As a work from home internet business entrepreneur you have several really good tools on the internet you can take advantage of in order to build your work from home business. A blog is just one of those tools that you can use and should be taking advantage of.
In recent months blogs have become more and more popular all over the internet. A blog, or weblog, is a personal Web site updated frequently with links, commentary and anything else you like. People maintained blogs long before the term was coined, but the trend gained momentum with the introduction of automated published systems, most notably Blogger. ( http://www.blogger.com ) At blogger.com Thousands of people use services such as Blogger to simplify and accelerate the publishing process. This makes it very simple to create several 100 pages within a site all with the same look and feel but with different content. This of coarse is exactly what the major search engines are looking for.
There are several reasons why a work from home internet business entrepreneur like my self would use blogs in their arsenal of marketing tools. The number one reason for me is to gain better search engine exposure. I have several blogs already started. Two are merely work from home business article databases. Every time I write a new article or find a good one someone else wrote, I submit it into my blog which crates a new page in my site. The search engines will find and spider this new page. I also have a work from home tips blog which I try to post several good tips to each week. This is all great content for my work from home internet business web site that my visitors will hopefully want to read.
Blogs also create opportunities for more search engine submissions. Recently with the popularity of blogs special blog search engines have started to emerge. The only way you can submit to one of these special blog search engines is if you have a blog yourself. Blogs create a special rss or xml files that these search engines will look for.
Setting up your blog may initially take some time and effort but it’s made much simpler if you use blogger.com. But do not use bloggers hosting service. Be sure to use your own domain and hosing service. This will get you the best results with the search engines. Once you have chosen your main template look and feel of your blog all you need to do is keep posting new and good content that your readers would be interested in to your blog. Eventually over time you will have 100’s pages of great content that your visitors will enjoy reading all spidered by the major search engines giving you more traffic and exposure.
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About the Author
Tom Worsley is a successful work from home Internet marketer and independent representative for Strong Future International (SFI), Owner and Webmaster for http://kawarthapublishing.com.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Blogs: Why Publish Journals on the Net?
Why journal writing on the Web? Blogs are journals giving anyone an identity, and an awesome forum for sharing thoughts and ideas with others of similar interests.
Journal writing used to be a private, personal experience done late at night, scribbling hardly legible thoughts and daily occurrences down on paper amidst the haze of a barely lit room. When read over on a later date one could find connections and coincidences that sometimes brought deeper insights into the meaning of life. Also, old ideas could be rekindled that otherwise may have been forgotten forever.
In the 21st century a strange new type of journal writing is becoming prevalent in contemporary society. Called Blogs, these are journals used by the masses. Why are people sharing their thoughts instead of keeping them private like the days of old? These journals are found on the World Wide Web and can be used for a number of purposes. The Web is a public sphere and human souls are realizing that sharing their ideas and beliefs can have that same epiphany type of effect on others as the old type of journal had on the personal writer. People are also feeling that they have an identity, and putting it on the Web is a great way of expressing themselves. Anyone can do it, and besides words, visuals can also be integrated into the journal, often making the Blogs very appealing to readers/ viewers.
Blogs are becoming an excellent way of sharing information on any and every subject. Instead of searching Google for general sites about surfing, or 60’s music, one can go straight to a Blog on the subject in question and read daily thoughts and ideas by others with the same interest as well as expert points of view. If you own a business, you can see what entrepreneurs already based in your proposed field feel about the industry. As it’s a journal structure, the reader can see how certain individual’s beliefs have changed over time.
As the world around us is constantly in transition, humans have always looked for better ways of living and growing as a species. The Information Age has helped our society in innumerable ways. On-line journals are becoming the next step in giving voice to every person who has access to a computer and the Net. As well as putting one’s identity ‘out there’ with the masses, people are hearing the inner workings of minds with similar interests. Blogs are a phenomenon helping to create a more interconnected, socially aware global community.
About the Author
Jesse S. Somer
M6.net
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer is a human hoping to help integrate technology with the average person in society.
Journal writing used to be a private, personal experience done late at night, scribbling hardly legible thoughts and daily occurrences down on paper amidst the haze of a barely lit room. When read over on a later date one could find connections and coincidences that sometimes brought deeper insights into the meaning of life. Also, old ideas could be rekindled that otherwise may have been forgotten forever.
In the 21st century a strange new type of journal writing is becoming prevalent in contemporary society. Called Blogs, these are journals used by the masses. Why are people sharing their thoughts instead of keeping them private like the days of old? These journals are found on the World Wide Web and can be used for a number of purposes. The Web is a public sphere and human souls are realizing that sharing their ideas and beliefs can have that same epiphany type of effect on others as the old type of journal had on the personal writer. People are also feeling that they have an identity, and putting it on the Web is a great way of expressing themselves. Anyone can do it, and besides words, visuals can also be integrated into the journal, often making the Blogs very appealing to readers/ viewers.
Blogs are becoming an excellent way of sharing information on any and every subject. Instead of searching Google for general sites about surfing, or 60’s music, one can go straight to a Blog on the subject in question and read daily thoughts and ideas by others with the same interest as well as expert points of view. If you own a business, you can see what entrepreneurs already based in your proposed field feel about the industry. As it’s a journal structure, the reader can see how certain individual’s beliefs have changed over time.
As the world around us is constantly in transition, humans have always looked for better ways of living and growing as a species. The Information Age has helped our society in innumerable ways. On-line journals are becoming the next step in giving voice to every person who has access to a computer and the Net. As well as putting one’s identity ‘out there’ with the masses, people are hearing the inner workings of minds with similar interests. Blogs are a phenomenon helping to create a more interconnected, socially aware global community.
