Blogging 101: What is a Blog?

Hi Again Guys,

I Don’t Know What a Blog is?

Basically a blog is a website (or a section of a website, this is the case with a lot of businesses) that is updated regularly by a person or group of people who write(s) about a particular subject. In most cases a blog is written informally and invites conversation or comments on each of the blog items, which are known as posts. The word blog is also a verb, so the act of writing a blog post is known as blogging. So me writing this information on this website in this manner is called blogging. I’ve never typed the word blog so much in my life!!!

Origins of the Blog…

So the word blog derives from the term ‘weblog’ which is (obviously) an information log stored on the internet or web. Basically internet users would store information they found on the internet on their website which allowed them (or their readers) to have it to hand when needed. They were pretty simple and your Facebook page would be a similar animal today. The modern blog has developed into a personal website that can be almost used as a public diary of your chosen subject. Popular subjects around the world include: Beauty, Technology, Travel, Fashion and many more. A really fun blog is Illustrated Twitter Typos, take a look its genius. Right enough history lets look at why its worth your while!!

Why Should I Blog?

Blogging has so many benefits from both a business and a personal perspective.

Personally:

• It gives you a reason to research your hobby. Chances are if you are interested in something you will have done some research on and  know as lot about it. Blogging multiples that research by 1000 because you need to constantly come up with new material to write about
• You can make friends from it. Blogging at its core is community based and like minded people often read each others blogs and if you have something in common with someone you will definitely have something to talk about on a regular basis.
• It helps develop confidence and creativity. I know have worked with lots of bloggers who were quite shy and nervous when they began blogging who are now social butterflies and have a group of blogger friends that they speak to regularly.
• You can make money from it. Building a following can lead to building a large amount of traffic on your site (traffic is the volume of people visiting your site). Companies can see this reach as a marketing tool for their own brand and might contact you about advertising on your blog or through your Social Media Channels.

From a Business Perspective:

• It helps with SEO. SEO is Search Engine Optimzation which basically means being found on Google. Google loves websites that add value to their field and if you are creating informative content (in this case blog posts) on your website our website will rank higher.
• It engages your potential and current customers. If somebody arrives on your website they have an interest in what you do. If you website is a wealth of knowledge on your chosen subject people may stay longer and are more likely to interact with your business
• It puts you in control. Blogging can be done by anyone and its free or very affordable. You can create content that will draw clients to you from within your office (or bedroom wherever you have set up shop) and without the need for expensive marketing campaigns and a team of 3rd Party ‘Experts’
• It builds credibility and shows that you care. If you create content for your blog on a regular basis it shows your customers that you are passionate about your business and that translates into trust. If people trust you they will buy from you.

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment below or check us out on Twitter @anseoonline or on Facebook as Anseo

Keep it real (god that was lame)

John