.blog offers domains and services for all types of bloggers and users, from individual bloggers like Tim Ferris to big businesses, like Amazon. Many of these users often choose to purchase premium domains for their online digital identity. Premium domain names use highly recognizable keywords for better branding and marketability, are shorter in length, and stand out above others in the growing list of domain names. 

Why a Premium Domain?

First and foremost, premium domain names are shorter and much more memorable. These high-quality domains offer opportunities for brand building [link], are easier to market and are typically composed of target words which can result in better search engine optimization (SEO).

Who Buys Premium Domains

Digital Asset Investor

The digital asset investor gravitates toward premium domains because they are interested in well-priced, low renewal cost domains. This buyer is seeking opportunities to flip the domain for a quick and easy profit. Typically, these investors are interested in domains with large market opportunities, such as those with keywords and phrases relevant to the domain extension and search engines. Examples of the domains this type of buyer is interested in are insurance.blog, health.blog, travel.blog, bobs.blog.

Recent decreases in carrying costs combined with extremely high and untapped premium word inventory paves the way for savvy investors to purchase and hold these valuable domain names. Since domains first appeared, investors have been taking advantage of this valuable investment and there is no end in sight.

Single End User

Unlike an investor, this buyer is typically making a one-off purchase rather than buying multiple domain names. Their premium domain purchase is often tied to an emotional or sentimental meaning behind a name, such as our.blog or `family name`.blog.

This buyer is looking to carve a space for themselves online and wants a name that perfectly reflects them and their blog. The premium domains they choose speak directly to their online personality and presence. They are relevant and easy to remember and share.

Corporate End User

For the corporate end user, the purchase of premium domains is generally based on possible return on investment (ROI). Many high-end companies (e.g., Nike, Amazon, Calvin Klein, Chevrolet, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Visa, etc.) also purchase these domain names to protect their brand and prevent others from obtaining domains using their brand name. Unlike the buyer who is guided by emotions, these purchasers choose a domain based on facts, like search volume, relevance to their brand or product, possible SEO values, and overall marketability.

Corporate end users typically have large budgets, longer sales cycles, and there is more red tape involved. Through their purchase of these top-tier .blog domains, they help their customers and anyone involved in their brand stays better connected to their base. In addition to securing their brand name, they may choose to capitalize on generic keywords (e.g., health, travel, cooking, sex) in a reputable extension that is not clogged with overexposure and spam.

Premium Domains, Premium Experience

There are many reasons one might want to invest in a premium domain for their business or brand. From a savvy investment to an emotional connection to a name to a well-planned business decision, a wide range of people benefit from premium domains. Learn more about available premium domains and how you can purchase a premium .blog domain to advance your goals.

Blogs are everywhere. People turn to them for news, inspiration, travel guides, cookbooks, and anything else you can imagine. Even though there are millions of blogs, there’s always room for new bloggers. Everyone has a unique experience, expertise, and energy, and every new blogger adds positively to the blogosphere. 

No matter what stage you’re at as a blogger, we’re here to support you along the way, and .blog has the resources you need. Have you been thinking about starting a blog but waiting for a sign? If so, this is your sign, and this article is for you!

Before You Start

Just thinking about starting a blog? You’re in the right place. Part of building a successful blog is planning ahead. These articles can help answer some of your questions and guide your planning process:

6 Questions Every New Blogger Asks

How do I start a blog? What should I write about? What tools do I need to be a blogger? All beginning bloggers have questions, and this article answers 6 of the most common ones.

How to Choose the Best Blogging Platform for Your Needs

Before you can even start writing, you need a blogging platform. Choosing one can be intimidating, but this article walks you through questions that will help you choose the best place for your blog.

5 Tips for Selecting the Best Domain Name for your Blog

Do you already have a dream domain name in mind? If so, great–read this article to get confirmation that you’ve chosen the right one. If not, no worries–this article will give you the tips and confidence you need to select the best domain name for your blog.

Building Your Blog

Now that you’ve taken the leap into the blogging world, you’re probably working through the details of building a successful blog. These articles guide you through some of the logistical steps of getting going:

How to Start a Blog in 5 Simple Steps

You’re ready to dive in–fantastic! But what next? This article helps you get started in 5 simple steps. You’ll be blogging in no time.

5 Tips to be a Successful Blogger

Who doesn’t want success? Even if you aren’t looking to make a living with your blog, this article will teach you everything you need to know to get the best start.

7 Secrets to Building a Successful Blog

The last article had 5 tips; this one has 7 secrets–shh! This information is for dotbloggers only. We kid, but check out this article to learn the keys to blogging success.

How to Start a Photo Blog: A Quick Guide for Beginners

This article is dedicated to beginning a photo blog, but it can be tailored to any niche. If you have a photo blog, you can’t miss this one, but even if you don’t, the tips are still relevant.

Looking for More Inspiration

We get it: sometimes you need a reminder of why you started in the first place or evidence of why you should. These articles detail why building a blog is worth it:

Why It’s Worth Starting a Blog in 2022

We obviously think blogging is worth it, but don’t just take it from us. This article gives all the evidence you need to jump in.

