A common question I see is “What’s a Blog?”
At one point, I had the same exact question. At any rate, almost every website or platform you visit has some sort of blog. Of course, websites have been around a lot longer than blogs but, blogs have become popular over time. 
In the late part of the ’90s blogs were being regularly written by people but, they really didn’t become popular until 1999.
According to www.wpvirtuoso.com, in 2013 there were over 152,000,000 blogs reported and 172,800 blogs created every day! WOW! Those are some amazing numbers.
However, how to make my blog has the latest and most interesting blog statics ever.
Are blogs expected to increase in the future? You bet your bottom dollars they are! There are over 3.75 million people on the internet every day.
So, What is A Blog in Marketing?
It’s like real estate but, virtual real estate. A tool that you can use to give your business more exposure than, you initially could with just local advertising.
Imagine how many people you can reach. According to www.statista.com, by 2020, the number of people actually blogging is expected to increase to 31.7 million.
In addition to this, blogs can broadcast anything from political to sports news. Personal journals or hobbies, an online brand building of an individual or a company, it can be purely just for entertainment as well.
Even, if you don’t have a business. A blog can be turned into a home-based business itself and that’s the best part about a blog. There have been many bloggers that blogged just for the fun of it and now they are making comfortable incomes working right from home.
This post includes affiliate links to products I truly recommend and trust, meaning at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small percentage, which I will use to support my blogging habits.
Blog Examples
For example Angela over at Stray Curls. She is a very successful creative blogger. In fact, she will help you create a successful blog that stands out from everyone else.
And trust me you will definitely stand out with Angela’s illustrations. Her creative illustrations have always been really awesome to me. I definitely would recommend checking her out if you’re looking for creativity in your blogging brand.
You’ll find all kinds of illustrations over at Stray Curls. For bloggers or anyone in general who is looking for a real creative way to illustrate their creativity.
What Is The Difference Between A Blog And A Website?
A blog is like a website with logs. In fact, the name used to be called, “weblog” and it has since then been shortened to “blog”. In addition, to this a blog has articles listed in chronological order, al your recent articles will always be the very first articles that you notice. On the other hand, older articles will be towards the very last page of your blog roll. Anyhow, a blog thrives based off of quality, engagement, and regularly updated content called “blog post”. The blog post can also be referred to as blog articles which are written and usually updated on a regular basis.
When visiting a blog, the first post you’ll see is the most recent post, because a blog appears in chronological order. The site you’re on right now is a blog and you happen to be reading a blog post. There is no major difference, between a blog and a website.
To Identify A Blog This Is What You’ll Find:
- Regularly updated content
- Commenting area that allows readers to engage and communicate with the blogger
- Category of the post
How Does A Blog Work?
Have you ever been approached with an opportunity or information that you had no clue as to what it was? How it would benefit you? How did it work? Better yet, have you ever wanted to speak to someone but, couldn’t.
Well, I have been through all the above. There have been many times, where someone will present something to me and the opportunity at hand was just not clear. There have been times when I was in a rush & just wanted to make a clear decision and read the information on my own leisure time. And there have been many times when I wanted to contact someone and actually receive a response by the site owner but couldn’t.
Today it is not unusual for people to read blogs on a daily. Why? Because, a blog attracts people, informs them, educates them, and captivates the audience. Your blog gives you the opportunity to get feedback on many different subjects. Plus in some cases provides Customer Service. In addition to this, a blog is a website that allows you to inform and educate your audience so that they can make a more informed decision.
Good and Valuable:
- With SEO skills, Free traffic can be generated from the web
- Google loves new Content on blogs
- It’s a very effective way to have new and returning traffic
- It allows you to gain trust, credibility, and authority on the world wide web
- Multiple income streams can be established beyond your product & services
- All passions or ideas can be developed on a blog
- Writing helps you Think clearly
- You’ll learn different knowledge
- Your confidence levels will increase
- You’ll have your own stage or Virtual Business Building
- It’s like Online Real Estate
- For some, it can be a stress reliever
- All known Brands have one
- Blogging can be a business
- It’s a great way to Connect with your audience
- Meet & Network with new people
- Very cost effective to Start & Maintain a blog
- Your audience will be properly informed and educated
- The More Content the better
- Over time value is built with your blog and domain
- It’s something you’ll take pride in
- Anyone can start a blog
- Blogs are easy to start
Bad and Ugly:
- Like any other business, it can be time-consuming
- Writer’s block, not knowing what article to write next
- Results can take time to see
- It’s hard work
- There is a lot to learn
- Every blogger has different techniques and teaches different ways
- You’ll have to learn SEO to benefit from the FREE traffic
- A blog still has to be marketed to gain more traffic
- It thrives off of regularly updated information
- You must be consistent
- It’s not for everyone
This is a tricky question. Anyone can start a blog but it is not for everyone, it’s best to understand what you really want to do. Do you want to be able to update your content on a regular basis? You don’t need to have an English major and you certainly don’t need to know how to write.
