog for fun while others blog to help their careers.

Sign up for a blog with a blogging service. There are many to select from but I prefer Blogger (blogspot)

Look into paid posting opportunities such as the Pay Per Post website, SponsoredReviews, Blogsvertise, Loulaunch, and Socialspark. Each of these will pay you for posting an advertisement or opinion about a product on your blog.

Tips & Warnings:

:To sign up for a paid posting service, your blog must be at least 90 days old and approved by the service. Check each website for specific details.

:The most successful bloggers are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject. Think about what you are most passionate and knowledgeable about and then you have got a winning subject.

:Comment on other people's blogs to encourage them to come visit your blog and get more traffic.

:Be patient, it can take awhile for a blog to become successful.