Welcome

BLOGGINGWhat is it? &

How do I do it?

WHAT IS IT? WHO IS IT?

• Blog = Web-log - a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

• Blogger = someone who puts articles and images on their blog

• Blog post = an article that is published on the blog website

• Vlog = Video Log, series of videos usually home made on a given subject

• Photo blog = mainly photographs as opposed to written articles

DO YOU NEED A BLOG?

• The point of a blog is to share things with an audience

• Do you have things to share?

• Writing

• Artwork

• Photographs

• Opinions

• Thoughts

• Announcements

• Advertisements

NO ?

• Maybe you don’t think you have enough work to create your own blog?

In which case think about –

• Collaborating with someone else?

• Use a group blog that’s already set up

• Pens blog

• Writers Without Borders

• Create your own website

• Learn how to put work onto it

• Manage the activity and feedback

or

• Get someone to create one for you

• Let them put your work onto it

• You just deal with the feedback

IF YOUR ANSWER IS YES ?

HOW DO I BLOG ?

• Let me introduce you to :

WORDPRESSIS A WORLDWIDE BLOGGING SYSTEM

• Recognise any of these?

WHAT DOES IT COST?

• There are 2 options with this system

• It can be FREE or

• Or, you can Pay for it

For the Free version you get everything that you need to create, manage and wow the world with professional layouts, presentations and discussions.

Unless you are thinking of running a business through your site, the Free version is more than adequate for everything you would want to do.

WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU PAY?

For the Paid version wordpress.org you get Direct Support, a few more Bells & Whistles to make it fancy and your Domain Name without the

wordpress part in it;

i.e. yourname.co.uk instead of yourname.wordpress.com

Or there are alternative website design systems

WHAT I WON’T DO NOW !

• I won’t go through all the steps to making a blog

I won’t tell you what to put on it

but I won’t mind if someone makes me a cup of tea !

WHAT I WILL DO NOW !

•Suggest things to be aware of

BEFORE

your blog baby is born

• It is a public entity

• You don’t always know who is reading it

• Be aware of:• Copyright

• Defamation (libel)

• Your own Privacy

• Privacy of others

• Trademark

• Trade Secrets

THE TECHNICALITIES OF SETTING UP A BLOG

• Setting up with WordPress is just a step by step process

• Before you start:

• Think about the name of the www. parti.e. writingfrompain.wordpress.comyou may have to change your original idea if it is already in use.

• Keep it simple so people can find you

• Think about the Title of your blogthis can be anything within reason and decency

• So, start at:

www.wordpress.com

• Follow the instructions and fill in your details, chose your layout and design from the many they have (you can always change this later on)

JUST SOME OF THE FREE DESIGNS AVAILABLE

THE TECHNICALITIES OF SETTING UP A BLOG

• It can be as easy as clicking your mouse!

• All the basics are designed into the layouts to get you started

• If you want to make it more personalised you can, but get to know the system for a while first

• Don’t rush to change things that don’t really matter

• It is the CONTENT that is important!!

THE CONTENT

• Make Your Blog Personal

• Set a Posting Schedule

• Write Posts or Create Content In Advance

• Establish friendships with bloggers you like

• Change your blog’s look and feel every now and then

• Enable Publicize to share your blog posts on Facebook and other social media

•Things to do

AFTER

your blog baby is born.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE NEXT STAGE !

• The technicalities of putting things onto your blog are things that can be taught and learned but only by doing it will you get to see how versatile the process is

• You can get help!

• You do the writing or photography

• That’s the important part !

The rest you can get

help with !

THE BASICS

THE BASICS

THE BASICS

THE BASICS

PRESS THE BUTTON

YOU ARE A BLOGGER !

IT IS A COMMITMENT

But don’t let it

be a Burden

Give your audience

your best work

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Interact with

your followers

Follow others

They love you !

LET THE WORLD BE YOUR CREATIVE OYSTER &

ALWAYS KEEP IT FRESH !

Thank YouAny Questions?