This document summarizes information about blogging based on research from various sources. It defines blogging, describes different types of blogs, and discusses what makes a good blog. It provides blogging basics and etiquette tips for beginners. Statistics are presented on demographics of bloggers, how many earn income from blogging, topics that are most popular to blog about, and platforms used. Reasons why people blog are outlined, such as to network, advertise, connect with others, promote themselves, help others, stay in touch, satisfy creativity, create a record, and gain knowledge. In conclusion, the author learned about blogging through research and writing blogs, finding it a creative outlet that brings people together in various ways.

1. Personal Learning Proposal-Deliverable
The topic I chose to learn about is Blogging and what exactly drives people to write them in the first
place. The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of a Blog is a personal website or webpage on which an
individual records opinions, links to other sites etc. and on a regular basis. (retrieved from
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com)
There are many different types of Blogs such as, Video Blogs and Photo Blogs as well as the standard
written journal style. There are many books with Blogging as the topic, Blogging for Dummies, Blogging
for Bliss and the Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging to name a few.
What constitutes a good Blog? Many things like having a writing voice with personality, someone who
thinks a lot and works hard and having a sort of weird Blogcan be a good thing for readers as well and
nothing beats a Blog about talking about something we might be obsessed with.( retrieved from
http://www.43folders.com)
There are some Blogging Basics 101 that one should know and perhaps even follow in order to have
success and a great following. 5 Blogging Etiquette tips for Beginners are:
1. Use permalinks wherever possible-this is important because if the author needs to link an exact
Blog entry then you use the permalink as your link.
2. Don’t Hotlink pages-hotlinking is when you are directly linking to another sites graphics, files,
videos etc. instead of linking to those items from your own server.
3. Ask permission for just about everything-familiarize yourself with copyright and creative
commons.
4. Don’t sell yourself in comments-Bloggers have differing opinions about whether it’s ok to link
your own Blog in the comments at another Blog.
5. Don’t be offended if someone doesn’t accept your tag in a meme-memes are easy ways to fill
your Blog with content when you are first starting out.
( retrieved from http://www.bloggingbasics101.com) Aug 17, 2009 by Melanie Nelson
Some Interesting Blogging Statistics:
OUT OF A 1000 PERSON SURVEY COMPLETED BY BLOGGING.ORG

2. *BLOGGING STARTED AS AN ON-LINE JOURNAL IN THE 1990’S-
PEOPLE SHARED THEIR INTERESTS, HOBBIES AND THOUGHTS ON-
LINE.
*DID YOU KNOW ONLY 40% OF BLOGGERS ARE WOMEN WITH 60%
MEN BLOGGERS.
*THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 31 MILLION BLOGGERS IN THE UNITED
STATES ALONE
IS THERE MONEY IN BLOGGING??
*ONLY 8% OF BLOGGERS EARN ENOUGH MONEY TO BE ABLE TO
SUPPORT A FAMILY.
*9% WILL MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO SUSTAIN THEIR BLOGGING
LIFESTYLE ON A4-6 HOUR A DAY BLOGGING.
*ALMOST 81% NEVER MAKE $100.00 FROM BLOGGING.
*THE OTHER 2%...THEY ARE SPENDING 1-2 HOURS A DAY BLOGGING
AND MAKING 150K +BLOGGING FROM EXOTIC LOCATIONS.

3. *35% OF PEOPLE ACTIVITY BLOG AT LEAST ONETIME A MONTH VS
65% THAT HAVEN’T TENDED TO THEIR BLOG IN A YEAR OR MORE.
WHAT DO PEOPLE USE TO BLOG??
43% USE WORDPRESS
35% USE BLOGGER
16% USE TUMBLR AND TYPEPAD AND POSTEROUS
6% OTHER
THE MOST POPULAR TOPICS OF BLOGS
People Blog about many different topics, some Blog about their day, children, work and meals
but thereappear to be some favourites.
Fashion Blogs
Celebrities and entertainment
Technology
Health and Beauty Tips
(retrieved from http://www.mybloggerwidgets.blogspot.ca)

4. Design plays an important role in how Blogs look, is the majority mostly women who
want to make their Blogs appealing and pretty to fellow readers? As someone that is new
to the Blogging world I found this very interesting and I thought I would share it.
6 EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR BLOG
PRETTY…
1. Clean up your sidebar-resist the temptation to add every single affiliate program and
Blog directory button you have ever joined to your sidebar.
2. Make sure your images fit the width of the content. Ex) if the content is 650px wide
then make the photos 650px wide as well.
3. Customize your Blog images-a way to add your personality to your images while
making your Blog look polished and unique.
4. Diversify your Topography-start using Google fonts (free download) or Typekit (paid)
to use something different.
5. Use a combination of san-serif and serif fonts-mix the text together.
6. Reduce your clutter-simplify your navigation.
(retrieved from http://www.modernmintsdesigns.com)
THE TOP 10 REASONS WHY PEOPLE BLOG?

5. 1. To Network-it’s a great way to meet new people globally or
locally.
2. Advertising and Branding-a lot of companies see it as a profitable
exercise to Blog and advertise their company.
3. To connect with like-minded people-helps bring people together
that think a-like.
4. To create awareness or to get your voice heard.
5. Self-Promotion-it’s an excellent way to promote yourself in the
field of one’s expertise or interest.
6. To help others-many Blogs are written to help people going
through a certain phase or circumstance.
7. To stay in touch-it’s a great way to stay in touch with family and
friends.
8. To satisfy your creative side.
9. To create a record.
10.To gain knowledge.
(retrieved from http://www.shoutmeloud.com)
In conclusion I learned a lot and feel that I met my learning goals that I had set for my
assignment. I was surprised and pleased on the information that I was able to find on Blogging,
before this class I wouldn’t have given writing a Blog a second thought but once I started writing
them on top of researching I can see why people like to Blog. It’s a creative outlet for people for

6. sure and I personally found writing one gratifying and challenging at the same time. I do think
Blogging brings people together in many different ways and I think that it is a good way for
businesses to advertise and reach out to consumers. There is a lot of great information and topics
that people have Blogged on and I think it is safe to say that Blogging is here to stay and will
continue to thrive and grow.
Jodie James