So you want to join in on the blogging phenomenon? Before you get started, there are a few things you should know about blogging. First things first, where did the word blog come from? The term blog actually came from the word weblog. "Weblog" was first coined by a man named Jorn Barger back in 1997. The word "blog' was then created by Peter Merholz who then separated the words "we" and "blog" on the sidebar of his own blog back in 1999.

Blogging is a website usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video or made similar to a diary or journal, but they are commonly displayed in a reverse-chronological order.

Brad Fitzpatrick was one of the early bloggers in the internet. However, these early bloggers never called themselves bloggers but journalists and diarists. Some even called themselves and even coined the term escribitionists.

There are thousands of bloggers online posting each day. It is a trend that started in 1997 and has continued to grow steadily. If you are interesting in blogging, but have not yet began, read over these five things you should know before you begin.

1. You Can Be Personal

Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never read by anyone but them. Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life or works of art. Few personal blogs rise to fame and the mainstream, but some personal blogs quickly garner an extensive following. A type of personal blog is referred to as "microblogging," which is extremely detailed blogging as it seeks to capture a moment in time. Just like the site, Twitter, allow bloggers to share thoughts and feelings instantaneously with friends and family and is much faster than e-mailing or writing. This form of social media lends to an online generation already too busy to keep in touch.

Many times new bloggers are really not sure what to post. They know that their blog is a personal space, but they are afraid to make their posts personal in any way. The best bloggers do put themselves out there via their posts. They will post what's on their mind and their views or opinions on pressing issues. They may do so in a humorous manner or be quite serious. Sometimes new bloggers are afraid to post their true thoughts because their blog can be commented upon. The fact is however that not everyone will agree with your thoughts and posts, but you should not let that hold you back. These are people who don't personally know you, so their comments really don't matter much anyway. Don't be afraid to let your true feelings show on your blog, after all, that is what an online journal is all about.

2. Don't Be Too Personal

For safe blogging, one has to remain anonymous as much as possible. It means that no personal information such as to be given or posted online. Most of the blogs requires a screen name. One must create a screen name that does not reveal their identity.

Although it is fine to be personal in your posts, you might not want to be too personal in how much you disclose about yourself. For example, including first and last name, school name, city you are located or your exact address, your phone number etc..to be post on your profile is probably not a good idea. You should think smart and only allow people to know things that you want them to know. For your own safety, you might not want to post your last name either. When someone has a lot of information about you, it is easier for them to victimize you through identity theft, harassment, or other crimes. So, stay safe and never post really private information.

3. Never Use Real Names

If you blog, there are no guarantees you'll attract a readership of thousands. But at least a few readers will find your blog and they may be the people you'd least want or expect. These include potential or current employers, coworkers, and professional colleagues; your neighbors; your spouse or partner; your family; and anyone else curious enough to type your name, email address or screen name into Google or Feedster and click a few links.

The point is that anyone can eventually find your blog if your real identity is tied to it in some way. And there may be consequences. Family members may be shocked or upset when they read your uncensored thoughts.

When you are posting, and keeping it personal and real, there can be times in which other people in your life come up in topic. Be very careful including other people in your posts. First, never use their real names. This is a huge mistake. Unless the person gives you permission to write about them, you should never do so. It will only lead to trouble. If the person you mention reads your blog, they could get offended that you are writing about them. Even if the post is positive, it can be seen much like talking behind their back. Try to keep the posts about you or celebrities or other public figures. Let everyone else's business remain their own.

The best way to blog and still preserve some privacy is to do it anonymously. Do remember few simple precautions to help you maintain control of your personal privacy so that you can express yourself without facing unjust retaliation. If followed correctly, these protections can save you from embarrassment or just plain weirdness in front of your friends and coworkers.

4. Keep It Fresh

What is the most important thing that a blogger has to offer to the blogging community? Is it a cool site design with the latest background? Maybe it is a new topic that has never been heard before. These are important, but if you do not update the blog posts on your site, the reader will not return after the first visit.

One of the best things you can do as a blogger is to keep your blog fresh. This means that you should be posting often and changing things around when doing so. Post on different topics so your audience can stay interested. Also, post at least twice a week. People who will become fans of your site will want to read as much as possible on your blog. Updating your blog regularly will allow them to be entertained. If you only post once a month, chances are no one will remember to keep checking your blog and your traffic will not be impressive.

5. You Can Blog For Free

If you're going to blog, you might as well blog for free, right? Before you pay an arm and a leg for a blogging space, you should know that there are sites where you can blog for free. Yes, for no charge at all you can set up your own blog. These sites are great for the new blogger. Blogging consists of sharing and expressing thoughts and emotions through writing. This can be as simply as a day in the life of, there is no limit to what you can write about. Think of it as an online journal. The good part about blogging, is that you can actually make money doing it. The great part about it is, you can do it all for free. There are several different sites to use with different features. Blogger.com, thoughts.com, blogdrive.com, and today.com are just a few free sites you blog for.

Registration is relatively simple. All you will need is a valid email address. A blog site that uses wordpress will help with a basic template for blogging.

But if you want something a little more sophisticated, you might have to pay for it. The free sites are very well maintained however. They are easy to use and offer several different templates for you to use when designing your blog. They automatically update your posts for you, which make them a breeze! Remember, you should not pay a large fee for your blog, especially if you are new to blogging. Do your research and find the free sites!