What is a Blog?  Everybody is talking about them, but many people are still confused about what they are. 

BLOGS DEFINED

• What is a Blog?
Blogs are really simple, actually.  It's just a funny word that spell check will only accept if you add it to your dictionary.  The word comes from a shortened version of the term "weblog" or "web log" which is almost any kind of journal or log of personal comments, opinions or information.  So a chronicle of your thoughts while traveling through Europe would be a blog.  A journal of all of your opinions about commercials, or your favorite baseball team or you butterfly collection could also be a Blog. 

• What is the difference between a blog and a website or press releases?
What distinguishes a blog from other writings or web pages is that blogs are in a journal format with the most current entry first and a blog allows readers to comment on the journal entries.  Generally dialogs develop between the author of the entry and readers who have thoughts or opinions about it.

• How can I start my own Blog?
First, you need a topic.  Since you will be writing frequent articles about this topic (otherwise, it's not much of a blog), it would be good to find a topic about which you are either very knowledgeable or passionate. Second, look at other Blogs (see Personal and Business Blogs in this directory) to get an idea about what others are doing.  Don't copy; just look at the different styles and topics to see how your ideas fit into the community.

One you have an idea, the easiest next step is to find some blogging software to use.  The reason you will probably want some kind of blogging program rather than just a simple web page is that it's not really a blog unless you allow people to write comments.  Of course, you could allow people to write to you though email or a form on your site, but doing so removes the kind of spontaneity that is also characteristic of blogging. We also recommend using a hosting company with some experience in the field and a well-tested program on a server not connected to your company website.  Since you are allowing people to post comments, you are also giving them a potential way into your server.  Using a different server for your blogging entries is probably the safest way to go.

• Why should a business start a Blog?
There are many good reasons to start a business blog.  One big reason is to become part of a huge community. Another is to show yourself off as someone who is well versed in your business, an expert in your field.  You can use a business blog to help your customers understand the plans you have for your business, what sets you apart from others in the same industry.  You can use a business blog to tell those antidotes that you might tell a potential customer over dinner when you are courting their business.  It's a way for customers and potential customers to get to know you.  Since most people are more comfortable doing business with people they know, your blog can help you get new business and keep the customers you already have.

• Who are Bloggers?
You can think of the blogging community as all those people who write letters to the editor, call up radio talk shows and go on lecture circuits and then add to that group all the people who thought about writing letters to the editor, calling up a talk show host and going out on a lecture tour.  Bloggers are people with opinions, people with knowledge, people with a cause, and people with thoughts they want to share with others.  If you think that sounds like a lot of people - you would be right! 

If you have ever been to "Speakers' Corner" in London, you will have a very good picture of what the Blogging community is all about.  "Speakers' Corner" is a section of Hyde Park where anyone can stand up on a soap box (literally and figuratively) and speak about anything - and I mean anything.  Bloggers could be thought of as self-appointed experts, but it's much more than that - it's freedom of expression and freedom of speech in all its glory - and all its gore.

FREE BLOG SKINS AND TEMPLATES

• Blog Fashions - These free blog templates are compatible with Movable Type. You are welcome to view, download, and/or alter any of the blog templates (including images) featured on this site, however, you are asked to please retain the "Free Design by Blog Fashions" credit.

Have a Hot Blog to add here?

If you have or know about a blog that's really smoking, let us know.  We will conduct a blog review it and then decide if it fits the popular category.