Jul 16
Start Blogging Series (Part 1) – Nature of the Beast
Recently, I’ve found myself giving little bits of advice to all the new bloggers out there. Of course more often than not my advice was unsolicited, but hey – You think that’s gonna stop me?! Ha ha. Well anyway, I thought I would perform a public service of sorts and start a new series of posts here called, “Start Blogging”.
Primarily, the series is aimed at someone who’s thinking about starting a blog but
- A) doesn’t know how to get started or
- B) doesn’t know if blogging is right for them.
And even though I’m a grizzled veteran with over 70 years of blog experience (yeah right), I hope that you’ll chime in with your thoughts and correct my mistakes so this can truly be of value to some of the new kids on the block. Remember – We were all there once. (#):)
So without further ado…
Part 1 – Nature of the Beast
A little back story…
A blog is a type of website where content is generally written in a chronological order, kind of like you would think of an online diary. By being the author of said content, you are named a blogger. Unlike many other kinds of websites (outside of forums), blogs usually exist and thrive by way of relationships…Relationships between people.
Bloggers hop from blog to blog reading other bloggers’ entries, (called posts), and leave their thoughts on the post in the form of comments. When bloggers leave their comments, they usually leave their blog URL with it, instantly creating a link from blog to blog for other visitors to see and follow. This series of connections blogs is often referred to as the blogosphere.
Who writes blogs?
Anybody can write a blog, and as you make your way through the blogosphere, you’ll see that diversity first hand. On any given day you can read content from high definition enthusiasts, online comic strip artists, technology journalists, singing black belt mamas and even bloggers writing about other blogs! – Which is great news, because that means there’s a spot for you!
Why would you write a blog?
Almost everyone needs an outlet. A lot of people just tell their friends stuff, but sometimes that friend isn’t around, or you need to find new ones. For others, blogs are a way of making money, and they take that very seriously. Some people actually live off their blog money, others primarily blog for fun but are happy to make a buck off it it too. And finally, one of the best things my dad ever told me was, “Everyone has a story…”, the point of that being the more you listen to people, the more you can learn. And you never know where you’re going to find the story to make a difference in your life. You never know which story of yours will make a difference in someone’s life. So what’s your story?
The commitment
The time and effort you’ll expend on your blog will depend on what you want to accomplish with it. If you’re looking to just blog about your random thoughts and you don’t care if anyone reads your posts or not, the time and effort required is going to be very low. On the other foot, if you’re looking to make a presence for yourself and make some money, you have your work cut out for you. Replying to e-mails and comments and easily eat up your entire day BUT, if that’s what you’re into, I doubt you’ll mind it too much.Conclusion
The greatest thing about the Internet is its ability to shrink the world. Blogs further that concept by connecting people with people, and allowing them to engage in meaningful conversations. Personally, meeting new people from all parts of the world is truly a wonderful experience and I don’t know that having experienced it now if I could ever give it up.
Next time: Choosing Your Blogging Platform
July 16th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Great post I eagerly await seeing the rest of the series.
I think it’s important to socialize shortly after your blog goes live with my newer blogs I waited until about the tenth post also linking to others can help drive more traffic to your new blog since those that are serious about blogging will be see in their admin panel that you are linking to them.
The past few weeks I’ve done fairly well, and on average, I’ve received at least two links per day. Quite a few of the blogs that linked to me are new kids on the block so a simple linking to my blog got my attention, and they are good quality blogs not blog scrapers (blogs that scour the WWW for content and add bits to their pages.) I give out links freely and mention people, often times new bloggers, within my posts, throughout my blogging week. It’s a way to show your appreciation of their content and it’s an excellent way for others to pop by and visit their website.
You might want to mention that if they are using the Blogger that they should link directly to their blog and not their blogging profile not everyone will click an extra time to take a peek at your blog.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
@Opal – “You might want to mention that if they are using the Blogger that they should link directly to their blog and not their blogging profile not everyone will click an extra time to take a peek at your blog.”
You just did!
And good tips on the linking front. I think I will probably add that in to a post in the series later on this week. I just hope I can keep it up. This one took a while to get out!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Great post Bush. Stumbled.
July 16th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
@Nirmal – Thanks a lot, and remember to add some good tips when you can, I’m sure you know a bunch that I don’t.