6 Reasons Why You Should Start Blogging This Year

Answering the question, “should I start a blog?” This article outlines six reasons why blogging can positively add to your life.

You Are A Blogger

Blogging is for everyone. Whether you’re looking to make a career of it, building a blog to support your business, or are simply blogging as a hobby, you can learn how to build a successful blog at .blog. Our commitment to bloggers is ongoing, and we’re always adding new articles to support your success. We can’t wait to see where your blogging journey leads.

Did you know there’s a whole day dedicated to celebrating blogs and the bloggers behind them? Since the early 2000s, August 31st has been known as World Blog Day. Naturally, we’re excited to mark this holiday!

What are blogs?

If you’re here, you probably already know the answer to this question, but you might not know about the history of blogging.

In 1994, Justin Hall, a Swarthmore College undergraduate, created links.net and began using it as a diary. He pioneered the practice of documenting thoughts and sharing personal insights online, so he’s often credited with being the world’s first blogger. 

Despite its growing popularity, the word “blog” didn’t come about for a few more years. Jorn Barger described his website “log” as a “weblog” in 1997, and the term was eventually truncated to just “blog” and used as both a noun and a verb.

WordPress launched in 2003, providing an accessible platform for bloggers, and things continued to evolve from there. Sites like Huffington Post and Buzzfeed blurred the line between blogging and journalism, and throughout the early 2000s, blogging continued to gain popularity worldwide.

In 2015, the .blog domain was added, helping bloggers expand their reach and better cater to their target audiences. 

There are now over 600 million blogs online, and millions of new posts are published every day.

Why are they worth celebrating?

Blogs are an exciting, accessible, and noteworthy way to share and receive information. Because anyone can become a blogger, they’re diverse and varied, and they cover a whole host of incredible topics. 

Want to learn something new? You can learn it on a blog!

With so many different topics and styles, there’s a blog out there for everyone. Bloggers pour their time, energy, and hearts into creating desirable content and maintaining their sites, and we think that’s worth celebrating.

How can you celebrate?

1. Have a blogging party

Need an excuse to throw a party? Have one for World Blog Day! Hosting a blogging event, either virtually or in person, is a great way to network, promote your brand, and celebrate. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; you can invite people to join you on social media, host a giveaway, or give out branded swag.

2. Blog about it

Why not celebrate the day dedicated to blogging by writing a blog post? Schedule a special post educating people about the history of blogging or, better yet, outline the history of blogging in your particular niche.

3. Network with other bloggers

Use this day as an opportunity to get to know others in your field. See if any organizations in your niche are hosting events or contact a fellow blogger about guest posting.

4. Try something new

World Blog Day could be your chance to try something new, like adding a new feature to your blog. 

Do you already have a content calendar? If not, look for a free template to bring more organization and planning to your blog. What about video? Have you tried adding this trendy media to your site? If not, let World Blog Day inspire you to give it a try! 

If you need more ideas, check out our post on the latest blogging trends [link to blog trends article]. We’re always working to keep you up to date so your blog remains on the cutting edge.

5. Start a blog

Have you been thinking about starting a blog but haven’t yet? What better day to jump in! The blogging community is a wonderful place, and we’re always here to support you.

Happy World Blog Day

Since their very first appearance almost 30 years ago, blogs have exploded. They’ve grown and evolved from simple online diaries to incredible sources of information and entertainment. We’re thrilled to be part of the blogging community and share its rich history. 

For World Blog Day, we’re celebrating all bloggers and encouraging you to find a fun way to mark this special holiday.

Blogging is critical to a strong business marketing strategy, but what about your personal brand? A blog is one of the best ways to solidify your online presence and build positive awareness. Let’s look at what a personal brand is, why it matters, and how blogging can help build yours.

What is a personal brand?

A personal brand answers the following questions:

• What makes you special?
• What is your niche? 
• What are you known for? 
• Are you a thought leader in a particular field? 

Let’s tease apart a few brand-related terms: 

Your personal brand demonstrates your mission, values, and voice. 

Your brand identity communicates your brand. It involves anything that influences public perception, including all the visual elements that set you apart, like your logo, website, and graphics.

Brand awareness refers to how recognizable your brand is. Bear in mind that brand awareness isn’t always positive! A brand can have high but negative brand awareness, meaning it’s well-known but has a poor reputation. 

The goal is to use your blog to build positive brand awareness.

How can blogging build your personal brand?

Whether you’re a business or an individual, you need to solidify your brand to shape customer perceptions and foster loyalty.

Content marketing, like blogging and social media, can help build brand awareness. To ensure positive awareness (i.e., a good reputation), it’s important to always provide the best possible content.

Tips on using your blog to build your brand:

1. Be clear about your brand and niche

One of the key components of a successful blog is a clearly-defined niche. When you know yours, you can learn about your competition, the bloggers you should be networking with, and which keywords to prioritize. It’s also much easier to provide helpful and engaging content when you know the specific audience you’re targeting. 

