Welcome to The Blogger World !

Summary: This section provides background information to help you understand the basics of blogging and shows you where to find sources of valuable reference material. We also describe a number of different blog types, how to choose your niche, and list some of the many reasons people like to blog.

What is a “blog” and “blogging”? 

• A blog (shortened from the phrase “weblog”) is known as many things—a digital magazine, diary, newscast, collector’s meeting place, a showcase for your art, information sharing, teaching hub, place to learn and... well, almost anything you want it to be. A typical blog combines text, images, videos and links to relevant pages and media on the Web. Blog readers can leave comments and communicate with the author. In fact, dialogue and interaction are a popular part of a blog’s success. In the blogging world, you have the word “blog” (an online journal), “blogger” (the person who owns and contributes to a blog) and “blogging” (the act of creating content for the blog). You can be a “blogger blogging on a blog,” a “blog about a blogger blogging” or a “blogging blog about a  blogger.” One of the great things about blogging is the impact it has made on communication throughout the world. Blogs can report news as it happens, hold mainstream media to higher  standards and provide specific news and information to meet niche interests.

The most popular styles and types of blogs

• Personal blogs Personal blogs share thoughts, original art, poems, writing or photography. Some sell custom crafts, art or products. If you just want to make a statement, show your DIY (do it yourself) skills, have fun or blog for therapy, a personal blog is perfect for your needs.

• Business blogs are created in the voice of the company, as a crucial component of marketing. They can function as a direct-sales tool and are outstanding for both messaging and two-way  communication as part of a company’s public relations efforts. Blogs are effective and cost-efficient vehicles for small organizations that need to publish information for their customers or members.

• Niche/topical blogs focus on a particular interest. They can be about health, gardening, education, sports, fashion or or lifestyle. Name your special interest and you can blog about it. If you’re a collector of antiques, a true-mystery fan, a travel addict or just love cooking, there may be a blog in your future. Niche blogs easily attract loyal followers, which contributes to the fun of blogging.

• Media-type blogs are defined by their content. If you enjoy video blogging, then you’re a vlogger. If you curate content from other websites, you have a linklog. If you post photos or art sketches on your blog, you’re hosting a photoblog or artblog. Reverse blogs are a unique but popular type of blog. Instead of the owner creating content, the content is supplied by the public. A reverse blog has a team who moderate posts, prevent unpleasant interactions and promote slow topics for greater interactivity.

While these are the most popular types of blogs, there are many more to discover. There are also community blogs, nonprofit blogs, live-webcam blogs, live-gaming screencast blogs, device-type blogs, podcast blogs, various video blogs and many, many others. But most important, you need to learn the difference between the blog and a static website. We always recommend to web newbies to start a blog, in order to learn the basics of the online presence but if someone is looking to promote his/her business online (or to start a new one) then it’s better to learn how to make a website instead.