What is a Blog? In Plain English Please

If you are fairly new to the Internet, you have probably heard the word "Blog" flying around. But what is a blog? How does it work? And how can I use it on my website? These are all good questions, which I hope to answer for you.

What is a Blog?

A blog, in simplest terms, is a daily journal of your thoughts that is maintained by a blogger (which would be you) on the web. When posting to a blog you will notice that it is arranged in chronological order ? with the most recent additions on top.

You can choose to allow your readers to add their own comments/feedback to any issues you may have addressed on your blog. Or, you can add audio to your blog. Pretty neat, isn't it. What a great way to have contact with your customers.

Can it be used on my website?

Can it be used on my website? Definitely. It can be a great tool for you and your contacts. However, I personally feel that it would be a greater benefit to the established website that has a following. In other words, start with a newsletter first, to build your mailing list, than go for the blog.

If you have a following, than go for it. Don't want to pay for it? That's okay, you can go to www.blogger.com, they have a great tutorial and the blog is free.

What can it do for my website?

I see many inventive uses for a website that is based on content. Such as:

1. Strong communication tool ? a form of contact with your customer.

2. Allow you to get to know your customers and their wants, as well as, allowing your customers to know you.

3. Can provide daily, quality content ? which will pull the search engines and thus, increase your traffic.

4. Use it to advertise your links. Taking a conservative approach, and blend it in to the topic.

5. Use it to answer inquiries that people may have.

6. Use it to inform.

As you can see, the list can be endless. But I do see only one slight drawback for those who do not want to keep a constant vigil over their website ? and that is maintaining the blog. The blog should be maintained on a regular basis. Why? People get bored, and on the Internet, it's very easy to click their boredom away. Thus, keep yourself enlightened and it should keep them enlightened.

If you find this small drawback inconsequential ? then go blogging.

To your success.

Vickie J. Scanlon

====================

Vickie J Scanlon has a BBA degree in Administrative Management and Marketing. She left the corporate world as an Reports Programmer, to begin her journey as an Internet marketer. Visit her site at: http://www.myaffiliateplace.biz for free tools, articles, ebooks, and how to info.

---

Why Every Site Needs RSS

RSS or 'Really Simple Syndication' is not just for Blogs... Read More

Blogs and RSS - Why Do I Need This Stuff?

If you've been under a rock for the last year... Read More

Blogging - Whats It All About

A blog usually is a web page that contains brief,... Read More

7 Tips for Successful Blogging

So, you have a blog! Do you have traffic? Do... Read More

The Holy Grail that Online Advertisers, Merchants, Publishers, and Shoppers have been Looking for!

For Online Publishers/RSS Feeds users - RSS (Real Simple Syndication)... Read More

How Bloggers Are Making Thousands of Dollars From the Google Adsense Affiliate Program

There is no doubt that the Google Adsense program for... Read More

Blogging Your Way To Success Part 2

(Continued from Blogging Your Way To Success Part 1)By now,... Read More

Internet Communication

Email, Instant Messaging, Blogs, RSS, Forums and Listservs: What's Next?How... Read More

Blogs And Your Work From Home Internet Business

As a work from home internet business entrepreneur you have... Read More

Marketing With Blogs and RSS - The Hot New Tools of 2005

In case you haven't heard, the net is buzzing with... Read More

What Are RSS Feeds?

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication." It's a format that... Read More

Article Marketing For Bloggers - 4 Tips To Build Traffic For Your Blog

Bloggers blog. That's what they do. A blog is short... Read More

The Key To Marketing With Blogs

I've spent months answering questions from marketers about blogs and... Read More

How to Make Money With Your Blog?

Make money blogging is fun: you enjoy blogging and getting... Read More

Blogs Are About Getting to Know Yourself Better

I still consider myself to be a blog writing novice... Read More

Got Blog?

In 1999 I asked my friends and colleagues if they... Read More

Small / Medium Business Blog Process Outsourcing as a Website Traffic Building Service

You are a small or a medium business owner. You... Read More

Blogs for Kids

Flush out the writer in children. Blogging could draw out... Read More

Blogging For Business Bible

The items covered here are:1) Don't Wait before Blogging.2) Using... Read More

How Direct Sales Reps Can Use Blogging

One of the tools that a smart direct sales representative... Read More

Should Affiliates Really Use Blogging and Pinging To Get Indexed?

There seems to be a huge craze lately with everyone... Read More

Time Saving Uses For RSS

RSS is an underused and underappreciated technology by a majority... Read More

RSS Feeds and How to Use Them

RSS feeds are the most important technology to arrive on... Read More

Business Blogs and Their Benefits

Blog is a medium for self-expression on web. Blogs are... Read More

7 Questions To Ask Yourself BEFORE Staring A Business Blog

Blogging is the latest buzzword in online marketing and PR.... Read More

RSS Feeds Explosion

Gain Massive Exposure For Your ServiceGet your web site listed... Read More

Strategic RSS Positioning: How to Hotwire Your Site to Google!

There's no denying it, the Internet has changed. The change... Read More

Blogs: The Hidden Ace Up Your Sleeve

If it wasn't for my blog, I wouldn't make any... Read More

How to Create an RSS Feed

An RSS news feed can be used to communicate with... Read More

How to Reel in Web Site Visitors by Building Your Own Blog

I know, I know, blog this...blog that. Seems like everyone... Read More

Why are you abusing RSS

When you are involved in RSS everyday you get to... Read More

What Is A Blog? - A Beginners Guide to Understanding Blogs

A blog is short for weblog, which simply means a... Read More

Who Would Use RSS

My previous two articles "What is RSS and Why use... Read More