If you can believe the experts, some 50-60 % of Generation Y are using social networking to communicate. In fact, it has been forecast that in just two short years, social networks will become more powerful than corporate websites themselves.  (Whether or not this is true depends upon how confident you are in those who attempt to predict the future.) 

Nonetheless, it would appear beneficial for us all to acquire this skill. First, a word of explanation. As many of you already know, ‘BLOG’ was created from the words ‘WEB’ and ‘LOG by dropping the initial two letters, ‘W’ and ‘E’ and simply shortening it to BLOG. (You’ve got to admit, it’s kind of catchy.) 

The commonly accepted definition is ‘a log (record) of your thoughts and ideas, sometimes accompanied by other web links, video clips or  photos.  In other words, it is simply a posting written by someone on a given topic.   Instead of being a one-sided conversation, a blog will contain a space for others to submit their comments on the post. ((Think of it as reading a novel and being able to communicate with the author as you read through the chapters.)  Blogs are typically dated so that readers can tell how ‘fresh’ a particular comment is.

 Another way of thinking about a blog is to say that it is an interactive e mail exchange among numerous parties, instead of just between 2 people. If you are inexperienced at blogging, you might be wondering just exactly how to go about this process. The easiest thing to do is to simply find a forum of users who are interested in the same topics as are you: real estate, pets, fitness, environmental concerns, politics, cooking, travel, etc. 

Once you’ve identified an appropriate forum, just sign onto the site and select a user name and password. You will then be able to read and comment on what someone else has posted, or else asking a question.  If you are a business owner, you might want to actually host your own blogging site so you can control the flow of information and publicize the products/services you’re offering. 

Many companies allow you to do this on a relatively inexpensive basis. You will pay a fee to sign up for hosting services for a period of time and can either utilize one of many templates that are offered or else pay more for a custom design of your site. The firm known as ‘Go Daddy’ is especially helpful as they offer a Help Line staffed by real human beings: what a concept!

Once you get used to this form of communication, you will undoubtedly enjoy the satisfaction that comes from chatting with like-minded individuals, many of whom can advise you about problems you may be having, or suggest solutions to dilemmas.  If you spend enough time posting blogs, you’ll find that can quickly accumulate a core of other posters with whom you become friendly, and, over time, they can become your Virtual Board of Directors, (after asking their permission, of course!) 

Quite apart from the personal satisfaction you may derive from meeting others on line, one of the most compelling reasons to blog is to become known as an expert in your own right.