About the Author
Jesse S. Somer
M6.net
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer is a human hoping to help integrate technology with the average person in society.
Blogs: Today’s Internet Diary and Marketing Tool
The popular blogger.com owned by Google, Inc. has been around the internet for a while.
But still no matter how appealing a Blog may seem now a days there are still a few people that does not actually get to know what really a Blog is.
Well, a Blog is a type of website that allows you as its owner to easily put in your messages and publish it online.
It’s more like a journal or a diary type of site, but what’s interesting is it’s not hidden from others like a normal diary where in only you can write and see it.
A Blog is your personal site and your online diary at the same time. It is a place where you post something and other may post a comment about your post. It’s actually a great site to publish your own opinion and “what you think” thingy.
Now, with all those features how come it’s also a marketing tool? For some it may seem to be a diary or a journal but for some it is more likely to be a place to advertise products and market them.
Why? Because of the ability of Blogs to be crawled easily by search engines and because of the nature of a Blog that makes it look like an e-campus class that consist of a teacher and students. Advertisers, marketers and even programmers can make use of a Blog to post in messages about their products and users could post in their comments too.
A Blog is easily crawled by search engines because it is a content based site and search engines loves sites with great content volumes. I have a Blog my self at http://prialde.blog.com and with in 24 hours I can already search my Blog at Google Search.
A Blog is a great tool indeed. The answer now to the question, “Do I Really Need It?” is up to you to answer. Just remember no site is great without others knowing it.
Here are some of the Blogs I love to spend some time on.
http://prialde.blog.com
http://www.elf-ideas.blogspot.com/
http://ezinearticles.com/blog/
And here are some of sites offering free Blogs.
http://www.blog.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blog-city.com/
http://www.blogdrive.com/
http://www.tblog.com/
And try this site http://simpleads.net/ to advertise your Blog.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glenn is the owner and creator of iSnare – www.isnare.com a free articles site that offers unlimited free article submission and free reprint. iSnare can also write great contents for your site, visit http://outsourcing.isnare.com/?p=3
But still no matter how appealing a Blog may seem now a days there are still a few people that does not actually get to know what really a Blog is.
Well, a Blog is a type of website that allows you as its owner to easily put in your messages and publish it online.
It’s more like a journal or a diary type of site, but what’s interesting is it’s not hidden from others like a normal diary where in only you can write and see it.
A Blog is your personal site and your online diary at the same time. It is a place where you post something and other may post a comment about your post. It’s actually a great site to publish your own opinion and “what you think” thingy.
Now, with all those features how come it’s also a marketing tool? For some it may seem to be a diary or a journal but for some it is more likely to be a place to advertise products and market them.
Why? Because of the ability of Blogs to be crawled easily by search engines and because of the nature of a Blog that makes it look like an e-campus class that consist of a teacher and students. Advertisers, marketers and even programmers can make use of a Blog to post in messages about their products and users could post in their comments too.
A Blog is easily crawled by search engines because it is a content based site and search engines loves sites with great content volumes. I have a Blog my self at http://prialde.blog.com and with in 24 hours I can already search my Blog at Google Search.
A Blog is a great tool indeed. The answer now to the question, “Do I Really Need It?” is up to you to answer. Just remember no site is great without others knowing it.
Here are some of the Blogs I love to spend some time on.
http://prialde.blog.com
http://www.elf-ideas.blogspot.com/
http://ezinearticles.com/blog/
And here are some of sites offering free Blogs.
http://www.blog.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blog-city.com/
http://www.blogdrive.com/
http://www.tblog.com/
And try this site http://simpleads.net/ to advertise your Blog.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glenn is the owner and creator of iSnare – www.isnare.com a free articles site that offers unlimited free article submission and free reprint. iSnare can also write great contents for your site, visit http://outsourcing.isnare.com/?p=3
Blogs: The New E-Tool
What are blogs?
Blogs are frequently updated web pages on which authors post articles about news items, interesting websites, and their thoughts and just about anything that interests the author. Blogs are the newest information age revolution that allows individuals to express themselves to the world.
Blogs operate using a content management system, where the blog owner can add, edit, and delete content from the blog to keep it updated as quickly and efficiently as possible.
They were originally used as online journals, or diaries, which were the mainstay of teenagers who love to write down their most private thoughts. However, given the Internet is a public information space and anyone with an Internet connecion can read your online journal it is not a good place to be posting those private thoughts.
Who should use blogs?
Blogging first came on the seen during the 2004 election, now has exploded as a marketing tool for companies, such as Sun Microsystems, StonyField Farms, and Kowabunga Technologies with the intent on bypassing traditional media of reaching customers. With more people finding companies by searching the Internet, and with 32 million Americans reading blogs, this makes blogging a cost effective tool for marketing.
Blogs would be perfect for college students. Many college professors require that their students keep a journal of their activities so that they can see how the student is progressing and if the student is learning the material. Some college professors even advise students to set time immediately after class to do their writing activity in their journal.
This journal activity can be done using blogs, where the professor can go to the website and view the blogs of his or her students. The professor can see first hand who is actively doing the activity, and contribute to a discussion with the student by posting a comment, thus creating a two-way dialogue.
Let's assume that the student is taking a course on Organization Behavior and is reading an interesting chapter on Interpersonal Communications in Organizations. At the beginning of the lecture, the professor hands out the lecture notes, usually as PowerPoint slides so the student can follow along. The first slide lists the learning objectives that the professor expects the student to be able to do upon completion of the lecture. Here is an example of a learning objective:
Describe the process of communication and its role in organizations
After class, the student can go to the computer center on campus and login to his blog, and attempt to explain what the process of communication based on the lecture. Being able to write about something in your own words immediately after hearing it can help in the learning process.
