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Non-bloggers are always wondering what the big deal is over blogs. (Yes, that was me.) What are blogs, anyway? Why is it that when I Google Search, the results almost always come up with blogs? Finally, after hours of research, I have created a blog post that explains it all. What Is a Blog?A blog is literally, “a website containing a writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other websites” (or, at least, that is what Dictionary.com says). Think of it as the ultimate diary that was purposely published for the public eye. It contains information that may be about a single topic, or a collection of topics. Most of them contain images, outside links, and social media connections. What Kinds of Blogs Are There?Almost all blog posts look the same: There's the title, author, post date, and then a bunch of text and pictures. So they are really all the same, right? Wrong. Blogs are used to inform, persuade, advise, and advertise. They can be written to get a giggle from readers, or perhaps even a few tears. The best writers convince readers that whatever the blog post says is considered truth. 1. Informative Blogs: The Oxford Dictionaries Blog informs its readers of various word- and literature-related facts. For example, they have articles that explain the difference between two confusing words (like “Advice or Advise?”) and articles that answer odd questions that people have (such as “What Do They Call French Toast in France?”). These are the blogs that you could use for research. The MOST reliable ones, however, include lots of references. 2. Persuasive Blogs: One such blog is Neuromarketing, which seems to be an informative blog. But that is the trick: it is persuading you to use their ideas that promise to work in your favor. One such post is “Social Proof: Are You Doing It Wrong?” It is persuading you to use people’s preferences rather than actions to “prove” that your product is a good one. 3. Narrative Blogs: Narrative blogs are exactly what they sound like: blogs that tell a story. Mayo Clinic has a blog that shares stories of some of their patients. For example, one story is about a farmer who was knocked unconscious while working. His spinal cord took some damage, rendering him paralyzed. The post is mainly about how miraculous it was when Mayo Clinic repaired the damage, allowing the farmer to return home. 4. Advertising Blogs: A blog is also a great advertising tool. By providing customers with information that they are intrigued by, you are more likely to win them as a customer. Business Insider has a blog post that advertises other advertising blog posts, titled “Meet The 22 Most Influential Advertising Bloggers”. Other Blogs: Most blogs seem to be a combination of the above types, while others may seem to be their own kind of ballgame. Is there a difference between Blog & Website?In truth, a blog is a website. As Hassam Ahmad Awan, author of “5 Major Differences Between A Blog And Website”, explains, “blog” comes from the combination of “web” and “log” (“weblog”). However, there is a term for websites that are not blogs: static websites. The difference? Static websites are built and left alone. Blogs are constantly updated with new information and articles. Most of the time, each blog update (called a “post”) allows readers to leave comments and discuss related information. With that new information, search engines are constantly looking at your website, allowing more people to find you. Static websites tend to be put "on the back burner," since they do not have any "new information." Why Should I Choose A Blog?Search Engines Like Blogs. As said before, "search engines are constantly looking at your website." Every time you add a new post, it notifies search engines, which they are more likely come back to your blog than a static website. People Like Blogs. Think about it: people love to talk. They love to share their opinions and learn about other people’s opinions. They love their technology and the things they can do with it. Static websites do not allow their viewers to interact and join the conversation like blogs do, making blogs the more active site. Viewers get to comment, discuss, and share the information in your blog. They can ask questions, persuade other readers in their comments, and make themselves and their opinions known. Plus, if you add social media buttons to your posts, people are more likely to read your posts and share your content. Really, blogs get all the stardom: search engines like your new content, and people like everything else. This helps brings in more readers, more traffic through your site. That is why those who are looking into make money through websites should look at blogs. You can sell products to your readers and host Google AdSense. More traffic equals more money! What Can I do With A Blog?First of all, blogs can contain anything. You can have them circle around a specific topic or a more general aspect. It all depends on what interests you. Here are some ideas:
Remember, it is your blog. You are not required to maintain specific guidelines for it (unless it is for a business company - than definitely follow the company rules). Alright, I Am Convinced. |
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AuthorZebraD is currently a high school senior in Florida. She is constantly writing essays for school and scholarships. Archives
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