What is a Blog and Do I Need One?

You've heard about them, you've read them, but are blogs really worth your time? Maybe you think that a blog is just another way for you to get online with your opinion and it really won't matter in the seas of others that have been online before you.

However, a blog is not only a way to communicate with others, it's one of the simplest ways to stay in contact with family members, share new business information with customers, and get noticed. Do you need a blog? Absolutely.

‘Blog' is short for web log, but it's become more than a definition – it's become a phenomenon. And with dozens of free blogging websites, you can get up and running in minutes with a free blogging format.

Places like LiveJournal and Blogger.com are good for most people to start. You can also check with your home ISP provider to see if they offer blog services as well – chances are good that you can blog for a nominal fee, if any.

But what can you do with a blog? Let's start by saying that there is little that you can't do. A blog is a great place for you to keep a record of your daily life events. Sharing the everyday thoughts that you have in an electronic format will allow you to have a diary of your life so that your friends and family can always be in the loop.

You can even post pictures and important announcements so that everyone can be a part of your life, and not just a part of your telephone calls that you'll make someday.

You can also use a blog as an effective business tool. While you might already know that having a website is essential in today's business world, there's nothing that says ‘personal' like a blog that you've written about your business or about the market that you're in.

Even if you don't write it yourself, having a more casual space for your business can make a customer feel more comfortable about what you have to offer them.

Blogging is becoming a way to talk with your customers in a non-sales manner and with the use of a ghostwriter, it can be something that you barely have to think about – until the profits start to rise from its success.

And while it's the dream of every blogger, a blog can indeed get you and whatever you have to say noticed. When you include links to things that you're talking about or just have a nice writing style, chances are good that someone will take note of what you might have to offer the world.

People are always combing the internet for the newest and trendiest blogs – are you the next star? Is your business the next to breakthrough the roof and offer this amazing service to your customers? Blogging is here to stay and your business must learn to incorporate it in its marketing platform.