If you are an Internet-savvy person, you might have heard of the buzz that blogging has brought into the online world. Everybody seems to be blogging nowadays – from your neighbour to your favourite celebrity, from students to business executives. You might not know it but your spouse could be maintaining their own personal journal on the Internet, as well.
What is a blog?
Blog, short for web log, is an online journal where the owner of the blog can update it regularly with contents such as personal events, news, articles, photos, videos, and other media. It is like a website, but uses the typical journal format.
Generally, blog owners publish articles or short notes that they want to share to other web users, personal or otherwise. While blogs are initially designed as online personal journals, they are now being used for professional and corporate purposes. Some companies and businesses make use of blogs to post news and announcements about their brand, to disseminate information, and to keep in touch with their customers.
Who can blog?
Everyone can blog, including you.
Contrary to popular opinion, blogging is not a technical thing that requires special computer and writing skills. As long as you have a computer, internet connection, and time to spare, you can go into blogging. Of course, you also have to have the right objective, attitude, and determination to start and maintain your blog.
Why blog?
Before you decide whether you’ll go blogging or not, ask yourself first what would be your primary objective in doing so. Without a clear goal, your blog might just be another project that you will start but won’t be able to finish. Make sure that are ready to commit in building and maintaining a blog that will reflect not only your work and everyday updates, but your personality, as well.
Below are the common reasons why web users build their own personal blogs and spend their time updating them:
- To express themselves and share their stories, opinions, and insights about particular matters with people over the Internet;
- To educate and give out information to other people;
- To disseminate news and current events, and spread awareness online;
- To sell, promote, advertise, and/or encourage other people to follow their actions;
- To criticise and say something against a particular issue or person;
- To establish name and expertise in a specific industry or field;
- To make money and earn extra income (Yes, you can make money in blogging); and
- To connect with other bloggers and web users, and eventually make a difference in the online world.
Whatever your objectives are in blogging, you have to commit to them and dedicate yourself in making them happen. Once you’ve identified your primary goals, it would be easy for you to start and continue blogging. And before you know it, you just couldn’t stop anymore!