Hmm… have you been a-lurking about the blog scene for some time? Are you toying with the idea of becoming a blogger yourself? Perhaps you are not sure if you are good enough, smart enough, creative enough, pretty enough, interesting enough?! Stop that.
I’m here to tell you that YOU ARE! Blogging (for me) has been an absolutely life changing (huge call!) experience. It’s a great way to meet lovely people, stay inspired, keep positive, have fun, vent and get feedback. Blogging is a wonderful tool for people that love to write. There is nothing like the discipline of sitting down every day to tap tap on the keyboard, to hone your style and keep your enthusiasm ticking. And the great thing about blogging is that there is ALWAYS someone out there just like you – so be true to yourself and write what you want to write!
If you’ve always harboured a desire to write, if you’re an obsessive journal writer, if you love to document your life, if you have skills to share, a business to chat about, if you seek to share your outlook on life, if you are looking for encouragement…. if any of those things are true, then you might just like to write a blog!
For me, blogging is about sharing, writing, looking at lovely pictures, finding out about my community, learning new things and enjoying the feeling of being amongst friends.
Where to Start
Start at Blogger. I know, I’m biased, but I blog with Blogger and I love it. It’s free, it’s easy to navigate and it usually behaves the way it says it will! You need to sign up for a Google Account to use Blogger – but you can do this by signing up using your usual email address. There is a good tutorial here by Blogger and here from a funny guy with a nice English accent – but you can just search on Youtube for other tutorials on how to set up your blog. Before you start your blogger account – think of a name you’d like to be known by, something that means something to you. Just a few words will do – and hopefully this will be your blog name (if someone else hasn’t taken it!). I would recommend that the blog URL that you choose is the same as the display name of your blog, so people can find you easily.
Sometimes someone has already nabbed your most favoured blog name – you can counteract this by adding in hyphens to differentiate your blog from theirs – but really, if your name has been taken, just think of a cuter one – without hyphens or dots is easier for people to remember.
Once you’ve chosen your Blog name, signed up and completed the set-up process, you need to choose a template. This defines what your blog will look like on screen. You can always change that later as you become more confident with the Blogger software. Blogger displays some different templates on the screen during the set-up process – so just pick the one you most like for the moment.
Start Blogging
Just write. Click ‘Start Posting’ or ‘New Post’ and away you go! Blogger formats the html (weird internet language) for you – so you just type away, make your changes, add images, spell check, preview and publish! It really is that easy! I think the hardest thing is knowing what to write! It can take some time to learn to navigate all the posting and set-up and layout tabs in Blogger – but just take your time to click around, watch lots of tutorials and you’ll get the hang of it. Practice makes poifect!
How to Upload Pictures
I’ve found a nice Aussie tutorial on uploading images here. You can upload direct to Blogger from your hard-drive – or you can upload from Flickr as detailed in the tutorial just mentioned (I recommend uploading from Flickr). Set up a Flickr account if you don’t already have one. This means you upload images to Flickr first – and then you can copy each individual image into Blogger as you need to.
It’s a good way of keeping your photos in one spot, and keeping Blogger running smoothly – the photos should load more quickly and you won’t be using up all your Blogger image allowance (I’m up to 30% on mine after only 18 months or so). It also means you won’t have to delete images after a couple of years of blogging. This is great if you are like me and post WAY too many images!
Customising the Look of Your Blog
There is a good tute here – you can play around and add stuff to your blog to your hearts desire. Probably the first thing you will want to add is your very own Blogroll ( a list of links to your favourite blogs). Blogger will automatically show your profile and your blog archive.
Adding ‘page elements’ is a great way to make your blog look different to other blogs. Be sure to customise it so that it reflects just what you are all about!
The Most Important Things About Blogging – According to me!
Your content – Write about things you really care about. Be sure you are honest and have some integrity. Don’t be a wanker. Don’t pretend to be someone you aren’t. Don’t be pretentious. I promise people will like you just the way you are. And don’t reveal TOO much about yourself – your privacy is important – have a think about what you feel comfortable with. As a rough rule, don’t reveal where you live, your full name or location-specific details about your kids.
Always proof read and spell check your posts – even the most poignant, funny or clever writing is let down by typos. Once you have clicked the publish button – go and have a look at what you have published. Double check for extra line-breaks or wonky formatting and fix it straight away. NO ONE likes a sloppy blog.