Over time, as you’re writing content you will improve on your writing skills. Are you interested in learning SEO marketing? Building a relationship with your audience, becoming an authority figure or branding yourself or company and having a permanent home on the web. A blog may just be for you!
What is Blog Marketing?
By now, you should get the concept of what a blog is, but what is blog marketing? Nowadays, most business owners use social media to market their business website. Most business websites were not built by the business owner themselves but, were provided to the business owner by their affiliated company.
The business owner will either take that same website and market via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest, LinkedIn but if any of these social media sites were to ever ban you or shut down your social media account. You will be left without a following, left out in the cold with no home to go back to, and left without a website in some cases. So, I always encourage to have your own platform to stand on and don’t just depend on pre-made or landing pages.
With a blog, you’ll always have your own stage. Whether you brand yourself or your company name. You can go in any direction with a blog. I like to call a blog your “Online Real Estate” or “Virtual Real Estate”. What is online real estate, it’s your Virtual business building, just as any other physical business building, that has a location on the side of the street. Anyhow, your online business will have a location, which will be located on the internet.
Why Is A Blog Recommended?
A blog is recommended because, you’ll have a location to where your audience can come and engage with you, while you create your content. It’s an opportunity to inform, educate, and attract your target market. Your audience will gain trust with you through your blog by building a connection with them. Above all, If any of the above ever happened like your social accounts being shut down, you’ll always have business exposure once your blog ranks into Google.
Blogging Tools & Training
Blogging tools and training will really depend on where or what company you start your blog with. For example, if you were to start your blog with Bluehost. They have 24/7 technical support for your hosting. However, Bluehost doesn’t teach you how to start a blog.
On the other hand, If you were to create a blog with Wealthy Affiliate which, is an internet marketing training community. Anyhow, In the training, you’ll learn exactly how to set up your blog within 30 seconds or less. You’ll also learn the 4 steps that it takes to create a successful business online with a blog. I know the 4 steps seem easy but, they’re not. I have been there for a while now and still have not covered all my training.
There are additional benefits with joining the WA community as a free starter member you’ll get two free websites, two free SiteRubix domain names, free hosting, and action based step by step training provided by text and video training.
Get Started With Your New Website It’s Free
Blogging Support
Bluehost support is for their technical support only, however, it is available 24/7. On the other hand, a blog with Wealthy Affiliate will give you all the training and support that you need to be successful online. You’ll get support 24/7 via chat box or just simply asking the community members for help. There is also SiteSupport who is available 24/7 as well.
SiteSupport responds within 5 minutes or less. Any question you may have will always get answered. You’ll learn how to start and grow your blog. It couldn’t get any better than that!
If you would like to learn how to build a Blog with Community Support Please Read This Review
Blog Price
A blog is free to start with Wealthy Affiliate.
With BlueHost the WordPress.org theme is free but, there is a hosting price, which is still fairly cost-effective. Go here to check out and compare your options with Bluehost.
My Final Opinion Of What Is A Blog in Marketing?
Honestly, I always wondered how to start blogging but, never knew how. I love to write, learn, and help others. Blogging is a great way for me to combine all three passions. Did I know how to blog before I started?
No, absolutely not! I didn’t know how to blog, nor did I know where to get started and I definitely had no idea on what to write about. After joining Wealthy Affiliate I learned everything I needed to know to get started. Furthermore, I never knew an individual could make money by blogging. With this being said, Bloggers make money through affiliate marketing and by creating their own products.
Anyhow, blogging does take time to do and you’ll have to always come up with content ideas. If you start a blog pick something that you’re seriously passionate about or a topic that you wouldn’t mind to continuously learn about because you will be definitely writing and writing about the same subject for a while. Moreover, if you’re passionate about a certain topic then it’ll be easier for you to push out articles.
It does take time to gain traction with a blog, however, if you are constantly updating your post and always trying to improve on the quality of your content. Your blog can gain traction in no time. I personally would highly recommend a blog because like I said it is a virtual business building where you’ll always have a home and you can build multiple income streams with a blog.
In addition to that, a blog can provide you with Free traffic if SEO is properly learned. Marketing every day will not be a problem once, your blog has gained traction and ranked into Google and you have gained exposure.
Welp, that is about it folks! Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Do you find any benefits of having a blog? Do you already have a blog? How is it going for you? What would hold you back from starting a blog, even if you considered one? I love to hear from you! Feel free to leave comments and questions below and I will surely respond to you… As always have an awesome day!
