CREATING A BLOG€¦ · Web viewHowever, after investing the time on the steps above, I would estimate that you can run a lively and fresh looking blog (updated, say, twice a week)

1

CREATING A BLOG

Donald MacleanAugust 2007

2

Why Blog?

The main reason for creating a blog for your library is for promotion of your services and updating your clients. If you’re not interested in either of those concepts, I would stop reading now.However, if you’ve ever created and distributed a newsletter, or even thought about it, blogging is for you.It’s a very easy way of creating stylish looking content via an extremely accessible medium, which can spread the word instantly and efficiently to the people who may want to know what’s new in your library.Using a combination of your own blog(s) and RSS feeds (to keep an eye on other people’s blogs) will mean that you are getting your own message across, whilst at the same time keeping up with other professionals’ opinions, news and innovations.A blog is easy to update, doesn’t make hefty demands on your time, is free, and allows you space to promote your own patch, your own style and allow your creativity a bit of breathing space.

Providers

There are lots of different ways of setting up your blog. At the most customisable end of the market you can buy your own space on the web and install blogging software such as Wordpress, and you would have complete control over every aspect of the operation.The downside of that is that you would need some technical knowledge and be prepared to invest time and energy to set it up, customise it and service it.Most people (author included) tend to use a service like Blogger which is extremely easy to set up, free, customisable and very easy to maintain and update.See the ‘Useful Links’ page for links to Blogger, Wordpress and a reference site for a list of blog providers.


3

Time

Time should be an important element in your decision to blog, or not to blog. So how much time will it take to setup and run?

Setup. Using Blogger, you could have a functional blog within 10 minutes.Customisation. This may take half an hour or so, maybe an hour if you are new to Blogger.Marketing and promotion. As much time as you are willing to commit. You should expend some energy on promoting your blog locally, perhaps leaflets or a link from your institutional website.Updating. This is the aspect that most people find daunting. However, after investing the time on the steps above, I would estimate that you can run a lively and fresh looking blog (updated, say, twice a week) for a time outlay of 1-2 hours per week.Creation

This really is simplicity itself. From www.Blogger.com click on the big orange arrow ‘CREATE YOUR BLOG NOW’.

You need a valid email address, create a password, give yourself a screen name, (enter the word verification), accept the terms and conditions and ‘continue’.**Take a note of your details: don’t get locked out!


4

Choose a name and address for your blog (check availability before you proceed).Complete the word verification box and ‘continue’.

Choose a template (you can change your choice later), ‘continue’ and you’re done!

The next screen will prompt you to ‘Start Posting’.

Customisation

You can start posting immediately, but it’s usually a good idea to carry out basic customisation before you begin in earnest.If you click on the ‘Start Posting’ link, you will be taken to the posting page.

If you want to fire off a quick post, fill in the title box, type some text in the main text area, tag the post in the ‘labels’ box, and click on ‘Publish Now’.That’s it. The post is now live on the web.


5

You now have the option to view the blog, or start to customise it. It’s worth having a look to see what it looks like, before you start making changes.It will look fairly bare and empty at this point, but start by clicking on the ‘Customise’ button at the top right to start making changes. Some of the main features are highlighted below.


Posting.Where you go to update the blog.

Settings.Very important area. Lets you customise posting, publishing, comments and privacy.

Template.Lets you change the way the site looks.

This area lets you change the page elements and layout, and add new elements to liven up the blog.

6

The Posting area is fairly self-explanatory: there are three tabs here, which allow you to create new posts, edit ones you’ve already published and moderate comments.

It is worth making alterations in Settings as soon as you’ve created a blog.

The Basic tab will let you add a description to your blog, which will show in the blog and decide whether the blog will be listed in the Blogger directory, or not.The Formatting tab is quite important, as you set your local time here, which ensures posts are recorded accurately.In Comments you can decide who can, or cannot, comment. You can choose to switch comments off.Site Feed deals with settings for RSS feeds, which allow other people to receive automatic updates when you post an entry.Permissions allows you let other Blogger users post on, or contribute, to your blog. Useful for collaborative work.

The Template area lets you add page elements (either ones that Blogger supply, or import your own from other sites), change fonts and colours, or change the template entirely.

You can experiment with the administrative area to get the blog looking and functioning the way you want it to.


7

Updating

Updating is as simple as logging in to your account, clicking on ‘New Post’ and typing in, or pasting, your text.

You can see that Blogger has a small toolbar above the text box, which allows you to format text, add bullet points, block quotes and check your spelling.

You may also want to add pictures. To do this, click on the ‘Add Image’ button.

Browse for the image you want on your own computer. Decide where you want it placed on the page, and what size you want the thumbnail to be. The first time you use this service, you will be asked to accept the terms and conditions.You can add pictures from the web, but you should obviously be aware of any copyright restrictions.It is also highly advisable to treat pictures before you put them on the web, to make sure they are not too big on screen, or in file size. Anything from 30-250Kb would be acceptable for most users.Blogger has a maximum file size of 8mb, but a picture this size is really not recommended, as people will not be prepared to download a picture that will take some time to download, and use up their bandwidth.


8

Promotion Promoting a blog is like promoting any other aspect of your service. The amount of time you dedicate to it will be related to how important the service is to you. What is certain is that if the blog is not promoted and updated, it will be ignored. Fresh content is the lifeblood of any blog, personal or professional.Most blog promotion takes place on the web, but in a librarian’s case this may not always be the most appropriate method. Local promotion would probably pay more dividends within your school or college.

Link to the blog from your website Put the blog address on your letterheads and stationery Advertise it on bookmarks Create small leaflets for distribution (pop them in books when

you issue) Advertise for contributions: your pupils might want to blog too.

You may possibly want to promote your blog wider into the community:

make parents aware give mentions to local institutions like your public library let your professional colleagues know where it is let the local press know you blog, they might find a story in it


9

Useful Links

https://www.blogger.com

Popular, easy to setup and free.

http://wordpress.org/

Wordpress blogging software.

http://uk.dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/World_Wide_Web/Weblogs/Hosting/

Some blog hosting options with links

http://www.statcounter.com/

A free statistics tool, easy to setup on your site. Basic service is free, more than adequate for the average blog.

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42377

Blogger guide to promoting your blog.

End Of Document


http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42377

http://www.statcounter.com/



http://wordpress.org/

https://www.blogger.com/

Documents

CREATING A BLOG€¦ · Web viewHowever, after investing the time on the steps above, I would estimate that you can run a lively and fresh looking blog (updated, say, twice a week)