How to Get Started Blogging in 5 Minutes or Less
I put off starting a blog for a long time because I thought it would be hard. I thought it would be technical. I thought I'd have to install scripts and tear my hair out getting them to work. At that point, most of what I'd read about blogs and RSS was just so much geek-speak.
Was I ever wrong!
When I finally got the courage to give it a go, I went to blogger.com and signed up for an account. To my amazement, I had a blog set up in about 5 minutes. My first post was uploaded to my site about 10 minutes later.
The only thing even remotely technical I was required to do was enter the FTP settings for the website my blog would be published on. But even that wasn't a requirement. With Blogger, you can set up a blog on their site, Blogspot, and not even worry about FTP settings.
Since then, I've started 3 Blogger blogs on different sites. Blogger remains one of the most popular blog applications in the world simply because it is so simple to use and set up. If you're a technophobe or don't have the time to learn something completely new, I would urge you to drop by Blogger.com and take a look. You could be blogging - and enjoying the benefits - almost immediately.
Another very simple blogging tool is Wordpress. This blog is my first Wordpress blog, and I'm very impressed with how powerful it is - as well as simple.
Wordpress is installed on your own website, but don't let that stop you. Most hosts that have Cpanel already have Wordpress ready for you to install. Look in your Cpanel for the Fantastico application, click it open, and then choose Wordpress to install. It will automatically install it on your site for you, and you can start blogging right away.
If your host doesn't already include Wordpress in the scripts on your server, you can still pick it up at:
http://wordpress.org/
Then go to the Wordpress Wiki for instructions on how to install it in 5 minutes:
http://wiki.wordpress.org/?pagename=5MinuteInstallation
Wordpress is free, open-source software. It is very simple to install, even for technophobes, and has a lot of online documentation. There are also many sites with free Wordpress add-ons and templates. I'm using a template for this blog that I picked up at Alex King's site:
http://www.alexking.org/index.php?content=software/wordpress/styles.php
The Wordpress Wiki is a wealth of information on all things Wordpress, including installation instructions, help files, a long list of template sites, and all kinds of hacks and extras you can use to modify your blog and make it original.
If you're a Wordpress user, another place to visit is the Wordpress discussion forum:
http://wordpress.org/support/
If you're a new blogger, both Wordpress and Blogger are very user friendly. There isn't a long learning curve. And you won't have to learn any new technical tricks. Why not give one of them a try?
For more tips and ideas on how to make money blogging, be sure to visit my "Why Marketers Should Blog" weblog at (what else) http://www.WhyMarketersShouldBlog.com
Related Articles:
Blogging: A Distinct Social Impact
Blogging has diligently progressed to the forefront of digital communication in a historically expeditious rate of speed. As early as 1983, threads of message boards dotted the internet with newsworthy postings, including the infamous World Wide Web. By 1994, some were using the web as their daily diary or sounding board.* People began to pay attention. By 1997, these personal homepages became sources of news. Who are we listening to out in cyberspace? It is true that most believe what they read or see on television. After all, these people have our best interest at heart! Don?t they? Or is there an agenda they serve of their own? The dangers of a world of information and socializing through blogging can leave a questionable impact that?s l...
Social Lending Will be the Next Big Web 2.0 Thing
When banks and other traditional money lenders say "no," the Web and some new social networking sites might just say "yes." Allen Stern explains that this might be the next big thing for Web 2.0 -- and why it is a development worth watching closely -- in a three-part series of stories on the popular Web site CenterNetworks.
What is Blogging?
Blogs have been around for many years but have recently become somewhat a new 'craze'. A Blog is short for Web Log is basically an online journal.
Review Helpful Blogging Customer Income Problogger Significant Roadmap
As you devour this article, remember that the rest of it contains valuable information related to Review Helpful Blogging Customer Income Problogger and in some way related to Hindi Language, Forensic Economics, Blogger Search On Blogger or Radio Blog Player for your reading pleasure.
Consultants Turn Web 2.0 into Brain Trusts
The Bay Area Consultants Network has launched a new initiative to help its members learn how to harness the business potential of the Web 2.0 world. As part of this initiative, two companies and the organization itself are implementing procedures that create visibility and credibility for the businesses, encourage customer engagement and develop compelling communities of interest. Updates are given at each monthly meeting and a full program on the initiative will take place early in 2008.
Blogging for Profit Starts With a Long Term Plan
Many people dream of blogging for profit, and this goal is not far beyond the reach of someone with average intelligence, a willingness to work hard, and a basic grasp of blogging technology. However, very few people manage to reap the profits they want from their blog. Most people who attempt to make money with their blogs do not succeed for two reasons.
Women's Careers Finding Web 2.0 Options at HR OptIn
HR OptIn Website has brought the power of Web 2.0 to working women. Online hub serves as an on-ramp to flexible, project-oriented career opportunity in the HR field by employing the best practices of Web 2.0.
Web 2.0 Meets Dialing for Dollars
Seattle nonprofit first to utilize live, webcasting for fundraising.
EduCatalyst, Inc. Launches Web 2.0 College and University Search Site - LocalSchools.com
Site unleashes social networking tools, such as chat, maps and other geospatial tools, online profiles and personalized web tools to allow college-bound students to make an educated decision about their higher education choices.
Secrets Of Free Blogging Web Site
For first time bloggers, a free blogging web site is a great way to get started in the blogosphere. Popular blogging web sites like blogger and eponym allow users to set up and host a blog without paying any fees at all.
Parature Webinar Explores Best Practices in Customer Support in a Web 2.0 World
Industry thought leader Michael Buckham-White to discuss how to leverage technology to enable customer-self-service and reduce calls and emails by up to 80%.
Web 2.0 for the Urban Culture Generation
MixYourWorlds.com, the top urban social networking site, unites the urban culture generation through the next wave of web 2.0 community and dating tools.
5 Reasons Why Blogging is the New Internet Marketing Tool
Blogging is a concept that started in late 90s. It used to be a way to comment an existing webpage, an opportunity for visitors and readers to react or voice out one?s opinion on the said page. What started as a single-sentence commentary has evolved into pages of personal take on just about anything and everything under the sun. As it continues to move forward, online advertising has tapped into the blog?s potential. Here are 5 reasons why you should use blogging as an Internet marketing tool.
The Idiot's Step-By-Step Guide To Blogging for Profit
Blogging is easy, blogging is fun. And what's more.
"Blogging To The Bank" Reviewed
"Get rich quick!" Who hasn't heard those words before. Unfortunately the chasm between actually benefiting from such systems compared to reading about alleged others who are doing so seems wider than the Grand Canyon. And the truth is, most "get rich quick" systems only work if your right lake is orange, it's the 2nd Tuesday of the week, and your first name is Gertrude.