The Downsides of Blogging
Fear of negative comments Blogs invite negative comments because there are a lot of people out there that just love to trash people and don't have anything nice to say. Companies should not be deterred. Blogs have a feature where you can moderate each and every comment that is made by a visitor, and the blog owner can choose to accept it or reject it at his discretion.
The comments made by visitors reading a blog creates a two-way dialogue between the writer and the readers creating an opportunity for acquiring new knowledge which can lead to learning. However, for learning to take place, action is required to be taken on that knowledge, for learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior produced by experience and the acquisition of knowledge.
Inappropriate content written by employees Two employees were fired from their respective companies for what they posted on their blogs. Mark Jen was fired from Google for writing about the companies health care plan. A Delta Airlines flight attendant was also fired for writing about her escapades, some of which were sexual in nature.
There needs to be policies in place regulating what employees can and cannot write about in their blogs. However, the blog must be company owned, such as within a company website. If an employee of a company starts a blog on his own time for his own engagement, the company cannot regulate what that employee writes about in his blog. If the employer attempts to regulate that employee's behavior, that would be a violation of his first amendment rights.
Employers need to thread carefully so that they do not intrude in their employees personal lives. What an employee does on his or her own time is the employee's own business and not the employer.
What can a business use a blog for?
Implement a newsletter Blogs come with an archiving function where posts that are published are archived on a monthly bases. This is about the same frequency as a regular email newsletter. Visitors to your blog can view past issues to see what was written in past months.
Newsletters are published documents describing information of interest to customers, employees, or anyone that is interested in learning more about that company regarding the array of business and nonbusiness issues. Blogs can be used as a delivery method for bringing these same news and announcements about a company, products/services and the online industry in general that the company is in. Whereas newsletters tend to be a one-way communication tool and are more impersonal, using blogs as newsletters can make it more personal by creating a two-way dialogue.
Blogs can be a huge opportunity for small businesses and be a very real threat for email newsletter companies, such as Vertical Response and Constant Contact. These companies help small businesses build their email lists, publish their newsletters, and manage their email marketing campaigns. Small business owners only pay for the number of email newsletters that they send. The cost can range from as low as $15 for 1,000 to &750 for as much as 100,000 email newsletters.
By using a blog to publish a newsletter, the small business owner can save this money. The money saved can then be allocated to investing in the training and development of their employees, another critical aspect of running a business.
Improve a web presence Search engines want to provide high quality search results for their visitors. Search engines love blogs and favor sites that are updated frequently.
Websites can get indexed almost instantaneously. Everytime you publish an article to your blog, it pings other websites. Pinging lets dozens of services know your website has been updated, thus increases traffic to your blog.
Become a published author Everyone has an area of expertise, or core competency. Usually this area of expertise is based on a strong interest of the owner. You could haved owned a web design company and handled all of the Human Resources activities for your company because you had a strong interest in that field. Perhaps within this field you developed a strong interest in attracting and selecting the best candidates for your company. Maybe you tweaked the employment interview and turned it into an oral examination for the job applicant.
By writing articles, you will become known as an expert on the topics you write about. This will give you and your business extra credibility which will help you compete against your competition as you demonstrate your expertise.
To get started blogging, small businesses can save money by purchasing a reseller webhosting account, such as that from HostGator. A reseller hosting account is a tad more pricey, but cheaper in the long term. You have the ability to host unlimited number of websites without having to contact your web hosting provider and set up new account. You have to pay for every new hosting account, which can be a strain on your budget. With a reseller hosting account you will be able to create a hosting account for no additional cost (except for the domain registration).
Blogs are here to stay. As more people continue to learn what a blog is, it will continue to evolve with many new uses.
About the Author
Nick Roy is an HR Researcher, Consultant, and freelance business writer. He currently holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Hawaii Pacific University, and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida Metropolitan University, Fort Lauderdale<
Blogs are frequently updated web pages on which authors post articles about news items, interesting websites, and their thoughts and just about anything that interests the author. Blogs are the newest information age revolution that allows individuals to express themselves to the world.
Blogs operate using a content management system, where the blog owner can add, edit, and delete content from the blog to keep it updated as quickly and efficiently as possible.
They were originally used as online journals, or diaries, which were the mainstay of teenagers who love to write down their most private thoughts. However, given the Internet is a public information space and anyone with an Internet connecion can read your online journal it is not a good place to be posting those private thoughts.
Who should use blogs?
Blogging first came on the seen during the 2004 election, now has exploded as a marketing tool for companies, such as Sun Microsystems, StonyField Farms, and Kowabunga Technologies with the intent on bypassing traditional media of reaching customers. With more people finding companies by searching the Internet, and with 32 million Americans reading blogs, this makes blogging a cost effective tool for marketing.
Blogs would be perfect for college students. Many college professors require that their students keep a journal of their activities so that they can see how the student is progressing and if the student is learning the material. Some college professors even advise students to set time immediately after class to do their writing activity in their journal.
This journal activity can be done using blogs, where the professor can go to the website and view the blogs of his or her students. The professor can see first hand who is actively doing the activity, and contribute to a discussion with the student by posting a comment, thus creating a two-way dialogue.
Let's assume that the student is taking a course on Organization Behavior and is reading an interesting chapter on Interpersonal Communications in Organizations. At the beginning of the lecture, the professor hands out the lecture notes, usually as PowerPoint slides so the student can follow along. The first slide lists the learning objectives that the professor expects the student to be able to do upon completion of the lecture. Here is an example of a learning objective:
Describe the process of communication and its role in organizations
After class, the student can go to the computer center on campus and login to his blog, and attempt to explain what the process of communication based on the lecture. Being able to write about something in your own words immediately after hearing it can help in the learning process.