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You’re so right about the evolution of blogging in the late 90s to early 00s, it still amazes me that people can make so much money from blogs.
One thing that bugs me is that people call it passive income, in my opinion blogging is not passive it’s quite work intensive to do it right and get it built up to generate an income. More like a full time job.
Yes, you are right it is more like a full time job at first! The great thing is with blogging, is your working right from home. I agree the passive income definitely is not seen especially in the beginning.
It does take a while to build a business so, it will feel just like it feels when your working full time. Work will be put in upfront while rewards are reaped in the end. Honestly from what I have learned personally from very successful 7-figure Entrepreneurs they are always working like its a full-time job, whether it is blogging or just running their own business.
Overtime, if a routine is put into place a lot of time can be cut down but, until then work must be done! Thank you, for stopping by James!?
Great article about blogging. I learned a lot out of your post. I learned to blog with Wealthy Affiliate and now I see that you also know them :).
Like James says blogging is not really passive income. You have to work for it. But if someone wants to make money with a blog, he will definitely work for it. Again great article will follow your blog in the future. Keep up the good work.
Hi Damien, thank you! You are right about definitely putting in work when it comes to blogging. And, yes you are right to make great 6 and 7 figures there has to be more effort applied to get to those levels. When it comes to being an entrepreneur, I have learned over the past that to get to 6 and 7 figures in general, it does takes hard work and each level requires more than the last income bracket. Of course it can be done but really just depends on the person. That is why it is important to choose a passion that you’ll really enjoy. Have an awesome day! ?
This is one of the most in depth blog posts I have read. I started with wealthy affiliate from reading a review about it when I was searching how to start a blog. If I had read this I would have definitely started one as well.
Hi Santana, thank you for stopping by! I try my best in explaining all the details so that there is nothing hidden. Yes, a blog does require work but, hey what business doesn’t and it can be very beneficial over time. Thank you for your kind words. Have an awesome day! ?
I have been doing affiliate marketing for some time now but I am looking for somewhere to move my website, would I be able to transfer everything over to wealthy affiliate for free?
Hi Matthew, yes, your website can be moved to Wealthy Affiliate. Your website and Domain are two different things though. The website is made up of files which can be moved, and the Domain is the website name and it can be transferred.
The transferring of your domain name and moving of your site is not free. I would like you to know that when or if you decide to transfer your domain and move your site over to WA there will be a domain registration fee with WA.
And, this the typical situation, when you move from one registrar to the next, you’ll have to renew your domain for a year with the next registrar. Some companies charge a transfer fee but with WA there is no transfer fee.
The domain registration fee with WA is added onto your existing domain registration. So, basically an additional year would be added to your current domain registration. If you were to transfer your domain and move your site to WA.
Normally you’ll have the option of being a starter member here at WA, which is normally free to get started but, since you are considering a transfer of your existing domain and moving of your website. You’ll need hosting.
Hosting is not included in the starter membership.
In your case to transfer a domain and move a website with hosting here at WA it is 49.00 per month, or $359 per year plus the 13.99 per year registration fee for the domain.
WA has 24/7 SiteSupport that will be happy to help you move your website over to WA.
Additional features that you would receive at WA are:
SiteComments, Website Feedback, unlimited email accounts, daily website backups, SSL certificate, Whois Privacy, bandwidth of 500k visitors per month, website space of 30G, the option of having 50 websites and many more exclusive WA features.
I hope this has answered all your questions. If you ever need any help, please do let me know. Thank you for stopping by and have an awesome day!
Hey thank’s, that is an interesting article. I love to read blogs, they can be very interesting and let me learn things I never even thought they exist. In today’s world, most of the interesting thoughts and news are brought to people by blog posts.
I try to write them my self. It is fun and interesting to see how people come around and read what I have to say.
I do it with the help of WA, that’s a good tip you got there.
Hi Stefan, You’re Welcome! Yes, blogs are interesting and they are very informative. I myself learned a lot from other peoples blogs, before I even started a blog. I actually never knew at the time that they were called “blogs”. I just thought it was a website with a lot of interesting information.
Today, I now know they were actually blogs. I am glad you enjoyed this article. I really appreciate it. Thank you for stopping by! Have an awesome day!?
I loved this. It is very informative. I have been saying blog for awhile now and never new where it originated lol. Thank you!!
lol…Yes, I have to be honest. I did not know where it originated either at first but, I thought it was pretty interesting to know how the word come into existence. Thank you for stopping by, Joseph! Have an awesome day!?
I am working on affiliate programs and my products.
Your article is useful to me.
Let me understand the wealthy affiliate.
Thank you.
Thank you, Eli! I am so glad you stopped by. I really appreciate your kind words. I am happy that this article has helped you out. Have an awesome day!?
