Comments on: Blogging for Beginners – Questions? http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/ Make Money Online Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:03:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Blog Writes » Blog Archive » Blogging for beginners - via problogger http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-2/#comment-231891 Blog Writes » Blog Archive » Blogging for beginners - via problogger Sat, 25 Feb 2006 05:54:19 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-231891 [...] Blogging for beginners - via problogger Darren Rowse, over at problogger.net, has a great series starting for beginning bloggers. All bloggers - beginning and professional - should have his web site bookmarked. He is always full of great information and resources and he doesn’t speak in technical jargon. He is friendly and upbeat and helpful. The problogger.net web site is a must have!!Here’s a small section of his post for bloggers just starting out: I’m particularly looking for questions from bloggers who are just starting out. If you’ve been blogging a while you can ask a question also but I’d like you to ask one from your early days. You may have answered it for yourself since but ask it anyway. [...] [...] Blogging for beginners – via problogger Darren Rowse, over at problogger.net, has a great series starting for beginning bloggers. All bloggers – beginning and professional – should have his web site bookmarked. He is always full of great information and resources and he doesn’t speak in technical jargon. He is friendly and upbeat and helpful. The problogger.net web site is a must have!!Here’s a small section of his post for bloggers just starting out: I’m particularly looking for questions from bloggers who are just starting out. If you’ve been blogging a while you can ask a question also but I’d like you to ask one from your early days. You may have answered it for yourself since but ask it anyway. [...]

]]> By: Georjina http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-2/#comment-230395 Georjina Mon, 20 Feb 2006 20:29:41 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-230395 I'm new so here goes: How do I change the atom.xml feed on Blogger to .rss? For some reason it's not working when I go to Searchfeed. How do I incorporate my Blogger posts to Wordpress? I'm considering moving to a Wordpress host because I do own my domain name but don't want to lose what I've already written. Should I keep my Blogger blog and use a redirect to my new Wordpress blog? I like the template I'm using at Blogger because it matches the niche I'm in, home-based business. I’m new so here goes:
How do I change the atom.xml feed on Blogger to .rss? For some reason it’s not working when I go to Searchfeed.
How do I incorporate my Blogger posts to Wordpress? I’m considering moving to a Wordpress host because I do own my domain name but don’t want to lose what I’ve already written.
Should I keep my Blogger blog and use a redirect to my new Wordpress blog? I like the template I’m using at Blogger because it matches the niche I’m in, home-based business.

]]> By: Bob http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-228388 Bob Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:17:06 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-228388 Hi Darren, My question is about "archiving" posts. What is your method for keeping things as relevant and easy to find as possible. I think that is a key thing for websites...and while every site is different I am curious how you manage it all. Thanks Hi Darren,
My question is about “archiving” posts. What is your method for keeping things as relevant and easy to find as possible. I think that is a key thing for websites…and while every site is different I am curious how you manage it all.
Thanks

]]> By: Niall http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-228336 Niall Sun, 12 Feb 2006 21:20:16 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-228336 How do I publicise my blog? Specifically... Should I ping as many directories as possible? After each post? Should I also register my RSS feed with directories? Are RSS directories and blog directories the same thing or do they need to be dealt with seperately? Is using RSSAnnouncer software the best way of doing this? Will adding the directory's small graphic to my blog help with being listed? What does 'claiming' my blog at directories mean, and do I need to do this as well as the steps above? How do I publicise my blog? Specifically…

Should I ping as many directories as possible? After each post?

Should I also register my RSS feed with directories? Are RSS directories and blog directories the same thing or do they need to be dealt with seperately? Is using RSSAnnouncer software the best way of doing this? Will adding the directory’s small graphic to my blog help with being listed?

What does ‘claiming’ my blog at directories mean, and do I need to do this as well as the steps above?

]]> By: Jenn http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-228122 Jenn Sun, 12 Feb 2006 02:49:13 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-228122 Darren - I'm really looking forward to this series. A blogging issue I've been thinking about is copyright. In particular, what constitutes fair use of images? More specifically, when reviewing a product, is it acceptable to show photos taken from the manufacturer's site? From lawyers to academics to bloggers, it seems like just about everyone has weighed in on this issue, but unfortunately, much of the information conflicts. I know this issue can be avoided by using free stock photography or seeking permission of the copyright holder, but that doesn't work in every situation. How have you dealt with this problem? What are the legal and ethical issues one needs to consider? Darren – I’m really looking forward to this series.

