Ask Me Help Desk - How to start a blog

How to start a blog

It's something I've wanted to do for a while. I love to write (which is evident in the very long essay like answers I give on this site). It's a passion, but one that isn't fulfilled. Frankly, I don't know if I could manage it without inspiration from others, which is why I love this site, love fb, I can respond to others, which is when I write my best stuff.

I have to admit, I'm like a parasite, I feed off others. When someone writes something, it's easy to write a response, because they've given me the material I need to write with. On my own I'm not sure I'd be at all good at it.

Not to toot my own horn. Not at all.

But, here's the issue. I'd love to start a blog, but I have no idea how to do it. Computers are a mystery. I'm still shocked that I figured out AMHD and fb. So how do you start a blog? How much does it cost? How do I do it?

You can critique my posts, I'd welcome that. I'd like to know if I'm wasting my time with a blog. But, the main question is how to start a blog. I have no idea how to begin this, what to do. Step by step instructions would be much appreciated.

Now I have to figure out where to post this thread. Computers? Discussions? No idea.

Help!

There are many free sites where you can start a blog. But first and foremost you need to make a outline for yourself as to what you want your blog to be. Some blogs are political and some are tech blogs etc. Without direction it just becomes babbling. So if you have an interest and you want to persue it through words then that is the direction you can take.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

There are many free sites where you can start a blog. But first and foremost you need to make a outline for yourself as to what you want your blog to be. Some blogs are political and some are tech blogs etc. Without direction it just becomes babbling. So if you have an interest and you want to persue it through words then that is the direction you can take.

So I have to pick a cause? I can't just post whatever is on my mind that day, whatever I'm passionate about that day, or just post to relieve the stress? I have to stick to one topic, and that's it? :(

That sucks! :(

No you dont have to. What Im saying is you have to pick a direction to go it. If your making it an open blog about your thoughts then consider the name carefully and make a outline for that purpose. The thing you want to remember is that you want to attract readers. Readers like consistency of some kind and that is what keeps them returning.

Check out Wordpress. You don't have to blog on anything specific. You can just both personal musings experiences, opinions etc. Whether you get a following or not depends on word of mouth.

Writing a blog would be a piece of cake for you! Blogs were made for Alty type people (i.e., writers).

I used WordPress at first when the AMHD started, but Ram made it even easier for a blog here. My own blog is on blogspot which I find "friendlier" to use but a bit more restrictive as to what I can do than WordPress.

I've been after a friend to write a blog. She started and ran a neighborhood dinner party group for two years (until they decided to take turns), so has wild and funny dinner-party stories, lots of recipes and photos, and advice for anyone wanting to start a dinner party group. She traveled to Italy several years ago and has great stories (and photos) about that. She has three children, including a set of twins, one of whom has Crohn's disease (lots of stories and parental advice in all that). She lives near scenic areas in the eastern U.S., so has lots of vacation photos. She has two sisters and one brother (who is the oldest), so of course she has stories and photos about growing up.

You could easily match her story for story, Alty. And I bet you have tons of photos that you could post to enhance each blog post. You can create "categories" or "chapters" on your blog in which you tell about the various times and people in your life..

A good example that I check every morning is this one (she adopted a 10-day-old orphaned coyote after she moved to Wyoming from New York City and now has a bunch of animals she calls her "Farmily") --

web site: The Daily Coyote

blog: HONEY ROCK DAWN (used to be on WordPress)

Another good one is written by "Asparagus Girl" (Canadian) who writes on WordPress about her experiences with Asperger's syndrome: The Asperger Café | Pull up a chair, enjoy a specialty coffee, rearrange the cutlery… ;-)

Be a blogger, Alty! You have a lot of cool stuff to talk about. It can be once a week, every day, or whenever you feel like it.

Blog must contain keywords which is you decided and content is always related to the website. Content is not copied and should have meaningfull.

I have a free blog for you to write on....get to work and start writing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

I have a free blog for you to write on....get to work and start writing!

I'm on it odinn. But genius doesn't happen over night you know. ;)

LOL! Jes' messin' with ya.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

LOL! Jes' messin' with ya.

Nagging is good, it gets me off my butt and gets me working. So nag away.

Oops, I think I just called you a nag. ;)

I've been called worse by lesser people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

I've been called worse by lesser people.

Biting tongue! Tongue bleeding! Too easy! Don't go for the easy shot! Back away! Back away! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

Nagging is good, it gets me off my butt and gets me working. So nag away.

Well I'll do some nagging also. I've been waiting for some "Alty wisdom".

Quote:

Originally Posted by parttime

Well I'll do some nagging also. I've been waiting for some "Alty wisdom".

Awwww. Now it does depend on the wisdom you seek. I know a lot about a few things, nothing about most things, and a little about enough things to make me dangerous. ;)

All that, and interesting, is what makes you one of my favorites here. I believe your blog will be a great success.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parttime

All that, and interesting, is what makes you one of my favorites here. I believe your blog will be a great success.

So do I! And HER success will ultimately help MY success!

So why...why must I wait?

START WRITING, WOMAN!

Quote:

Originally Posted by parttime

All that, and interesting, is what makes you one of my favorites here. I believe your blog will be a great success.

Okay, you choked me up. I'm typing with tears in my eyes. Damn hormones! That is so sweet! I'm truly honored to be one of your favorites. You just made my day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

So do I! And HER success will ultimately help MY success!

So why...why must I wait?

START WRITING, WOMAN!

I'm writing, I'm writing! Geesh! Glad you're not my boss. I'd have to smack you! ;)

Right now the problem is which topic to choose. I have a few in mind, and you should know, your voice is now in my head when I sleep, and I've only been dreaming about the blogs I need to write. I hate laying in bed with perfect posts popping in my head, only to wake up and forget all of it! I need a mini recorder by my bed.

LOL...I don't mean to cause you any real stress. You're just obviously the one for this since you are "the crazy pet lady".