'Blogging in 2020'

"Is blogging still a thing?" my girlfriend questions when I tell her I'm going to create one for the next 12 weeks. I asked myself the same the question. When I think back to my first experience with blogs I was in Primary school. I attended a tiny school with roughly 32 pupils, but we had 5 computers in the teacher's room. Big, square, noisy things with wires everywhere and worn lettering on some of the keys, but we were lucky to have them. Most of the parents didn't own computers at the time, at least mine didn't in 2000. We learned to use the internet and of course Paint. We kept a blog and would contribute to it maybe once a month or so like a diary. I don’t know how to find these forgotten relics on the net and frankly I don't want to. Cringe.

https://unsplash.com/photos/Zd6PL6PSW5E

Technology has exponentially changed our way of life since then. It has advanced not only our education and business dramatically, but our free time as well and if not most of all. When I compare the then to now, it’s chalk and cheese. Nowadays our phones are more capable than the PC’s I first used 20 years ago. So how has blogging evolved over the same period?

I thought that the social media revolution had replaced the traditional blog. For example, Facebook, Instagram and even YouTube’s ‘Vlogging’ gaining evermore views, followers and influence. With smart phone’s cameras recording and editing software at such a high level, it’s now easier than ever to unload a photo/video or a ‘story’ to the internet. It’s a trend that is growing for sure, but it is still a trend and they can change.  

https://www.pickpik.com/mobile-smartphone-music-festival-technology-phone-76015

Blogging isn't limited like these other platforms, take for example character limits. The information shared on a blog is fully owned, controlled and edited by a blogger or buiness. Blogs are versitle and can weave different media throughout. It offers a platform for social sharing and engagement. 'Connecting with the world by telling compelling, meaningful stories that spark thoughtful conversations and dialogue.' This is why we see the biggest buiness' in the world still use blogs today. Like 'Coca-Cola Unbottled' and 'Disney' to name a few. 

Blogging in 2020 is still a must have for the modern-day business. Blogging has become an important tool for digital content marketing. Not only because it’s a platform to share information, but a tool to collect data on your audience and their needs. Leveraging all paid,owned and earned media. When applied correctly with a strategy tailored to your target audience, a blog could be marketeers’ best friend.

There is blog for everything and everyone. Not only are they "still a thing". They are more relevant, accessible, and smarter than ever. 

So, what do you think? What does blogging mean to you in 2020? And where do you think it can go? Will other platforms absorb traditional blogging? Or will they continue to be 'a compliment' to a bigger picture? And finally, which blogs are you reading in 2020?

     References

COCA COLA, CC 2012. Coca Cola Unbottled blog! [Online] Atlanta, GA https://cocacolaunited.com/blog/2012/09/28/coca-cola-unbottled-blog/ [Accessed 25/04/2020]

MARK SCHAEFER, MS 2015. The Top 10 big company blogs in the world [Online] Available at https://businessesgrow.com/2015/01/12/best-company-blogs/ [Accessed 25/04/2020]