The easiest way to get acquainted with the conventions of the blog format is to start reading them. The more blogs you read, the more you’ll get a feel for the depth and breadth of style and subject matter they have to offer.
Here are a few sources:
Blog Monitors
- Blogdex (http://blogdex.com/)- Daypop (http://daypop.com/)- Technorati (http://technorati.com/)
These three sites monitor millions of blogs every minute of every day, searching for the top key words being mentioned in blog posts or in the most popular links and sites. It’s like being in a huge convention hall eavesdropping on billions of conversations at the same time. This is a fantastic way to do market research and to see what everybody is buzzing about. The collective ‘hive’ of blogs is often called the blogosphere. Often, links and news bubble up in the blogosphere first, even before they reach your evening television news program.
Blog Search Engines and Directories
- Blogarama (http://blogarama.com/)- Globe of Blogs (http://globeofblogs.com/)- The Open Directory (http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/On_the_Web/Weblogs/)
Just like web sites, there are also directories and search engines devoted to cataloging the ever-growing global network of blogs. Try searching by topic or geographic location.
Search Engines
- Google (http://google.com/)- Yahoo! (http://yahoo.com/)- A9 (http://a9.com/)
As usual, Google and friends to the rescue! These are the more traditional and widely known search engines. Type in some topic and the word ‘blogs’ and see what results come up. The more specific keywords, the more likely you are to find bloggers talking about what you’re interested in.
Blogrolls
And number ten is the blogroll. Most blogs have a blogroll, which is a list of a blogger’s favorite blogs and websites. If you find a blog you like, try checking out the other sites that the blogger likes. You might find other valuable sites and blogs to read.
The more your read blogs, the more you'll catch the nuances and conventions that have made them the fastest, easiest, cheapest way to publish online.
10 Ways You Can Use Blogs RIGHT NOW
Now that you have got a basic understanding of the ins and outs of blogs, and some options available, you’re probably wondering:
Brief History of Blogs
So where did all these blogs come from? How did they get from an underground geek toy to a mainstream tool that has revolutionized politics, journalism, marketing and the media?
What the Heck is a Blog?
Everybody is talking about blogs. They are everywhere: on the TV, in the newspapers, and all over the internet. With the number of blogs doubling every five months, there is no stopping the power of blogs.