Thank you for the excellent article on blogging. Learning the difference between a website and a blog was very beneficial. I am just getting started in this arena and appreciated all of the tips, information and help available. Wealthy Affiliate is an incredible source of information, thanks in large part to people such as yourself. All the very best to you, looking forward to reading more. Thank you!!
You’re Welcome Michelle! I am glad that you found the article helpful. Yes, I agree that Wealthy Affiliate is very beneficial. I have learned a lot from within their community. The people within the community are very, very helpful as well. I wish you much success in 2018 and beyond. Thank you for stopping by! Have an awesome day! ?
Such a good breakdown on what exactly a blog is. I would have never thought so much was involved!
I wholeheartedly believe that because blogs are becoming more and more popular people are going to continue looking for answers on how to make money online – which seems to be the ultimate question every man and his dog wants to know these days.
Thank you, Brandon! Yes, a lot is involved with a blog and it is good to know what exactly a blog is which I did my best in explaining what it is and what comes with blogging. I agree with you blogs are becoming very popular overtime and I have noticed that most of the websites I visit nowadays are actually blogs. People looking and searching for ways to make money online is definitely the ultimate question nowadays. Usually, with a blog the questions can be resolved by taking the time to read a blog. Thank you for stopping by, Brandon and have an awesome day! ?
I recently got heavily into blogging so the advice here is really appreciated. Every once in a while I start to doubt if there is enough room for all the blogger growth, but if you think about it like “virtual real estate” it truly is infinite. I love your ideas and descriptors. Very helpful. Thanks!
Hi Jaime, I can definitely understand where your coming from. I use to think the same way but, if you think of blogging as your on stage and your business building. There are many routes you take. The great thing is you do not have to stick to one certain direction. One idea can turn into many ideas. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read my post! I am glad that you did find it helpful. This really means a lot to me. Have an awesome day! ?
I agree with you Kisha. One of the most commonly asked questions is what’s the difference between a blog and a website. I’ll usually tell them that a blog can be a part of website where contents and be updated regularly. Thanks for sharing your answer on this question. Keep up the good work 🙂
Thank you, Jerry! Yes, it is a question that I never thought would be as common as it is but, everyday I see people ask what is the purpose of having one and why should they even consider one. So, I thought I share my thoughts and reviews on how a blog can be beneficial to any business. As you can also implement additional streams of income on a blog as well. Have an awesome day and thank you for stopping by! ?
Hello and thanks for sharing, tons of awesome information that is a great help to all of your readers. They will learn some much from your post
You’re Welcome, Norman! Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I really appreciate the feedback. My intentions are to help people so, I am glad that you did find through this post that it is possible. Have an awesome day!?
Hi Kisha,
Great article! I have tried to start 2 money making blogs on my own before and failed. I had no direction. Since joining Wealthy Affiliate, I am learning the correct way to create content. It is a great community! Now, I just need to put in the time to write proper content.
Hi Fen, yes I was the same way! I joined different affiliate programs. One thing I noticed while getting involved with the programs that a blog was always encouraged but, at the same time, the top earners would say not to waste my time on starting one. So, I started to pay attention to their convo because, success leaves clues (at least that is what they tell me).
I found Wealthy Affiliate during my search process and never looked back. I have to agree with you WA is an awesome community and I have definitely learned a lot through them.
Writing proper content can be challenging but, as time goes on you’ll get acquainted with writing and everything will fall into place. We all have to start somewhere and as a newbie I highly recommend starting with Wealthy Affiliate. Thank you, for stopping by Fen! Have an awesome day! ?
Wow! You literally covered everything that I ever needed to know about what blogging is. This article is great for anyone who is interested in making money online and isn’t fully educated on blogging. Your recommendation for wealthy affiliate is DEFINITELY a very good recommendation, especially for anyone starting a blog for their first time. Great article. Keep it up!
Thank you, Brendan! I tried my best in covering everything about a blog. I am really happy that you found the article helpful. I can not agree with you any better.
Yes, I surely do recommend Wealthy Affiliate as it has taught me and many other members a lot. Thank you for stopping by, I really appreciate it. Have an awesome day!?
It’s really crazy that even though there are millions and millions of people starting blogs that it is still a very profitable endeavor. I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for the info on Wealthy Affiliate and I totally agree that establishing an authority site is like generating your own online real estate for so cheap too!
Have a great day!
Hi Dalton, Yes it is shocking that after so many blogs that blogging is profitable but, you could look at like this the architect builds or designs so many houses and they never run out of land or floor plans.
Oh, about Wealthy Affiliate you are certainly welcome! They are worth the place to start if you are thinking of building an authority site. Thank you, for stopping by and Have a GREAT day as well! ?