So why should you blog? It seems that everyone has a blog these days. In fact, many claim to have substantial earnings from their blogs. So could having your own blog be of benefit to you?

The truth of the matter is that blogs can be highly profitable both financially and personally. However, before you decide to set up your own blog do some research and find out the best options to suit your needs. Here is a quick guide to some of the many benefits to having your own blog.

1. One of the truly great things about blogs is that they are a means of self-expression. In a world where it can be difficult to be heard, they provide a convenient way of airing your opinions and broadcasting your ideas. There is nothing more rewarding than blogging about your passions and interests. It is also a brilliant way to enter the world of writing.

2. Blogs are very cheap to set up and maintain. Another great benefit from blogging is that they are very cheap to run. There are only two components to a blog that cost you: your domain name and web hosting fees. For as little as EUR10 a month you can have your blog up and running. There are even websites that provide free hosting and domain names, thereby, costing you nothing. Although I would recommend that you pay for both hosting and having your own domain name, as in the long run it is much more beneficial.

3. Blogging software is very easy to use and there is lots of support from dedicated websites such as wordpress. Plus there are also many forums and guides available to giving the novice a helping hand. Wordpress offers many plug-in features which can maximise your blog's potential.

4. A blog is a very easy way to generate income. There are many ways to earn money from advertising, sponsorship, affiliate programmes, to selling your own products. Many people successfully earn healthy incomes from blogging.

5. Blogs can be used to target niche markets. You can target a certain niche that is generating a lot of interest and write product reviews on your blog. You can then earn money through affiliate marketing by sending interested readers to product vendors.

6. You can also generate a lot of traffic through your blog with relatively little effort thanks to great support structures in place for blog users. The above are just some of many reasons why you should have your own blog up and running.

Having a blog can really add to your credibility in the marketplace. It allows your readers to get a sense of who you are as a person. This is very important in building rapport for future business relationships. A blog is also a great way of giving you a platform so that you will be heard above the masses.

The better your blog's content the better your results will be. So make it interesting and you will surprise yourself with the results.

Using your blog to maximum effect is another piece of the successful internet marketer's arsenal.