The Downsides of Blogging
Fear of negative comments Blogs invite negative comments because there are a lot of people out there that just love to trash people and don't have anything nice to say. Companies should not be deterred. Blogs have a feature where you can moderate each and every comment that is made by a visitor, and the blog owner can choose to accept it or reject it at his discretion.
The comments made by visitors reading a blog creates a two-way dialogue between the writer and the readers creating an opportunity for acquiring new knowledge which can lead to learning. However, for learning to take place, action is required to be taken on that knowledge, for learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior produced by experience and the acquisition of knowledge.
Inappropriate content written by employees Two employees were fired from their respective companies for what they posted on their blogs. Mark Jen was fired from Google for writing about the companies health care plan. A Delta Airlines flight attendant was also fired for writing about her escapades, some of which were sexual in nature.
There needs to be policies in place regulating what employees can and cannot write about in their blogs. However, the blog must be company owned, such as within a company website. If an employee of a company starts a blog on his own time for his own engagement, the company cannot regulate what that employee writes about in his blog. If the employer attempts to regulate that employee's behavior, that would be a violation of his first amendment rights.
Employers need to thread carefully so that they do not intrude in their employees personal lives. What an employee does on his or her own time is the employee's own business and not the employer.
What can a business use a blog for?
Implement a newsletter Blogs come with an archiving function where posts that are published are archived on a monthly bases. This is about the same frequency as a regular email newsletter. Visitors to your blog can view past issues to see what was written in past months.
Newsletters are published documents describing information of interest to customers, employees, or anyone that is interested in learning more about that company regarding the array of business and nonbusiness issues. Blogs can be used as a delivery method for bringing these same news and announcements about a company, products/services and the online industry in general that the company is in. Whereas newsletters tend to be a one-way communication tool and are more impersonal, using blogs as newsletters can make it more personal by creating a two-way dialogue.
Blogs can be a huge opportunity for small businesses and be a very real threat for email newsletter companies, such as Vertical Response and Constant Contact. These companies help small businesses build their email lists, publish their newsletters, and manage their email marketing campaigns. Small business owners only pay for the number of email newsletters that they send. The cost can range from as low as $15 for 1,000 to &750 for as much as 100,000 email newsletters.
By using a blog to publish a newsletter, the small business owner can save this money. The money saved can then be allocated to investing in the training and development of their employees, another critical aspect of running a business.
Improve a web presence Search engines want to provide high quality search results for their visitors. Search engines love blogs and favor sites that are updated frequently.
Websites can get indexed almost instantaneously. Everytime you publish an article to your blog, it pings other websites. Pinging lets dozens of services know your website has been updated, thus increases traffic to your blog.
Become a published author Everyone has an area of expertise, or core competency. Usually this area of expertise is based on a strong interest of the owner. You could haved owned a web design company and handled all of the Human Resources activities for your company because you had a strong interest in that field. Perhaps within this field you developed a strong interest in attracting and selecting the best candidates for your company. Maybe you tweaked the employment interview and turned it into an oral examination for the job applicant.
By writing articles, you will become known as an expert on the topics you write about. This will give you and your business extra credibility which will help you compete against your competition as you demonstrate your expertise.
To get started blogging, small businesses can save money by purchasing a reseller webhosting account, such as that from HostGator. A reseller hosting account is a tad more pricey, but cheaper in the long term. You have the ability to host unlimited number of websites without having to contact your web hosting provider and set up new account. You have to pay for every new hosting account, which can be a strain on your budget. With a reseller hosting account you will be able to create a hosting account for no additional cost (except for the domain registration).
Blogs are here to stay. As more people continue to learn what a blog is, it will continue to evolve with many new uses.
About the Author
Nick Roy is an HR Researcher, Consultant, and freelance business writer. He currently holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Hawaii Pacific University, and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida Metropolitan University, Fort Lauderdale<
Blogs, like all forms of writing, are an art form.
Writing…Blogs…Blogs are on-line journals where people express themselves through writing. Writing…Writing is the process where one puts down words of a language in a format that others can read. This process has not been around very long; to use one of my writing teacher’s favorite sayings: “Writing has only existed for one day in the one year that humanity has existed.” Speaking and thinking come much easier than writing. These processes just flow out naturally like a river of consciousness; sometimes we hardly have to think about doing them. Anyone and everyone can write words down on paper but that doesn’t mean it’s ‘good writing’, myself included. Like most things in life, our society already takes writing for granted which is proving to expose more of our ignorance. Writing is a new form of expression, and if we want to do it in a way that the masses can connect with our ideas, we have to think much more simply and clearly about this art.
Now that was quite a big paragraph, you’ve got to wonder if I really needed to say as much as I just did to introduce this article on the best way to write your blogs on the Web. I didn’t even mention this main idea, and that’s what an introduction paragraph is meant to be for. This is a common mistake in many blogs out there. We try to get too many ideas across in one paragraph, sometimes even in one sentence! The key, as in all things in life-is to keep it simple. Simplicity means that readers won’t get confused about what your journal entry is actually about. Introduce your main general topic at the start, and use the subsequent paragraphs to discuss separate ideas that relate to this topic. Try to tie everything up in the concluding paragraph, your main argument and the reason why you’ve written in the first place.
