How-To Guide: Getting Started in Writing for Money – Blogging, Ghostwriting, Freelancing
Getting Started with Blogging
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Transcript of Getting Started with Blogging
GETTING STARTED WITH BLOGGING
Colonial Job SeekersSeptember 26, 2011
Topics
Blogging 101 What to Write About What to Avoid Blogger Code of Conduct Free Hosting Solutions Self-hosted Solutions Desktop Blogging Tools Marketing Your Blog Making Money with Your Blog
Introduction
http://www.victorfont.com/ Business / professional persona
http://www.fontlife.com/ Family oriented / faith based
http://www.ultimatesdlc.com/ Book sales & marketing
Blogging 101 A blog (a blend of the term web log) is a type of
website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with
regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.
Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via widgets on the blogs. It is this interactivity that distinguishes them from static websites
As of September 17, 2011, there were over 171 million public blogs in existence with almost 20,000 new blogs identified in the prior 24 hour period.
World Internet UsageYour potential audience: over 2 Billion
people
What to Write About
Why do you want to blog? Where do your passions lie? How do you want others to perceive you? Are you willing to commit the time?
“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out
of it.” –Anonymous
What to Avoid
Defamation or liability: U.S. payouts related to blogging totaled $17.4 million by 2009
Employment: Employees who blog about elements of their place of employment can affect the brand recognition of their employer.
Political dangers: Blogging can sometimes have unforeseen consequences in politically sensitive areas. Totalitarian and authoritarian regimes often seek to suppress blogs and/or punish those who maintain them
Personal safety: One consequence of blogging is the possibility of attacks or threats against the blogger, sometimes without apparent reason.
Blogging can result in a range of legal liabilities and other unforeseen consequences.
Blogger Code of Conduct
1. Take responsibility for your own words and for the comments you allow on your blog.
2. Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t say in person.
3. Connect privately before responding publicly4. When someone is unfairly attacking another, take
action.5. Do not allow anonymous or pseudonymous comments. 6. Ignore the trolls7. Think twice—post once
The Blogger Code of Conduct helps create an environment that encourages civility, personal expression and constructive conversation.
Free Hosting Solutions
http://www.typepad.com http://www.blog.com http://www.blogger.com http://www.wordpress.com
Self-Hosted Solutions Popular
Platforms: DotNetNuke Drupal Joomla Moveable Type TypePad WordPress
Disclosure: I am an affiliate for Hostek, but unlike some, I only recommend services I’ve used and like. My personal websites have been hosted by them for over 10 years. If you want to help me out, you can order your server through this link: http://www.victorfont.com/go/get-hostek/.
Domain Name Webhosts
Windows or Linux? My personal favorite:
Hostek.com
My Favorite Platform WordPress
According to the web technology survey company, W3Techs, WordPress is used by 54.2% of the top 1 million websites
Extrapolates to a 14.7% market share of all websites worldwide
It’s easy to use and learn The rumors circulating about WordPress
being a virus factory are untrue. Mismanaged sites get infected Hackers work hard to exploit vulnerabilities Am educated webmaster sleeps well at night
WordPress is Not Just for Blogging
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http://www.bachmanassoc.com/ http://www.ncer1.org/
e-Commerce /membership site
Desktop Blogging Tools Free:
Windows Live Writer (Windows) BlogDesk (Windows) Zoundry Raven (Windows) w.bloggar (Windows) Thingamablog (Windows, MAC, Linux) Qumana (Windows, MAC) Scribefire (Firefox extension) Flock (Windows, MAC, Linux) Post2Blog (Windows) Bleezer (Windows, MAC, Linux)
Nominal Cost MarsEdit (MAC): $29.95 Ecto (MAC): $17.95 BlogJet (Windows): $60.00
Marketing Your Blog Write well and write often Submit your blog to search engines (sitemap.xml) Use and update your Blogroll Harness the power of comments Syndicate content with RSS feed Use links and trackbacks Tag your posts Submit you blog to social bookmarking sites Remember SEO Don’t forget images Consider guest blogging Join forums, web rings or online group Promote outside your blog Nominate yourself and other blogs for blog awards Don’t be shy
Monetizing Your Blog
Blogging is big business these days, with some bloggers reporting six-figure or even million-dollar incomes. There are a number of ways that these bloggers earn such large paychecks, and the best know how to do it in a way that won't scare off readers.
Merchandising Paid Content Begging Opportunities Offline Ads
RSS Ads Text Ads Sell your own ads Affiliate programs Sponsored posts Other
Analyzing Your Statistics
12,614Page views1/1/2011-9/8/2011
246 views9/6/2011246 views9/6/2011
Other Resources Google Analytics http://www.copyblogger.com/ http://www.bloggertipsandtricks.com/ http://www.blog-tutorials.com/ http://www.blogbasics.com/blog-tutorial-1-1.php http://www.blogadr.com/tutorials/free-
wordpress-blogging-tutorial/ http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/blog/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MWYi4_COZMU http://www.insidecrm.com/features/101-ways-
monetize-blog122007/