If you're a prolific blogger, chances are, you both blog and microblog - whether you do it for personal or business reasons.  With the recent launch of the new Twitter, microblogging has taken the next level in bringing you instant news from tweeple that matters most and then, comes this most intriguing question of them all: Is blogging truly dead?

A year ago, a tech guru has made such daring prediction that microblogging through platforms like Twitter will soon replace blogging.  The reason?  It is much simpler to post a 140-character string or a one sentence post than having to organize your thoughts so you can come up with at least a 300-word article to start with. 



Difference Doesn't Matter!

It is, in my opinion, unfair to compare both as they have different uses - although with the same goal:  to drive traffic to your site.  To compare them is like comparing air and water:  Can you survive with only one?  Blogging and microblogging should complement each other in your quest to engage your target audience on the Web. 

Why You Should Blog and Microblog?

Microblogs, are "micro" - means they're super short.  Yes, you can publish your news in real time using a sentence and a tiny URL link to start with... and it's faster than old school blogging which you keep on your site.  Can you make both work for you?  The answer is YES. 

There's no point blogging everyday if you don't write something people would love to read.  Let's say you're as busy as I am and you blog three times a week.  You can simply tweet your followers on Twitter every time a new blog is posted on your site, pointing them there with a link.  Then, in other days when you don't blog, you can microblog to keep up with your friends and followers. 

Out of Timeline... Out of Mind

In this fast-paced world that's faster than the speed of type, if you're not making daily conversations with your audience, you might as well be non-existent.  Microblogging helps you fill in that gap when you're too busy with your business ( or any other stuff you do each day ) and you don't have the time to craft something that I'm writing right now.

So... Why Blog?

We're back to square one and you ask, why blog when you can have all this chit-chat in real time?  The answer is all about your image as an expert in your niche.  Besides, microblogging runs on a third-party platform that you don't totally own.  Anytime your account gets closed, hacked, or the site got a change of rules, all those conversations can be wiped clean in a snap.  What's your recourse then?

Blogging, no matter how lengthy it can be, lets your readers have a glimpse of who you are.  They may love or hate what you write.. and you may not please everyone with your posts, but blogging helps strengthen your brand on the World Wide Web.  Besides, you want people using search engines to find you as well and you can do this by optimizing your blog posts with keywords related to your site. 

" If you blog it, your links will come.. "  No matter how frequent you blog or microblog, it's all about building an online community and finding each other online.  Instead of simply drinking a cup of freshly-brewed coffee ( blogging ) - why not add milk (microblogging )?  Try it for yourself and see how you can leverage both for your gain.  There is no trick but only effort - in sparing yourself a few minutes each day to connect with everyone out there.

I rest my case.