So what's the big deal about a blog anyway? Blogs have become a hot buzzword and have managed to become the most popular tool for adding Web 2.0 features to your website. If you don't have a blog then you are missing out. Blogs help you attract repeat visitors, demonstrate your expert knowledge, build huge credibility, and sell products.
A blog is simply a technology for adding an article to your website and allowing site visitors to add their own comments to your article. Allowing comments is not mandatory, but is a great idea for building loyal visitors. Blogs are easy to use, integrate into your website nicely, and can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your website.
Getting started is fairly easy. You'll need to choose a blog tool. We recommend Word Press. There are other tools and you'll have to decide whether to install on your own site or use their site. My advice is to install their software on your own site. If it isn't your own domain name then it's bad for business.
Setup is a breeze. Posting articles is a breeze. You'll have that going in no time. Don't even worry about getting setup and running. These are minor technical details and any decent web savvy geek can get you over that hump quickly.
What matters most are: (a) promoting your blog, (b) keeping it interesting, and (c) monetizing it. Promoting your blog is done the same way that promoting any website is done. Invite people to come visit, solicit friends to help you build it up by commenting on articles, mention it in your newsletter, and so on. Just keeping putting the word out there and make sure your articles are real contributions to the community and not some uninteresting babble.
Monetizing is done in three ways. You can place ads on your website, such as inserting Google AdSense ads. You can advertise your own products and services with banner ads. You can also place affiliate links on your blog encouraging them to buy other products and services that pay you a commission.
Blogs are easy to start but take a little time and practice to master. You'll be adding and changing things over time. The end result could be amazing. I've heard stories of people selling their established blogs for significant money. Who knows, maybe someone will offer give you an offer you can't refuse. So what are you waiting for? Build your blog today, invite your friends to help you get it established, and you will have a fan club before you know it.
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