Getting started with blogging

By Ron Miller

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Wondering what a blog is and how to create one? Welcome to the world of blogging. Here's a short rundown and an explanation of how to get started.

What is a Blog?

The word "blog" is actually an abbreviation of the term "weblog." Over time, people started calling these short essays blogs for short and the people who write them, 'bloggers.' In simple terms, a blog is akin to an online diary, but because it is online, it tracks your entries with a date and time stamp and archives them on a weekly or monthly basis, so you have a running record of your entries. You can blog about the mundane happenings in your life, your opinions or even share your recent photos or a video you made with your cell phone.

The fact is there are no real rules about the content, but the blog gives you the power to publish on the internet, something that was once only available to big publishing companies or professionals who had access to the publishing company infrastructure. Blogging tools make it simple to publish your own content and share it with the world (or just your friends or colleagues).

What should I blog about?

The topic can be whatever you want. It could be about whatever you happen to be thinking about that day or it could be about your passion: for example, a favorite sports team or a band you like. You could blog about books or movies or politics, or what you do for work. You could blog around a specific event such as your wedding, the birth of your child or a move to a new place. Your blog can have a common theme, or it can be random posts about whatever catches your fancy. The choice of content is entirely up to you.

How do I start blogging?

The easiest way to get started is to use one of the free blogging tools. Some examples include Vox from Six Apart, Blogger from Google or WordPress, an open source blogging tool. Check out each one and decide which is best for you.

What do I do now?

After you set up your blog, you are free to get writing. Each tool works a bit differently, but there are similarities to word processors such as Microsoft Word, so you should be able to figure out how to enter and format text in no time. You can easily create links to other blogs or Web sites and you can insert pictures and video. You may want to pick a time each day to blog, or every few days or whatever schedule suits you, or you may just want to blog whenever the mood strikes you. Remember, there are no real rules here, but the key is to get started and have some fun. Before you know it, you'll be wondering why you didn't try this sooner.

Next: Learn about blog syndication and RSS feeds