To Blog or not to Blog???

[fitnfree]

Hi...this blogging craze...is it really worth it? I find I simply don't have time to sit and read blog after blog after blog, in spite of my interest in a topic. As a result of this lack of time, I haven't really delved into this area as yet, but do, from time to time, seriously consider it.

So, my question is, have any of you find it pays and if so, how do you find the time?? And just what do you post to keep people visiting it?

I know blogs are extremely popular, but I haven't yet been sold on them, so do sell me!

[cdorob]

Being a blogger for the last 2-3 years, I could write a long explanatory reply on why blogging is good. The simpler way would be: are you prepared to lose the advantages a blog brings in front of your competitors?

[fitnfree]

are you prepared to lose the advantages a blog brings in front of your competitors?

What are those advantages? I seriously haven't a clue and am seeking some thoughts because I just "don't get it" yet...

[Julia]

Hi FitnFree,

If you read some of the other posts in the blogging forum, you'll find a ton of threads that explain the benefits of blogging. This one in particular offers an in-depth look and starting guide at blogging for affiliate marketers: Deep Secerts of Successful Blogging

A few simple benefits that I can think of off the top of my head include
-the possibility of gaining loyal readers who return to your site on a regular basis, thus developing trust and becoming more likely to buy/pay heed to your recommendations
-having an informal way to update your site on a regular basis
-yet another way to generate traffic, participate in blogroll/link exchanges, reach a wider audience, network further within the blogging community

Hopefully some blogging affiliates will add their two cents

[fitnfree]

Thank you, Julia! It's responses like yours I'm very intrigued with. So many doing this seem to be very glad -- I just am not sure how to fit something like this into an already over-filled schedule, but on the flip side, perhaps it's past time I MADE time... I guess because I haven't developed an interest in reading blogs, I'm having a difficult time feeling that anyone would want to read mine.

I appreciate the resource, also and will definitely check it out along with other comments here at the forum.

[Linda Buquet]

You know, if someone told me 3 years ago when I started the 5 Star blog,
that I would have to write one article every day to create new content for my web site - i would have said NO WAY - I don't have time.

But once you get your blog set up and start blogging it becomes habit and is really easy. It doesn't feel like you are creating a new page or writing a new article - it's just fun.

To save time (and your wrists if you have carpal like I do) just scan the RSS feeds of blogs in your niche and pick good news stories or other people's blog posts to highlight and just comment on and quote them.

Here's an example of one I did quoting another blog that didn't take any time at all. 5 Star Affiliate Marketing Blogs, Google and SEO Blog » Will Search Engines Become the Biggest Affiliates?

The upsides of making the time to blog are:

1) Increased traffic. Search engines LOVE blogs. (my blog is ranked #1 and is the highest traffic part of my site)

2) Wider exposure (also increased traffic). Instead of just being found in search engines, with a blog your site will get distributed to a ton of BLOG search engines like Technorati, Google Blog search and a TON of others.(you need to submit once then after that its easy.)

3) Links - people that like your blog or specific posts will quote and link to you on their blog.

4) Reputation - great way to position yourself as an industry expert.

There is more but those are some of the main benes.

[fitnfree]

WOW! You certainly make some un-arguable (is that a word?? lol) points there -- if they do all that, then I guess it IS past time I get my feet wet! I did play around with Google's free blog a while back -- just nonsense, really, to see how they work and such. However, I don't want a "freebie" one -- will set up my own. (Anyone know if Word Press is good? Seems I read a lot of positive comments on that one).

Thanks Linda, sincerely appreciate your feedback!

[Linda Buquet]

Wordpress is the BEST! Easy to set-up and free.
My 5 Star blog uses WP and Google eats it up!

You will still need to find a good (free) WP template. Tons out there.
Get one that supports widgets so make it easier to add features into your sidebars.
Then you will need some plug-ins for certain things you may
want like spam control and related topics.

If you need help, Teli one of our 5 Star mods is a WP genius.
I just hired her to do about 6 upgrades on my 5 Star blog and
she's great to work with. Even though it's fairly easy if you are
a do-it-yourselfer and fairly technical, she can bang stuff out
10 times faster than I do and does it better than I do.
So I pay her now rather than even trying to add
plug-ins or change layouts myself.

If anyone's curious what she just did for me on the 5 Star blog she...

~ Added a 2nd sidebar (so I can get more links up above the fold)
~ Added related posts plugin - if you click to read a post, then scroll down to bottom of post and you'll see other related topics from my blog.
~ Added recent threads from the forum to the far right sidebar.

Bunch of other behind the scenes stuff, but those are some things you can see.

PM her if you want her to set everything up for you.

[fitnfree]

You will still need to find a good (free) WP template. Tons out there.
Get one that supports widgets so make it easier to add features into your sidebars.
Then you will need some plug-ins for certain things you may
want like spam control and related topics.

Head reeling! Widgets? Plug ins???

Although being the major geek I am it could be fun -- just need time, time, time. I think I'll get started though and thanks for the reference, also. Never know when some help may be needed!! I also do web design - -just got my techincal diploma, so here's hoping it pays off! (I think it will, though!)

[Linda Buquet]

Oh in that case you'll do fine! You GO gurl!!!