Most simply put, blogs are like journals?only, instead of being made of the paper and cardboard kept secret by an even thinner piece of cardboard and a lock your baby brother frequently opened with a paperclip, these journals are online. Why does it seem like everyone has one? Well, because almost everyone does. And there's good reason. Blogs can be used as journals, both private and public; they can be used as ways for fans to discuss the latest episode of their favorite sitcom; or, they can be used by major companies, especially those that are Internet-based, because unlike the traditional forms of advertising, blogs bring in more traffic.

For business purposes, there are many ways companies use blogs. For example, a company may have several blogs on its website, each one dedicated to something different: customer concerns, product updates, etc. In addition to being helpful to customers and other website visitors, these blogs bring in more traffic to the website, as well. Depending on the website, more traffic usually means more money. And more money means?that's right?you're on your way to that summer home in the Hamptons!

So, how exactly do blogs bring in more traffic? Well, Adsense ads with Google are a good starting point. The search engine visits your page more each time your update, ultimately moving your blog higher and higher on the SERPs (Search Engine Results Page) and leading to more revenue from the ads being represented in your blog.

Some pointers? First, the blogger will need to decide what he or she is going to write about. Choose a popular topic, one that people are interested in. ?Underwater Basket Weaving? probably wouldn't be a very wise choice as not many people seem to be interested in it. Unless, of course, you're business is underwater basket weaving, in which case you should by all means write about it.

Next, focus on some keywords?these are the words that search engines are going to pick up on. Don't dowse your blog in these words, but use them whenever you effectively can, ideally at the top of your own posts either in the headline or first few paragraphs. Lastly, make sure you write content that will attract, and keep, a strong readership. You want your readers to keep coming back, right?

Also, ensure that you are adding valuable content related to your online business to your blog on a regular basis, at least once every two to three days. Everytime you update your blog make sure to ping your blog using a service like Pingomatic. Pinging your blog lets the blog directories know that you have just updated your blog. One reason why blogs are powerful is that the search engines love blog sites since they are constantly being updated with fresh new content.

Submit your blog to the blog search engines by simply doing a search for ?blog search engines? in Google or Yahoo and then submitting your blog url to them. A great way to increase traffic to your blog is by visiting blogs in your niche of similar content and leaving useful comments regarding topics posted in those blogs. When you leave a comment, you are also allowed to leave your blog url so when others read your comment they can then go to your blog to find out more about you.

Last, but not least, you must have a passion for the topic you have chosen in your blog. Remember, other people are looking to get value from the information

on your blog so if you are not passionate about your blog's topic then it will show in the quality of the information on your blog. You must love what you do

or at least learn to fall in love with it.

Go ahead, join the millions of people and businesses alike. Get yourself a blog. Or corner your boss and suggest writing one for your company. Explain how blogs bring in more traffic, more traffic means more money, and more money means?that's right again!?you're on your way to the Hamptons.