Blogology 101: Blogs, Bloggers and Blogging

Welcome to Blogology 101: Blogging For Beginners. In this post, we talk a little bit about the basics of blogs, bloggers and blogging.

Blogs (short for Web-Logs), are essentially online showcases of a person, usually posted for all the world to see.

See, it used to be that all we had were just websites, which earlier on, were really only nothing but fancy online brochures that you can visit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nevertheless, only a relative few knew how to set one up and keep things running- thus the popularity of web design and web development companies.

You have to understand that blogs became popular partly because it changed the traditional model somehow- anyone can now have an interactive website; a site where you can post things, and your readers can interact with you, and you can interact back. And since you always inject your personality into it, anyone can now have a voice online.

Having your own blog these days is so easy now, since there are a lot of free blog-hosting services available online. All you need really are a few thoughts you feel strongly about, and a willingness to share those thoughts to the online community.

Blogging then, is just like writing something on your journal, except that this time, your journal is now online, and that (depending on how much you want to share) it is available for people to interact with.

When you do maintain a blog, you are in effect, a blogger. And there are thousands of bloggers out there all over the world, blogging on so many different things.

Since blogging is a very personal thing, expect most bloggers to write about stories and articles they feel passionate about- personal interests, reviews, politics, hobbies, experiences- all that sort of thing.

Others might like to showcase their knowledge on various topics, taking advantage of their expertise- which is perfectly quite all right. So they give advice and help point others in the right direction.

Still, others might want to use it to advocate a particular cause, issue or lifestyle- informing others, sharing experiences, voicing out opinions- blogs can be very empowering that way.

So blogging can be so many things- it can be a social activity, where you can interact with other bloggers (at least those with some common ground with you), it is a venue for you to express your personality, an opportunity for you to showcase your talents and knowledge, or a much-needed change of pace from the usual things you do in real life.

For some, they use it as a manifesto, as a marketing tool, or even as a means to earn a living.

Whatever your reason, remember that ultimately, blogs are merely tools; just another way for people to communicate with others. Use blogs for your own reasons, or for your own agenda, but blog responsibly.

Cheers, everyone!