Writers often bemoan how difficult it is to get published. Even the option of being able to go directly to publishers instead of having to get an agent first still results in mounds of rejection letters for most writers. How then, can they hone their craft and get noticed? They can publish themselves on the internet. Starting a blog is one of the most popular ways of doing this, and some people really do get noticed. If you want to get your work out there, let this article familiarize you with what a blog is, how to start a blog, and how having a blog can help you.
The word blog is short for weblog, which is a fancy way of saying journal that you keep online. While building and updating a website in the traditional way is time consuming and requires a lot of technological knowledge, you can start and update a blog even if you know nothing about web design. This is because blogs are designed to have an easy to update interface which is as simple as typing in a box and then hitting "post."
If you want to own your own website (if you want to use an interesting domain name, for example), you'll have to pay to register the domain name and pay for it to be hosted on a server somewhere. And of course, you'll have to create the site itself, or have someone else develop the website for you. If you don't need your own space or don't want to spend the money, are plenty of sites on the internet that allow you to create the core of a blog (the content portion) for free. Sometimes this is in exchange for allowing them to put discreet ads in the margins, but sometimes it isn't. Some of the most popular free blogging sites include Blogger, Blogspot, Wordpress, and Livejournal. You can sign up for any of them in a matter of minutes.
Anyone can start a blog, but if you want your blog to get noticed there's a few things you need to do. The first is to have content. Update your blog regularly so people will come back. Second is to have niche appeal. Give people a reason to read, such as getting inside info on what it's like to be a real estate agent or to start a home based business. And the third is to include key words and get listed in directories so that people searching for the information you're writing about can find you.
There are many benefits to having a blog. First of all, it can provide you with an outlet for creativity. Second, it can give your work exposure. Readers will come in and tell you what they think of your content in the comments, which can help you improve as a writer and give you confidence to keep working. Thirdly, it could lead to a job if the right people notice you. You might end up writing internet content for a used Audi Parts company, freelancing for a hostel travel website, or even monetizing your own blog.
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