BLOGGING – You’re asking ME?

The most unusual thing has happened recently.  I have been getting e-mails from people for advice on what a blog is and how to start one.

ME?

To understand my amazement, here is a quote from my “About Me” on my blog.  I wrote it only three months ago.

What?  Me a blogger?  And crazy about it!  It is like being obsessed with a new lover.  Until recently, if I told you that I knew what the difference was between a web page and a blog, I would be lying.
Now I do.  As they say in Brooklyn, where I originated, “Who knew?”

There are thousands of sites on line with advice.  People who have been doing this for years.  I am what is considered a “newbie.”

But, if you want a “newbie’s” advice I will share what I know from my limited experience.  All you experts who know everything about this, please sign off now.  I may be about to make a fool of myself and I don’t want you to witness it.

First.  What is a blog?

A blog is a little like an e-mail interchange that you do everyday now with your friends.  Except it is an instant  public conversation.  You control what you have to say.  You write something and people who read it can give their opinion, ask questions or complain.  There is a place after your writing called  “comments.”  It is an interactive forum.  Everyone sees what you have written and everyone can read the comments.  And, you can comment on the comments.  You can also delete the comments before they are published if you don’t like something or if they are just spam.

How is it different from a web page?

A web page is more of a statement or an advertisement.  Usually, unless you are technically adept, you will probably need a webmaster – an expert to set it up for you. I know I couldn’t do it.   It could be an information place for your business, service or product.  If you want to change something on it, usually the webmaster has to do it for you.   People cannot offer comments except to send you an email or ask you something via their “contact us” feature.  The general public does not see these.

Everyone who has an Internet connection can find your blog if they know your blog address, which is the title of your blog.  They can access it just like you can search for a product or service by putting your blog title in the information slot at the top of your email page or if they go to a search engine like Google to locate it.

Why would an ordinary person want a blog?

A couple of examples.

My son Alex is a Cubmaster for over thirty little boys in the Boy Scouts.  When I have been at his home, I notice he is constantly on the telephone making arrangements for meetings, planning events, arranging outings, looking for parent volunteers to escort these events and – on and on.

He loves doing it but it is almost like a part time job.  I have been encouraging him to start a blog to distribute information and answer questions.  It would save a lot of his time and the parents could print out the information for future reference.

Or – if you are involved in your local church, you could post information on activities and even put the transcript of the Sunday sermon on line for people who missed it or are physically unable to come to church.

What does it cost?

If you want a simple informational blog, Google has a service that is free.  Go to www.blogger.com.  You can learn about it there and they claim you can create your free blog in five minutes.  You need very little technical knowledge.  That’s where I started, until I decided I wanted to expand to an extensive blog with a lot of features.

Can I make money on a blog?

Here is where we are going to part company in this article and I am going to turn you over to an expert.  But, the answer is yes.  You can sell ads on your blog if you have a lot of people coming to read it.  This is not for the faint hearted.  You have to produce a lot of articles and it could take a year to build up interest from advertisers.  But, think about it, you could do this from your home computer until you are 102!

How do I learn to do this?

I accidentally found this wonderful, young, clever, brilliant and knowledgeable teacher by the name of Yaro Starak who lives in Brisbane, Australia. He makes a lot of money on his own blogs and even shows you his invoices and accounting to prove it.  I signed up for his program and have found him eminently honest and clear. This charismatic teacher will take you by the hand and put you through your paces in spades.  Be prepared to work.

His mentoring program is called BlogMastermind and you can investigate it by clicking or pasting the link below into your search browser.
Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about making money and delivering great content!

In my estimation, if you have a topic that you are passionate and very serious about and want to give it out to the Universe of the Internet – this is the best and only place to learn how to do that.

Just click on the link here.

http://www.blogmastermind.com/?home=373

So, take it away, Yaro!

And much luck to all you future bloggers!  I am looking forward to seeing you on line!