What is a Blog?
What is this thing they call a blog? Well there are many definitions and naturally with all things on the internet, things have evolved over the last few years. But to start with let us consider this definition.
A blog to me is a website that maintains an on-going chronicle of information which should be updated frequently by the blogger.
It could contain journal type commentary, niche-specific articles, or posts which link to other websites, articles, videos and resources, that may be of interest to the reader.
Blogs traditionally represented the personality of the blogger and whilst this is still true, many blogs are now used in a business-like manner to create a brand, to market products, services and to build communities and relationships with customers and business partners.
Why you need a blog TODAY!
You should think of your blog as your central hub or your home - a place where everyone from all areas of your life can find you and find out about you. If you are building a blog for business purposes then each blog post offers vital information on areas of your business or industry. Furthermore blog posts are dramatically less expensive than newspaper, magazine, radio, TV or web banner advertisements and the people that visit your blog will usually already be interested in what you have to offer.
Blogs present an eternal advertisement, which unless deleted or edited will live forever online. Overtime your blog will become your showcase and portfolio of work and evidence of your expertise and credibility.
Blogs are extremely social allowing the creation of a community of followers who will actively comment on your posts. Whilst many people thought, the traditional blog presence would demise with the advent of micro-blogging platforms like twitter and social networks such as facebook, savvy bloggers have embraced the arrival of web 2:0 technologies integrating social media links and tools to be used in conjunction with social media platforms.
If you are considering starting a blog here are my top 6 reasons why you should invest in a self hosted blog.
1. Having a yourname.com website, shows professionalism and does wonders for your reputation
2. You own your website and are in complete control, you don’t have to worry about your website and all its content disappearing.
3. Self hosted blogs such as WordPress are Search Engine Optimisation friendly.
4. Plugins and Widgets are easy to install and help you achieve basically anything you can think of!
5. You can integrate with other social media platforms
6. If you get really good at blogging you could even sell your blog for a quick buck!
P.S If you are wanting a professional but affordable design service to give your blog and social media presence the celebrity look you were looking for. Don’t Miss This ==> Social Media Celebrity Design Solutions
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
February 9th, 2010 at 3:08 am
Build it and they will come! It’s all true - and these days, WE get to control the media - building your brand, no matter what you do currently for your main income, is the key to building your future. Now’s the time - Beth gives you the reasons….
.-= Amy Posner´s last blog ..Change Your Story =-.
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February 9th, 2010 at 3:24 am
Beth, really good information for someone to get started with a blog. There are so many things to learn and people need more info like this to get the ball rolling. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Susan Davis´s last blog ..P90x and Networking … what do they have in common? =-.
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I agree Susan, starting out in the blogging world is a very daunting place to be. If I can help one person I will be happy
.-= bethhewitt80´s last blog ..The Princess and the Frog =-.
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February 9th, 2010 at 3:43 am
This is such important information for anyone looking to get started blogging with a real foundation of leadership and influence!
WordPress.org is essential to have the interaction of community and the creativity that the plugins and widgets allow! I have many friends (painfully) switching their .com blogs and wishing they had known this information….
Thanks for sharing this, Beth!
.-= Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Importance of Balance for Truly Radiant Health =-.
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February 9th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Yay! Great primer for anyone wanting to get started in blogging. You’re 6 key pointers are spot on for anyone getting started and great insight.
A blog is the central hub of all of our social media activities. It is our home base, our home, and where we work from. All other activities point back to our blog, so its great to focus our energy here!
Kimberly
.-= Kimberly Castleberry´s last blog ..Brand Your Tweets on Twitter For Free with TweetBrand! =-.
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February 9th, 2010 at 6:19 am
Thank you so much Beth. I really wanted to get started the correct way from the beginning and this heads me in the right direction. By any chance when you use wordpress do you use things like dream weaver etc to go on it? Where do you find the info and data or plugins etc? Thank you again.
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February 10th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Hey Virginia,
I have sent you a message on facebook,
Speak to you soon,
Beth
.-= bethhewitt80´s last blog ..Beginners Guide to Blogging =-.
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February 10th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Such a critical piece of the puzzle, Beth. Without a blog it’s almost impossible to really build relationships online.
How else can people REALLY get to know you.
I’m glad you set this out so clearly for us.
Thanks for all you do (and you even work full-time too!). Amazing use of your time management skills (I was peeking at your video about that…)
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February 10th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Hi Beth, Blogging is opposite of yourself as a product, IT IS FINALLY TRULY RESPECTING YOURSELF AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH IMPORTANT GIFTS & AN IMPORTANT MISSION ON THIS PLANET. It is giving of oneself through ones own personal journey & breathing, living creating VALUE. Being a great soul that contributes to the planet as a whole.
