Writing Blog

To be honest, I never really understood or ran across too many blogs until I became a writer. I was vaguely aware that a blog provides a wealth of information but the part that I wasn’t clear was the audience and the exact content. Who writes a blog and for what purpose? Where do they find their audience and what inspires the author to continue writing a blog?

First, let’s clarify what a blog is and what information it provides. According to Wikipedia, a Blog is defined as “a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries. Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page.”

So, who can write a blog?

Anyone! If you are knowledgeable in a particular area or have a specific skill set that you’d like to share, then you are more than qualified to write a blog. Blogs are supposed to be informative and can provide awareness, tips, tutorials, guides or used to promote a particular product. A blog is typically owned and managed by either a single or several bloggers.

Why do Bloggers write?

Bloggers write a blog for two reasons: 1) to build a personal brand and 2) to generate income. If you plan to blog as a way to earn income, then consider picking a profitable niche that will maximize sponsored posts. Some business owners create blogs to improve their online rankings, attract potential customers and develop an online presence. The bloggers intent is to foster relationships with their readers and other fellow bloggers by encouraging online discussions. Whatever your purpose is for writing a blog, be sure to not only focus on publishing content but also consider the quality, consistency, and your overall web design.

What is the difference between a website and a blog?

A website’s content does not typically change, it is static information whereas a blog outlines the newest posts at the top of the page.

How do I get started?

To be clear, a blog can be a section withing a website (like mine) or a standalone project. Be sure to choose the one that works best for you. First and foremost, you will need to purchase a domain name and web hosting plan. For me, I searched online to ensure that no one else had my domain name and immediately purchased the rights. I then found a hosting site (Bluehost) and located a website builder (WordPress) and started working on my website while simultaneously working on my blog. For more information on locating a hosting site and website builder then read my blog post labeled, “Author Website” (more information below).

Are there different types of blogs?

Yes there is and a blogger is not limited to just one! Be sure that you have the time to continue writing content and sharing with your targeted audience (if that is the intent). The list below is not all inclusive but can be used as a reference and starting point to get started.

• Affiliate – A blog based on affiliate marketing which is the practice of promoting a third party’s products and/or services. Affiliate blog owners will receive a commission when someone purchases from their custom links.
• Business – The primary purpose is to publish content relevant to the company’s industry.
• Multimedia – It uses a blog format but publishes multimedia content such as videos and podcasts, instead of written posts. It also usually includes the video or podcast’s summary, table of contents, and essential quotes.
• News – Content focuses on the latest events in a specific industry. This type of blog does not contain opinions nor personal content as it sticks to the facts.
• Niche – Provides information on a particular topic, usually related to the blogger’s passions, skills, and/or knowledge. Examples: book blogs, food blogs, and lifestyle blogs.
• Personal – In this forum bloggers discuss various personal subjects and share their opinions (like a diary). They are not focused to sell an item nor to target a specific audience. Examples: family events, projects and even self-reflection.
• Reverse – Also known as group blogs, multiple authors create blog posts on related topics and the blog owner is the one who proofreads and posts content.

At the end of the day, if you want to create a blog then it is imperative that you are passionate about it otherwise your blog will not thrive.

Additional Resources: