What exactly is a blog? When you hear the word blog, what comes to mind? Most people think of bloggers as people who write personal blogs in which they share their thoughts and opinions about various topics, or as individuals who run websites that serve as online diaries or journals. While these are correct uses of the word blog, the concept behind this website-building tool goes beyond personal opinions and diaries, encompassing several different types of content that can be used for communication, entertainment, and more.
The definition of a blog
a regularly updated website, especially one having
commentary or criticism on current affairs, hobbies, etc. In other words, a
blog is a public journal where you can share your thoughts with others. So
what’s stopping you from joining in on all of that sharing? Start blogging
today and make yourself heard!
Blogging has seen a steady rise over recent years,
so there’s no better time to get started than now. You don’t have to be an
expert writer or know everything about computer science—all you need are a passion for writing and communication with others to succeed as a blogger.
Let's be frank here: Not everyone wants to blog
professionally.
What
blogs are
The word blog is a shortened form of weblog, which
comes from two words: web and log. So basically, blogs are online journals that
focus on specific topics. Some use blogging as a way to share their personal
stories, while others use it as a space to talk about their professional lives.
The exact purpose varies by blog—in fact, there is no set definition for what
counts as a blog.
One way to
define a blog is by its purpose, or what it’s used for. Business blogs, for
example, are written as marketing tools designed to attract traffic and boost
revenue. Personal blogs may share details about a person’s life or opinion on
current events. When you want to start your own blog but aren’t sure what kind
of content you should publish, check out some examples in your niche.
Why do
people start blogs?
The majority of bloggers start their blogs to
express themselves. This is often done through storytelling—but blogging can be
anything from a site that documents your travels to a journal of daily thoughts
and feelings. Think about why you want to start a blog, and make sure it’s
something you enjoy enough to consistently write about. If it doesn’t come
naturally, you may not stick with it in the long run—and then what would be the
point?
You may also
want to start a blog if you have a hobby or passion you’d like to share with others.
If that’s your reason for blogging, it can be particularly helpful to study
successful bloggers who are doing what you want to do so you can learn from
their successes and avoid their mistakes.
How do
bloggers make money?
While monetizing a blog may sound like an
insurmountable challenge, it can be done with just a little creativity. The key
is to have clarity on your blogging goals and what you hope to achieve with
your blog (more on that in Part 2 of our series on How To Start a Blog). Once
you’ve defined these goals, finding ways to make money as a blogger will become
more clear. Here are some ideas for ways bloggers make money
Many bloggers
earn revenue through affiliate marketing, selling products or services online
that they mention in their blogs. The best part is that it doesn’t require a
huge investment to get started. To make money blogging with affiliate
marketing, start by searching for an affiliate program that fits your blog
niche and reach out to them directly to find out how you can become an
affiliate.
Are
blogs good or bad for society?
Blogs are a relatively new medium. Much like
photography before it, they’re getting a lot of attention—some good, some bad.
The term blog didn’t even exist until 1999; now it seems to be everywhere. So
what is a blog? And are blogs good or bad for society in general? Let’s find
out!
The question
of whether blogs are good or bad for society is actually twofold. First, how
are blogs changing what we expect out of journalists, and second, how are they
changing our expectations out of each other? I’ll cover both in turn. For
starters, what do we mean by blogging and journalism? Let’s take a look at some
definitions
So how are
blogs changing journalism, and does that matter? Are bloggers replaceable with
journalists, or is there something unique about their content and style of
delivery that can’t be replicated by traditional media outlets? Also, what
responsibility do bloggers have to act as gatekeepers for public discourse
online? This last question has been discussed in depth since Gawker Media’s
outing of Reddit user Violentacrez in 2012.
How
can I start my own blog?
Do you want to start your own blog and become an
entrepreneur, but don’t know where to begin? If so, you’re in luck. This guide
will provide you with all of the information that you need to know in order to
start your own blog.
It can be a
little overwhelming to consider starting your own blog. After all, you’ll have
to create a domain name and web hosting account, as well as design and build
your website from scratch. And then there are all of those updates that you’ll
need to make on a regular basis. Fortunately, though, it doesn’t have to be
difficult! In fact, you can use WordPress and several other tools out there for
free to get your blog up and running quickly.
