Intro to Blogging – Part 1 – What is Blogging?

Interested in blogging but not sure how to start? If so then you’re in the right place.  When I first started blogging I was in a similar place, now that I’ve been blogging for a little bit I thought I’d make a small guide to help new bloggers get started.  This post will be the first part to my Intro to Blogging Series made especially for you!  That is people looking to get started in blogging.  I’m not a blogging expert by any means, but hopefully there’s a few helpful tips and ideas you can get out of these posts.

Maybe you’re a little curious about blogging and just want to see if it’s for you or not.  Taking some time to learn about blogging before you start might help you get a better sense of whether or not you want to get into it.  I think that like anything you might want to do, it’s good to know some background and history before you start.  So with that in mind, just what is blogging anyways??

A LITTLE BLOGGING HISTORY

In the early days of the internet, blogs as we know them like today did not exist.  To have a personal website required a fair bit of technical web coding knowledge.  This meant that for the everyday person, having their own website was a out of reach for most.

The early platforms that can be attributed to bringing blogging into the mainstream were Blogger and LiveJournal in the early 2000’s.  These websites made it easier for people to create personal webpages without needing to have much computer web coding knowledge.  With these platforms available more and more people began creating personal webpages on all types of topics.

With the launch of WordPress for websites and then YouTube for videos soon after,  putting content online was even easier than ever.  Blogs and Video logs (Vlogs) became more and more common.  Eventually people started to be able to make money from blogs through the use of advertisements.  The monetization of blogs meant that blogging was not solely just a thing people did in their spare time anymore, but rather a legitimate way that people could earn money and create business.

Currently, there are well over 100 million blogs on the internet with more and more being created everyday.

Today a simple dictionary definition of a blog is:  a website containing a writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other websites.(1)

Blogs started as online diaries and journals.  Today Blogs have become much, much more.  They are no longer limited to just online diaries and journals but are now recognized as legitimate sources of information, entertainment and business.

SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

In one word, this simply means opportunity.  Today, anyone can have their own personal blog or website.  All it takes is a little time and effort.  Some of you might want to start a blog to just write about your travels or daily endeavors.  Other’s might want to start a blog to share everything they know about cooking. There is no wrong reason for wanting to start a blog, whatever inspires you to start, I encourage you to hold on to that inspiration and remember it as you start your blogging journey.

WHY DID I START BLOGGING?

I wrote a little on why I started this blog in my about section so be sure to check that out if you want to know a little bit about myself and this blog.  As for blogging in general I first started a blog as a place to simply write.  I wrote about anything, from my thoughts from a certain day or event, to things that I observed in my everyday life.  My first blog was more like an online journal.

My second blog was a challenge to myself to see if I could write about a few different topics on a consistent basis.  It helped me improve my writing skills while also learning about what topics people liked to read.  I started this blog because I wanted to make a better blog and put up meaningful, informative content.  I also really enjoy the process of creating, and a blog helps me fill that itch.

WHY SHOULD YOU START A BLOG?

I think that there are a lot of benefits to starting a blog.  For one it’s a great learning opportunity.  It can help improve your writing skills, web design skills, and research skills to name a few things.  Secondly it’s also a great teaching opportunity.  If you have something you’re an expert in it provides an avenue for which you can share your expertise.  Lastly it’s a great way to connect and interact with people who share similar interests as yourself.

If you have a business, blogs are now widely used as ways to connect with customers on a different level.  It’s also a great way to attract new customers and market or advertise for business.

There are endless reasons on why you should start a blog, but not all of them may be applicable to you.  In the end, you’ll have to find a reason for yourself that’s meaningful to you to start a blog.  I don’t know what that reason is, but with a little searching, you’ll find it.

If you’re still not sure if you’ll like blogging I say just go for it.  The worst that can happen is that you’ll find out it’s not for you, but at least you’ll know for sure.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Great!  Now that you know a little bit more about blogging there are just a few more things you’ll need to know before you begin.  Be sure to stay tuned for Part 2 of This Intro To Blogging Series where I’ll go over everything you’ll need to know before you start blogging.

If you like what you’ve read and want to stay in touch be sure to subscribe to the blog so you’ll never miss a post.  Always love hearing from people so don’t be shy to leave a comment or get in touch, happy pursuits!

Paolo

References:

(1) blog. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved May 4, 2017 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/blog