Grammar and sentence construction are not easy systems to master, especially if you come from a school system that spent more time telling you about historical battles and quadratic equations than on how to read and write. This is a real problem. When we speak we can get messages across to others easily, but if we put these words down on paper, the writing just isn’t interesting and doesn’t connect with people’s curiosities and fascination. When you write you are not talking to a close friend. You can’t use slang and colloquialisms that only your local community can understand. The aim is to connect with all the people in the world, so let’s make it crystal clear and enjoyable to read.
Your computer has spelling and grammar checks, as well as access to a thesaurus. Use them, but remember that the machine can’t decipher all the intricacies of language. Language is a world in itself, and much of its territories are undiscovered by the masses. So, again keep it simple. Short, precise sentences with single ideas are great. Many words in the English language have the same meanings (synonyms). Use the thesaurus so you don’t repeat the same word over and over throughout the text. It keeps the story fresh and doesn’t turn the reader off. There’s nothing more boring than repetition. Using different words can be a lot of fun and a learning experience, just make sure you use a dictionary (also on the computer/Internet) to make absolute sure of the word’s definition.
Readability…Simplicity…Make your blog accessible by all people. You can even take into consideration that many readers will have learned English as a second language. As I’ve said in previous articles, keep to the point-don’t go on tangents. Stick with the article’s topic, and definitely stay within the realms of your blog’s main area. If your blog is entitled “Jazz music”, people who go there don’t want to hear about how your football team won on the weekend! Please be consistent. How irritating is it to visit a blog that hasn’t been written on in months or years?
I hope these little tips will help you on your quest to producing ‘good’ writing that brings new friends and acquaintances of similar outlooks into your world. If you want people to read, the aim is to produce an emotional reaction in your reader. Pretend you are writing to another form of yourself, if it were not readable, interesting and fun…would you stick around?
About the author:
M6.net
http://www.m6.net
Leaders in Web Hosting, M6.net is a strong company that has pioneered in the web hosting industry since 1997. The company started with nothing more than a few web sites and even fewer clients. It is now hosting over ten thousand web sites across more than one hundred countries around the world.
Now that was quite a big paragraph, you’ve got to wonder if I really needed to say as much as I just did to introduce this article on the best way to write your blogs on the Web. I didn’t even mention this main idea, and that’s what an introduction paragraph is meant to be for. This is a common mistake in many blogs out there. We try to get too many ideas across in one paragraph, sometimes even in one sentence! The key, as in all things in life-is to keep it simple. Simplicity means that readers won’t get confused about what your journal entry is actually about. Introduce your main general topic at the start, and use the subsequent paragraphs to discuss separate ideas that relate to this topic. Try to tie everything up in the concluding paragraph, your main argument and the reason why you’ve written in the first place.
Grammar and sentence construction are not easy systems to master, especially if you come from a school system that spent more time telling you about historical battles and quadratic equations than on how to read and write. This is a real problem. When we speak we can get messages across to others easily, but if we put these words down on paper, the writing just isn’t interesting and doesn’t connect with people’s curiosities and fascination. When you write you are not talking to a close friend. You can’t use slang and colloquialisms that only your local community can understand. The aim is to connect with all the people in the world, so let’s make it crystal clear and enjoyable to read.
Your computer has spelling and grammar checks, as well as access to a thesaurus. Use them, but remember that the machine can’t decipher all the intricacies of language. Language is a world in itself, and much of its territories are undiscovered by the masses. So, again keep it simple. Short, precise sentences with single ideas are great. Many words in the English language have the same meanings (synonyms). Use the thesaurus so you don’t repeat the same word over and over throughout the text. It keeps the story fresh and doesn’t turn the reader off. There’s nothing more boring than repetition. Using different words can be a lot of fun and a learning experience, just make sure you use a dictionary (also on the computer/Internet) to make absolute sure of the word’s definition.
Readability…Simplicity…Make your blog accessible by all people. You can even take into consideration that many readers will have learned English as a second language. As I’ve said in previous articles, keep to the point-don’t go on tangents. Stick with the article’s topic, and definitely stay within the realms of your blog’s main area. If your blog is entitled “Jazz music”, people who go there don’t want to hear about how your football team won on the weekend! Please be consistent. How irritating is it to visit a blog that hasn’t been written on in months or years?
I hope these little tips will help you on your quest to producing ‘good’ writing that brings new friends and acquaintances of similar outlooks into your world. If you want people to read, the aim is to produce an emotional reaction in your reader. Pretend you are writing to another form of yourself, if it were not readable, interesting and fun…would you stick around?
About the author:
M6.net
http://www.m6.net
Leaders in Web Hosting, M6.net is a strong company that has pioneered in the web hosting industry since 1997. The company started with nothing more than a few web sites and even fewer clients. It is now hosting over ten thousand web sites across more than one hundred countries around the world.
BLOGS! What They Are... And WHY They're Becoming A POWER
BLOGS! What a crazy name for the "NEWEST" Internet
marketing trend to hit the Internet.
But, I like it.
It makes this new form of communication kind of mysterious
in a way, though, BLOGS have been around for quite some
time and only recently have been recognized as a VERY
valuable asset to Internet marketers.
Recently, I was visiting some Internet marketing related
Forums and noticed many of the threads having similar
"Subjects" saying... "What the heck are BLOGS?"
So, I did a little research and this is what I came up with
since I was Very curious myself.
I think it's best that I clearly define to You exactly what
a "BLOG" is so that as I go through this article with you,
you'll have a clear picture in your head of what a Blog IS
and so there won't be any confusion.
A "BLOG"(A.K.A. Web Log) by definition is:
A combination of online diary and/or guestbook. You sign up
for a blogger account and then you enter the information
You want on your Website. Then you can set it so that only
you can place entries on it or so that anyone can. Then you
can either keep a private journal or you can have a place
where your readers can get together and place entries to
each other or to you.
