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Blogging is dead. Or, at least, that's what most folks say. Especially because videos and podcasts are the ones that are selling hot and fast nowadays.
While there is some truth to that statement, blogging isn't really gone. For folks to declare that this creative platform is dead is entirely ignorant of its taking on a new form.
In this article, you'll learn a bit about the state of blogging today and how you can still utilize and make the most out of it.
When blogging emerged as personal online journals or diaries in the early 1990’s, it soon became a huge hit, especially for creative types. It became one of their avenues to express their artistry and creativity by using words that were put together really well to convey a message engagingly.
Some might be inclined to think that blogging is overrated, that it's just glorified writing. But it isn't. Tell that to millions of writers all over the world who practice the craft.
Blogging requires time, knowledge, and discipline to take an idea or concept and masterfully craft it into a well-written readable article. While not all bloggers may be Pulitzer winners, they do take their craft seriously.
Like any written art form, blogs fall under different categories. The most popular is lifestyle blogs that allow professional and amateur bloggers to create fun, meaningful, and engaging content that different people from different backgrounds find relevant to their lifestyles.
Blogs have become so popular and widespread today that chances are you've probably already read hundreds, if not thousands, of blogs already with all the time you've spent online, such as this article you're reading now.
And while blogging is a popular avenue of choice for personal and professional bloggers, the digital age has pushed audiences past the written art form. Newer, more dynamic, and engaging formats now come in the form of vlogs or video blogs.
As YouTube took over the world in the early 2000s, regular folks have become empowered to create online content. People can upload their videos on their channel, build a following, and monetize their content based on their viewers and subscribers through this platform.
It might seem that with the continuous popularity of video content and podcasts, blogs are no longer relevant. And as mentioned earlier, the statement "blogging is dead" is partially true. As far as personal blogging is concerned, that is.
Nowadays, businesses are taking full advantage of whatever platform they can use to reach a wider audience. Videos, podcasts, and even blogs fall under the umbrella of content marketing strategies companies use to further their reach.
Personal bloggers – the ones writing about what's going on in their lives – have since waned, and lifestyle bloggers have started picking up their game. Gone are the days of blogs as personal journals and diaries. Most readers are now gravitating towards written materials that are relevant to them.
For instance, folks looking for different tips to survive their freshman year in university or the best British international school admissions hacks to ace their admissions exams. They are the most likely people to visit articles on blog sites from educational institutions. Similarly, those looking to improve their health will find materials published by companies belonging to the health and wellness industry.
The focus has shifted from the writer's experiences and thoughts to a reader's needs and wants at a given time. Noticeably, within the past five years, businesses that utilize content marketing have experienced an impressive organic increase in website traffic through regular blogging. This traffic increase is credited to relevant and meaningful content, including blogs, regularly published on a company's website and shared numerous times on social media.
In this manner, blogging is definitely not dead. It has, in fact, become such an integral part of content marketing despite the proliferation of vlogs, podcasts, and infographics. People still do love to read. And as blogging has become integral, tools have emerged to help people market their own blogs or curate their blog reading list.
If you are a blogger and would like to recreate your blog site and turn things around and make it profitable in the process, here are a few things to keep in mind:
You need to ensure that your topics are well thought out. Blogging is not just about proper grammar and knowing the different styles and nuances of writing. It goes beyond that.
Your content has to attract people right off the bat and keep them engaged and wanting more. Put as much effort into the planning process as you do the creative process.
You need to know what your audience is looking for. Make your content relevant and meaningful to them if you want them to keep visiting your site.
Don't shy from incorporating more visual elements into your blogs. Very few people have the patience to go through a page made up of a vast block of text.
Throw in a few images and videos in the mix (just don't forget to credit your sources).
If you're unsure how to go about it or you feel like you lack the skills, many blogs (yes, blogs) offer tips to help improve your site visually.
Blogging is far from dead. It is actually thriving, albeit in a different arena. Personal blogging may have declined in popularity, but lifestyle and informational blogs are thriving, especially when used as a marketing tool. Blogging remains one of the most effective and organic methods of getting a company's message across.
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