BS: Creating a Blog

Subject: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 12:36 AM

The Mudcat is so full of knowledgeable, multi-talented, innovative people I can't imagine a subject that wouldn't have its experts right here, so this is where I'll start. I know a number of you have web sites, but I have no idea how you went about creating one.

I need to start a blog. Maybe someday I will need a website but at this moment I think my choice is a blog. I want interactive options.

So. I know nuthin'. I've done some online reading so I know some terms but that is about it.

My primary purpose is to track a couple of musical groups as they go on tour. I want to be able to post that So-and-So will be at the SO -and- SO in Such and Such a town or region on Such-and-Such a date, give the cost at the door and the CDs they have done, then follow with some promotional information about them and where they are headed next.

In addition to the music tracking, I will do the standard thing, naturally. I like to write so I expect I'll keep it up to date and hope to keep it lively. I will also post photos and links to other sites.

I've been reading about domain names- which is pretty basic stuff â€" but I'm stumped even there. I realize it needs to be kept short so that it will attract traffic but how in the world do a couple of words or a short phrase develop punch?

Now I realize it may be a no-no to ask for help on such a matter â€" but maybe you can think of it more like just being a discussion and let me pick up bits and pieces of helpful stuff?

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 10:27 AM

Ebbie - take a look at: Wordpress...

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Amos
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 10:44 AM

sECOND THE MOTION. cHOOSE YOUR TEMPLATE AND START PLUGGING!


a

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 11:06 AM

two of my friends use blogspot.com -

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: maeve
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 11:12 AM

Ebbie, Google has a Make-Your-Own Blog page, too. Looking forward to yours, when you have it started.

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 11:20 AM

No comments on this one, yet

Wink!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 12:08 PM

For what you're intending to do, Twitter might be a better bet than a blog.

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: ragdall
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 12:32 PM

Even though you won't be profiting from it, I wonder since you will be promoting commercial endeavours by advertising admission prices and wares, if you will need to make sure that is allowed on whatever blog host you select? I don't have a blog, but any web host I've used has different prices for personal versus commercial sites.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Alice
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 12:48 PM

Wordpress and Blogspot are the top two recommended blog sites. That's a good thing - you want the connectivity of lots of people using the site you choose.

I have two blogs on Wordpress, one for letterpress printed design and one for paintings. I also have one for the letterpress designs on Blogspot, but I like Wordpress much better.

Good luck!

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 04:07 PM

Alice, I'd like to see your blog(s)- may I?

I've been reading about both WordPress and Blogspot. The consensus seems to be that WordPress has more features and flexibility.

Maeve, I'll check out the Make Your Own- I've read a number of sites but I don't think I've come across that one yet.

Amos, I may well get a template and fill it in- especially if I can later customize it. Evidently the template, one size fits all, is sneered at. (I don't mind being sneered at:)

Jack Campin, from what I've been reading, what I plan to do is quite different from commercializing- I want to be a middle man. Perhaps later in the natural course of events I'll expand my efforts. In any case, from what I understand, it is perfectly permissible to sell things on one's blog.

As for Twitter, I don't have or use a cell phone. That may change, of course.

Thanks, people. You've given me a start. (Not as 'startled'!)

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:03 PM

You don't need a mobile phone to use Twitter, though it helps. It might a useful add-on even if your main efforts are directed to the blog - once you've got people following you on Twitter, they don't need to do anything to get your messages. (Just keep the volume down, or they'll unfollow you pretty quick). There are very few blogs I've looked at more than once, so marketing solely through a blog would miss me entirely.

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Alice
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 08:50 PM

Here is my painting blog:

A Painting A Day - Alice Flynn

Here is the wordpress blog for Letterpress designs:
My Letterpress Prints

Here is the letterpress blog at Blogspot, which I have not updated as much as the Wordpress blog:

My Letterpress on Blogspot


Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: maeve
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 08:58 PM

Ebbie- the Google blog section is here. I was describing it as a make your own, but its name is "www.blogger.com."

m

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: number 6
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 09:02 PM

I'll vouch for blogspot.com

it's easy to use.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Creating a Blog
From: Alice
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 09:02 PM

By the way, Ebbie, I started the "painting in a day" blog on August 2. I've been able to finish one small painting a day without a break so far. I've been uploading a link to each one that I finish on the "Accountability" thread.

A.