So... there you have it in a nut shell.
To simplify it even more let's just say BLOGS are a place
to go and post your personal thoughts that you can share
with your subscribers and/or readership and receive
feedback.
Now, for the purpose of this article, now that you know the
true definition of a "Blog", I'm going to share with you
some reasons WHY they're becoming a widely recognized
"POWER TOOL" for Internet marketers around the world.
So, with that said, lets go to Reason #1.
Reason #1. Great way to stay in touch with your subscribers.
Blogs are a great way to stay in touch with your
subscribers and/or readership and builds regular readership
Traffic to your little community where you can interact
with them.
It also helps build rapport, which in turn, will help
develop that TRUST in You, Your Products and/or Services
that You recommend.
Reason #2. It's a great way to get "Feedback".
Blogs are a great way to get Feedback from your
subscribers/customers simply because they have the ability
to leave comments on each "Post" you make which will then
help you find what it is they're looking for making YOU
look like a "Hero" in there eye's and putting $Money$ in
your pocket.
Reason #3. Can be managed by ONE individual.
Blogs require NO "HTML" experience, making it easy for
ANYONE to get started.
Most "Blog" communities online use what is called a
"WYSIWYG" HTML editor.
Did I lose you there with the "WYSIWYG" abbreviation. That
simply stands for... "What You See Is What You Get".
It's one of the easiest HTML editors to use, making it easy
for You to get started right away.
Reason #4. Your able to list your "Main" website details.
When you sign up for your Blogger account you're given an
area to set-up your "Personal Profile" where your able to
list your Main website and URL, plus, any other personal
information you wish to share that will be displayed on
your Blog.
Reason #5. A great way to publish "Information".
This is probably ONE of the Biggest benefits to Blogs
because you have the ability to post informative
information in the form of "Articles and/or Reviews" for
your subscribers and/or readership which will make you look
like an Expert on the subject and giving you INSTANT
credibility in the eye's of your reader.
Reason #6. You get your own URL.
That's right, you get your own URL you can use in all your
promotions and/or on your personal website if you have one.
This feature is great, especially for people just starting
out and don't have there own website up and running yet.
-----------------------------------------
Here's my Blog for you to take a look at.
It's called... The Internet Wonders Blog.
http://theiwe.blogspot.com
-----------------------------------------
Reason #7. Search Engines love them.
Search Engines love Blogs because they are so "Content
Rich" and are always being updated on a Daily to Weekly
basis.
When you compare a regular static website, which might be
updated on a monthly basis, to a Blog, which is updated on
a Daily to Weekly basis with NEW content, you'll gain favor
with the search engines with your Blog.
The S.E. "Spiders" will then gladly stop by to munch down
on whatever NEW content you posted and Index your website
more often since that is what Search Engines love and are
constantly looking for.
Reason #8. The ability to use RSS with Blogs.
A powerful feature about Blogs is the use of RSS(Really
Simple Syndication) that allows you to Instantly send your
Blog highlights to your readership upon publication which
will keep your reader up to speed on your business and your
Products and/or Services.
Not only that, RSS also gives your Blog more exposure to a
wider audience of subscribers building a bigger readership
in less time.
By simply adding an human element to your business through
the use of a "Blog", IS a great way to build rapport and
gain the trust of your subscribers and/or readership, which
in turn, will turn them into buying "Customers".
Well, there you have it, "BLOGS! What They Are... And WHY
They're Becoming A POWER TOOL For Internet Marketers".
I hope this article clearly answered the questions you once
had about "Blogs" and the benefits of starting one of your
own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CBmall. The #1 Info-Product site on the NET! Visit Today=>
http://www.internetwondersezine.com/cbmallsearch.htm
-- Or if you want to get MORE 'Insider' marketing Secrets,
visit Cory Threlfall's BLOG called... The Internet Wonders
Blog at -- http://theiwe.blogspot.com or subscribe his Free
newsletter at -- http://www.internetwondersezine.com
marketing trend to hit the Internet.
But, I like it.
It makes this new form of communication kind of mysterious
in a way, though, BLOGS have been around for quite some
time and only recently have been recognized as a VERY
valuable asset to Internet marketers.
Recently, I was visiting some Internet marketing related
Forums and noticed many of the threads having similar
"Subjects" saying... "What the heck are BLOGS?"
So, I did a little research and this is what I came up with
since I was Very curious myself.
I think it's best that I clearly define to You exactly what
a "BLOG" is so that as I go through this article with you,
you'll have a clear picture in your head of what a Blog IS
and so there won't be any confusion.
A "BLOG"(A.K.A. Web Log) by definition is:
A combination of online diary and/or guestbook. You sign up
for a blogger account and then you enter the information
You want on your Website. Then you can set it so that only
you can place entries on it or so that anyone can. Then you
can either keep a private journal or you can have a place
where your readers can get together and place entries to
each other or to you.
So... there you have it in a nut shell.
To simplify it even more let's just say BLOGS are a place
to go and post your personal thoughts that you can share
with your subscribers and/or readership and receive
feedback.
Now, for the purpose of this article, now that you know the
true definition of a "Blog", I'm going to share with you
some reasons WHY they're becoming a widely recognized
"POWER TOOL" for Internet marketers around the world.
So, with that said, lets go to Reason #1.
Reason #1. Great way to stay in touch with your subscribers.
Blogs are a great way to stay in touch with your
subscribers and/or readership and builds regular readership
Traffic to your little community where you can interact
with them.
It also helps build rapport, which in turn, will help
develop that TRUST in You, Your Products and/or Services
that You recommend.
