Blogging has been around for hundreds of years. What? You didn't know that? It simply had a different name and, of course, wasn't done online. I'm not hundreds of years old, so I haven't been blogging that long, but I have been blogging for at least 38 years.

"Where were these blogs?" you ask. Well, I'm glad you asked. They were, and still are, called newspapers. "Newpapers?" How sooooooo last decade.

Yes, it's true that many traditional newspapers are falling by the wayside, but have you looked online? They are simply moving the great majority of their operations to the online world. I had my first blog published by my high school newspaper when I was a sophomore (1971 for those of you who want to know). My high school newspaper is now online.

Newspapers, especially smaller newspapers and ethnic or special interest newspapers, have always accepted useful articles for publication, and they always included a byline providing more information about their contributors. In some cases, they would even send you a thank-you note called a "check." The check usually wasn't much -- usually $25, but sometimes up to $150 -- but every little bit helps, and a weekly contribution or monthly contribution can certainly add some money to the annual coffers.

Those "blogging" opportunities are still out there. Look around in your own community. You can "blog" about real estate; provide a restaurant, book, movie, or concert review; contribute a cool photograph; and in some cases that I've seen, provide a review of a specific neighborhood or be the eyes and ears for the newspaper in that neighborhood. Hmmm. Just like here at ActiveRain.

In many cases, those "blogging" opportunities still pay money. When was the last time you got a check from ActiveRain? LOL

If you're looking for additional exposure that doesn't cost you anything other than time, energy, and creativity, look online -- and in print! -- in your own neighborhood, city, county, and state. You just might be surprised at what you find. Be the rock of your neighborhood, and you just might get some additional business to add to the rock of your financial empire.

This blog post was inspired by a blog entry by An Marshall, apparently one of our fairly newer ActiveRainers since she only has a mere 13,008 points (I contributed four of them this morning). An is with Prudential in St. Augustine, Florida. Go say hello to her.

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This week's blog posts (they will open in a new window)

1. Life series - 57 posts, various dates, most recently on 6/22/09
2. Guerrilla Marketing series - 7 posts, various dates, most recently on 6/22/09
3. Is ActiveRain the new USA Today? - 6/24/09
4. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): Teach them how to help while they're young - 6/24/09
5. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask.... - 6/23/09

Last week's blog posts (they will open in a new window)

1. It's getting tough out here.... - 6/21/09
2. SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Cotton candy tree - 6/21/09
3. Realtors, why do you compare this year's sales and prices to a year ago? - 6/21/09
4. Did President Obama let me down? - 6/19/09
5. San Diego Zoo slide show for the brave and courageous - 6/19/09
6. Foto Friday: Things aren't always what they seem - 6/19/09
7. The Flying Seagulls (slide show) - 6/18/09
8. The inspirational story of Capt. Wesley Moore - 6/17/09
9. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): Let me help you.... - 6/17/09
10. Guerrilla Marketing series - 6 posts, various dates, most recently on 6/15/09

Previous week's blog posts (they will open in a new window)

1. How to effectively use anonymous/semi-anonymous testimonials - 6/14/09
2. Free Windows 2000, XP, and Vista programs for reducing the size of your pictures - 6/12/09
3. Foto Friday: Don't blow your top! - 6/12/09
4. It's okay to be personal (slide show included) - 6/11/09
5. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): Anyone you know? - 6/10/09
6. Where do you get your energy? - 6/9/09
7. Is someone you know slithering? Help them out! - 6/9/09
8. Is everything you try being blocked by someone? - 6/8/09

Helpful posts for ActiveRain newbies (Yep. They'll open in a new window)

1. How the system works and working the system, or Active Rain point values that I know about
2. How to get 500 points with your ActiveRain success story
3. Do you have some commercials for your business?
4. Free help for Active Rain newbies
5. 10 ways to get a featured post at ActiveRain
6. How to keep people from reading your Active Rain blog
7. How do you get people to comment on your blog?
8. Using Active Rain more effectively by finding Power Partners
9. Quit putting huge, gigantic, monster pictures in your blog. Now! (Help on resizing them)
10. Using YouTube videos without slowing down page loading
11. Don't forget to remember how Active Rain supports you indirectly
12. How to use the Active Rain system more efficiently
13. How do you choose a subject for your blog posts?

Need help with marketing? Join the Guerrilla Marketing Tactics

Inspired by nature? Join the Inspired By Nature

Classical music lover? Join the Classical Music Group.

Want to share a good book? Join the Active Rain Book Club