Blogging 101
What is a blog? Why do people blog? “Blogs in Plain English” from the Commoncraft show is an excellent introduction. You can also get caught up on the past 5 years in blogging news and trends. ProBlogger also has an old series (but with lots of still-valuable info) in the Blogging Tips for Beginners series.
Starting your Own Professional Blog: Hosting
Popular blog hosts/content management systems includeBlogger, WordPress, MovableType and Typepad. All of these have benefits and drawbacks, but all can be used by the amateur or the professional and in-between. When it comes to hosting, choose a service that you’ll be comfortable using and has the features you need. For the free ones, create accounts and give them a test drive. Why not?
Blogger
Blogger, owned by Google, is an easy to use blog hosting service that is great for the beginner or pro. Integrating AdSense ads into your blog is also a simple process. Hosting your blog on Blogger will make your URLhttp://yourblogname.blogspot.com but you can redirect your blog to your own domain for free (a big plus). Drawbacks include lack of customizable widgets (you can only use those provided by Blogger vs. user-created ones) and I find their lack of template layout options is a neglected aspect of Blogger. Fortunately, outside developers trying to come up with new layouts for bloggers interested in more than 10 designs.
WordPress
- You’ll notice that there are 2 WordPress sites:Wordpress.com is for those who would like a free blog hosted by WordPress - your URL would look likehttp://yourblogname.wordpress.com. NOTE: You can redirect a WordPress-hosted blog on another domain for a fee.
- Wordpress.org is for bloggers who would like to host a blog on their on server space with their own unique domain name. You can install WordPress on your server and use it as your content management system and your blogging interface, which looks the same as the free Wordpress.com.
MoveableType
Similar to Wordpress.org, MovableType is a blog content management system aimed at professionals that you must host on your own space.
TypePad
You can host your blog on TypePad, but unlike Blogger and Wordpress.com, this hosting service isn’t free. TypePadcompares their service to WordPress.com and Blogger on their website.
Tumblr & Posterous
Personally, to me the future is now when it comes to the market of personal blogging, but business-minded blogs are also recognizing the power of these simple blogging platforms.
Writing for the Web
Unless your blog is completely photos or video, blogging = writing. Resources that teach how to write for the web are invaluable for the beginning blogger and even seasoned ones looking to re-evaluate their style. Write to Done provides ideas on how to inspire your writing. See also their 15 Tips on How to Generate Ideas and Write with Ease. This writing blog as a whole is a great web writing resource. Are you a corporate blogger? 40+ Topics for Corporate Bloggers will help keep your company blog fresh and relevant.
Going Pro
Looking to go beyond random casual blogging? Are you starting to get traffic and looking to taking blogging a bit more seriously? Check out 50 Ways to take your Blog to the Next Level. ProBlogger’s series 31 Days to Building a Better Blog is also very inspirational. WordPress, a free blogging software used by amateurs and professionals alike, has a lengthy but excellent section of their website that covers everything you wanted to know about blog management. While a bit “dated” by today’s Internet standards, the articleHow to Market your Blog in 2007 is filled with timeless suggestions, especially what to be doing outside your blog. Optimizing your self-hosted Wordpress blog for SEO. Website hosting specifically for WordPress blogs. ProBlogger’s Q&A about getting an advertsier on your blog is a helpful primer for bloggers looking to develop a rewarding relationship with an advertiser. Questions for Megan? Just Ask!
