Blogging, or to give it it's original name, weblogging, started in the late 1990s.
I'm not writing a history lesson here, so if you're interested, just Google it.
It's come a long way since then of course, and nowadays it is used for just about everything, from keeping in touch with the family and friends, to promoting your business.
There are lots of very good reasons why so many people are using blogging - it's free, it's simple and it's a great way of getting your name out there and building credibility.
To expand on these reasons a little...
There are some good free sites around, which you can literally set up by clicking a few links.
WordPress and Blogger are probably the best known and easiest to use, especially for newbies.
So don't feel you have to be an expert, just jump in follow the online instructions and learn as you go.
I'm not writing a history lesson here, so if you're interested, just Google it.
It's come a long way since then of course, and nowadays it is used for just about everything, from keeping in touch with the family and friends, to promoting your business.
There are lots of very good reasons why so many people are using blogging - it's free, it's simple and it's a great way of getting your name out there and building credibility.
To expand on these reasons a little...
- Blogging is Free, which has got to be the best argument for using it as a marketing tool, especially when you are first starting up an internet business.
Whether you are in a mainstream business or an affiliate for a dozen different companies, used correctly your blog will help you generate both a list of names and extra income. - It can help you build your credibility.
If you are an experienced internet marketer you will already know how much easier it is to sell to readers with whom you have been able to build up a relationship.
If you are just starting out, the idea is that your followers start to perceive you as an expert in your field, and the more good information you can give them, the more they will trust you, and be more likely to buy from you. - Blogging helps to build your persona, or personal brand.
When you first start out in your internet business, no-one knows your name.
Then as you gradually write more articles, participate in social media sites and forums, you link back to your blog, where you will not only have business information, but the inside story on yourself, probably with some photos and maybe a video.
This all helps your readers to feel like they actually 'know' you. - You can also use your blog to entice readers to subscribe to something, for example, a newsletter you put out monthly, which will give them exclusive information on your particular niche.
This is one way to build a list..
Another idea is to conduct a short survey about the people who come to your blog - name, age, sex, etc, and perhaps what other information they would like to get in the newsletter. - Last but not least, don't forget an RSS feed to your blog, which is used to publish up-to-date information to and from other sites.
It means that every time something is updated on one of the other websites, it feeds into your website and your visitors can see that information.
There are some good free sites around, which you can literally set up by clicking a few links.
WordPress and Blogger are probably the best known and easiest to use, especially for newbies.
So don't feel you have to be an expert, just jump in follow the online instructions and learn as you go.