Tales From the Blogosphere

I entered the blogosphere fairly late in the game. More than three years after starting and managing several busy forums and web sites, I dabbled with blogging through regular entries to one of my aviation web sites. Within weeks I got tired of the discipline - not of writing - but of ftp'ing everything to the web. I gave up as I decided blogging wasn't for me.

Fortunately, I didn't stay away as I saw a challenge, and an opportunity, in front of me. Having blogged on other people's sites, I felt that if I could blog there, I could blog anywhere, including on my own blogs. Taking a look at my options, I decided to download WordPress and I now run two blogs from two separate web sites.

I am thrilled with each blog's success and have no plans of giving up on what I am doing. In fact, I am mulling over starting a couple of more blogs as I see the value of this type of medium online.

So, how are my site's doing? Very well according to my sites' statistics. No, there isn't much activity as far as comments go, but my information is getting read and the blogs are bringing additional traffic to both sites. Let's just say that the traffic increases alone have been enough to keep me going, but other factors weigh in including:

Blurbs - There are times when a full length article just doesn't cut it, but a blurb [pithy paragraph] does. Blogs are great for showcasing tidbits of information and allowing bloggers to link to the full article if more information is desired.

Links - On my Jet Movements blog, I added over 200 aviation related links recently. Within days, traffic to my site increased and the first page rankings came back from Google. Less than six weeks after starting, the traffic to this particular blog has been great.

Showcase - My second blog, The Article Writer, has helped me communicate better to my customers. Now, my customers can read about my writing style, my comments on raising SEO, book reviews, and more. This blog has given a "human touch" to an otherwise good, but too-business-like web site.

Idea Farm - Some of my blogs have turned into articles as I have taken a short, concise work and expanded on what I wrote through an article. Saves me time, too, as all I have to do is add a couple of extra paragraphs and my article is usually done.

Yes, blogging is a great way to communicate for business folks as well as teens. Some have thought that blogging was a fad, but I must say that it isn't and it is certainly here to stay. Have you started your blog yet?