Blogging for Boneheads (part 1)

by James Fowler
www.mywebsource1.com

OK, the “other name” was taken and I didn’t want to infringe on anything. Blogging really is for everyone and can be a salubrious way of letting your feelings out to the world, your own personal soapbox, or a tool for your business.

For those of you who do not know, a blog is a mini-web site that allows you to post information and personal feelings about any topic you desire. They appear in the format of a dated article and are generally updated frequently. Sending out a post is as easy as writing an email. Pictures, polls, video or audio can be sent through a blog. If you desire, your blog is then broadcast around the world. Friends, colleagues, or complete strangers can then read your blog and then comment upon it. You can have these people subscribe to your blog. They can do this by contacting you directly or through something called an RSS feed which will notify them when you update your blog.

What type of blog will you write? You have to have a motivation to write a blog and keep up with it. Below are some examples of different types of blogs:

The Personal Diary
Is your blog a safety valve for your pent-up emotions? If so, I would suggest making your blog private, inviting only those you want to know the true you. This style of blog could be a personal journal aimed for you to get things off your chest.

The Soapbox
Will your blog be a place where you can go and express your feelings? Is it a place where you can do your part at righting the wrongs of the world? This type of blog is good for getting opinions from your readers and posting polls. Sometimes people will post a “top 10” list and have others respond with their personal choices.

Business Blog
A business blog is the way a company can connect on a personal level with their customers. Through a business blog, new products can be announced, market research conducted, and it allows for the business to make special offers to the people who subscribe to the blog.

Promotional
A promotional blog is one where the writer is letting people know about their band, book, business or service that they offer. A promotional blog is a marketing tool. Similar to a Business Blog, this style of blog will walk the line between personal and professional relationships with the reader. It can be newsworthy, it can gather information, but its’ ultimate goal is to market the business of the writer. This is the main type of blog that we will examine.

In part two of this blog, we will examine Niche Blogs and how to begin writing your first blog.