Thoughts on Blogging

I think that blogging has evolved drastically in many ways over the last couple of years. I began my first blog when I was 17, almost 5 years ago. For me it was a way to log what I was writing and never having to worry about losing it. I would just write anything usually. How my day went. What I was thinking at the time. Things that got on my nerves. Anything really. Now, I have my own website and blog that has a bit of a following. I use my blog not just to talk about what I am thinking but to use as a medium to promote things that I believe in. When people started responding and commenting on the things I was writing, I started to realize that this blog and website wasn't just for my own good: people were actually checking it on a daily basis. Once I realized my audience, I knew I could use it as a tool to spread ideals and opinions that I hoped others would share with me. Specifically I was a firm advocate of Barack Obama in the last year or so. I would use my website to support his campaign in any way that I could. Would Barack Obama have been elected had I not supported him through my blog/website? I guess we'll never know.

I think blogs have a very powerful command over people. Just today I was reading online (probably a blog) that the gossip website PerezHilton.com was rated the most viewed blog in the world by people. His website, for what it is worth, influences media and marketing in many ways. This website generates nearly 10,000,000 hits per month. When Perez Hilton posts a blog about an artist no one has heard of, it is obvious to see the direct impact when the artist's sales dramatically increase. People look to these types of blogs to stay current and know what's new.