Many people hear the word “blog†and think it is only a place for angsty teens to voice their unapologetic world views or of bored housewives to post pictures of their precious little ones. This however, is not the case. Blogging has turned into a great way to connect business to it’s customers, and connecting people to others in the world with similar interests and lives.
Blogging has become the fastest way for a company to get a message to it’s customers. Companies are beginning to use blogs as a way to advertise products and services – it is too simple not to! Blogs can be posted from anywhere in the world (as long as you have an internet connection!) Blogs also allow for companies to keep in touch with their customers through comments and contact forms. Blogging has created a very simple platform for companies to create an interactive environment with their customers/readers.
Don’t make the same mistake that many do, and compare a blog to a typical website. Companies create websites with pretty stagnant basic information that doesn’t change very often – hours of operation, address/location, contact information etc. Blog posts are updated on a regular basis, some even daily, with upcoming events posted, promotional information, or whatever else is deemed pertinent by the company. Blogs are constantly changing, where the majority of website information remains the same for extended periods of time.
If you are beginning a blog, make sure you are familiar with whatever platform you are using for your blog. Whether you own your domain name or you are using a free site, make sure you are familiar with all of the settings. For example the comment settings – who can view comments? do you want to approve comments before they are posted? who can reply to comments? These are all aspects that you should be familiar with before posting blogs. Also learn what the blogging world jargon means – what is an RSS feed? What does it mean to subscribe? Also, when monetizing your blog – what is PPC? What advertising/sponsorship routes are available?
Blogging can be a great way to earn money as a side job, or even a full time job if that’s what you are wanting to do. Make yourself familiar with all aspects of blogging and become a master of your craft. Just as with any job, the only way to be truly successful is to be the most knowledgeable and have the tools necessary to complete the tasks at hand. Put in the time to learn the ins and outs of the blogging world and you will be set up for success!