A blogging issue I’ve been thinking about is copyright. In particular, what constitutes fair use of images? More specifically, when reviewing a product, is it acceptable to show photos taken from the manufacturer’s site? From lawyers to academics to bloggers, it seems like just about everyone has weighed in on this issue, but unfortunately, much of the information conflicts.

I know this issue can be avoided by using free stock photography or seeking permission of the copyright holder, but that doesn’t work in every situation. How have you dealt with this problem? What are the legal and ethical issues one needs to consider?

]]> By: Blogging for Beginners - Coming Soon: ProBlogger Blog Tips http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-228097 Blogging for Beginners - Coming Soon: ProBlogger Blog Tips Sun, 12 Feb 2006 01:07:35 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-228097 [...] Earlier in the week I asked for questions for my upcoming series of posts on Blogging for Beginners. [...] [...] Earlier in the week I asked for questions for my upcoming series of posts on Blogging for Beginners. [...]

]]> By: Fiat Voluntas http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-228087 Fiat Voluntas Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:03:20 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-228087 Dear Darren, First of all, thanks so much for all that you do for the blogging community. With regards to what should be included in Blogging for Beginners, I think that it would be interesting to provide a critique for those brave enough to agree to hear some negative comments. It's always good to learn from mistakes and this would be good both for the "victims" and the readers of your blog. Most important issues to look at in every blog would be - format, ways of getting traffic, monetization and reader participation. At least that's what I would be looking for in asking for input regarding my new blog "Torino Olympics Champs And Chomps" at http://torinoolympicschampsandchomps.blogspot.com/ I started it less than two weeks ago and have some success - a number of top spots at Google and especially MSN - although no luck with Yahoo and dmoz. I'd like to know why... Also, why my Adsense profits are so low. I have 5 subscribers - I was hoping for more... How to get them? I'd be very grateful for any help to answer those questions. I think the idea about having a Forum here is one of the best - it would be extremely useful, easy to implement. I would use a number of moderators responsible for the areas I mentioned above - traffic, monetization, etc. Once again, thanks, Darren for being so helpful. Fiat Voluntas Torino Olympics Champs And Chomps http://torinoolympicschampsandchomps.blogspot.com/ Dear Darren,
First of all, thanks so much for all that you do for the blogging community.

With regards to what should be included in Blogging for Beginners, I think that it would be interesting to provide a critique for those brave enough to agree to hear some negative comments. It’s always good to learn from mistakes and this would be good both for the “victims” and the readers of your blog.

Most important issues to look at in every blog would be – format, ways of getting traffic, monetization and reader participation.

At least that’s what I would be looking for in asking for input regarding my new blog “Torino Olympics Champs And Chomps” at http://torinoolympicschampsandchomps.blogspot.com/

I started it less than two weeks ago and have some success – a number of top spots at Google and especially MSN – although no luck with Yahoo and dmoz. I’d like to know why… Also, why my Adsense profits are so low. I have 5 subscribers – I was hoping for more… How to get them?

I’d be very grateful for any help to answer those questions. I think the idea about having a Forum here is one of the best – it would be extremely useful, easy to implement. I would use a number of moderators responsible for the areas I mentioned above – traffic, monetization, etc.

Once again, thanks, Darren for being so helpful.

Fiat Voluntas
Torino Olympics Champs And Chomps http://torinoolympicschampsandchomps.blogspot.com/

]]> By: LaughingMachine http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-228061 LaughingMachine Sat, 11 Feb 2006 18:11:22 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-228061 I Hopes Darren Would Help Some of The Poor Blogger Like Me I Mean "Blogspot" Blogger And Starting Problogger Forum Would Be Bad Idea I Think.. I Hopes Darren Would Help Some of The Poor Blogger Like Me
I Mean “Blogspot” Blogger And Starting Problogger Forum Would Be Bad Idea I Think..

]]> By: Joe http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227897 Joe Sat, 11 Feb 2006 02:49:06 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227897 Hey Darren, Time for a forum? Hey Flora #43, I have well over 120 posts since October, the only articles I seem to get comments on are when the readers like something I write. Hey pcunix #24, Thanks, I thought so, it's more about exposure than anything else. (I'm the one that asked about RSS) Joe Hey Darren,
Time for a forum?

Hey Flora #43,
I have well over 120 posts since October, the only articles I seem to get comments on are when the readers like something I write.

