Blogging For Dummies
Blogging for Dummies gets the thumbs up…you should be able to find all the answers to those questions about blogs you’ve been afraid to ask…- (The Inquirer (Web), 21 February 2006)
If you want to give yourself a Web presence without spending a lot of time or money, a blog is your answer and this is your guide. Blogs (Web logs) are short, diary-like entries on a Web site that has a chronological, journal format. Fun or informative, but not formal, blogs are easy to set up, maintain, and update. You can share your personal, stream-of-consciousness musings or your expertise on any subject ranging from your family vacation to world peace. This guide helps beginners (even technophobes) get started fast, with the essential info on:
- The elements of blogs, such as entries, sidebars, categories, comments, and index pages
- The different types of hosting services, from free to fee and from “turn key” services that are easy-to-use to DIY programs
- Details on two popular, free “social community” hosted Web services that are ideal for casual bloggers—MSN Spaces and Yahoo! 360
- The scoop on Blogger, a popular free hosted service that has some community tools like the social networks, but is basically blog-intensive
- DIY blogging, covering three of the most powerful and flexible blog programs—Movable Type, WordPress, and Radio Userland
- Hooking into RSS feeds to distribute your blog entries beyond your site
- Choosing a newsreader
- Ways to raise the visibility of your blog and make money from blogging
Complete with step-by-step instructions and lots of screen shots, this guide walks you through everything from setting up your blog and posting your first entry to adding photos, audio, and more. It includes the URLs of lots of sample sites to see to give you an idea of blog possibilities. In addition to the essential how-to, it fills you in on:
- The blogosphere, blog culture and etiquette, snarks, macrologues, and more
- Moblogs that let you post entries remotely using your portable computer, PDA, or cell phone
- Buying a domain through a registrar such as Network Solutions, Register.com, or Go Daddy
- MP3 blogs, vlogs (videoblogs), photoblogging, audioblogging, podcasting, and more
You know you have something to say, whether it’s heavy stuff or just your thought for the day. Make your opinions known. Get your photos shown. With Blogging For Dummies, you’ll soon be blogging with the best of ‘em.
Discover how to
- Compare options for hosting your blog
- Follow blogging etiquette
- Work with Blogger, WordPress, and TypePad
- Set up RSS feeds
- Explore sponsored blogs
- Check into podcasting, moblogging, and photoblogging
About the Author
Brad Hill has worked in the online field since 1992 and has written 20 books. As a best-selling author, columnist, and blogger, Brad reaches a global audience of consumers who rely on his writings to help determine their online service choices.
Brad’s books include a Publishers Weekly bestseller and a Book-of-the-Month catalog selection. Brad’s titles in the For Dummies series include Google For Dummies and Building Your Business with Google For Dummies. Brad is often consulted in the media’s coverage of the Internet. He appears frequently on television, radio, Webcasts, and has been quoted in Business Week, The New York Times, and innumerable other publications.
Brad is Associate Editor of Weblogs, Inc., the world’s largest blog network, where he helps to manage about 100 blogs written by nearly 200 bloggers. As a staff blogger at Weblogs, Inc., for two years, he posted well over 3,000 entries in blogs about digital music, Google, Yahoo!, search engine marketing, and others. As a hobby, Brad operates independent blogs about dogs www.fourfooted.com, classical music (www.undeadmusic.com), and his own bad self (www.bradhill.com). He and his wife maintain a photo blog about their adventures at home and on vacations, read mostly by friends and family.
Brad has not won the Nobel Prize, and the prospect seems doubtful. He remains cheerful.
Blogging For Dummies by Susannah Gardner
Blogging is forever evolving, and remains essential for anyone who wants a distinctive Web presence. There are many options that surround blogging-on everything from blogging software to hosting services-and this fun and friendly guide gets you started so can begin logging in hours of blogging!
Building on the success of the two previous bestselling editions, this latest revision includes essential blogging basics, the elements required of a good blog, and the tools you’ll need to get started. You’ll discover how to determine the right blogging software for you, whether you should run your own blog or use a full-service hosting site, and how to set up an account and write your first post.
- Builds on the two previous bestselling editions and covers the latest advertising tools to attract an audience, methods for making money with your blog, and ways to measure your blog’s success
- Includes updates to the major blogging software utilities including Google’s Blogger, TypePad, and WordPress
- Walks you through the latest search engine optimization techniques for increasing your blog’s visibility
- Reviews the newest plug-ins and gadgets that will allow you to extend your blog
If you’re in a fog about how to blog, then this easy-to-understand guide is the right book for you.
From the Back Cover
In a fog about blogs? Read this book and it all becomes clear!
Millions of people posted a blog entry this morning. They’re promoting products, espousing causes, discussing their lives, and sharing tips on everything from getting the laundry clean to getting their candidate elected. Join the fun! Here’s how to choose and use blogging software, pick a topic, add photos, attract readers, and keep your blog interesting.
- Blog basics — find out what defines a blog and what type of blog best suits your purpose
- What you say — learn how to create appealing content and what you don’t want to put in your blog
- Compare tools — understand the pros and cons of hosted services and see what Blogger, WordPress, and other tools offer
- When smaller is better — explore microblogging, including Twitter® and Tumblr
- Speak up — try your hand at podcasting or video blogging
- Socialize your blog — boost readership with a presence on social networking sites
- Blogging for dollars — see how to put ads on your blog or in your RSS feed, seek sponsorships, and maintain a business blog
- Know your visitors — learn to collect and analyze statistics on who’s visiting your site, when, and for how long
Open the book and find:
- Tips for choosing a topic
- How to connect with your readers through comments
- Advice on blogging ethics
- A comparison of leading blogging software
- Help managing routine blog tasks
- Hints for conquering writer’s block
- Ways to boost readership
- Why RSS feeds are a great idea
- Cool widgets, gadgets, and themes to customize your blog
Learn to:
- Use the latest versions of Blogger and WordPress®
- Recognize what goes into an effective blog
- Find your niche in the blogosphere
- Build an audience and make money from your blog
About the Author
Susannah Gardner is creative director of Hop Studios (www.hopstudios.com), a Web design company specializing in blogs and community content Web sites. Shane Birley is cofounder of Left Right Minds (www.leftrightminds.com) and blogs at ShanesWorld.ca.
Possibly Related Posts: