Say it in a blog!
By Bruce A. Love
About a year ago, I launched my first blog. At a cost of just $10.99 per month (which also included the cost to host my regular Web site) I considered it a bargain. Settin up the blog was a cheap and easy too – it all was handled by my blog host, LivingDot , at no additional cost. If you have something to say, consider saying it on your personal blog. Just be prepared to defend your posts when others comment on them!
A blog is a Web site that has posted commentary on a variety of topics, and allows responses from o thers, which are displayed in chronological order. Blogs look like a discussion of ideas that can take place over days, weeks, or many months. I call my blog, “Love Lines,” (it’s a play on words that refers to my last name and the lines of type in columns). My reasons for launching the blog were to give me an easy way to post my columns online, and give readers a way for contacting me with comments on my columns published in the Altoona Mirror.
When you visit blog.loveconsulting.com (the Web address for Love Lines) you will be greeted with the Love Lines banner and the purpose for the blog: for discussing business and technology issues. Discussion is two-way communication, so if you have differing opinions, or wish to add your expertise to a particular discussion, you are welcome to do so as long as the discussion remains respectful. The blog is built using free software called MovableType. It’s a server-based blogging solution, meaning I get to manage the software that runs my blog hosted on LivingDot servers. Other blogging solutions, such as Bloglines, use web-based solutions, where maintenance and functionality of the blog is maintained by somebody else (a very easy solution for somebody just starting out). Web-based and server-based blogging solutions can be free or fee-based.
Love Lines displays my 10 most recently published columns on the opening page. You may also view archived columns, or search by keywords or browse categories (e.g., Business Start-up, E-Commerce, Marketing, Personal Computing, etc.). The E-Commerce category, for instance, includes articles about how to register a domain name (needed for starting a Web site), choosing a web host, participating in online auctions, and the benefits of selling online. The Personal Computing category has a wide range of articles intended to help you make the most of your relationship wit h your PC. There are about 200 columns posted in total - poke around a bit and find articles of interest to you and don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice your views on the topics.
Although I added a few features and made some cosmetic enhancements since launching hte blog, LoveLines was ready for prime time the day LivingDot accepted my business and gave me the instructions on how to start blogging. Some blogs are easier than others to use and maintain. For an excellent discussion of the top blogging solutions, search for Top 7 Weblog/Blog Software Tools at about.com.
If you have something to say, why not let the whole world have an opportunity to read and comment on it online. Happy blogging!