Reason #2. It's a great way to get "Feedback".
Blogs are a great way to get Feedback from your
subscribers/customers simply because they have the ability
to leave comments on each "Post" you make which will then
help you find what it is they're looking for making YOU
look like a "Hero" in there eye's and putting $Money$ in
your pocket.
Reason #3. Can be managed by ONE individual.
Blogs require NO "HTML" experience, making it easy for
ANYONE to get started.
Most "Blog" communities online use what is called a
"WYSIWYG" HTML editor.
Did I lose you there with the "WYSIWYG" abbreviation. That
simply stands for... "What You See Is What You Get".
It's one of the easiest HTML editors to use, making it easy
for You to get started right away.
Reason #4. Your able to list your "Main" website details.
When you sign up for your Blogger account you're given an
area to set-up your "Personal Profile" where your able to
list your Main website and URL, plus, any other personal
information you wish to share that will be displayed on
your Blog.
Reason #5. A great way to publish "Information".
This is probably ONE of the Biggest benefits to Blogs
because you have the ability to post informative
information in the form of "Articles and/or Reviews" for
your subscribers and/or readership which will make you look
like an Expert on the subject and giving you INSTANT
credibility in the eye's of your reader.
Reason #6. You get your own URL.
That's right, you get your own URL you can use in all your
promotions and/or on your personal website if you have one.
This feature is great, especially for people just starting
out and don't have there own website up and running yet.
-----------------------------------------
Here's my Blog for you to take a look at.
It's called... The Internet Wonders Blog.
http://theiwe.blogspot.com
-----------------------------------------
Reason #7. Search Engines love them.
Search Engines love Blogs because they are so "Content
Rich" and are always being updated on a Daily to Weekly
basis.
When you compare a regular static website, which might be
updated on a monthly basis, to a Blog, which is updated on
a Daily to Weekly basis with NEW content, you'll gain favor
with the search engines with your Blog.
The S.E. "Spiders" will then gladly stop by to munch down
on whatever NEW content you posted and Index your website
more often since that is what Search Engines love and are
constantly looking for.
Reason #8. The ability to use RSS with Blogs.
A powerful feature about Blogs is the use of RSS(Really
Simple Syndication) that allows you to Instantly send your
Blog highlights to your readership upon publication which
will keep your reader up to speed on your business and your
Products and/or Services.
Not only that, RSS also gives your Blog more exposure to a
wider audience of subscribers building a bigger readership
in less time.
By simply adding an human element to your business through
the use of a "Blog", IS a great way to build rapport and
gain the trust of your subscribers and/or readership, which
in turn, will turn them into buying "Customers".
Well, there you have it, "BLOGS! What They Are... And WHY
They're Becoming A POWER TOOL For Internet Marketers".
I hope this article clearly answered the questions you once
had about "Blogs" and the benefits of starting one of your
own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CBmall. The #1 Info-Product site on the NET! Visit Today=>
http://www.internetwondersezine.com/cbmallsearch.htm
-- Or if you want to get MORE 'Insider' marketing Secrets,
visit Cory Threlfall's BLOG called... The Internet Wonders
Blog at -- http://theiwe.blogspot.com or subscribe his Free
newsletter at -- http://www.internetwondersezine.com
Blogosphere Networking
Blogosphere Networking
Blogging seems to be taking over the world, or at least everyone seems to be talking about blogs. However, there are a surprisingly large number of people who have no idea of blogs, blawgs, blogsphere, etc....
I was recently at a social gathering with some very educated and sophisticated individuals. In the conversation I mentioned my new book (“Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Keep and Grow Your Business Relationships” and my blog (“The Business Development / Networking Blog”). Everyone immediately understood the concept of a book.....but the idea of a blog created many a puzzled face.
I was asked a lot of questions (some folks had heard of blogging, others had not). The following are the top questions, and my feeble attempt to answer them:
1. Why did you start your blog?
I started it as an experiment to help educate myself about blogs. My company is interested in having an industry focused blog, and I decided to take it upon myself to jump into the blogosphere and get my feet wet. In addition, I write a recurring column for Professional Marketing Magazine, and I thought that regularly writing a blog would give me some good practice and help me uncover themes for future articles. I also felt I could use it to help promote my new book.
2. Has it been worth it?
Yes!!! On all three of the above reasons I have exceeded my goals. I now understand the commitment involved if we create an industry blog. I have already created a lot of positive material that can later be turned into articles for my marketing column. AND.....I have sold a bunch of copies of my new book .....even before it is released.
3. Are all blogs the same?
NO. There are as many types of blogs are there are writers. I have categorized them into three types, but I am sure others would have arguments about these areas:
A. Corporate Blogs. These are hosted by companies to promote their products and services or to communicate with clients.
B. Philosophical / Content Blogs. In this type, an individual (or group of individuals) writes on a specific topic and shares their opinions with the readers. Topics can range from business to sports to politics to religion, etc.... I would put The Business Development / Networking Blog in this category. The blogs from which I learn the most are philosophical/content blogs.
C. Diaries. In these blogs people record their daily experiences the way one would write in a diary. Some of these can be quite entertaining, as they allow the voyeur in each of us to look into someone else's private world. However, reader beware...some of these can reveal a bit more than you want to read (or see).
4. Why would I want to read blogs?
They are a great way to discover information on any particular topic or variety of ideas. Many bloggers have very good sources of information and they certainly have opinions. As with any media source, you need to beware of the authors intent and ulterior motives. Also, blogs can just be interesting to read.
