Tales From the Blogosphere
I entered the blogosphere fairly late in the game. More than
three years after starting and managing several busy forums and
web sites, I dabbled with blogging through regular entries to
one of my aviation web sites. Within weeks I got tired of the
discipline - not of writing - but of ftp'ing everything to the
web. I gave up as I decided blogging wasn't for me.
Fortunately, I didn't stay away as I saw a challenge, and an
opportunity, in front of me. Having blogged on other people's
sites, I felt that if I could blog there, I could blog
anywhere, including on my own blogs. Taking a look at my
options, I decided to download WordPress and I now run two blogs
from two separate web sites.
I am thrilled with each blog's success and have no plans of
giving up on what I am doing. In fact, I am mulling over
starting a couple of more blogs as I see the value of this type
of medium online.
So, how are my site's doing? Very well according to my sites'
statistics. No, there isn't much activity as far as comments go,
but my information is getting read and the blogs are bringing
additional traffic to both sites. Let's just say that the
traffic increases alone have been enough to keep me going, but
other factors weigh in including:
Blurbs - There are times when a full length article just
doesn't cut it, but a blurb [pithy paragraph] does. Blogs are
great for showcasing tidbits of information and allowing
bloggers to link to the full article if more information is
desired.
Links - On my Jet Movements blog, I added over 200
aviation related links recently. Within days, traffic to my site
increased and the first page rankings came back from Google.
Less than six weeks after starting, the traffic to this
particular blog has been great.
Showcase - My second blog, The Article Writer, has helped
me communicate better to my customers. Now, my customers can
read about my writing style, my comments on raising SEO, book
reviews, and more. This blog has given a "human touch" to an
otherwise good, but too-business-like web site.
Idea Farm - Some of my blogs have turned into articles as
I have taken a short, concise work and expanded on what I wrote
through an article. Saves me time, too, as all I have to do is
add a couple of extra paragraphs and my article is usually done.
Yes, blogging is a great way to communicate for business folks
as well as teens. Some have thought that blogging was a fad, but
I must say that it isn't and it is certainly here to stay. Have
you started your blog yet?