So you’ve finally decided to join the blogging world, huh? Before you jump into writing, you need to define what your blog type is. Blogs come in many shapes and sizes; sometimes it’s okay to have a blog that blends between the types. Blogging is a relatively new trend and is only becoming easier to do with time. Starting a blog is not the rare occasion it used to be anymore due to its simplicity.
What makes blogs a big hit is that you can create a blog for free with WordPress and regularly post using only an internet connection. Today there is a blog for almost every niche possible, from different types of counseling or recipes to cars or books. Let’s go through the different blog types out there and how to make your blog stand out from the others.
- Journal Entry
Let’s start with the oldest type of blogging we know, journal blogging which is like an online diary. What’s great about this type is that you’re not tied to a set of rules or a specific niche. Bloggers with a journal blog use it to share their thoughts or daily routines with an audience. They usually use a narrating voice to grab readers’ attention and use a story-like format so your readers would want to come back and read more.
You can focus on a hobby, your job, family or whatever you like. Having your blog stand out would require regular posting, at least once a week and most importantly, strong content. Another trick you can try is looking into other journal blogs and building good relations with other bloggers.
With a journal blog, the pages are blank and unlimited; all you need to do is write.
- Business Blog
This blog may be the most well-known blog type for its accelerated growth online. A business blog can either be for a company you work for or your own business. The goal of this blog is to draw attention to your business by increasing website traffic.
This blog is one of their main online marketing tools so the content needs to be spot on and everything posted will lead back to the blogger’s business. For example, if it’s a blog for a shipping business, the blog posts will vary from topics like packages, stamps, and mail, keeping it focused and related to the businesses core value.
- Niche Blog
Niche blogs are plenty! They are focused on one specific niche which means research would be easier but finding new topics may be hard. The niche idea can be anything; it can vary from blogs about cheese, book lovers, or even nails, yes, just nails. Some writers use this to brand themselves and set the stage for their writing and get readers.
Most niche blogs are a side business besides your jobs because they’re stuffed with affiliate links and advertisements. In order for your blog to stand out, you need to pick an idea you’re passionate about and know you can write good content for.
- Professional Blog
Bloggers with professional blogs usually focus on one subject – like a niche – but make money through their online work mostly and subscribers, not through sales or advertisements. For a professional blogger, their blog is the foundation of their business, unlike the business blog where it’s just a tool. Professional bloggers are based online and don’t have a company or office.
These blogs vary from subjects like consulting, counseling, finance, life coaching, courses, e-books and others. They build their business on the size of their audience which is why their content has to be great. For them, it’s everything their business has to offer.
- Freelancer Blog
Freelance bloggers set up their blogs to present their services for hiring. Mostly, freelance writers use this method while posting their writing samples to draw in clients that need content for their websites.
They can either specialize in one area or write on general topics. With enough clients, freelancers can use their online writing as a sole resource for earning.
- Guest host Blog
This is the trendiest blog type out there so far because it features a blend of bloggers in one blog. Usually, the owners of the blog can start slow with a few topics but most of the posts are from guest writers collaborating together.
This is a great way to check out other bloggers, their styles and also gain readers for your personal blog.
- Promotional Blog
This blog type is used to promote and sell your product or other products. Writers that try to promote their book usually use this method by posting on guest host blogs; they may not even have their own blogs.
Other bloggers create an online market where they review different products, nothing specific to gain money through the affiliate links. A promotional blogger’s main purpose is to gain money by selling.
Now that you know all the blog types out there, you should have a better idea on what kind of blogger you want to be. Most importantly, before starting a blog or settling on a blog type, you need to do your market research and have in mind a target audience. Once you’re all set, you’re ready to take your spot in the blogosphere!