INTRODUCTION
So you've heard the term "blog" and you want to know what blogs are all about. Well you've come to the right place. In this series of four articles we will take you from asking what a blog is to having all the knowledge you need to start a blog of your own so you can share your thoughts with hundreds or even thousands of readers.
WHAT IS A BLOG?
Let's begin with some definitions. A bit dry, we realize, but this is a necessary evil. First we'll define the word this whole site is based around - blog.
A blog is a frequently updated online personal journal or diary. It is a place to express yourself to the world. A place to share your thoughts and your passions. Really, it's anything you want it to be. For our purposes we'll say that a blog is your own Web site that you are going to update on an ongoing basis. Blog is a short form for the word weblog and the two words are used interchangeably.
Here are a couple of other definitions:
"...the first journalistic model that actually harnesses rather than merely exploits the true democratic nature of the web. It's a new medium finally finding a unique voice."--Andrew Sullivan
"[a] collection of posts...short, informal, sometimes controversial, and sometimes deeply personal...with the freshest information at the top."--Meg Hourihan
TERMINOLOGY
As so often happens in the English language, many derivates of the word blog have been created. One who participates in the activities of maintaining a blog is known as a blogger and the activity of keeping a blog is known as blogging. So we could say that the blogger blogs in his blog, but that might cause your English teacher to weep. We are going to use these terms with alarming frequency, so make sure you understand what they mean before you go on.
Blog (noun) - a journal or diary that is on the Internet - Andrew Sullivan has the most popular blog on the Internet.
Blogger (noun) - a person who keeps a blog - Bloggers are revolutionizing the way news is shared.
Blog (verb) - to write a blog - I am going to blog before breakfast this morning.
Blogging (verb) - the action of writing a blog - Blogging is my way of sharing my passions with the world.
Originally blogs were known primarily as places for people to write about their day-to-day activities. Their mundane, everyday tasks became fodder for journal entries. Somehow these writers gained a following and the hobby of blogging was born. Today people write about far more interesting topics. But we'll get to that in a minute.
WHO BLOGS?
So who are these fearless people who would be willing to post about their lives in as public a forum as the Internet? They are people just like you. Once the haven of technical know-it-alls, blogging has suddenly caught-on as a legitimate hobby and has entered the mainstream. Every day millions of people, some of whom have no technical ability whatsoever, write on their blogs. To meet this demand some amazing tools have been created that will allow anyone, even people with very little knowledge of computers, to have their own blog. If you can find your way onto the Internet and follow some basic instructions you can have your own blog. It's just that easy.
WHY DO PEOPLE BLOG?
So you may be asking why anyone would want to have their own blog. We believe the answer lies in the fact that every human has a voice and wishes their voice to be heard. The Internet is a medium that is unparalleled in its reach. Never before have average people like you or me been able to reach a global audience with so little trouble. Bloggers have the opportunity of reaching hundreds or even thousands of people each and every day.
There are still many people who like to share the details of their days. They may post twenty or thirty times a day, detailing when they ate lunch and when they headed home from work. On the other hand there are bloggers who give almost no detail about their lives, but write instead about a hobby or interest of theirs. They may dedicate their blog to something they are passionate about.
How to Create a Facebook Fan Page
If you’ve recently graduated from college, it’s hard to imagine your college life apart from Facebook. Catching the latest gossip, becoming friends with that college superstar who has never heard of you and staying up-to-date on the latest happenings. And of course, everyone knows it’s not official until it’s on Facebook! However, Facebook is no longer just for college students. Many people reading this may have parents and even grandparents with an account now. Time Magazine even went as far as to publish an article recently called “Why Facebook is for Old Fogies“.
Facebook has not only become a place for young people to connect and network, but it has also become another avenue for businesses and organizations to connect, network and promote their organization. The main way to network on Facebook is of course by creating a profile or even a group, which can be a little more professional then just a profile. However, if you really want to network and promote yourself, business or organization, then creating a Facebook Fan Page is the best way to do this.
It can be a little difficult finding on Facebook where to begin a fan page, so you’ll have to go to the main page for creating a fan page. When beginning a fan page, you’re given the basics, which make it look like a glorified profile page. A raw fan page includes a wall, feed, photos, videos and list of fans. Although this can suffice, if you really want to attract fans who don’t justconsist of your circle of friends, you’ll want to make some upgrades to your page.
Making your fan page interactive and graphically appealing are two of the most important ways to attract new fans. Making it interactive can easily be done with Facebook’s Application Directory that has a wide-range of applications that can be added to your page with a couple clicks. If you have the resources (web developer/designer), or have some experience there yourself, it’s not too hard to develop a Facebook application. The advantage of this is that you can put your brand on the application and personalize it the way you want. I’ve seen people develop a facebook application in as quick as a few days. Putting interactive applications on your page gives users a reason to not just become fans, but to continually visit and interact on your page.
