To Blog or Not to Blog:
Are Blogs Becoming More Popular
than Forums, Newsletters and E-zines?
By Vishal P. Rao
Blogging is hot, and seems to be becoming hotter
each month. Although blogging originally was dismissed by many
successful publishers and other online "gurus", the
truth is that now, a few years after the "blogging trend"
began, there are actually more blogs and more bloggers online
than ever before. Blogging, obviously, is "here to stay"!
Actually first documented in 1997, Web logs
initially used the abbreviated version: wee-blog, with a Web
log editor referred to as a blogger. Since then, all types of
Web logs (blogs) and blogging software have emerged, giving
rise to this lucrative and dynamic market.
Now, everything from advertising blogs to zoology
blogs exist, with every topic in between apparent online. Political
blogs are rampant, and groups of bloggers across the globe post
regularly on every topic imaginable.
What does a blog supply that an e-zine, newsletter,
or forum might not? What has skyrocketed the popularity of the
blog over the past several years?
The answers are really quite simple:
1. Blogs are more highly interactive.
Posters get to see the results of a post immediately, as the
post appears simultaneously after posting. Posters also don't
have the usual moderation that appears in forums, where posts
may be deleted without warning. Usually, in blogs, more freedom
is given, and posts are usually accepted no matter what the
content, or the topic.
E-zines and newsletters, with their one sided
presentation of views, have decreased in popularity with the
increase of the popularity of blogs.
2. Blogs are easy to maintain and easy
to start. The sheer volume of choices is staggering!
Everything from "blogging software" to "blogging
services" are available, and even a novice blogger will
find blogging quick and easy to do.
3. Blogs are "Search Engine Friendly
Food". Search Engines love blogs, because of the
constantly changing content that appears daily. Search Engines
are constantly "searching" for new content, and blogs
meet this requirement splendidly!
4. Blogs are actually a lot of fun!
The entertainment aspects of a blog cannot be dismissed. A great
deal of "voyeurism" exists on blogs, where other bloggers
continually monitor discussions, both pro and con concerning
an issue. Discussions on blogs can be "heated" and
interesting, with much repartee occurring daily! Blogs are a
rousing form of media, indeed, with many bloggers returning
repeatedly throughout a day to view new posts.
For a view into popular blogs of many categories,
just visit: BlogIt
5. Many blogs are capable of syndication.
Syndication is a great way to ensure that your writing and your
views are exposed to as much of the general public as possible.
Syndication is many times included in blogging services now,
and this has drawn individuals to the art of blogging continuously.
For an example of a blog service that features
syndication, please visit: Typepad
6. There are no lists to maintain, or
spam filters to worry about with blogs. This is one
reason why so many writers and publishers have turned to blogs.
E-mail delivery of newsletters and e-zines has become difficult
over the past few years, with the advent of spam filters. Blogs
are not delivered, and therefore, no methods of defeating filters
are needed, and no "non-deliverables" occur, which
has been the bane of writers and publishers prior to this.
A good blogging software exists at: Silkblogs
7. Blogs are economical. Since
no lists are maintained, there are no list server costs. Blogging
software and blogging services are also very reasonably priced,
giving good value for the money spent monthly. Some blogging
services charge others to "read", while others charge
writers to "write", but overall the monthly charges
are rather minimal either way.
8. Blogs are educational. There
are such a variety of informative and educational blogs available
now, that a search for any subject usually turns up hundreds
of offerings. Differing points of view on all subjects are offered
routinely, giving a reader or poster an "insight"
into the hearts and minds of other bloggers.
To be successful, however, Blogs also need to
contain the same elements of a popular newsletter or e-zine:
A. Compelling, well-written content.
No one, either online or offline wants to read materials that
are poorly written or difficult or boring to read.
B. Updated material. Just as
in newsletters or e-zines, if material is not updated continually,
then the audience eventually dies.
C. Rousing topics. Topics of
interest to a wide range of readers succeed more than topics
that appeal to very few, or are rather dull topics.
D. A nice layout and visual appeal.
A blog is akin to a Web site for written materials, and just
like in the design of a Web site, every care should be made
to have the blog be visually appealing and friendly to visitors.
Newsletters, e-zines and forums, of course,
will remain. But as you can clearly see, blogging, bloggers,
and blogs themselves, have definitely added to the "online
experience" and will possibly (and hopefully) be around
for decades more!
Vishal P. Rao is the owner of Home-Based-Business-Opportunities.com
- One of Internet's leading websites, dedicated to starting,
managing and marketing a home based business.
