To Blog or Not to Blog: Are Blogs Becoming More
Popular than Forums, Newsletters and E-zines? by Vishal P. Rao
Blogging is hot, and seems to be becoming hotter
each month. Although blogging originally was dismissed, by many
successful publishers and other online "gurus", the truth
is that now, a few years after the "blogging trend" began,
there are actually more blogs and more bloggers online than ever
before. Blogging, obviously, is "here to stay"!
Actually first documented in 1997, Web logs initially used the
abbreviated version: wee-blog, with a Web log editor referred to
as a blogger. Since then, all types of Web logs (blogs) and blogging
software have emerged, giving rise to this lucrative and dynamic
market.
Now, everything from advertising blogs to zoology blogs exist,
with every topic in between apparent online. Political blogs are
rampant, and groups of bloggers across the globe post regularly
on every topic imaginable.
What does a blog supply that an e-zine, newsletter, or forum might
not? What has skyrocketed the popularity of the blog over the past
several years?
The answers are really quite simple:
1. Blogs are more highly interactive. Posters get to see the results
of a post immediately, as the post appears simultaneously after
posting. Posters also don't have the usual moderation that appears
in forums, where posts may be deleted without warning. Usually,
in blogs, more freedom is given, and posts are usually accepted
no matter what the content, or the topic.
E-zines and newsletters, with their one sided presentation of views,
have decreased in popularity with the increase of the popularity
of blogs.
2. Blogs are easy to maintain and easy to start. The sheer volume
of choices is staggering! Everything from "blogging software"
to "blogging services" are available, and even a novice
blogger will find blogging quick and easy to do.
3. Blogs are "Search Engine Friendly Food". Search Engines
love blogs, because of the constantly changing content that appears
daily. Search Engines are constantly "searching" for new
content, and blogs meet this requirement splendidly!
4. Blogs are actually a lot of fun! The entertainment aspects of
a blog cannot be dismissed. A great deal of "voyeurism"
exists on blogs, where other bloggers continually monitor discussions,
both pro and con concerning an issue. Discussions on blogs can be
"heated" and interesting, with much repartee occurring
daily! Blogs are a rousing form of media, indeed, with many bloggers
returning repeatedly throughout a day to view new posts.
For a view into popular blogs of many categories, just visit: http://www.blogit.com
5. Many blogs are capable of syndication. Syndication is a great
way to ensure that your writing and your views are exposed to as
much of the general public as possible. Syndication is many times
included in blogging services now, and this has drawn individuals
to the art of blogging continuously.
For an example of a blog service that features syndication, please
visit: http://www.typepad.com
6. There are no lists to maintain, or spam filters to worry about
with blogs. This is one reason why so many writers and publishers
have turned to blogs. E-mail delivery of newsletters and e-zines
has become difficult over the past few years, with the advent of
spam filters. Blogs are not delivered, and therefore, no methods
of defeating filters are needed, and no "non-deliverables"
occur, which has been the bane of writers and publishers prior to
this.
A good blogging software exists at: http://www.silkblogs.com
7. Blogs are economical. Since no lists are maintained, there are
no list server costs. Blogging software and blogging services are
also very reasonably priced, giving good value for the money spent
monthly consistently. Some blogging services charge others to "read",
while others charge writers to "write", but overall the
monthly charges are rather minimal either way.
8. Blogs are educational. There are such a variety of informative
and educational blogs available now, that a search for any subject
usually turns up hundreds of offerings. Differing points of view
on all subjects are offered routinely, giving a reader or poster
an "insight" into the hearts and minds of other bloggers.
Blogs also, to be successful, however, need to contain the same
elements of a popular newsletter or e-zine:
A. Compelling, well-written content. No one, either online or offline
wants to read materials that are poorly written or difficult or
boring to read.
B. Updated material. Just as in newsletters or e-zines, if material
is not updated continually, then the audience eventually dies.
C. Rousing topics. Topics of interest to a wide range of readers
succeed more than topics that appeal to very few, or are rather
dull topics.
D. A nice layout and visual appeal. A blog is akin to a Web site
for written materials, and just like in the design of a Web site,
every care should be made to have the blog be visually appealing
and friendly to visitors.
Newsletters, e-zines and forums, of course, will remain. But as
you can clearly see, blogging, bloggers, and blogs themselves, have
definitely added to the "online experience" and will possibly
(and hopefully) be around for decades more!
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About the Author:
Vishal P. Rao is the owner of http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com
- One of Internet's leading website dedicated to starting, managing
and marketing a home based business.
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