A bullet point style guide to start a blog. Tips and advice. Social media/visibility/strategy. Beginner's guide.

1. BLOGSTORY
expressing yourself with a blog
WORKSHOP February 2016
Florence Vitel

2. Website or Blog ?
Blog vs. Website
Blogging : Why ? What ? Who ? Where ?
Creating my blog : How to get started ?
It's a 'Meccano style' thing
Feeding the monster : Content and Schedule
Behind the scenes ; Data, SEO, Followers and Trolls
Tips, Tools and Resources
Last Word
EXPRESSING YOURSELF WITH A BLOG
BLOGSTORY, February 2016­ F.VITEL

3. Website or Blog ?
Both are platforms to :
- showcase your service or products
- share your expertise or causes you care for
- give tips or info, join/reach a community
- talk a bout a hobby or interest
Both can be used as hub to :
- dispatch the info on Social Media
- create opportunities
- engage with a community
- reach a larger audience
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL
Hello world !
I have something
to say about...
As I always say, a website is like having an engaging shop window, whereas
a blog is like having the same shop window, and welcoming guests for a chat.

4. Blog vs. Website
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL
Content
Blogger
Audience
Comments
Shares, Likes
Platform
Feedback
Website
Information & product description
"Contact us' dialogue box
Clients

5. Blogging : Why ? What ? Who ? Where ?
Before you start blogging, it's essential to :
- understand WHY you want a blog
- know WHAT to share
- define HOW to share the content
- choose on WHICH platform to do it
This is the compass which helps :
- evaluating the accuracy of your posts
- establishing short & long-term goals
- developing your cyber identity
- defining the frequency of your posts
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

6. Creating my blog : How to get started ?
To get ready, do your homework ;
- research competition
- analyse blogs you like & learn from them
- evaluate your needs (features, storage, etc)
- develop your own voice
- define your monthly budget
- find an available blog name & a host
- select the design & the fonctionalities
- install the blog
- launch the blog (private or open).
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

7. It's a 'Meccano style' thing
So many platforms, not all created equal ;
- start packages differ
- basics range from survival to quite elaborate
- carefully compare basic start packages
- upgrades always possible (with fee)
- change of themes made easy
- additional storage available (with fee)
- premium plugins (with fee)
- money can buy ALL fancy features
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

8. Feeding the monster : Content and Schedule
Regularity :
- key factor to success
- increases visibility
- expands the audience
Content :
- meaningful, interesting, useful
- entertaining, "eye-candy"
Strategy ;
- plan carefully content and time
- use scheduling apps
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

9. Behind the scenes : Data, SEO, Followers and Trolls
The Blogosphere, a world in itself :
- learn the lingo and the trade
- know the codes and rules
- know what Search Engine Optimization is
- analyse feedback and flow of visitors
- use the stat feature, then adjust
- friends & followers will praise you
- trolls & haters will piss you off
- be prepared, develop a thicker skin, keep
calm & carry on
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

10. Tips, Tools and Resources
Lots of free tools are available :
- subscribe to other bloggers' newsletter
- engage with fellow bloggers
- join online communities in your field
- subscribe to free design apps
- subscribe to news feeds
- fuel your creativity by doing other things
- get inspired by big names in the blogo
- attend blog webinars
- learn from your peers
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

11. Tips, Tools, Resources
Create beautiful content /visuals/Pix banks : PicMonkey, Pixlr, Palettab, Visage,
Phonto, Afterlight, A beautiful mess, Snapseed, Acorn, Instasize,
https://thehungryjpeg.com/, www.fotolia.com, www.freedigitalphotos.net
Buy a domain name : Godaddy, Netissime, OVH or 1and1
Popular platforms : blogger, canalblog, wordpress, blogspot, tumblr
Useful apps or softs, logo creator, pix enhancers ; Squarespace, Folarr, Photorr,
http://hipsterlogogenerator.com/ (also tips on plugins)
How-to, patterns and monetization : https://creativemarket.com,
:http://www.bloggertipstricks.com/monetize-blog.html
http://michaelhyatt.com/ez-wordpress-setup.html
Install this plugin to banish trolls : IP Ban de Sandor Kovacs.
Understanding SEO ; https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo,
http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/04/30/seo-basics
Link shorteners : https://bitly.com/, http://ow.ly/url/shorten-url
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

12. Last word
Blog design :
Setting up your blog to suit your needs perfectly can take several hours.
Graphics modification requires knowledge of css and html. If you want to
customize your blog, you need a professional webdesigner’s help.
Blog content :
Digging the accurate, interesting, sometimes mind blowing content requires
time as well as inspiration. Joining groups, forums or communities can spark
trigger or spark ideas for posts. A popular thing is to write a series of posts,
exploring various aspects of a same theme.
Social Media visibility :
Linking your blog to Social Media is a logical step to increase your visibility and
reach a wider audience. In order to do so it is essential to understand the Whys
and Hows of cyberpresence. A SocMed consultant. can help with the strategy.
BLOGSTORY, February 2016 ­ F.VITEL

13. Florence Vitel (social media facilitator)
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6
W O R K S H O P
B L O G S T O R Y

14. BLOGSTORY
expressing yourself with a blog
Florence Vitel - Social Media Facilitator