Blog writer Jorn Barger coined the term "weblog" in 1997 to describe the personal pages or "online diaries" that sprung up after the advent of the World Wide Web. Although these weblogs (later contracted to "blog") have existed since the beginning of the Internet, they experienced an explosion of popularity in the early 2000s, where you could find a blog for nearly any topic. These blogs generated traffic, which could then be monetized through ads.
But lately, we keep hearing about how "the blog is dead". Is this really the case? A quick look at some statistics shows that there are still over 600 million live blogs in 2022. In fact, one-third of all web pages are blogs. It's clear that blogs are still alive and kicking. However, their purpose and value have gone through an evolution.
The Metamorphosis Of The Blog
In the early days, people used blogs primarily to share their thoughts and feelings on a given topic. It was a way to connect with others who had shared interests. It was a very personal experience. But in 2022, you might have difficulty finding someone in your social circle who admits to regularly reading a personal blog. The rise of social media, particularly Twitter, seemed to sound the demise for personal blogging. People could reach and influence millions with a simple 140-character tweet. So, it might come as a surprise to learn that 7 million blog posts are still published per day. Where are all these blogs?
While personal blogging may have taken a back seat, the commercial world has taken up the mantle. 80% of companies now have a corporate blog, and business blogging has become one of the most effective content marketing tools around. These blogs are not just about generating traffic, they're also about creating valuable content that will be useful to their target market. The business world has kept the blogging industry very much alive, and there are some key reasons why.
The Value Of Blogs
In a world of social media marketing, why do businesses bother with a blog? While social media can be a powerful marketing tool, it's also a very noisy environment. The average person is bombarded with between 6,000 to 10,000 ads every single day, many of them via social media. But people still crave connection and authenticity. The rise of social media has actually been a boon for blogging, as it's led to a renewed interest in quality, well-informed content.
According to a recent study, businesses that maintain blogs generate 67% more monthly leads than those that don't. Additionally, companies that blog receive 97% more inbound links. It's not hard to see why — people are searching for insightful articles on subjects they care about, and they're turning to blogs to find this content. A well-written blog post can establish your business as a thought leader in your industry, and that's a valuable commodity.
Blogs are a way to humanize your brand. In a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages, blogs put a human face to your marketing strategy. They are the voice of your business and offer a chance to build your brand personality.
By offering helpful, informative content, you can establish trust and credibility with your readers. It’s an excellent foundation upon which to develop relationships with your customers. Over time, these readers will come to see you as an authority in your field, meaning they'll be more likely to do business with you when they're ready to buy.