What is a blog? A guide for the web Illiterate!

I was looking at some search statistics and was surprised to see how many people were searching for 'what is blog?'. It may just be a typo for 'what is a blog' or it could be a sign that the totally computer illiterate are starting to take an interest in the blogosphere. If that's you then this guide will help you out.

Maybe you have see stories about blogs in the media and the question you are asking yourself is 'what is blog?', why are people going on about this blog thing?, what's it all about? Does that sound like you? Then read on.

So 'what is a blog' then?

First off there are many blogs, blog isn't a single website, so what you are really asking is 'what is a blog?'.

A blog is a type of website that is structured much like a diary, each entry is set out one below the other in order of date. Many people use blogs like traditional diaries with the difference being a blog allows them to share their thoughts with anyone that will listen. Another use for a blog is posting news about a company or business as it happens. However ultimately blogs are just a platform and its up to you how you use your blog. I use a blog to post book reviews for example.

Super Simple Definitions

Blogging – The act of writing a blog

Blogger – someone who writes a blog – it is also the name of a popular blog hosting service.

Blogosphere – The world of blogs

Beginning in blogging

Becoming a blogger is very simple as there are a number of services that offer blog hosting. Blogger and Wordpress are the most popular, you can set up an account by filling out the sign-up form and you are away. There will be an option to post an entry, you can choose a title and then write your post.

Once you have posted your first post you are now a blogger, congratulations! Share the address of your blog with friends and family so they can keep up to date with what you are doing. You should read other peoples blogs and comment on them so other bloggers get to know you.

Earning money from blogging

Blogger allows you to sign-up to have adverts placed on your blog, you can earn money from your blog visitors if they click on the adverts. The adverts are chosen based on the content of your blog, if you blog about cars your adverts will probably be about cars too!

One word of caution though, don't click on your own adverts or ask others to click on them, this is against the Terms and Conditions and you maybe banned.