When you’re new to blogging, a free blogging web site is a good way to get started. Popular blogging web sites like Blogger and Eponym allow users to set up and host a blog for no cost at all. The fact that one of these sites can provide you with all of the tools that you need to get your blog up and running for free, encourages people to start a blog. As it’s free, you don’t have anything to lose. Many people that have never had any other kind of web presence before find themselves drawn to blogging, partly because it is so easy to find a way to blog for free.

Compared to starting your own blog from scratch, signing up with a free blogging web site will get you listed in search engines much easier. For example, Google, that runs the free blog hosting site Blogspot, crawls its pages very often to look for updates. As a result, if you have a Blogspot blog, you are almost guaranteed to be listed on Google's blog search engine. This way you can spend less time on promoting your blog, and you can gain a following with a minimum of marketing effort.

If your blog attracts many readers, you may want to think about moving your site. Many people think that a blog that is hosted by a free blogging web site has a kind of amateur flavor, not appropriate for a high-profile blog. Your own domain name can help you make your blog feel professional, and finding a webhost is not difficult or expensive. Once your blog starts to attract a large readership, you will probably be able to sell enough advertising space to be able to afford to buy your own domain and pay for a hosting package, and still have money left over. However, until you have a sizeable readership, there’s really no need to invest in these luxuries.

When you want to build a following before you spend any money on your blog, using a free blogging website is a good idea. Later, when you feel ready to take the next step and pay for your own domain, your readers will follow you to your new home.

These days, if you have something to say and want to share it with others, there's an easy way to do it: Start a blog. If you thought only the young or computer-savvy create blogs, think again. Just about anyone can start a blog-and people of all ages are doing so.

What is a blog? A blog, short for Web log, is a Web page where you write about things that are important to you. Many people use blogs as online journals. Some bloggers write about their hobbies. Others use blogs to share their opinions on politics and serious issues, often adding their own comments to news stories.

To start your own blog, just follow these three simple steps.

1. Select a Topic and Blog Hosting Site-The first step is deciding what you want to write about. Next, find a blog hosting site. Many portals, such as Google, Yahoo and MSN, offer free hosting. Also, there are specialized blogging sites focusing on specific topics, such as family and business. Do a search to find a site that best fits your topic. Once you've selected a site, you'll fill in some basic information about yourself and your blog topic. Now you're ready to start writing and posting to your very own blog.

2. Add Video to Your Blog-The next step is to add a video to your blog. This is called a vlog, short for video blog. To create one, you can use software such as Vlog It!, from Serious Magic. The software lets you create videos that look like a TV news show. First, connect a Webcam or camcorder to your computer. Next, import pictures or video from your computer, digital camera, camcorder or cell phone. Finally, read your script from the teleprompter included with the software. Because the Webcam or camcorder is positioned directly above your monitor, it will look as if you're staring into the camera.

The program offers special effects and graphics similar to those used on television, so your production looks professional. The technology also has a wizard feature that makes the entire process relatively simple. To learn more, visit www.VlogIt.com.

3. Share Your Blog-Decide if you just want your friends and family to see your blog or vlog, or if you want more people to view it. If you want it to be available to the general public, register with search engines-such as www.technorati.com-that specialize in tracking the blogging universe.

Now that you know the basics, it's time to get creative and join the blogosphere.

Create a vlog and transform your blog into a TV news show.