A2 blog setup 2021 on

1. A2 BLOG SETUP

2. Follow carefully step by step
 You can tweak some things like background
pic + blog header font, but regardless of
whether you’re in a group or solo follow
these precise steps to set up your A2 blog
 These are not optional instructions
 You need a gmail account. Do NOT use
your surname within the gmail address or
(later) the associated YouTube account. Do
NOT use your surname for any of the
online accounts you’ll set up for Media work
(a play on words is fine, just don’t be
directly/easily identifiable)

3. BEFORE you start
 The gmail address/YouTube channel name
you use MUST not include your surname
 Same applies for ALL accounts for Media
work
 You should have iPhone/Android contacts
app open ready to note username/password
for gmail, blogger YouTube + SlideShare
(save it as A2 Media). You can also use the
contacts in Outlook (the email on O365)
 Save ALL accounts info here (you can also
add individual contacts eg TikTok, Ara, to
save useful links/info)

4. 1: Start new blog dialogue
 Click the b icon top left
 You’ll see a list of current blogs by clicking
the arrow beside the current blog name
 Scroll to the bottom to click new blog

5. 2: Name, URL, Simple template
 NAME: don’t use
your own name
unless heavily
disguised; think in
terms of your own
music marketing
company
 URL: keep it short!
 TEMPLATE: This
must be the Simple
template regardless
of preference

6. 3: Customise > Layout
 Click no thanks for the domain name
 Click Theme > Customise > Layout.
 Select the options you can see below
 Click apply to blog (top right) when done

7. 4: Customise > adjust widths
 Click Adjust widths + enter 1000/340 as
below
 Click Apply to blog (top right) when done

8. 5: Customise > Background
 Click Background + background image >
upload image. Have a music-related image
saved + ready. This can be changed later.
 Select alignment > tile > Apply to Blog.

9. 6: Customise > advanced
 Click Advanced > Links > select the blue
shown for link AND visited
 Optional: change blog title; post title font
to easily readable font. DON’T change ANY
others. Apply to Blog > Back to blogger

10. 7: Settings > Basic
 Add a short description
 Check that HTTPS is at YES.
 Apply to Blog

11. 8: Settings > Posts, comments
 Screenshot to check on next slide…
 Show 15 posts
 Comment location popup window
 Who can comment anyone
 Comment moderation always
 Email to… (whichever email you check
most)
 Show word verification – NO.
 Comment form message (add): ALL
comments are moderated!
 SAVE SETTINGS. Screenshot to check on
next slide…

12. 8: Settings > Posts, comments

13. 9: Settings > Language + formatting
 Check Language is English UK
 Change time to GMT+1 Luxembourg!
 Save settings.

14. 10: Create placeholder posts
 Use the handout to create the posts in the
order shown, and using the EXACT
wording/case (capitals/lower case). Type
TBC into each post then Publish.

15. 10b: Change HTML settings
 You should only
have to do this
once. When editing
a post, click
OPTIONS and
interpret typed
HTML (on the right)
– otherwise you’ll
only see the code,
NOT the video/doc

16. 11: Initial gadgets: Links Lists etc
 There may not be much to add yet, but
we’ll set these up so you can easily add
links as you go. Starting with the top links
list. Click Add a gadget under cross-
column; Find Link list; click +. Settings on
next slide

17. 11: Initial gadgets: Links Lists etc
 In time you’ll add
social media, my
track, track lyrics
etc, in this links
list – for now just
add ONE: Past
A2 cwk vids (use
the link from
igsmediablogs)
 Click add link +
save > save
arrangement.

18. 11: Initial gadgets: Right column
 Same steps, but this time for the sidebar-right + this
time select sort alphabetical:
 DB vodcasts; DB: Pixies; DB: vids blogged on; DB:
Depeche Mode vids;
 MusicBusinessWorldwide; DB: MusiVidz blog;
Blabbermouth ezine; VideoStatic; PromoNews;
Guardian: music industry; Rolling Stone on industry.
 UK Indie BBC doc (1/3).

19. 11: Initial gadgets: Labels
 Add labels +
follow the
settings shown

20. 11: Initial gadgets: Views
 Add stats +
follow the
settings shown

21. 11: Initial gadgets: Re-order
Click/hold the 5
dots (grey bar)
to drag Blog
Archive up.
LEFT: the
automatic order
RIGHT: the order
you create by
dragging these
around
> Click save
arrangement!!

22. 12: YouTube account
 You can use an existing YT account, BUT
it must not feature your surname. YT +
Blogger both link back to a single gmail
account. If you’ve created a new gmail
you’ll need to sign in to YT + set up your
channel. Keep the username short.

23. 13: SlideShare account
 This also requires a LinkedIn account; just use
dummy info for it – DON’T make yourself actually
identifiable. You’ll use SlideShare a lot for adding
Word/Ppt/pdf docs. If you find an alternative that
enables to embed these that’s fine – just check they
DO display properly. NOTE the username/pwd!!!
To get started with this, embed
this Ppt into your very 1st post.
Always use … <return x2> … +
put embed code in the blank line
between the 3 dots

24. 14: Email your blog URL + start!!
 Students invariably do this wrong… DON’T send me
an edit link that only works for you.
 Click view blog + copy/paste the URL from the
address bar into a Teams direct message.