What is a blog? Where did it come from, and how can it help me in search engine marketing? The word blog actually originated from “Web Log”. In short, a blog is a website that contains regularly updated information. Usually the information is topical, but doesn’t necessarily have to be. A modern example could be a college student who updates their blog every night with what happened that day, and who said what to whom. Sound familiar? It should. It is basically a modernised diary. In 1998 the diary, or blog, was taken to a whole new level. Open Diary launched in October of 1998 and was the first blog that allowed blog readers to comment on the blog. In 2001 the blog “boom” really hit. Such blogs emerged as Polotics1.com and Daily Howler. By then blogging was such a phenomenon that articles on how to blog started emerging. Companies quickly identified the online marketing opportunities. Twitter.com is a great micro blogging website from where you can setup your profile and have your personal updates sent out to a limitless number of subscribers. Sites such as MySpace have also tapped into this.

Many businesses have picked up on the advantages of blogging and some companies have a department or specific personnel dedicated to blogging, and online promotion through social networking sites. Blogging can maximise your online presence, is a very affordable way of marketing, and best of all can increase your search engine marketing.

We know that creating a profile on social networking sites can attribute greatly to you online exposure, but how does it differ from blogging? Blogging keeps your subscribers informed on a regular basis. Many companies blog on a daily basis to maintain consistent online promotion. You want to have as many subscribers as you can. This is where social networking sites come into play. Locate other businesses or individuals through search engines based on your consumers demographic. Invite them to subscribe to your companies blog. Blogs can contain new product information, upcoming sales, company information, consumer contests and winnings, and just about anything creative that will hold the interest of your subscriber.

Authorities on blogging say that a good blog should contain a combination of text, images, music if possible, and comments. One of the greatest advantages of blogging is that your subscribers have the ability to comment on your blogs. You can ask questions about certain products, services, or industry events and see responses from the people that matter most to your business: your customers.

Online promotion and online marketing can be intimidating animals, but can be so easy and best of all rewarding. Take the time to setup a blog. Another great suggestion is to blog on more than one site. MySpace and Blogger are two great starting points, but by no means are they stopping points. Test out the blogging waters for yourself and see what sites work best for you. If you have a website currently, talk with your web developer about setting up a blog directly onto your site. Consumers can subscribe directly to your sites blog, which can also be incorporated into a marketing database.

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