What is a Blog…and How is Blogging Different from Article Writing?
September 21, 2009 by Deb Ng
Filed under Freelance Writing Business, Web Content
When friends or neighbors ask about what I do they’ll often ask, “what is a blog?”This isn’t always easy to explain because some folks think I’m talking about article writing when I’m referring to blogging.
The line between blogging and article writing has gotten a little blurry over the past few years. Now with so many people looking to cash in on the web content writing craze or build online communities, they’re placing ads for bloggers without even knowing the difference.
What is a blog?
Blog is short for “weblog.” The first blogs were lists of links shared on a personal website. Soon they evolved into personal journals. Nowadays there are still many personal blogs, but professional bloggers do more than share personal thoughts. They teach and encourage. A blog is also an effective marketing tool.
A blog is a series of chronologically written posts, usually the newest first. Blog posts are written in a casual tone geared towards creating a discussion around the topic. Most blogs are made up of personal commentary and opinion, so they’re generally one-sided. Comments are encouraged on blogs, the more the merrier. Because so many content purveyors are hiring bloggers, they’re not necessarily personal anymore. Many blogs are started to create brand awareness or build up community around a product or service. The people who hire bloggers generally prefer a blogger’s casual tone to more antisceptic copy. Blogs are only web-based.
How is blogging different from article writing?
An article is based on fact rather than opinion. There’s no room for personal commentary on an article, instead the writer is to present all sides of a story. Articles are more authoritative but they’re not personal. While While bloggers write within their realm of expertise, articles tend to be more heavily researched. Article writers interview expert sources and read books and magazines to present the facts. Articles are also more heavily edited and the tone isn’t so casual. Articles aren’t only web-based, they’re also found in newspapers, magazines, newsletters and more. Many web based articles also allow commenting and discussion.
What are some of the differences you see between blog posts and articles?
Check out Blogging for a Living for tips for becoming a successful professional blogger. We took a brief hiatus but are returning shortly to discuss setting up and creating a blog, choosing a niche, and generally making a living as a blogger.
But what about feature article? I believe there is some room for personal opinion in this kind of writing. CMIIW.
I sometimes think it’s easier to get readers to respond to blog posts, because it is so personal. Sometimes I feel people feel more comfortable in sharing their own thoughts through blogging. Whereas articles, some may feel a little intimidated (maybe)
I write articles. And of course I’m not to write in second person. Also, as I do write from a place of expertise, (Dolls) I aim to make the article engaging as I can. I love writing the articles on dolls and I have fun with it, offering people room to share their thoughts. I’m trying to convey that their thoughts and opinions are just as important as the factual information that is written in the article. But the articles seem to push me to be thorough, well versed, and an expert source of the subject matters of which I’m writing about. So there is a great level of seriousness needed at all times — I think. That’s not to say bloggers are not serious. There is just some flexibility there. I’m a new freelance writer,so I think I’m still discovering methods of communicating in different ways.
Great article! I have found that posts and articles do not differ that much anymore. Namely web based articles are close to normal posts because of the ease of comments. Even the tone in articles is less formal now than before. In my opinion it is not needed any more to categorize articles and posts. Maybe we should just talk about writings or something similar.