Every gal worth her salt should at least know what a blog is! Here we answer all your questions and tell you how to get started

What’s all this blogging stuff about?
A silly online fad some may say. But, we argue, it’s a harmless addiction with no real adverse side effects. The perfect drug for anyone with a slightly obsessive nature! A great way to network, meet new people, develop your interests and even promote a business. Remember that teenage Friday night feeling when an intake of alcohol and pheromones could be swirled together to create endless possibilities? Here’s how to reclaim it – time to let blogging become your new daily fix.

So what makes it so catchy?
Well, apart from the narcissistic ego massage of instantly seeing your name in print, there is something really liberating about virtually free immediate communication. Transatlantic friendships can be created and consolidated in minutes. These relationships can grow in the real world too – we’ve met loads of our online buddies: cyberspace can really enhance real life communities.

So what is a blog?
A blog (or weblog) is an online template where you can easily upload your own text and pictures. You can make your blog into a journal relating to any aspect of your life – hobbies, work, relationships or interests. It is a space where you can be totally creative and experiment with writing and reflect your personality. Or if you want you can keep it completely anonymous...

Blogging is fun.
You can write about whatever takes your fancy, get as creative as you want with your page and really sound off. Throw yourself into social networking Web 2.0 style; comment on other people’s pages and start discussions and friendships.

Tips
Spend a bit of time googling and reading about Technorati, trackbacks and using hyperlinks in your blog. These are all things which will help make your blog more available and accessible to the online community. The aim is to build up an online following with your blog being read and appraised on a regular basis.

Where do I start?
You can set up your own free blog with us, or www.myspace.com (these both have the added extra of plunging you into a huge community of people who you can easily meet and network with). Or there are sites like www.blogger.com (free) or www.typepad.com (monthly fee approx. £3).