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How to Blog Tutorial

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What the Heck is a Blogger?

Everyone has a blog these days. There are blogs about everything from pictures of scanned cross-sections of daily sandwiches to unsavory people who frequent Wal-Mart.

So what is a blogger and why would you want to be one?

A blogger is, in the simplest definition, a person who writes a blog, or weblog. A blog is a regularly updated collection of commentary, images, video, audio, or a combination. A blog is often interactive - allowing the public to comment and participate in the posts.

A blogger frequently writes about something they are passionate about, posts pictures they have taken, shares new artwork on a regular basis, or even runs a video commentary or an online radio show.

So pull up a chair, have a seat, and discover that hidden blogger inside of you. It is time you gave him/her a voice! Enjoy this how to blog tutorial.

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Table of Contents

Decide What You Want to Say

Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.netHave you seen the film Julie & Julia? If you haven't - it is about a young woman named Julia who sets out on the quest to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's cookbook in 365 days. She started a blog about her journey and wrote about her experiences while delving into the challenge head first. It was a crazy journey that entailed a lot of discovery on her part - and it was precisely that that brought her readers back day after day.

Think about something that defines you, something that gets you hot and bothered, and commit the thought to paper. This could be anything from your absolute obsession with forks to your goal to run a marathon in three months. Trust me, everyone has something inside of them that is just burning to get out.

Watch Julie & Julia

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Blogging Platform Choices

Image: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot / FreeDigitalPhotos.netBlogging platforms are a dime a dozen. Everything out there seems to have a blog attached to it like the concept of adding chai to a product to make it interesting. There are three giants who make blogging an art. If you are serious about blogging - you really should consider picking one of these:


Each one has its own set of pros and cons. But when it really comes down to it it will be what makes you comfortable. Personally, I really love Wordpress. It has a lot of modules you can add on, is extremely simply to customize, and is extremely user friendly. If you are really talented with CSS and HTML and want something more powerful, you can try out the opensource version of Wordpress over at wordpress.org. You won't be sorry.

How to Start Blogging Using Wordpress

Part One

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How to Start Blogging Using Wordpress

Part Two

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How to Start Blogging Using Wordpress

Part Three

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Set a Schedule

One thing that is sure to make your blog a success, in page ranks as well as traffic, is posting on a regular schedule. No one likes to see a blog that is neglected and sad. Decide how much time you have per week to commit to writing and set a schedule. You have an extra hour a week? Great! Write for 30 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday.

The most common complaint I hear is that there is just no time. Nonsense. Everyone has an extra hour a week. In fact, you probably have two or three. Write just before you go to bed each night. Write first thing in the morning. Create a ritual and stick with it - just like brushing your teeth.
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"Your blog is your unedited version of yourself. " ~ Lorelle

Learn from the Best

Image: zirconicusso / FreeDigitalPhotos.netThe best exist to serve as extreme models of success for us all to aspire to. So you're never going to become as successful as Leo Babauta over at Zen Habits? (For those of you who don't know, Zen Habits is one of the most read blogs on the internet right now with over 200,000 subscribers.) Again, nonsense. This isn't about success, after all. It is about you and what you have to say. If you feel strongly about what you have to say and what you want to share with the world - the world will follow. But first thing is first... write.

Still, it never hurts to peek at what the big dogs are doing. It's called inspiration. So here are the top 100 blogs over at Technorati. Take a look, absorb, and move on.
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What Do You Think?

Are you ready to start a blog?

  • celeBritys4africA Sep 2, 2011 @ 5:29 pm | delete
    I am a blogger and I loving it.
  • cstoll Jul 21, 2011 @ 1:40 pm | delete
    My company just started a blog and we can definitely improve it using your tips. Thank you!
  • sponias Jul 20, 2011 @ 3:07 pm | delete
    I'm already a blogger. Your tips are very good!
  • Mark-Nehs Jul 19, 2011 @ 8:13 pm | delete
    I had decided it was time to get wordpress blog going and I found this lens.
    THANKS!!
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Get Connected

...and stay connected

Once you have that amazing blog up and running, how do you get people there and most importantly - how do you get them coming back? There are a few necessary things you will need to make sure you add to your blog:

  • RSS Subscription Option
  • E-mail Subscription Option
  • Social Networking Links

These are pretty standard and all of your viewers will be looking for one or all of these when they come across your blog. I explore this topic in more depth in my article on blog reader connectivity.

Empire Building Kit



Social Web

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For That New Blogger Inside You

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"A blog is merely a tool that lets you do anything from change the world to share your shopping list." ~ Unknown

Blogging Finds on eBay

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Hot Off the Press

Allure Announces First-Ever Beauty Blogger Awards Winner
By Allure NEW YORK, May 31, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Allure, the Beauty Expert, today announced the winner of the first-ever Beauty Blogger Awards, sponsored by Revlon. Floridian Shannon Ray was named Allure's 2012 Beauty Blogger of the Year.
Blogger files lawsuit over free speech
CHARLOTTE, NC, May 31 (UPI) -- A North Carolina blogger says the state violated his freedom of speech when it restricted what advice he could give on his diet blog. Steve Cooksey, 50, filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Charlotte this week, ...
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Have Fun

Most of all, make sure to have fun! If you get too caught up in the details, you may find yourself with a horrendous case of writer's block.

There is so much information out there that it is all too easy to find yourself over-informed with nothing to show for it. Get the information and move forward with your efforts as you learn.

It may not start out perfect, but sometimes just starting is the biggest obstacle.

Working for Yourself Guide

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How Did You Like My Lens?

  • MarisaAngelis Aug 30, 2011 @ 9:39 pm | delete
    Informative! Best wishes :)
  • hysongdesigns Jul 22, 2011 @ 12:50 am | delete
    Interesting and informative; tho I did not find WP intuitive. Blogger is much easier for me. Especially for adding certain things. Maybe ijust didn't poke around WP enough to figure it out.
  • cstoll Jul 21, 2011 @ 1:43 pm | delete
    I just submitted a comment, thinking I had reached the end of a great lens, but I was wrong! The lens got even better as I continued to read it. Your lens has a great format: very informative videos and articles at the top, followed by funny products. I love the mugs. :) Wonderful job!
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anticloud

I am a graphic designer and freelance writer who helps others put together effective blogs. This how to blog tutorial is based on years of experience... more »

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