Baltimore Sun Store

Washington-based blogger La Shawn Barber was writing a biweekly column for online publications when she discovered blogging about three years ago. As her blog gained readers, Barber dropped her column to concentrate on her blog. Her site, La Shawn Barber's Corner, in which she comments on political and current issues, averages about 3,000 unique visits a day.

"My blog has done so much for me personally and professionally and not only that, but I love to do it. It's a labor of love," says Barber, adding that she's been invited to speak at conferences, worked briefly as a blog reporter for MSNBC and had her blog featured on CNN's Reliable Sources. She's also found it easier to market her nonblog writing. Leveraging her blog savvy and new media credentials, she launched a business that offers help to companies looking to build and market blogs.

[Simon Masnick] offers a blog how-to reference in his posting "Everything you wanted to know about blogging but were afraid to ask" at simonworld.mu.nu/archives/037779.php. The post also includes links to numerous sites offering tips on blogging, blog etiquette, increasing readership and related issues.