In this beginner workshop, bloggers will learn the elements of an effective blog and which platforms work best. Learn the benefits of blogging and its impact on your brand. Get tips on how to creatively ignite conversation around your blog with compelling content.

1. BLOGGING FOR
BEGINNERS
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

2. WHAT IS A BLOG?
A blog (which is also called a weblog or web log) is
a website consisting of entries, also known as posts,
that appear in chronological order.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

3. WHAT IS A BLOG?
A blog is an online journal of your thoughts,
ideas, opinions and passions. It is a website…
your website that is updated regularly. It is a
platform that allows you to be creative and
share your knowledge on a particular topic or
multiple topics.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

4. WHAT IS A BLOG?
The website About.com shares the
following variations of the term
blog…
1. Blogging: The act of writing a post for a blog
2. Blogger: A person who writes content for a blog
3. Blogosphere: The online community of blogs and
bloggers
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

5. WHY BLOG?
•To market or brand your business
•Express your thoughts about a particular topic
•Share your knowledge and expertise
•Connect with friends and family
•Give information
•Help others
•To have fun
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

6. GETTING STARTED
A blog is an extension of yourself or your brand.
It is important to understand why you want
to start a blog. What is the purpose for the
blog, who will it impact & why.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

7. BLOG PLATFORMS
•Wordpress.com
•Free
•Free themes & templates to choose from
•Open source blogging platform
•Wide variety of themes, plugins & gadgets
•Can blog on your own server or use WordPress hosted blog
•Up to 3GB of free storage space
•Blogger.com
•Free
•Owned by Google
•Easy to use
•Free themes & templates to choose from
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

8. BLOG PLATFORMS
•Blog
•Wordpress powered blogging platform
•Free selection of themes & templates
•Plugins
•Up to 2GB of free storage space
•Tumblr
•Short form or micro-blogging
•Short, concise posts that often focus on media rich images or
video.
•Alternative for someone who wants to blog but doesn’t really
want to commit to lengthy, text heavy posts.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

9. Benefits of Blogging
1. Connect with friends
2. Opportunity to articulate your knowledge and share
information with your audience
3. Meet others with similar interests
4. Create an online community surrounding your brand
or product
5. Strengthen relationships
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

10. Purpose?
Know the purpose for your blog before you start
blogging
1. Why are you blogging?
2. What is your message?
3. Who is your audience?
4. What is your goal
5. What do you hope to accomplish?
6. What do you have to offer?
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

11. Choosing a Domain Name
• Once you identify a topic/theme for your blog, it can
be a starting point for selecting a domain name.
Consider the branding surrounding your domain
name, email address, i.e., rodeena@blogname.com.
• Consider the future of your blog. Don’t select a name
that will limit your growth potential – take into the
consideration that the topic you start out with may not
be your topic 1 year from now. Select a name that you
are not likely to outgrow.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

12. What is your blogging style?
1. Personal Diary
1. You share your innermost thoughts with the world. Your blog is your
therapist couch.
2. The News Reporter
1. You have all of the latest news and updates on events
3. The politician
1. Everything & anything relating to politics. You’re the politician of the
Internet.
4. Gossip 411
1. You have the 411 on every celebrity & wanna be celebrity around town.
5. The Professional
1. All business. Don’t share much personal opinion – lots of facts &
statistics.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

13. How to Keep Your Blog Fresh
1. Post often
2. Keep content relevant
3. Connect with others
4. Post engaging content
5. Write a review & share opinion on the latest trends
6. Use graphics/pictures to tell a story
7. Add humor
8. Be personable
9. Include personalized videos on your blog
1. Keep it tasteful
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

14. Blogging mistakes to avoid
1. Not consistent
1. Be consistent with frequency of your posts
2. No fresh content
1. To keep readers coming back, post fresh content… regularly
3. Lack of focus
1. Stay true to your theme/topic.
4. No personality
1. Make sure your blog has personality. Reflection of
who you are
5. Boring headlines
1. Headlines & titles should capture audience attention.
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

15. Don’t Be Afraid to Express Yourself
1. Be consistent with your message
2. Be transparent
3. Make your blog conversational
4. Know your voice
5. Articulate confidence without being arrogant
6. Let your personality come through in your blog posts
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

16. How to Drive Traffic to Your Blog
1. Write… A LOT!!
2. Connect link to your blog from social networks
3. Put a direct link to your from your website
4. Comment on other blogs – may encourage others to
read your blog
5. Join blogging communities. These communities often
encourage you to share a link to your blog
6. Connect with bloggers online
7. Join Twitter chats that discuss blogging
1. Most popular blogging chat on Twitter #blogchat
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

17. THINGS TO REMEMBER
• Stay Relevant
• Check out the “trends” (trending topics)
• Share an opinion about the latest trends
• Engage others in conversation
• Solicit opinions
• Start a community chat board on your blog
• Share information
• Share links to some of your favorite articles and
blogs
• Have fun!
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

18. SOME OF MY FAVORITE BLOGS
1. ALOUD Blog – www.nywici.org/features/blogs/aloud
2. Valley Stream Mom – www.valleystreammom.com
3. MackCollier – www.mackcollier.com
4. Awesomely Luvvie –
www.networkedblogs.com/FEbvA
5. Heidi Cohen – www.heidicohen.com
6. BlogHer – www.blogher.com
7. The Snob Blog – www.blacksnob.com
8. Jeff Bullas – www.jeffbullas.com
9. Sista Sense – www.sistasense.com
10. In Her Shoes – www.inhershoesblog.com
Presented by Rodeena Stephens

19. HAPPY BLOGGING!
Presented by Rodeena Stephens