1. ZERO TO HERO
CUSTOMIZATION, CONTENT,
& COMMUNITY

2. Hi, I'm Michelle!

3. YOUR MANTRAS
Nothing is permanent.
Don't panic.
This is supposed to be fun.

4. 1. Build your house
2. Fill it with stuff
3. Meet the neighbors

5. 1. Build your house
2. Fill it with stuff
3. Meet the neighbors

6. PICKING A THEME
Your style.
Your content.
Your commitment.

7. This is my dashboard; there are
many like it, but this one is mine.
My dashboard is my best friend.

8. TOTALLY FREE!
Title and tagline (Settings → General)
Header image (Appearance → Header)
Widgets (Appearance → Widgets)
Prompts and emails (Settings → Reading)
NOT QUITE SO FREE.
Custom design
Premium themes

9. 1. Build your house
2. Fill it with stuff
3. Meet the neighbors

10. If you can't be yourself on your own
blog, where can you?

11. A healthy blog is like a healthy colon.

12. Everyone loves a juicy headline.

13. Format is (almost) as
important as content...

14. … but content is still queen.

15. 1. Build your house
2. Fill it with stuff
3. Meet the neighbors

16. Don't fear the Reader.

17. Always Be Commenting

18. BE A POLITE GUEST
Read.
Add to the conversation.
Keep it short.
Keep it civil.
No plugging.

19. Always Be Moderating
(admittedly less clever)

20. Participation will count
toward your fnal grade.

21. BE A JOINER
Writing & photo events
Giveaways
Related forums
Social networks

22. MORE GOOD STUFF
learn.wordpress.com
dailypost.wordpress.com
en.blog.wordpress.com

23. Questions, comments,
and gratuitous praise.