Reading And Writing Blogs
Contributed by Chad Barlew
It is difficult to browse the Internet today without running into someone’s blog. Whether it is a part of an online friend community or part of a blogging community, blogs are everywhere. A blog is essentially an online journal; however, it can be so much more than a diary. The term “blog” came from the shortening of the words “Web log.” The first blogs began appearing on the Internet in the early 1990s and within ten years cyberspace became the home to millions of online journals.
You may be asking yourself, “Why would someone want to write a blog?” This is a very good question. A blog can be a news source. Multinational companies, soldiers, and public organizations use blogs everyday to update customers, loved ones, or club members about events that have occurred or will take place. A blog is a spot where you can post photos, videos, discussions, and information for the world to see. Think of it, you can post personal information on one spot so that friends, colleagues, and family members can check in with you without having to spend precious time and money making phone calls, writing letters, or sending e-mails.
Now that you have heard some of the exciting elements of the blogging world, you may be wondering how you might set up your own blog, and you may be asking, “Is it hard to set up a blog?” The answer is “No.” It is easier to set up a blog than it is to use a computer word processor or sit through long and boring Excel® classes! In fact, many blog communities are connected to sites that offer online tutorials to help you on your way to becoming an expert blogger.
The first thing you will want to do is decide what type of blog you would like to create. Remember, a blog is an open form, so you can blend any category you might like, but it is always advisable to generate a game plan when designing your blog as proper organization will lead to an easier reading experience for your blog visitors. Several suggestions are as follows:
- Family update (post news and photos for loved ones)
- Poetry or fiction (publish your creative work on the Internet)
- Vacation photos (let friends and family see your fun snap shots)
- Business information (update your colleagues and associates)
- Community newsletter (post events for the neighborhood)
- Classroom exercises (generate lively discussion for your students as homework)
Once you decide on the type of blog you would like to create, you can search the Internet for a blogging community that fits your needs. Most of the blogspots on the Internet are free. “Why is it free?” you may ask. Blog companies make their living by placing small banner advertisements at the top or bottom of your blog. These ads are so small that most viewers may not even notice them.
When you arrive at a blogspot, they will ask you to sign up before you can generate a blog page. After you fill out the personal information, you will select a look and name for your particular blog. They will offer you a range of color options; you may select the colors that you feel best represent your personality. Once you have generated your name and picked your color scheme, you may begin adding information.
People from around the world will be able to view your blog so remember to choose your words wisely. Try to avoid posting personal information. However, if you would like, many blog companies offer private blog subscriptions so that only people that know the log on name and password that you provide them will be able to subscribe and view your blog.
The only things you need to use a blog are: a working computer with an Internet connection and a Web browser. Many blogs even offer spell-check!
After you have posted your blog, you may want to search around your blogging community to see if there are likeminded people or online blog magazines that you might like to invite to view your blog. Once someone adds you, he or she can choose to receive an online alert every time you have posted an update to your space. After you have added other bloggers, you will want to send an e-mail out to all of your friends and family members to let them know that you have a new blog page. Write down your blog address that is listed in the URL window of your browser, type it into an e-mail or a letter, and send everyone an e-mail letting them know that you have joined the wonderful world of blogging.
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About the Author:
Chad Barlew is a freelance writer in Denver, Colorado.
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