July 16th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
[...] Bush Mackel – No surprise here! Haha. Bush is doing a new blog post series perfect for those thinking about starting a blog. [...]
July 16th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
LOL I know, but not everyone reads the comments some people skim or ignore other comments completely. A prime example take a look at Matt Cutts (Head of Google Spam division) post on How to report a paid link.
Over 500 comments and I imagine a few hundred could have been avoided if they reader had read the comments. I read every single one. An excellent post by they way and I would recommend anyone that for anyone that is looking to monetize their blog.
July 16th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Nice introduction Bush and a very well written explanation of just what blogging is. Looking forward to the rest of your series
July 16th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
@Opal – Yeah, you raise a good point. I actually wanna do an edit on this post because I left out something that I really wanted to touch on. *rolling eyes*
@Mike – Thanks a lot. And like I said earlier, I hope everyone chimes in with some thoughts of our own because I know like yourself, there are a lot of talented ppl who are nice enough to come by and pay a visit. *nod*
July 16th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Great read Bush. I’m learning more and more from you and Opal. I love “meeting” new people and reading their blogs. Your dad was right, everyone has a story.
July 16th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Thanks Bush,
You have been very helpful to me so far and it’s a very reassuring feeling to get some friendly advice, especially in the form of a series of helpful articles!! In fact I’m going to write a post with a link to it now.
In response to your comment on my site Adsense actually earned me a few dollars today which is weird! My traffic is less than an average of 10per day right now so I can’t expect miracles just yet.
Thanks and i’ll be back very soon.
July 16th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Shining black belt mama? You’re a doll!
July 16th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
[...] Start Blogging Series (Part 1) – My friend Bush is putting together a series of articles with the intention of helping out new bloggers. In the first of his series he writes an excellent description of just what blogging is. I don’t think I’ve ever read a better definition. [...]
July 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Hi Bush,
I like how you put it: ““Everyone has a story…â€, … And you never know where you’re going to find the story to make a difference in your life. You never know which story of yours will make a difference in someone’s life.”
I started blogging 2 years back with blogger since my marriage was in crisis, and on the process of my recovery. I didn’t care if anyone reading it at first, but I started receiving comments and emails of encouragement, and that’s amazed me.
Yes, we never know which of ours story will make a difference in someone life, or to gain us more afterthought.
July 16th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
As a new blogger, many of the things you say here are very interesting. I blog mostly because I don’t seem to find that that many people I know have much in common with me (I love computers/internet and they don’t have a computer…) and so I am not really getting an outlet – but rather an “inlet” into a world that I have only explored on my own. Which is why I have no problem blogging for hours and hours (or all day if I can). I am gaining so much, and hopefully giving back as much as I take.
I really look forward to reading more of this series.
I saw the link on Mike’s blog… I had been here before but I guess I miss this one.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
@Sassy – Glad we can be of service! And you know, dealing in matters of the Net, we get to learn new stuff everyday. Today I may show you one thing, tomorrow I’m sure you’ll show me two. (#):)
@Forest – Nice work! I think with AdSense you have to look at your earnings more in trends than everyday wins and losses. But personally, I like to celebrate daily victories. So break out the bourbon!
@BBM – Gotta make sure everyone sees those groovealicious dance moves. Ha ha! (Yes, you’ll NEVER escape that video…and neither shall your children).
@Joanne – Well first, thanks for finding my little spot on the web! And I’m certainly glad you can appreciate a big part of the message. (#):)
@Danielle – It’s really interesting you say that because I think in one of my prior posts, I elude to the same sort of feeling. Me and my friends all have a background in computer science, but they are very different from me in my goals professionally. When I talk to them about freelance web design, seo, and blogging for pleasure/additional income, their eyes just get glazed over and they say, “Um, what about a real job?” Ha ha. I respond, “I have a real job. – And I know I don’t want it.”
I hope I don’t disappoint for the rest of the series. Thanks for all the comments everyone, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to responding to them earlier (like I usually do). I just got caught up with Little Mac today!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
This should clearly define what blogging is to people who don’t know.
The article was great. You answered the next question that pre-bloggers would have asked which is, “why would I want to blog?”.
Remember when I told you you were good? This is the proof.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Love this post. You got yourself another link!
