Autoblogging: The Essence of the Internet

The controversy grows over autoblogging. People have valid reasons to be against it every bit as much as others have valid reasons to be for it. The fact of the matter is that autoblogging is at the very heart of what the internet is all about in the first place.

It's just that some autoblogging practices are manipulative and not in tune with the best interests of the internet community. For instance, some autoblogs extract content from sources all across the internet and just happen to leave out critical information like giving credit to the author. If there's one thing in particular that annoys a writer like me, it's when someone uses my material without my permission and passes it off as their own work. I don't mind sharing my information. Just make sure to let people know who originally wrote it.

What I find equally annoying is the autoblog that only posts a small portion of the content it promises. If I do a search and find something I want to read, I would like to read it there at the link produced by the search. I don't want to have to chase an article down to yet another site, simply because I was given an excerpt and told to follow a link to read more about it. This can get tedious if each source I am going through is participating in the same practice. I have literally had to chase down an article through five sources. By then, I forgot what I was originally trying to find and gave up altogether.

So, there are some autoblogging practices that go against an invisible ethical barrier that the internet community as a whole has looked down upon from day one. Yet, autoblogging is not itself evil. Autoblogers have options, but autoblogging offers a very valuable purpose to the internet.

When I write an article and publish it on one of my sites, I'd like to reach as wide of an audience as I can. But, my sites might only provide me with a limited reach. I would love to extend my reach as far as it can go.

So, I syndicate my articles so that anyone who wants to use my material can publish it on their websites, in their ezines, in their newsletters and everywhere else they can find them useful. If they have a thousand readers, I've just increased my reach. If I get syndicated a handful of times, my reach multiplies and readers I may never have the opportunity to reach are reading my work.

Syndication is like magic to me and I love that kind of magic. My work multiplies across the internet and quite frankly, I don't care if some autoblogger is pulling my articles in with an automatic plugin that allows him to walk away from his computer while it does the work for him. My article is being distributed. It's reaching more readers. I don't care if it's automated as long as it's working.

Equally true is what I do sometimes with blogs of my own. I don't always have time to populate them with my own articles. Sometimes, pulling content in with a plugin that automates the process is invaluable to me. Certain websites I have put together stay populated with fresh content. Writers I host on my sites reach readers they may never have had the opportunity to reach. Everyone's happy. No one is the victim.

The only way this system can work is if we allow our content to be syndicated. That is, we are giving others permission to use our content. The only condition is that they leave the byline intact. They must give us credit for our work. I don't have a problem with others sharing my work and they certainly don't have a problem with me sharing theirs.

The internet was originally created to accomplish that very purpose. Its main purpose is to share information. Of course, we've added other uses. We've added the ability to build online businesses. We've added entertainment and we've added a way to stay connected with friends and family who might be thousands of miles away. But, the main purpose of the internet is still in full force. We are sharing information. Autoblogging offers many of us a way to do just that! It's just automatic and if done right, completely hands free.

Michael Allen is an online business consultant, the author of A Danger to Society, he provides solid traffic driving and sale converting techniques to small and online businesses. To read more about Michael Allen and learn some great online business strategies, visit his website and get up to date information about what is making the online business world spin. To learn how to completely start, run and make an income online, enjoy the many tools and read his step by step DIYs at Michael Allen Online.

10 Things a Blog Will Do For Your Internet Business

When a static site goes up, it may attract search engine interest initially. But unless you change content on it frequently, it will grow "stale." A blog complements the goals of website owners who are best served by a static website. Professionals in the medical field, contractors, and service providers often fall into this group. It's okay to build a static site, but you need to think of ways to keep your message fresh.

1) A blog adds the new content search engines like.

Search engines thrive on unique, original content, and blogs are the easiest way to add content to your site without having to know anything about html. Plug-ins like WordPress simplify the process of adding content to your site. All you need to learn is how to use the blog interface. Coding occurs in the background.

2) Each blog post affects the accumulated PageRank of your website.

The Google algorithm may increase your PageRank as you add pages to your website, or it may decrease PageRank. The way a blog prevents this is simple. It encourages backlinks to your site. It is also an opportunity for you to link to specific pages in your website that offer the service or product discussed in your blog. Those internal links are also helpful for PageRank.

3) Your blogs expand your ability to target keywords naturally.

A blog title can target specific long-tail keyword phrases. You can only focus on a few keywords on each page of your website. You don't face this limitation as you add blogs.

4) Your blog establishes you as a unique voice within your niche.

Your blog helps you establish brand. Every one of us has a unique way of approaching the world. Having a blog is an opportunity to present a unique understanding of your particular niche.

5) Your blog can position you as an industry expert.

It can take time, but blogging within your industry or niche is a powerful tool in positioning yourself as someone who truly understands your field. Not only can a blog establish you as a unique voice. It can establish you as one of the leading experts in your field.

6) Blog posts may appear in search results.

Because your blog titles may match a search very closely, your blogs may appear in search results. If your post delivers on what the title promised, you may develop a loyal following. You may also bring prospects into your sales funnel.

7) Blogs can compete with article marketing.

Many article sites require a minimum of 400 words. Your blog can be far shorter and still act as a marketing tool.

Your blog gives you a place where you can publish brief announcements about different things going on with your business. You aren't limited by Twitter's 140 character limit, though you can tweet your post using Twitters url shortener. But you aren't facing 400 words either.

8) Blogs can be leveraged in social media.

Twitter has become its own search engine, so tweet your blog using the hashtag symbol # followed by keywords. For example, if your blog is on SEO, use #SEO in your tweet.

You can also use your blog to grow your social media connections through invitations to follow your business on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

9) Blogs build community.

Because a blog is often niche oriented, adding a business blog where you engage with existing and potential customers builds relationships. People feel like they are getting to know you, even if they know they will never meet you in person.

If your blog also engages fellow experts in your genre, it accomplishes several goals at once. It helps to build connections. It confirms your expertise within your genre. And it creates the opportunity for you to learn things you've overlooked.

A blog is a virtual networking opportunity. That's another opportunity to strengthen and grow your business.

10) A blog that starts attracting a lot of traffic could become a source of income.

Google AdWords is a common option. You've probably seen Google ads at the top of some blogs you have visited. As long as these aren't placed where they become an irritating obstruction to reading your blog, they can bring passive income into your business.

PayPerPost (PPP) is another type of blog marketing strategy where you can register your blog, letting advertisers know you are interested in writing posts for that genre. The advertiser and you negotiate a price and then you submit your blog posts to the advertiser. Payment is handled via PayPal.