Synopses & Reviews
From choosing software to managing comments, here's what every blogger needs to knowWhether you're blogging for fun, for money, or as part of your job, this book will help you do it better. If it's your first venture into the blogosphere, get the lowdown on software, safety, and style. If you have some experience, jump right into ways to improve your content, boost readership, add Twitter to the mix, generate income, and more!
How to get started — decide what to blog about, choose the right software, and register your domain
Find the right fit — discover your niche and learn all you can about your audience
Content is king — learn how to make your writing, photos, videos, and audio compelling enough to keep visitors coming back
You've started something — see how to encourage comments and how to deal with comments you don't want
It's more than words — add photos to your blog or learn to start and maintain a podcast
Promote your blog — expand your audience with Twitter and use social networks to drive traffic to your blog
Penny for your thoughts — explore ways to make money from your blog
Give it the business — find out the important things you should keep in mind when writing a corporate blog
Open the book and find:
Steps for setting up a blog with Blogger, WordPress, or Tumblr
Ways to use your blog
Design and content tips
When anonymity is appropriate
Tricks for sidestepping spam
How RSS can help market your blog
Tools for tracking blog traffic
Ten tools for mobile blogging
Learn to:
Compare and use the newest blogging software tools
Find your niche and gain an audience
Integrate your blog with social media and explore microblogging
Make money with advertising and search engine optimization
Synopsis
This proven bestseller is fully updated and better than ever!Now in its fourth edition, Blogging For Dummies is fully updated and more practical than ever for today's bloggers. Whether you're just beginning or are already a full-tilt blogging maven, you'll find the up-to-date information you need in these friendly pages. Want to integrate your blog with social media? Jump into the fast-moving world of microblogging on Twitter or Tumblr? Choose which blogging software to use? Optimize your current blog for search? This detailed book guide covers it all, and then some. Buy the book, build a better blog, and blog about it!
- Provides up-to-date information on blogging software choices and utilities
- Explains how to identify your unique niche and attract readers
- Walks you through setting up an account and writing your first post
- Shows you how to optimize your blog for search, so new readers find you
- Helps you integrate your blog with social media
- Reveals what you need to know to start microblogging on Twitter or Tumblr
- Explores the ways you can make money with your blog
Start a conversation with the very latest blog-building tips and techniques in Blogging For Dummies.
About the Author
Susannah Gardner was among the editors at the Los Angeles Times who launched the newspaper's first website. She is cofounder and creative director of Hop Studios Internet Consultants.
Shane Birley is cofounder of Left Right Minds web consulting firm. You can find his blog at ShanesWorld.ca.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with Blogs 7
Chapter 1: Discovering Blog Basics 9
Chapter 2: Entering the Blogosphere 31
Chapter 3: Choosing and Hosting Blog Software 49
Part II: Setting Up Your Blog 77
Chapter 4: Starting a Blogger Blog 79
Chapter 5: Starting a WordPress Blog 105
Chapter 6: Starting a Tumblr Blog 127
Part III: Fitting In and Feeling Good 143
Chapter 7: Finding Your Niche 145
Chapter 8: Creating Great Content 159
Chapter 9: Building Community with Comments 173
Chapter 10: Blogging Anonymously 193
Part IV: Going Beyond Words 203
Chapter 11: Working with Photos 205
Chapter 12: Starting a Podcast 223
Chapter 13: Leveraging Community with Forums 243
Part V: Marketing and Promoting Your Blog 253
Chapter 14: Reaching Out with RSS 255
Chapter 15: Joining the Twitterverse 265
Chapter 16: Diving Into Social Networking 277
Chapter 17: Measuring Blog Presence 291
Part VI: Getting Business-y with It 307
Chapter 18: Making Mad Mad Money 309
Chapter 19: Blogging for Companies 325
Part VII: The Part of Tens 343
Chapter 20: Ten Ways of Growing Community 345
Chapter 21: Ten Tools for Mobile Blogging 353
Chapter 22: Ten Blogs You Should Know 359
Part VIII: Appendixes 365
Appendix A: Glossary 367
Appendix B: Very Basic HTML Code 371
Index 377