Professional Blogging

Why and How to Get Started

Who is Tammy Hart?

I am a self-taught, freelance designer who has leveraged trial, error, and observation to become a WordPress expert. I specialize in deep customization of WordPress content and templates. I also do all levels of Web Design and XHTML/CSS Coding. You can find out more or contact me through one of these means:

Website: www.TammyHartDesigns.comEmail: tammy@tammyhartdesigns.comTwitter: @tammyhart

Why Blogging?

• Position yourself as an expert

• Increase Credibility

• An Archived Resume/Portfolio

• Keep your writing skills sharp

• Affordable Self-Publishing

• Build a fan base, build a community

Hosted or Self Hosted

How Pro Should I Go?

Blogging Platforms

Name Cost Place Pros Cons

WordPress.com $0 Hosted Established Community Limited Customizations

WordPress.org $0 + cost of hosting Your Hosting Limitless Customizations, Widely Supported Learning Curve

Blogger $0 Hosted Established Community Very Poor Customizations, Lots of spam

Moveable Type $0 + cost of hosting Your Hosting Slow Support, some limits to customization

Typepad $9 - $90 /month Hosted Easy to use, easy to customize

Too expensive for what you get

Posterous $0 Hosted Easy to use, easy to share Limited Functionality

Tumblr $0 Hosted Easy to use, easy to share Limited Functionality

Blogging Platforms

Name Cost Place Pros Cons

WordPress.com $0 Hosted Established Community Limited Customizations

WordPress.org $0 + cost of hosting Your Hosting Limitless Customizations, Widely Supported Learning Curve

Blogger $0 Hosted Established Community Very Poor Customizations, Lots of spam

Moveable Type $0 + cost of hosting Your Hosting Slow Support, some limits to customization

Typepad $9 - $90 /month Hosted Easy to use, easy to customize

Too expensive for what you get

Posterous $0 Hosted Easy to use, easy to share Limited Functionality

Tumblr $0 Hosted Easy to use, easy to share Limited Functionality

What Else is There?

This is easy, right?

Blog Essentials

• Must Haves– Subscription and RSS

Options

– Invitation to Comment/Reply/Discuss

– Easy to read Typography and Layout

– Invitation to share

• Good SEO– Meta Titles and

Descriptions

– Well Phrased Categories

– Internal Linking

– XML Sitemap

– Fast Page Load

Spice it Up

• Disqus or Intense Debate for Comments

• Tagaroo or Zemanta for easy tagging and media

• Premium or Custom Designs

• Mobile Tools and Mobile Version of the Content

Bring Them In!

• Social Networking– Tweet, tweet!– LinkedIn Profile– Facebook Updates

• Guest Blogging, both ways

• Consistent Content

• Good SEO

Let’s Review

Practice makes better

To-Do

• Choose and/or Install a Blogging Platform

• Set it up for success

• Write! Consistency is key

• Interact with readers and would-be readers

Questions?

Thank YouWebsite: www.TammyHartDesigns.comEmail: tammy@tammyhartdesigns.com

Twitter: @tammyhart

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