I've been asked more than once what the difference is between a weblog (blog) and a forum or message board. Lee Lefever of Common Craft has done a nice job of outlining the differences, so let me defer to his answer.

The essential difference is that blogs focus more on the individual's thoughts, ideas, and feelings, while forums focus more on the group. Forums are dependent on group interaction, while blogs are more individualistic in expression.

I think I've talked all around this question, but have never come right out and answered it. The best answer I've seen comes from CorporateBlogging.Info. Not being one to recreate the wheel, I'll refer you to their answer. It's very thoughtful and comprehensive.

The author, Fredrik Wackå, asserts that blogs are no different from channels like video, print, audio, presentations and so on. They all deliver results - but of varying kinds. The kind you can expect from blogs? Stronger relationships with important target groups. Blogs are all about niches. Though the audience may be small, they are very laser-focused. With blogs, it's not the size of the audience, but the influence.

Ric Bruner of Business Blog Consulting has started a category reviewing various blog platforms. If you're just getting started with blogging or you're considering moving your blog to another platform, give this section a look-see.

FYI - I'm also going to be addressing this issue in more detail in future posts.

Some time ago I ranted about the term "blog," even suggesting it should be replaced by something more "palatable" from a marketing POV. I was roundly trounced for the suggestion, and determined the reasonable course of action was to just shut up about it and accept that the term was too much a part of pop culture nomenclature to be fooled with.

Having said that, I came across a press release about a survey conducted by Debbie Weil, one particular paragraph of which caught my eye. Here's what it said. . .

Other questions in the survey revealed that 82% of respondents did, in fact, know what a blog was, while 2.9% had no idea. 44.7% thought the word “blog” was descriptive. 33% feel the term is just plain silly and 22.3% said the word is “ugly.”

Now that I feel at least somewhat self-justified, let me add that the survey also indicated that "marketers see blogging as more than just a current fad. 63.8% percent of readers surveyed felt that blogging was here to stay, while only 8.5% percent believe it’s just a passing trend."

So, not only is the term "blog" here to stay. It looks as if most people believe the technology is as well!

One site I refer bloggers to frequently, especially fledgling bloggers, is Weblogs.About.com. My friend Shai Coggins is the guide for this site, which provides a wealth of comprehensive information about blogs and blogging.

For the blogging newbie there is a section called Web Logs Basics, a blogging FAQ section, and several how-tos/tutorials covering a range of topics including how to set up a blog using any one of the popular platforms (Typepad, LiveJournal, WordPress, etc.), how to add a counter to your blog, or how to add commenting and trackback functions.

Shai provides enough basic and how-to information that I shouldn't have to write anything along those lines! :-) I'll just refer to her.

Oh, I really encourage you to join the forums and participate in the ongoing discussion thread.

I had an email conversation with Anita Campbell, co-editor of the Small Business Trends blog. She had some good advice for me, which I think is worth your reading. Here is some of what Anita had to say about small businesses and blogs. . .

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Why hasn't someone written a "dummies" book for blogging yet?

The media spectacle known as Rathergate has proven to be much bigger than anyone might have imagined in terms of the prominence it has given bloggers. And not just to certain bloggers either, but blogging as a whole.

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A recent article by USA Today columnist and president of PlanningShop.com Rhonda Abrams gives some excellent insights as to why and how small businesses can use blogs. If you're thinking about it, you really should read this article.

Regardless of your personal feeling about Rathergate, one thing has been proven conclusively, blogging is a powerful medium for instigating change. No better case study can be found than that of the debacle surrounding CBS, Dan Rather, and the forged documents. It's CBS vs. the Blogosphere.

An article by Orlando Sentinel columnist Kathleen Parker says that the "CBS mess variously known as ''Forgerygate'' or ''Rathergate'' is by any other name a seminal moment in the blogosphere that holds promise not only for revolutionizing journalism, but also perhaps for problem-solving on a global scale."

Had it not been for blogs this story might have died a premature death. Certainly the mainstream media would not have pursued it. Thanks to the energetic efforts of bloggers the truth was told, and that is always a good thing, no matter which side of the political fence might be affected positively or adversely.

Here's the punch line: If blogs can be effective vehicles for communication and change on the socio-political front, just think what possibilites they may hold for small businesses. Isn't it time you found out?

All Hail the Power of the Blog!!!

PS: The blogosphere is a sometimes quirky place. I don't know which has created more buzz lately, the CBS debacle or the Kryptonite lock fiasco! :-)