Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang states blog noun An Internet website containing an eclectic and frequently updated assortment of items of interest to its author. 1999-. [Shortening of weblog.] So blogger, noun

More meaningful citations could be obtained from the Web. Below is a list of these.

- Blog is short for weblog. A weblog is a journal (or newsletter) that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site.

- A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.

- A blog is information that is instantly published to a Web site. Blog scripting allows someone to automatically post information to a Web site. The information first goes to a blogger Web site. Then the information is automatically inserted into a template tailored for your Web site.

Blogging has come a long way indeed. Not only can you do all the above mentioned, you could now also make full use of it to promote and expand your Internet business.

Savvy marketers have now accepted blogging as one of the best Internet marketing methods that is free because you could create your blog almost immediately at no cost compared to the setting up of a conventional website.

Publishing information in your blog to help establishing your presence in the Web is now a growing phenomenon. Blogging for your Internet business is one surefire way to enhance the visibility of your products and services.

The following are some of the things one could do to improve ones Internet online business:-

1) Offer advice to your visitors on specific tips, tricks and opportunities related to your own business with the objective to increase awareness not only about yourself but also your business. This will establish you as an authority with customers, prospects and casual visitors through your publications.

2) Prompt and encourage readers to leave their comments and feedback. Positive feedback could some times help you to improve your website design, layout, content and hence your business.

3) Make periodical announcement and broadcasting on any new changes or offers available in your main websites, for instance, new products and/or services.

4) Old and past publications and postings in your blog could be kept in an Archive file which is very friendly for retrieving. You can therefore keep track of all your business plans and old but important information.

5) Any articles which you have written and posted could be reprinted by others for their own websites with your permission on condition that the resource box about the author remains unchanged i.e. with all your important URLs intact. This would link your websites to other websites hence exposing your business to more visitors.

6) Always add fresh and quality content to it on a regular basis since search engines like fresh content. As a result, search engines will list your website in their directories. As soon as you have pages of your blog in the search engines, you will start attracting free traffic to your site without having to paying a dime for it.

7) Exchange links with others could improve your ranking on search engines. Affiliate links in the form of advertisement banners could also be included in your blog to earn more extra income.

In short, there is no limit to what you could do with your blog. You can include your ideas, opinions, expertise in your field of work, resumes, home recipes, pictures, streaming audio or video clips, e-books, poetry, products, services, consultations etc., etc.

Unlike most normal websites that are relatively permanent with only occasional updating, blogs allow you to post any new content almost on daily basis. Also, websites are usually less personal as far as their relationship with the visitors is concerned.

Visitors could leave comment in your blog after their visits which sometimes could prompt a follow-up discussion between you and them resulting with both parties learning from each another.

Share your ideas, opinions and thoughts to assert yourself as an authority in your field. The visitors who are your customers or potential customers would remember your blog and keep coming back.

Copyright 2005 Sung-Liang Woon http://www.johnwoon.com

About The Author: John Woon (Sung-Liang Woon) is a Latex Consultant with about 30 years of experience.

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