Thank You for this post Beth. Wishing You a wild exciting and wonderful journey =)
.-= Therese Miu´s last blog ..12 Tips to strengthen your friendship: Why Likeability Matters in Life & Business =-.
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February 13th, 2010 at 4:32 am
Great, basic layout of what blogging is, I always get the excuse, “I don’t know what to blog about”, “I am not an expert at anything”. I tell them “there is nobody that is more of an expert at being you than you!”
Sharing of yourself in order to help others work through experiences you have already had, is a great form of creating community and readers are attracted to that. Keep sharing of yourself and you will be great!
Thanks for sharing!
.-= Jose H. Caraballo´s last blog ..The Biggest Problem Credit Counseling Agencies (Part 1) =-.
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February 15th, 2010 at 2:29 am
Beth, somebody once told me that a marketer without a blog is like a person without a home! Love your blog and what a great post for beginners. I’ll be back to read more…
~ Marcus Baker ~
Home Business Coach
.-= Marcus Baker´s last blog ..Business Personal Development – Create Space To Receive =-.
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February 15th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Hey Beth!
Great write up about a Blog. I totally agree, such an important aspect of Branding Yourself.
Since you’re in the coaching business, wouldn’t you agree it’s also great way to express yourself. Like an outlet.
You mentioned using is as a journal. I notice I receive TONS of cool ideas flowing through me that I constantly express through my blog for others.
Create a great day Beth!
.-= Ryan Yokome´s last blog ..Ever Wonder Why New Years Resolutions Don’t Work? Here’s Why….. =-.
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Absolutely Ryan,
Blogs are such a great outlet for people to share new ideas and tricks of the trade. I actually never really plan what I am going to blog about. I just think about the defining moment of my day, what piece of information I have found useful that day or maybe something that just plain makes me laugh.
Have a great day too,
Beth
.-= bethhewitt80´s last blog ..The Princess and the Frog =-.
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February 15th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Hey Beth! Great post covering all of the basics on blogging and why you want to have a self-hosted blog. You have done a wonderful job of making getting started less overwhelming.
I never thought that I would be a person to blog. At first I was very resistant to sharing myself so publicly. Luckily I got over that fear. I can not believe the relationships that I have been building with the people I have met online.
Blogs are a great way to learn about new people and for them to learn about you. It is really easy to find people that you connect with and relate to. You did a great job of explainging blogs!
.-= Melissa Wright´s last blog ..You’ve Been Laid Off…Now What? =-.
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Thanks Mellisa, I remember blogging seeming like a massive new world to undertake. It’s really not that difficult and thankfully there are a lot of lovely people to help so people need not go it alone.
Beth
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March 5th, 2010 at 4:46 am
Thank you for your helpful introduction to blogging. Just started a blog myself. I like the idea of a blog being like a home where people can pop in to visit to see what I’m about and what I’m up to. And I’d like to know more about my visitors and what they’re up to. With that in mind, I think blogging should not be too hard for me.
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March 17th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Great post Beth! Great advice also on developing a self-hosted blog and WordPress is most definitely the best there is. There’s some much you can do with it and the control is key!
Thanks for all the great advice. Looking to hearing more from you.
Congrats on being the weekley crusher this week. You are obviously a take action motivated person!
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March 27th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Thanks Beth! Blogging away!
.-= Bill Cowan´s last blog ..Motivational Tip #3 Dare To Dream =-.
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April 5th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Hi Beth,
Thanks for all the helpful information on setting up a blog! I have found some useful tips even though I already have a blog.
I liked the idea of selling off my blog! Any takers?
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August 23rd, 2011 at 2:23 am
Hi Beth,
Nice Web log!
I think #2 of your top 6 reasons is very important. If someone is posting all their great content on a site like facebook, there is a chance that they could lose it all if they violate facebook’s terms and conditions or if facebook decides to change the rules in the future. A blog is a safe vault for all your hard work.
Talk soon,
Kevin
Kevin Schmidt´s last [type] ..Business Blogging with the Online Marketing Trinity
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August 26th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Thanks for the tips! Actually, I am a newbie in blogging. I don’t really have the broad ideas about blogging especially making money from your blogs. I think having a great blogs is really important to get higher traffic and make money. But the thing is, as a blogger, we all should have great strategies and plans to compete your blogs on google…Anyway, thanks for sharing!!!
Tony Tate@Home-Based Business´s last [type] ..Putting The “I” Back In Spicy
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