5. What have you learned from writing your blog?
Like the term "World Wide Web" only a decade ago, "Blogs, blogging and the blogosphere" are the new new thing, and are not just a "fad". If people are not yet aware of blogs, they will be soon. More and more blogs are created every day and blogs will soon touch everyone who surf the internet.
Having your own blog, however, is not for everyone. You must be committed to writing on a regular basis, and not shy about sharing your opinions. I have learned that a blog can go stale if you do not make posts on a regular basis.
I also learned that when you blog, you are actually networking. At first it seemed like this was one sided, until I began to hear from people who were regularly reading my blog. I have developed new friendships with many bloggers who write about similar topics. Often one blogger will email another with a compliment or suggestion, and they will begin to correspond regularly. Just like any other type of business friendship, the relationship grows over time. This blog-networking leads to mutual understanding and respect between the bloggers and then can lead to business relationships and referrals.
6. Should I start a blog?
That is a question every person will have to answer for himself/herself. I
would suggest you begin by reading other blogs and getting familiar with what is out there in blog-land. If you believe that you have something to say...then by all means, start a blog. But remember to be patient and persistent. Like writing a book, it takes time and there is no guarantee that you will become widely read. However if you are dedicated, you will uncover many unexpected benefits from your blogging experience.
If you are interested in easily learning about blogs, I suggest you start by reading the posts and links in the series called “31 Days to Better Blogs" at www.problogger.net, hosted by Darren Rowse. This is the best collection of advice to the experienced and novice blogger.
Don’t forget to read my blog at www.thomsinger.blogspot.com.
About the Author
Thom Singer is the author of "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Keep and Grow Your Business Relationships" (www.thomsinger.com), and write "The Business Development / Networking Blog" (www.thomsinger.blogspot.com)
Blogging seems to be taking over the world, or at least everyone seems to be talking about blogs. However, there are a surprisingly large number of people who have no idea of blogs, blawgs, blogsphere, etc....
I was recently at a social gathering with some very educated and sophisticated individuals. In the conversation I mentioned my new book (“Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Keep and Grow Your Business Relationships” and my blog (“The Business Development / Networking Blog”). Everyone immediately understood the concept of a book.....but the idea of a blog created many a puzzled face.
I was asked a lot of questions (some folks had heard of blogging, others had not). The following are the top questions, and my feeble attempt to answer them:
1. Why did you start your blog?
I started it as an experiment to help educate myself about blogs. My company is interested in having an industry focused blog, and I decided to take it upon myself to jump into the blogosphere and get my feet wet. In addition, I write a recurring column for Professional Marketing Magazine, and I thought that regularly writing a blog would give me some good practice and help me uncover themes for future articles. I also felt I could use it to help promote my new book.
2. Has it been worth it?
Yes!!! On all three of the above reasons I have exceeded my goals. I now understand the commitment involved if we create an industry blog. I have already created a lot of positive material that can later be turned into articles for my marketing column. AND.....I have sold a bunch of copies of my new book .....even before it is released.
3. Are all blogs the same?
NO. There are as many types of blogs are there are writers. I have categorized them into three types, but I am sure others would have arguments about these areas:
A. Corporate Blogs. These are hosted by companies to promote their products and services or to communicate with clients.
B. Philosophical / Content Blogs. In this type, an individual (or group of individuals) writes on a specific topic and shares their opinions with the readers. Topics can range from business to sports to politics to religion, etc.... I would put The Business Development / Networking Blog in this category. The blogs from which I learn the most are philosophical/content blogs.
C. Diaries. In these blogs people record their daily experiences the way one would write in a diary. Some of these can be quite entertaining, as they allow the voyeur in each of us to look into someone else's private world. However, reader beware...some of these can reveal a bit more than you want to read (or see).
4. Why would I want to read blogs?
They are a great way to discover information on any particular topic or variety of ideas. Many bloggers have very good sources of information and they certainly have opinions. As with any media source, you need to beware of the authors intent and ulterior motives. Also, blogs can just be interesting to read.
5. What have you learned from writing your blog?
Like the term "World Wide Web" only a decade ago, "Blogs, blogging and the blogosphere" are the new new thing, and are not just a "fad". If people are not yet aware of blogs, they will be soon. More and more blogs are created every day and blogs will soon touch everyone who surf the internet.
Having your own blog, however, is not for everyone. You must be committed to writing on a regular basis, and not shy about sharing your opinions. I have learned that a blog can go stale if you do not make posts on a regular basis.
I also learned that when you blog, you are actually networking. At first it seemed like this was one sided, until I began to hear from people who were regularly reading my blog. I have developed new friendships with many bloggers who write about similar topics. Often one blogger will email another with a compliment or suggestion, and they will begin to correspond regularly. Just like any other type of business friendship, the relationship grows over time. This blog-networking leads to mutual understanding and respect between the bloggers and then can lead to business relationships and referrals.
6. Should I start a blog?
That is a question every person will have to answer for himself/herself. I
would suggest you begin by reading other blogs and getting familiar with what is out there in blog-land. If you believe that you have something to say...then by all means, start a blog. But remember to be patient and persistent. Like writing a book, it takes time and there is no guarantee that you will become widely read. However if you are dedicated, you will uncover many unexpected benefits from your blogging experience.
If you are interested in easily learning about blogs, I suggest you start by reading the posts and links in the series called “31 Days to Better Blogs" at www.problogger.net, hosted by Darren Rowse. This is the best collection of advice to the experienced and novice blogger.
Don’t forget to read my blog at www.thomsinger.blogspot.com.
About the Author
Thom Singer is the author of "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Keep and Grow Your Business Relationships" (www.thomsinger.com), and write "The Business Development / Networking Blog" (www.thomsinger.blogspot.com)
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