July 17th, 2007 at 12:18 am
[...] Start Blogging Series (Part 1) – Nature of the Beast- Part 1 of Bush’s “Start Blogging” series to help new bloggers get in the swing of blogging. [...]
July 17th, 2007 at 3:09 am
Well I am actually lucky now because my real job is in transition towards me doing what I want to do, namely internet marketing/SEO. And I work with like-minded people. But most of my friends are the rock and roll, tattoo types that actually don’t even know what I am talking about. I say the word SEO and their eyes glaze over and they leave the room.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:46 am
@Grace – *thumbs up* Thanks for the love!
@Brown – Ha ha, well I’m definitely feeling these new types of posts of mine. They’re surprisingly fulfilling to write. *nod*
@Danielle – You’re lucky. One of my good friends who really gave me some killer seo/m tips way back when now pretty much does that for his 9-5. He’s a very lucky dude.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Awesome post buddy . You covered all the good points there .
July 17th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
nice write up dude, stumbled
July 17th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
[...] Start Blogging Series (Part 1) – Nature of the Beast [...]
July 19th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Hi Bush,
just missed your 2nd series, and now catching up two parts at once, your blog is sitting in my favorite, I might steal some of your thought 
Sure I appreciate and like your posts a lot
July 19th, 2007 at 11:50 am
@Joanne – If it was anyone else…ha ha. I’m actually working on Part 4 right now. Takes a lot out of me, but I think I’m throwing down some quality content. (#):)
July 21st, 2007 at 9:09 pm
[...] Start Blogging Series (Part 1) – Nature of the Beast Bush Mackel has written a nice five part series on blogging. If you are reading my nonsense and don’t blog this is a great little series of articles for you to read. If you do blog it is still worth checking out for some nice tips. [...]
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:14 am
[...] know how to get started or aren’t sure if blogging is even right for them. Part 1 is titled Nature of the Beast. If you enjoy it, be sure to check out parts [...]
July 30th, 2007 at 1:48 am
[...] Great blog about blogging and web development. A very helpful blog to visit and Bush is a great guy with great ideas (and I am sure a wonderful dad), and Bush says that “technology is where he lives”. Great stuff all the time. For sure read his latest blogging series (as if you have not already!): Start Blogging [...]
July 31st, 2007 at 12:17 am
Great article. I can’t wait to read the rest as they come to pass. I’ve been writing blogs for nearly 2 years now, but I still consider myself a newbie, as I know there is much more I need to learn.
Thanks again,
Christine
July 31st, 2007 at 9:01 am
@Saph – I think dealing with the Internet makes us all newbs over and over again because things are constantly changing, new things coming out all the time and especially in regards to blogging…It’s such a dynamic medium that incorporates so many things including writing, reading, marketing, programming, design, etc. I mean, who can ever be a master of all that stuff!?!?
August 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am
[...] Posts – Last month was the first month where I wrote a series of posts or a “how-to” post and the response has been phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for more. [...]
August 9th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Newbie Blogging: Crucial Choices and Trackbacks…
As a newbie blogger there are many choices you must make when starting out. The first choice is which platform to use. Should you go with Wordpress or Blogger?…
August 9th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I did a trackback and reference to this post the way it shows in the video I recommended. I have had 10 different people tell me ten different ways, but I think this way is the right way. Lets see! I’m adding you to my blogroll. Have a good one!
August 13th, 2007 at 4:12 am
I like this series.This is great info to know for people out there who played with the idea of blogging.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:06 am
@Bobby – Thanks a lot man!
@Midas – I appreciate you swinging my way! (And btw, you have a nice site. (#):) )
August 15th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Thanks a bunch for the newb advice…I’ll be visiting often.
August 15th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
@SteveB – “Newb advice”? You sound like you’re puttin’ yourself down! …I read a post a while back about n00b vs newb but I can’t remember which is which!!! IN ANY EVENT, you’re welcome for the advice, and I hope you can put it to good use. (#):)
September 8th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
[...] left a comment in one of the blog post here two months back, I like the way Bush put it: ““Everyone has a story…â€, … And you never [...]
July 29th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
[...] has a series of posts that start here. I recently found his blog through mutual friends, and it is very unique! Check it out! Share and [...]
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
[...] Start blogging (series part 1) nature of the beast [...]