If you’re new to blogging, don’t know how to explain what a blog is to your Aunt in Timbuktu or you just simply want people to understand why you have a blog and how it works - then this video from Common Crafts will help tremendously to explain it in plain English.

After viewing the video, if further explanation is needed, then perhaps the WordPress Codex can likely help you - likewise in plain old English - where WP give their rendering of what a blog is and how to use one.

“Blog” is an abbreviated version of “weblog,” which is a term used to describe web sites that maintain an ongoing chronicle of information. A blog is a frequently updated, personal website featuring diary-type commentary and links to articles on other Web sites. Blogs range from the personal to the political, and can focus on one narrow subject or a whole range of subjects.

Everyone and their dog has a blog these days from heads of state to celebrities to just ordinary folks, so why not you. Join in with your 2 cents worth and set up a blog.

I’ve had tons to do lately and not too much time for this blog. But I just wanted to tell everyone about Comment Luv, which is a brilliant WordPress plugin that I just came across. The plugin has just been updated as of 27 November 2007, which is handy for those wanting to download it.

As all you bloggers out there will know - comments are wonderful and to receive on your blog is even better - I’m not really getting many comments - except for the spammy, automated type which no one in their right mind wants. Anyway, if you’ve read our Policies you’ll see that we use the dofollow plugin well we have for ages, which is one good way to reward - but the makers of Comment Luv have taken things a step further.

Interesting, useful, topic related comments are always welcome and will be rewarded by way of getting a link to their last blog post under their comment. CommentLuv does this automatically! It’s ingenious and an excellent way to promote comments from your readers.

We’d love to hear your views - drop by with a topic related comment and get more exposure for your site.

Jordan Glogau, founder of Haiku Marketing, is the instructor for a course taking place at New York University, that teaches the relationship between search engine optimization (SEO) and what makes successful websites show up at the top of search engine lists. This course seemingly helps the student to choose the best keywords, generate correct titles and Meta tags, and improve search engine rank for your website.

Website developers, online marketers, content managers and company owners trying to make their sites more visible to a search engine will benefit from this class. Being on top matters, especially when it comes to search engine listings. Being found for specific keywords that are pertinent to the company’s business is essential in today’s Internet driven marketplace.

Students are encouraged to take their own laptops with them to work on their own sites - plus $195 fee for the course. Starts 1 December and ends the 8.

News source PRWeb

The continuing story…… they’ve been at it again has Google - bless their cotton socks. Well, it’s happened, after all the mumblings and rumblings - they did it.

They’ve gone and downgraded the visible PageRank on all the PayPerPost “postie” blogs right down to zero.

Here’s a snippet of how Ted Murphy of PayPerPost sees things:

Last night Google decided to go after some of the bloggers in our network, reducing their PR from whatever they previously had to zero. Once again Google has proved that PR has little to do with blog traffic, influence or relevance and everything to defending their monopolistic stranglehold on search and online advertising.

It is no coincidence that Google has gone after some blogs that utilize PayPerPost and many of our competitors services. We offer a very attractive alternative to AdSense and are leading a charge to provide real monetization for everyday bloggers. Unlike the Google AdSense black box, we are palms up when it comes to revenue share and give bloggers the lions share of advertising dollars that they deserve.

Read Ted’s post: Google Goes after the Everyday Blogger - http://community.izea.com/blog/2007/11/google-goes-aft.html

While there doesn’t seem to be any point in trying to argue with the seemingly powerful Google, it might be the right time to do some studying on Google’s webmaster guidelines. Read ‘em, read ‘em and read ‘em again.

As far as I see it - this is yet another reminder (how many do we need) that it makes sense to diversify, the consequences are - lose. Back to basics - don’t put all the earning eggs in one basket. Diversification is the only way forward. Don’t try to get all your online income from one product, program, affiliate network, website, source, niche, or even one marketing method.

As well as being descriptive, images can make your posts come alive and look more appealing. Some say that images enhance your blog for better reading and can improve your traffic.

Where to find Images online

There are several websites that provide royalty free images and photo’s that you can use - (read their terms of service before use). Here are a few of them:

• stock.xchng
• FotoSearch
• FreePhotosBank
• Yotophoto
• FreeImages.co.uk
• iStockphoto
• Big Stock Photo
• Stock Xpert
• Free Digital Photos

This is just a very small portion of what’s out there, but as you can see tons of great places for images to bring life to your blog or website.

Brian Clark over at Copyblogger has released the “Make Money Online Report”. A free 24 page report of must have information for bloggers. Essential and very compelling reading, written only as Brian can. You’re definitely going to want to read it. Download it at Copyblogger.