Hey pcunix #24,
Thanks, I thought so, it’s more about exposure than anything else.
(I’m the one that asked about RSS)

Joe

]]> By: Flora Morris Brown http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227374 Flora Morris Brown Thu, 09 Feb 2006 06:01:21 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227374 I have happily churned out 86 posts on my blog since October 2005 and have seen the number of visitors gradually begin to increase. Few, however, leave comments. How do you encourage visitors to leave comments? Thanks. I have happily churned out 86 posts on my blog since October 2005 and have seen the number of visitors gradually begin to increase. Few, however, leave comments.

How do you encourage visitors to leave comments?

Thanks.

]]> By: Bob http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227332 Bob Thu, 09 Feb 2006 01:09:39 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227332 What is the difference/benefit of using Macromedia Dreamweaver over a blog specific program like Wordpress, Typepad, or Movable Type or vise versu? What is the benefits of owning my own site (i.e. unique domain name and hosting) rather than using Blogspot? What is "tagging" posts? What is "trackback"? I have seen some comments that are rude towards the blogger. People seem ruthless...as if the bloggers opinion should always be correct. It makes me a little nervouse sharing what I know for fear it may get smacked down because it is not 100% right. Do you have any "advice" or "encouragement"? I want to reiterate the question above about using one domain name and having multiple blogs like you do versus having one blog per domain name. What is the difference/benefit of using Macromedia Dreamweaver over a blog specific program like Wordpress, Typepad, or Movable Type or vise versu?

What is the benefits of owning my own site (i.e. unique domain name and hosting) rather than using Blogspot?

What is “tagging” posts?

What is “trackback”?

I have seen some comments that are rude towards the blogger. People seem ruthless…as if the bloggers opinion should always be correct. It makes me a little nervouse sharing what I know for fear it may get smacked down because it is not 100% right. Do you have any “advice” or “encouragement”?

I want to reiterate the question above about using one domain name and having multiple blogs like you do versus having one blog per domain name.

]]> By: Martin http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227327 Martin Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:42:18 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227327 Simon - I can also say that an eBook is well into development for beginners using WordPress. Simon – I can also say that an eBook is well into development for beginners using WordPress.

]]> By: Mark Daoust http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227301 Mark Daoust Wed, 08 Feb 2006 23:09:24 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227301 In response to Simon - a book is being worked on as we type. :) In response to Simon – a book is being worked on as we type. :)

]]> By: gnome http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227290 gnome Wed, 08 Feb 2006 20:26:41 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227290 What is the best and/or more stylish way of implementing categories in blogger based blogs? Oh, and I mean without using the blogger search "hack".... Thanks What is the best and/or more stylish way of implementing categories in blogger based blogs? Oh, and I mean without using the blogger search “hack”…. Thanks

]]> By: Dave http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227279 Dave Wed, 08 Feb 2006 19:42:04 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227279 how about "how posting something off-topic and slightly tounge-in-cheek can get more comments and abuse than a thousand posts about the niche you are in...?" Just a thought... how about

“how posting something off-topic and slightly tounge-in-cheek can get more comments and abuse than a thousand posts about the niche you are in…?”

Just a thought…

]]> By: mienne http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227240 mienne Wed, 08 Feb 2006 12:59:28 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227240 One of the things I would have liked was a post on two or three of the basic plugins that are handy when you start up. The 'I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours' post you did was great, but there were so many to choose from that it was a bit daunting. (Adsense Deluxe and WP-Contact Form are the two I've installed so far by the way.) One of the things I would have liked was a post on two or three of the basic plugins that are handy when you start up. The ‘I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours’ post you did was great, but there were so many to choose from that it was a bit daunting.

(Adsense Deluxe and WP-Contact Form are the two I’ve installed so far by the way.)

]]> By: Dave http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227236 Dave Wed, 08 Feb 2006 12:19:33 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227236 OK, one that comes up from time to time and you've covered in a few posts recently, although not directly anwsered as such As a minimum, how much content should your site have before you 'launch' it using whatever promotional tools are available to you? I know this is one of those personal questions that will vary from person to person, but my opinion is that if you are launching a blog, promoting it when the only post is 'Hey, this is my new blog, come back soon for some fun posts and interesting topics' is wrong, promoting a new blog that has a dozen or so articles/posts is better. The same with trying to iron out those little layout bugs..... OK, one that comes up from time to time and you’ve covered in a few posts recently, although not directly anwsered as such

As a minimum, how much content should your site have before you ‘launch’ it using whatever promotional tools are available to you?