Your images – beautiful images make a blog. Crap ones will turn people away in droves. First impressions count. Brush up on your photography skills. If your photos aren’t up to scratch you can fake it by editing them later on a site such as Picnik. Tote your camera with you wherever you go – but beware the ‘living for blogging’ syndrome which involves planning your day around good Blogger photo opportunities. That is just silly. If using other people’s images always ask them first – and always credit images sourced from elsewhere.
Updating – no point having a blog that you only update once a month. Update often. Sometimes just a photo is enough, as long as it means something to you. If you’re having a crappy day and can’t think of what to write, then trawl the EXPLORE pages on Flickr and post something that makes you feel a bit more chipper.
Commenting – the best way to let people know you are out there is by commenting (thoughtfully, not just jumping up and down saying ‘look at me’) on other blogs. If someone is religiously commenting on your blog – return the favour – don’t be an aloof-no-commenting-blogging-princess (or prince) – we’re all equal in blog land and it’s nice to know who is reading! Remember, bloggers are people too.
Reading – don’t fall into the trap of skimming over other people’s blogs and commenting in 3 words. It’s so much nicer to read a few blogs properly, as opposed to becoming an image junkie and leaving super-quick dumb comments on zillions of blogs. Be a good Blog-buddy. Meaningful comments are just as important as a great blog post.
Linking – if you love someone else’s blog – link to them whenever it’s relevant. Put them on your blogroll. Not only will it help drive traffic to their blog (which YOU LOVE) – it’ll help your readers get a better grasp of who you are and what you like. Also – if someone is supporting YOU or what you do – in any way, shape or form – then it is nice manners to link to them.
Lurking – bloggers give lurkers (people that visit your blog without commenting) a hard time – but remember that your lurkers may be your most avid readers. They may just be little word-shy or perhaps they are not sure how to use the Blogger commenting function. Or they may just like lurking. It’s okay, as long as they keep popping in. Learn to love your lurkers!
Other Cool Blogging Stuff
Flickr – the butter to Blogger’s bread.
Bighugelabs.com – a great site for manipulating images you have uploaded to Flickr into cool collages which you can cut and paste into your blog – please note that some people have trouble using bighugelabs mosaic maker – let me know if you are struggling and I’ll do my best to troubleshoot for you!
Picnik.com – aforementioned free photo editor – upload to Flickr first and then edit in Picnik
Google Analytics – for tracking how many people visit your blog, where they came from, how long they stay and what they look at
Technorati – for tracking who is linking to YOUR blog
Bloglines and Google Reader – you just add the URLs of your favourite blogs and you can view them all from one website! Beware.. this can be a HUGE suck on your time – it’s so easy to add hundreds of blogs – so be selective and delete the ones you always skim over as time goes on. Always click over to the posts you love and comment.
Feedburner – for adding a subscribe button to your blog – readers get it in their inbox whenever you update
Mixwit – for adding mixtapes to your blog – just for fun
I hope this helps! If you’ve got any queries about newbie blogging, I’d love to help! Don’t be shy! Anyone can comment on my blog – even anonymously! You don’t need to be a Blogger member.
edit – there is a tutorial here which covers how to set up Google Analytics for Blogger!
edit again – i also wrote a tute on ‘how to market your craft blog’ – find it here
xx Mikes
Thanks for the great ideas! This has given me the push to start blogging.
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Thank you for such a detailed post! I'm just starting a blog now, and it's so nice to learn the etiquette before I blunder in.
I created a blog about 2 months ago. I was ready to start with tons of inspiration and motivation, which is usually a good thing. Sadly I haven't posted anything yet, but not because I didn’t have anything to post. I haven’t posted anything yet because of self-doubt. Your post really helped me to try and get back on track. Thank you!
You've inspired me to enter in the blog world! Thanks for the ideas 🙂
Thank you very much for this post! It was the kick in the pants I needed to start up my crochet blog, Rock Dove Planet. I can definitely see myself referring back to this post whenever I need some blogging mojo.
Thank you for sharing your tips, Pip. I have been toying with the idea of starting a blog and your page has helped to give me some perspective. It's nice to click on a page that gives sound, constructive advice rather than just asking you to buy an online guide with all the answers! I shall return!
Thanks for the tips! I just started my own craft blog a couple of weeks ago, this info will come in very handy! x
Thanks Pip! I finally started a craft blog from your tutorial! I have 3 posts so far….. Hopefully, I can keep up with it now. I didn't realize I was a lurker until I read your post – so here's my first comment. Thanks a bunch!!
