What is a BLOG?
A blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.(Definition taken from Wikipedia).
Why do I need to BLOG?
1. Puts a human face to your website and business.
Sure, you have a website. Sure, your photos and your contact information are on the website. But is this enough these days?
These things are a good start to "humanizing" your business, but a blog will help you get to the point where you want to be. A blog adds to, what I like to call, the "human effect". The content you add to your website will show your visitors that you have feelings and emotions about different ideas and topics.
2. Connects you with your visitors, clients, and potential clients
A blog presents interactivity, user experience and usability that surpasses an ordinary website. It allows you to express your "2 cents" on any given topic again with a "human voice". You will find that some people will agree with what you have to say, or on the flipside they'll disagree. Regardless, what stance they take, your blog will help you connect on a human level.
3. Show off your expertise
The last thing anyone wants these days is a sleazy sales pitch. Turn your expertise on a given topic into a helpful marketing plan that benefits your visitor and yourself. Use your expertise to help out your visitors. You'll find that this will go a long way. You'll have visitors coming back to your blog for information, over and over again.
4. Allows you to add content to your website
Many people ask me... How do I get found in Google for "such and such phrases". Well, there's no easy asnwer to this question. The first thing I tell them is "content". I simply reply, "Do you have these such and such phrases on your website?" Usually the answer is, "No" or "Yes, on this page I have such and such phrases".
If you already have the phrases on your website, that's great! But if you're not ranking well for them, this may be a sign that you need to talk about the topic a little more.
You might as well accomplish this with your blog.
What is a VLOG?
Vlog is short for video blog. Video blogging, sometimes shortened to vlogging is a form of blogging for which the medium is video. Entries are made regularly and often combine embedded video or a video link with supporting text, images, and other metadata. (Definition taken from Wikipedia).
Should I VLOG?
Vlogging is a great way to get your message across to your visitors through a very simple medium. Instead of reading text, all your visitor has to do is click the "Play" button on the screen.
Vlogging also emits a lot more emotion when compared to standard blogging. When you blog you are able to show your emotions through written text and standard emoticons like: :) :( :| ;). On the other hand, when you vlog, you are able to show your audience your emotion: smiles, laughter, tears, sadness ... This all comes across through video.