Setting up a blog

[sewsweet]

I did set up a blog. I am still learning but I am enjoying the adventure.

MyEmbroideredGifts Blog

[erikko]

that's the best way to learn how to market online, through blogs (this is also where i started that's why)

[cactus_donnat]

Originally Posted by erikko

that's the best way to learn how to market online, through blogs (this is also where i started that's why)

Hey All! I do a lot of freelance writing and there is one site/organization I get a lot of great info from. They also have a slew of online courses/workshops-- I thought this one may be useful for all those in the Blogosphere:

Grammar and Editing for Bloggers - mediabistro.com Courses and Seminars
(the links didn't carry through with my copy-paste so use above link)

Grammar and Editing for Bloggers
Make your blog or site reader-friendly and gramatically correct
You're a one-person operation and can't afford a copy editor. But you also can't afford the embarrassment and loss of credibility that can come from misstating facts, committing lapses in sentence logic, and misspelling names and other words -- or, worse, using the wrong words. In this class, you will learn how to successfully edit your own blog or website without becoming a grammar geek, but also without losing your own special voice.
>> learn more
In this class, you will learn:

- The secrets of the syntax (sentence structure) with respect to the modern blog reader accustomed to SMS shorthand
- The difference between to, two, and too -- and when to use a 2
- Why punctuation still matters in this era of rapid reading
- Why a styleguide is important and why consistency of style in your spelling and punctuation gives your blog greater respect
- How to copy edit or proofread your blog or site to catch as many errors as possible
Click here to learn more and register.
Prefer to register by telephone? Call us at 212-547-7890.

WHEN 4 weeks, September 14 - October 12
WHERE Online. Click here for more information.
PRICE $350 ($325 for AvantGuild members)
HOW TO REGISTER Click the button to register online or call us at 212-547-7890.

about the instructor
Gary North is a longtime news editor, copy editor, writer, and reporter who has worked for such chains as Knight-Ridder, Gannett, Belo, and MediaNews Group plus numerous independent publications and websites, as well as affiliates of CBS and PBS. He's also worked as a public information officer and in public relations departments of various nonprofits and for-profits including Southern California Edison. He is a former president of the Los Angeles Newspaper Guild and currently works as a senior copy editor and features copy chief at Variety and Daily Variety.

[erikko]

Originally Posted by cactus_donnat

Hey All! I do a lot of freelance writing and there is one site/organization I get a lot of great info from. They also have a slew of online courses/workshops-- I thought this one may be useful for all those in the Blogosphere:

Grammar and Editing for Bloggers - mediabistro.com Courses and Seminars
(the links didn't carry through with my copy-paste so use above link)

Grammar and Editing for Bloggers
Make your blog or site reader-friendly and gramatically correct
You're a one-person operation and can't afford a copy editor. But you also can't afford the embarrassment and loss of credibility that can come from misstating facts, committing lapses in sentence logic, and misspelling names and other words -- or, worse, using the wrong words. In this class, you will learn how to successfully edit your own blog or website without becoming a grammar geek, but also without losing your own special voice.
>> learn more
In this class, you will learn:

- The secrets of the syntax (sentence structure) with respect to the modern blog reader accustomed to SMS shorthand
- The difference between to, two, and too -- and when to use a 2
- Why punctuation still matters in this era of rapid reading
- Why a styleguide is important and why consistency of style in your spelling and punctuation gives your blog greater respect
- How to copy edit or proofread your blog or site to catch as many errors as possible
Click here to learn more and register.
Prefer to register by telephone? Call us at 212-547-7890.

WHEN 4 weeks, September 14 - October 12
WHERE Online. Click here for more information.
PRICE $350 ($325 for AvantGuild members)
HOW TO REGISTER Click the button to register online or call us at 212-547-7890.

about the instructor
Gary North is a longtime news editor, copy editor, writer, and reporter who has worked for such chains as Knight-Ridder, Gannett, Belo, and MediaNews Group plus numerous independent publications and websites, as well as affiliates of CBS and PBS. He's also worked as a public information officer and in public relations departments of various nonprofits and for-profits including Southern California Edison. He is a former president of the Los Angeles Newspaper Guild and currently works as a senior copy editor and features copy chief at Variety and Daily Variety.

whoa that's so nice of you but do you have any webinars for this?

[cactus_donnat]

This is just info I passed along about a class- I have no affiliation-- this is for a true blue continuing education class, but if you go to sites that specialize in SEO info I am sure there is info on other sources about blogging education things.

[rickytim]

Originally Posted by Charmlady

Ok I have just updated the design of my Blog - and the new resolution is to post to it 3x a week... Lets see how I make out...

Check it out Charming Memoirs

Any input, let me know..

Really like your blog layout and style. Just wondering what blogging software did you go with and did you do the design yourself? I am currently looking at starting a blog and would like it to mimic our site.
Thanks Rick

[cactus_donnat]

Hey Ricky! Wordpress is a highly recommended blogging web-based software to use- you can get one up and running in minutes by choosing a template, color scheme, etc. If you know CSS/HTML there are some things you can do to tweak the templates they provide you, as well as getting your logo in the header of the blog. I use Blogger, which is pretty good too.

However, if you wanted to take your blog to the next level and have it mimic your site by carrying through the branding, Solid Cactus does offer this service. If you want information on what we can do, feel free to contact me at the information below, or someone at SC if you have a contact here already.

Regardless of your blog matching your site exactly, I'd get one up as soon as possible-- the benefits are amazing!

Donna

[rickytim]

Ya I think I am going to use word press and just get the blog up and then make changes from there. I have not used HTML in a long time so I figure this would be a project for me to hone my skills.

[Charmlady]

Ricky

Donna was right - Wordpress is best. I use Word press version 2.6. Yahoo gives you a lower level version, which doesn't allow for widgets - which is how I did the left and right nav on my blog. Ver 2.6 has some other features not available in the yahoo version.

Solid Cactus is redesigning my site, so my blog will look just like my new website when it comes out. Our thought was this exactly - to mimic our site, make it look the same, to follow the theme through and through.

Good luck on your blog!

[rickytim]

I have been playing around with word press the older version. I have tried upgrading to the newer 2.6. But I am having a real tough time upgrading. I have tried following the guides on word press but it is just to complected just seems like they don't give you a step by step guide. If any one knows of a how to upgrade that they have use let me know.