Along with making your fan page interactive, it’s important to give it some personality by making it look attractive. Facebook allows you to upload a logo or photo for your fan page, but that just isn’t enough. Give your page some flare. Put a sharp graphic linking to your website or a flashy banner along the side bar that promotes a contest. Doing something like this offers fans and potential fans a reason to not only visit your fan page often, but to also visit your company’s website or blog. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve visited a website, just to immediately leave because there was little effort put into the design of the site.
Take a stab at creating a Facebook fan page; it doesn’t cost anything and you can reap the benefits for yourself or business. Build off your page, keeping it fresh and new, so that your fans have a reason to come back to it.
Do you have a Facebook page? What apps are using to make it better?
Facebook has not only become a place for young people to connect and network, but it has also become another avenue for businesses and organizations to connect, network and promote their organization. The main way to network on Facebook is of course by creating a profile or even a group, which can be a little more professional then just a profile. However, if you really want to network and promote yourself, business or organization, then creating a Facebook Fan Page is the best way to do this.
Making your fan page interactive and graphically appealing are two of the most important ways to attract new fans. Making it interactive can easily be done with Facebook’s Application Directory that has a wide-range of applications that can be added to your page with a couple clicks. If you have the resources (web developer/designer), or have some experience there yourself, it’s not too hard to develop a Facebook application. The advantage of this is that you can put your brand on the application and personalize it the way you want. I’ve seen people develop a facebook application in as quick as a few days. Putting interactive applications on your page gives users a reason to not just become fans, but to continually visit and interact on your page.
Along with making your fan page interactive, it’s important to give it some personality by making it look attractive. Facebook allows you to upload a logo or photo for your fan page, but that just isn’t enough. Give your page some flare. Put a sharp graphic linking to your website or a flashy banner along the side bar that promotes a contest. Doing something like this offers fans and potential fans a reason to not only visit your fan page often, but to also visit your company’s website or blog. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve visited a website, just to immediately leave because there was little effort put into the design of the site.
Take a stab at creating a Facebook fan page; it doesn’t cost anything and you can reap the benefits for yourself or business. Build off your page, keeping it fresh and new, so that your fans have a reason to come back to it.
Do you have a Facebook page? What apps are using to make it better?
How to Market Your Blog
It’s no secret that the ailing economy has hit everyone, even us bloggers who depend so heavily on Google Adsense and page impressions. It’s become increasingly harder to grow and maintain those high page views, while also competing with other bloggers in your niche.
As a blogger you don’t want to pay a high rate to advertise your blog and risk not getting a return on your investment; nor do you want to do an adwords campaign. You want quick, easy and free ideas for marketing your blog.
1. Social Networking. In the web 2.0 times we currently live in, this may seem like a dead giveaway, yet many bloggers don’t take full advantage of it. Make sure you use the social networks and take advantage of the sites that are most advantageous to you. Create aFacebook fan page, develop a fan base on Twitter and promote your blog on these social outlets.
2. Article Submission. Similar to social networking, article submission is another way to get your blog in front of more eyes. Stumbleupon appears to be the best place for submitting blog posts, but other good submission sites include Digg, Sphinn and Mixx. This also has SEO value by building links.
3. Guest and sponsored posting. This can have a couple different benefits for your blog. By having guests posts, the guest often promotes their posts, and therefore your blog, through their different networks. Depending on the authority and size of your blog, you can often charge a rate for sponsored posts.
4. Optimize your content. You should check your search engine rankings every few weeks to see where you stand and continually look at ways you can rank higher by including new keywords and stregthening your current keywords.
5. Participate in blog carnivals. You can often participate in at least one blog carnival on a monthly, if not a weekly basis. These offer dual purposes, as they build links and promote your blog.
As a blogger you don’t want to pay a high rate to advertise your blog and risk not getting a return on your investment; nor do you want to do an adwords campaign. You want quick, easy and free ideas for marketing your blog.
Lucky you! Here are five free ways to promote your blog.
1. Social Networking. In the web 2.0 times we currently live in, this may seem like a dead giveaway, yet many bloggers don’t take full advantage of it. Make sure you use the social networks and take advantage of the sites that are most advantageous to you. Create aFacebook fan page, develop a fan base on Twitter and promote your blog on these social outlets.
2. Article Submission. Similar to social networking, article submission is another way to get your blog in front of more eyes. Stumbleupon appears to be the best place for submitting blog posts, but other good submission sites include Digg, Sphinn and Mixx. This also has SEO value by building links.
3. Guest and sponsored posting. This can have a couple different benefits for your blog. By having guests posts, the guest often promotes their posts, and therefore your blog, through their different networks. Depending on the authority and size of your blog, you can often charge a rate for sponsored posts.
4. Optimize your content. You should check your search engine rankings every few weeks to see where you stand and continually look at ways you can rank higher by including new keywords and stregthening your current keywords.
5. Participate in blog carnivals. You can often participate in at least one blog carnival on a monthly, if not a weekly basis. These offer dual purposes, as they build links and promote your blog.
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