What Are They Saying About You?

• Social media marketing is a blog (a portmanteau of the term "web log") a type or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics and video.

• Many blogs provide commentary and news on a particular subject; others function as personal online diaries.

• A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic.

Personal blogsThe personal blog, an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual, is the traditional and most common blog. Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never read. Blogs often become more than a way to communicate; they become a way to reflect on life, like works of art.

Corporate and organizational blogsCorporate blogs are used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation. They can also be used externally for marketing, branding or public relations purposes.

Genre blogsSome blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political, travel (also known as travelogs), home, fashion, projects, education, niche, classical music, and legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs. Two common types of genre blogs are art blogs and music blogs.

Media blogsA blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprised of links is called a linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchlog or one containing photos is called a photoblog. Blogs with shorter posts and mixed media types are called microblogs. Blogs that are written on typewriters and then scanned are called typecast or typecast blogs.

Device blogs

Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA could be called a moblog.

One early blog was Wearable Wireless Webcam, an online shared diary of a person's personal life combining text, video, and pictures transmitted live from a wearable computer and Eye Tap device to a web site.

Blog Search Engines

Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents, such as Bloglines, BlogScope, and Technorati, which is among the most popular blog search engines, provides current information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog postings. The research community is working on going beyond simple keyword search, by inventing new ways to navigate through large amounts of information present in the blogospheres, as demonstrated by projects like BlogScope.

• Popularity through citations

The basic conclusions from studies of blog structure is that it takes time for a blog to become popular through blogrolls. However, permalinks can boost trafic more quickly and are perhaps more indicative of popularity and authority than blogrollls since they indicate that people are actually reading the blog's content and deem it valuable or noteworthy in specific cases.

• Popularity through affiliation (i.e. blogroll)

• Blogging can result in a range of legal liabilities and other unforeseen consequences.

• Employees who blog about elements of their place of employment can begin to affect the brand recognition of their employer. In general, attempts by employee bloggers to protect themselves by maintaining anonymity have proved ineffective.

• One consequence of blogging is the possibility of attacks or threats against the blogger, sometimes without apparent reason.

• It is arguably the simplest way to start generating traffic to your website. Blogging is extremely powerful and easy to do.

• A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.

• In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where one posts content on an ongoing basis.

• Blogging is not only a great way to drive traffic to your site but is incredibly important in building your credibility and brand.

• Remember, people buy from businesses they like and trust. Blogging helps us develop relationships with potential customers.

• Blogging is a great way to keep in touch with your prospects.

• You are supposed to be blogging to give out information of value.

• The most popular blogs are commercial blogs that utilize their reach to promote products and businesses.

• Blogging has emerged as one of the best marketing tools on the web.

• Blogging has given a new way for marketers to do what they do

– Promote!

You Have Your Lead on Hand

• Your readers are your lead.

• If you have represented yourself as a reputable person and have been active with your readers, at least 85% of your leads will develop into customers.

Blog Is Your Press

• Getting a press release is exciting. However, if you use a good press release service it can cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars.

• Use your blog as your forum for press.

Helps You Increase Your Visibility

• Quality content is usually linked by other bloggers.

• Gain better placement on search engines and increase your visibility.

Gives Your Business a Life

• Potential customers like to know who is behind the product and or services they are buying.

• Developing a healthy relationship with your customers gives your business a face.

Media Coverage Becomes Easier

• You should have control over the media about your company.

• In today's world internet presence is a must.

Immediate Feedback• The other important feature of a blog is that it allows you to receive

instant feedback and reviews.

• Blogs allow immediate feedback. This provides a constant and ongoing evaluation.