Several clients and colleagues have casually mentioned that they have been thinking about getting started with blogging. It goes something like this: “My site has been up for [blank] years and it’s doing pretty well, but I need to introduce something new for my customers. You know, add interest, build some excitement. I’m thinking about a blog. What would it take to get one started?”

Often these are people who have heard of blogging but have never actually visited a blog. Or commented on one. Blogging has become a biz concept they’ve heard about and decided they ought to implement with no understanding of what blogging is. They’re wondering: is it some kind of chat room or discussion list, or website or what??!?

My belief is that you should first read a log of different blogs AND wade in there and leave some comments, so that you begin to see how blogging is structured. You’ll then begin to get a feel for this phenomenon as a networking/communication vehicle, all of which helps to you to pinpoint what sort of blog your customers will find interesting AND which you will feel comfortable steering.

I am far from expert (ahem), but have recently been searching for analogies that would help the uninitiated “get” what blogging is all about. Then today I read Darren Rowse’s post “7 Reasons Why Personal Blogs Rock.”

Well, that’s it! Just start a free personal blog (in addition to reading and commenting on other’s blogs) on some topic in which you are interested and knowledgeable, and in no time you’ll get a feel for it. You don’t need me or anyone else to describe blogging (poorly, in my case!), or run along beside you shouting encouragement, when you can experience it in minutes yourself. Just like riding a bike (or for some, a tricycle)!