Knowing who you are and your goals as a blogger are essential to building your brand.

2. Bring your personality to your blog

Your blog communicates your brand identity before visitors ever read a word of your posts. Everything about your site design tells your audience something about you. Then, your stories and brand voice develop a more complete picture of your brand.

While it’s perfectly fine to get inspiration from other blogs, it’s important to make your blog your own. Keep it as authentic as possible, and don’t try to be someone you’re not. Maintaining a consistent brand will be much easier if you don’t have to remind yourself of who you’re pretending to be!

3. Be consistent

The more you write, the more you define your brand. Publish regularly and provide good content so readers can rely on your blog and increase positive brand awareness. Frequent posting also ensures you’re providing the most up-to-date information.

Make sure to keep your formatting and voice the same across posts. When your posts are consistent, people know what they can expect from you. 

4. Grow your online presence

It helps to think of your blog as part of a larger brand-growing team, so build social media accounts alongside it. When these two platforms work together, you create more opportunities to expand and display your brand. 

Having multiple forums isn’t much more work than just one! You can make small content changes across platforms so that there’s consistency across your blog posts, email, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and podcasts.

5. Value networking

Getting to know others in your niche is a great way to support brand building. The bigger your network, the more opportunities you’ll have. Invite like-minded bloggers to guest post on your site, and ask if you can post on theirs. 

The Takeaway

Whether you’re a business or an individual, it’s important to think of yourself as a brand and to market yourself accordingly. With focused attention, consistency, and good content, a blog can help create and build your personal brand.

There are more than 600 million blogs online, and thousands of new posts are uploaded every minute. One of the best ways to make your blog stand out is to understand and adopt current trends. Here are the top five blogging methods, styles, and techniques for you to focus on today:

1. Good Content Always Wins

Prioritize Fact-Driven and Well-Researched Content

Today’s consumers want factual, informative content. With easy access to so much information, readers are drawn to sites they can rely on for accurate and unique insights. As a blogger, it’s important to include well-respected sources and data to keep your readers’ trust.

It can even be worth it to invest in gathering your own data. New insights give your audience something unique while showing you know them and their interests. Taking the time to contribute to your field could lead to other sites referencing your blog, which improves your credibility and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Write Quality Long-form Posts

On average, the top posts on the first page of Google are 1500-2000 words in length. Longer articles allow you to include more keywords, which can create organic traffic to your site, and readers value posts that explore topics in greater depth.

2. Find Ways to Monetize

Use Content For Lead Generation

Blogging can be an excellent way to make money both passively and actively. Still, with Facebook ads and other channels becoming more difficult and expensive, many bloggers are turning to content creation to generate leads. When done right, blogs are a great way to drive traffic and increase leads organically. Sarahsayspets.blog exemplifies authentic monetization with her storefront and content marketing. 

Utilize Affiliate Marketing 

Affiliate marketing is an easy way to earn passive income, and adding affiliate links to your blog posts is one of the tactics you can use. Today, there are various affiliate platforms, most of which are free to join, and individual programs. 

Regardless of your niche, there are tons of options for organically integrating affiliate marketing into your blog.

3. Give People Content Where and How They Want It

Include Visual Content

Blogs need visual content. It keeps readers more engaged by appealing to shorter attention spans, can break up blocks of writing, and allows your audience to consume the same information in multiple ways. 

Visuals don’t just mean pictures; blogs can benefit from graphs, charts, infographics, and videos [link to new video article].

Integrate Social Media

Almost everyone is on social media in one form or another, and integrating yours with your blog gives you a more complete blogger profile. Treating your social media channels as an extension of your blog [link to new social media article] helps you connect with your current audience and is important for finding and building a larger one.

Content Marketing

Focusing on content marketing gives you a broader strategy across multiple channels. Blogs are one form of content marketing and can be a place to display other types. Your blog can serve as a resource for readers to learn new information about the services you offer, and as a platform for finding your ebooks, podcasts, YouTube channels, etc.

4. User Experience Matters

Prioritize Mobile Optimization

Today, most people have a mobile device with them at all times and as a result, they regularly read blogs on their phones. Rather than treating mobile optimization as an afterthought, keep mobile formatting at the forefront of your strategy to give mobile users a positive and user-friendly experience.

Make Content Scannable

As attention spans have shortened, people often prefer easily accessible information they don’t have to spend time searching for. Subheadings and visual content help keep your posts more engaging. Many readers also look for a TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) at the beginning of blog posts, a short summary to appeal to those who prefer a quick overview over a longer article.

5. Build a Brand, Not a Website

Whether you’re a business, organization, or individual blogger, building a brand matters. Blogs aren’t simply places to share information; they can help create and advance your brand. Your color, font, format, and writing style all speak to a larger image. When paired well with social media, podcasts, and e-commerce shops, your blog helps your audience form a picture of who you are and what your brand is all about.

The Takeaway

One of the most exciting things about the world of blogging is that it’s constantly changing and evolving. Staying educated about current trends keeps your blog fresh and modern. The more trends you adopt, the more you can stand out and achieve success.