Thanks Pip, I've been lurking for quite a while now and always felt guilty entering comps but not having a blog to link them to. At the same time, I was scared witless…what if I did it wrong?…what if I have nothing to say?…what if no-one is interested and I get no visitors???? Well, whilst playing around with blog names on the weekend I went a bit too far and pressed the final button and now I'm a published blogger (and quite chuffed about it!!)
I've revisited your blog tute many times for ideas and hints and everything you said was sooooo useful…thank you thank you thank you!!!! I'm planning to work my way through your list of sites to visit and just 'play'!
thanks so much again…forever grateful
;o) Wendy B
Gosh, I've been wondering how to set up a blog for ages, and have just found this wonderful tutorial. Thank you.
My biggest obstacle is thinking of a name to blog under – but as soon as I can, I'll be blogging.
Technorati is making me feel completely lost! There is so much info I don't know how to start. I've set up and verified my account…but I'm trying to start by adding you as a favorite and going from there. I can't figure it out!
Can you do a post on Technorati how-to?? that would be super helpful…like all your blogging advice posts which have been super helpful for me as I have started mine. thanks for all your help!
J
Thank you Pip. With all your warm and encouraging words to cheer me on I might just get brave enough to stop watching and start doing. And if I do, your post will be a great place to start.
this is an awesome resource. I sure wish I'd seen it before I started mine. And thanks for the tip about Google Analytics, I've just signed up, and Technorati is next. I'll be sending the link to this post to anyone who asks me how to start their own blog!
Entering the world of blogland is certainly a learning curve. Thank you for you time in putting this together. It was the uploading images to Flickr and then to the blog that gave me my lightbulb moment.
Cheers.
Wow Pip! What a great post! I'm new to the blogging scene and you really helped me understand a lot of things. Thanks a bunch.
Medhaxx
Great tips and advice off to find some widgets 🙂
Thank you so much for your help on starting my blog! I have been wanting to do this for awhile but I had no idea how!! I still have a lot to learn!!! Thanks soooo much!!!
I think your post was just the encouragement I needed to dip my toe in the water… Thank you, for your generosity of spirit. Your blog is wonderful and so buoyant and encouraging.
Oooh – i learnt something!
Thanks for the tips – i only recently discovered blogging and am the same as above comments – never knew so many people out there had the same crafting love – and blogged about it! I may even be inspired to start one….maybe.
D
Pip, thanks so much for such and informative and inspirational post. It was just what I needed!
Yep another guilty lurker here. I actually didn’t realise that it was bad ‘netiquitte’ to not comment. Thanks for your inspiring words..you have opened up my eyes.
hi, i’ve been a lurker for quiet sometime. i love your blog and do you know that you’re a great blogger? i just started a blog 3days ago and this advice is really helpful for me. thanx alot. truly appreciated=D
Hi Pip,
Just read Sandy’s comments and what she said, could be me. I am also new to blogging and have been enjoying looking at other peoples blogs, I had no idea it was rude not to leave a comment. I am blown away by the amazing talent, ideas and information that is available. Thanks for your great advice, I hope to be able to improve my poor little blog.
Pip, I love to sew and do crafts, I did’nt know there were so many other crafters out there till I discovered blogs. I am new to reading blogs and I just love to peruse them and learn so many new things. I didn’t know that I was offending anyone by not leaving a comment. MY apologies. I am learning new things everyday! Thanks for all the wonderful and helpful info.
Pip your blog is soooo great. I am lapping up the info and crafty goodness like there is no tomorrow. No wonder you have such a huge following. I haven’t had my first blog birthday yet so I guess I’m still a newbie but I just wanted to say I appreciate all your info and advice. Thanks so much for enlightening the rest of us!
Kris
Thanks Pip, you have been a great help and source of insperation for me. I love your book too, well done 🙂
guilty lurker confessing here.
Hi Pip,
thankyou for your very useful post…you made it seem so easy..so off I went and started blogging !
Just one question,how do you get ssuch long posts ? Blogger only lets me have 500 charcters then I run out of space on the post ??
Keep up the inspirational work !
Pip, what a great tutorial. I read it and immediately started my own blog! You made it sound easy and it actually was. Thanks for all the tips.
Hi Pip, Love your blog and you have inspired me to take the plunge, wish me luck! Jess xx
Thanks for a great post Pip! I have been putting off starting a blog, I’ve been collecting my photos, ideas etc and you have given me the push I needed! Thanks.
Thank you for this information. It’s given me the push I needed to start my own blog today. Baby steps right now but it’s all good.
This post has given me the push I needed to start my own blog and stop being such a silent reader : ) Thankyou so much!