What is a blog?

Blog is two words combined together: web and log. Like Bennifer or Brangelina, if you want to take it that far.

But what does it really mean?

A blog is a series of articles, referred to as posts. It looks just like any other website; you may have visited dozens of websites before without even realizing that what you were reading was, in essence, a blog. So, if it is so similar, then what exactly makes it different from a website alone? A website is static. If you want to change the information on it, and you aren’t tech-savvy, you might have to hire somebody to do it. Again. And again. And again. But a blog is updated regularly by it’s author, known as a blogger. So, the differentiating factor between a blog and a plain-Jane website is that it’s fresh, evolving, growing with every additional post.

The most recent, or current post on a blog will be displayed most prominently, at the top of the web page. The preceding posts are organized underneath the current post, in order of freshest and newest, all the way down to to the oldest. Blogs also have archives, so that even if you write thousands of posts, readers can still access your oldest posts. You can keep information that is relevant visible by organizing the posts into categories, so that your best information is displayed and still available at the click of the mouse years later.

It can be like a textbook, a diary, a photo-album or a newspaper.

Another common aspect to blogs is that readers can comment on each post. Some bloggers choose to disable the comment function on their blog, making it simply a vehicle for information. Others thrive on feedback, making their blog a vehicle for communication.

Who can blog?

If you didn’t even understand what it was until reading this, you might think that only very tech-savvy people can blog. However, the platforms that have been developed for blogging are incredibly user-friendly. Even the greenest computer users can quickly learn to navigate, operate and confidently blog within as short a time-frame as few hours. It’s easy.

What can a blog be about?

Anything. There are millions of blogs, with almost as many topics. There are people who make blogs about their families, keeping their relatives and friends up to date with their lives. Some bloggers like to write about a niche subject, like wine, and use it as a platform to display themselves as an expert in their field. They might use images, links to other blogs, writing, or even videos to make their point via their blog.

Many organizations have adopted blogging as a practice. It’s a great way to keep people up to date with all the exciting things going on with the company. Kodak, Walmart and CNN all use blogs.

In a nutshell...

Blogging is a way to compile information, to send out a message, in a neat, organized package. It’s a way for your website to be as current as you need it to be. It can be an arena for your clients to sound off, to give feedback, ideas, and encouragement. It’s an opportunity to show people you are passionate about your products and services, your industry.

From the Online Strategy Blog of !escunid

If you would like more information, or to discuss a Blog implementation for your organization, please do not hesitate to contact !escunid Online Development.

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