I know this is one of those personal questions that will vary from person to person, but my opinion is that if you are launching a blog, promoting it when the only post is ‘Hey, this is my new blog, come back soon for some fun posts and interesting topics’ is wrong, promoting a new blog that has a dozen or so articles/posts is better. The same with trying to iron out those little layout bugs…..

]]> By: Simon Townley http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227214 Simon Townley Wed, 08 Feb 2006 11:08:41 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227214 Darren If you were to start out a blog today, how and where would you do it? Big question, I know: let me clarify. The really easy blog sites, like blogger, look a bit restricted. And you don't own the url. But a lot of big successful blogs seem to use it somehow. Is it just because they forward a url? Would it be better to buy some hosting? I know where I can get relatively cheap .com domain names (from sites in the US - they are much more expensive bought through hosting sites in the UK where I live). But does forwarding work well? For example, can a reader bookmark secondary pages within the site - does the full url show up? The thing is, I want to set up several blogs to see which I enjoy the most, which are successful etc. I want to keep this cheap as many will be experiments. As a professional copywriter, I even want to be able to offer to host and write blogs for clients that I work for. I don't want to buy several year-long hosting packages. Ideally I want to set up one hosting package and forward a bunch of .com urls to it. But will this work well. Are there unforeseen problems? Also, which blogging platform would you use? It seems to be impossible to trial typepad without first handing over a credit card number. Wordpress sounds good. But the documentation is very difficult to follow. Is there any really good documentation on using the content management systems? Actually, Darren, I think someone needs to start a blog which teaches people the technical stuff around how to blog - from making text bold to hosting, installing plug-ins and even writing your own CSS. Any volunteers? (Someone could write a book - but it would probably be out of date by the time it got printed). Darren
If you were to start out a blog today, how and where would you do it? Big question, I know: let me clarify.
The really easy blog sites, like blogger, look a bit restricted. And you don’t own the url. But a lot of big successful blogs seem to use it somehow. Is it just because they forward a url?
Would it be better to buy some hosting?
I know where I can get relatively cheap .com domain names (from sites in the US – they are much more expensive bought through hosting sites in the UK where I live). But does forwarding work well? For example, can a reader bookmark secondary pages within the site – does the full url show up?
The thing is, I want to set up several blogs to see which I enjoy the most, which are successful etc. I want to keep this cheap as many will be experiments. As a professional copywriter, I even want to be able to offer to host and write blogs for clients that I work for. I don’t want to buy several year-long hosting packages. Ideally I want to set up one hosting package and forward a bunch of .com urls to it. But will this work well. Are there unforeseen problems?
Also, which blogging platform would you use? It seems to be impossible to trial typepad without first handing over a credit card number. Wordpress sounds good. But the documentation is very difficult to follow. Is there any really good documentation on using the content management systems?
Actually, Darren, I think someone needs to start a blog which teaches people the technical stuff around how to blog – from making text bold to hosting, installing plug-ins and even writing your own CSS. Any volunteers? (Someone could write a book – but it would probably be out of date by the time it got printed).

]]> By: Lyndon http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227178 Lyndon Wed, 08 Feb 2006 08:11:57 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227178 How do seedless grapes reproduce? Sorry couldn't resist. When I wrote my posts for Problogger I deliberately kept them simple as I felt that new bloggers needed more help than the old crusty types like me. There are definate stages in a bloggers career and if you read the wrong website it can be very intimidating. My advice for anybody starting out blogging is to go backwards on Darrens blog. Start at the oldest post and work forwards. I wonder if there is a plugin that makes a wordpress blog go backwards. Sorry again for posting off topic, Darren get over to vbulletin and get the forum set up ;) How do seedless grapes reproduce?

Sorry couldn’t resist. When I wrote my posts for Problogger I deliberately kept them simple as I felt that new bloggers needed more help than the old crusty types like me.

There are definate stages in a bloggers career and if you read the wrong website it can be very intimidating. My advice for anybody starting out blogging is to go backwards on Darrens blog. Start at the oldest post and work forwards. I wonder if there is a plugin that makes a wordpress blog go backwards.

Sorry again for posting off topic, Darren get over to vbulletin and get the forum set up ;)

]]> By: Kevin http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/08/blogging-for-beginners-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-227126 Kevin Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:52:16 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2165#comment-227126 "Should" not "Skould" !!! sorry. “Should” not “Skould” !!! sorry.

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