This document provides an overview of blogging including what a blog is, the differences between blogs and websites, blog anatomy, examples of different types of blogs, and how to create a blog using services like Blogger, WordPress, and Tumblr. A blog is an online journal where individuals can post updates on topics of their choosing. In comparison to websites, blogs are often written by individuals, focused on a single topic, interactively allow comments, and are regularly updated. The document reviews blog elements like headers, sidebars, categories, and comments. It also discusses why people blog and how to start connecting with readers.

1. Blogging
West Haven Public Library
Westhavenpl.org

2. Blog?!?!?
 Web Log
 Online journal
 Photos
 Videos
 News
 Web diary / Digital Scrapbook
 Updated frequently
westhavenlibrary.org

3. Blog?!?!?
“[a] collection of posts…short, informal, sometimes
controversial, and sometimes deeply
personal…with the freshest information at the top.”
–Meg Hourihan (Founder of Blogger)
westhavenlibrary.org

4. Differences from Websites
 Often the work of a single
individual
 Single subject, theme focused
 Often non-professional authors
westhavenlibrary.org

5. Differences from Websites
 Interactive/ participatory- allowing
visitors to leave comments and even
message each
 Regularly updated, chronological posts
 Single page of entries with archives of
old entries rather than complex site of
linked pages
westhavenlibrary.org

6. Differences from Websites
 Available for non-technical
users
 As simple as writing an email
westhavenlibrary.org

7. Definitions
 Blog- (n) weblog, online journal or diary,
(v) the act of writing a blog
 Blogger- author of a blog
 Blogosphere- interconnected community of
blogs/bloggers
westhavenlibrary.org

8. Definitions
 Post- a single entry, blogpost
 Comment- readers of the blog are able to
respond to the blogpost publically
 Blogroll- list of links to other blogs
westhavenlibrary.org

9. Definitions
 Troll- readers that intentionally post inflammatory,
sometimes unrelated comments to get attention
harass other users/author- disrupts participatory
nature
westhavenlibrary.org

10. Blog Anatomy
 Header- with the blog title and navigation to other
section (“About page”)
 Sidebar Menu- often lists recent blog posts, list of
links to other blogs, links to archive of blog posts
 Categories (tags) - subject terms assigned to posts
by the author
 Comments section at the bottom of post
westhavenlibrary.org

11. Blog Anatomy
Most Recent Post
Header-
Navigation
Bar
Sidebar
Menu-
List of
Example Posts
Example2
westhavenlibrary.org

12. Examples of blogs
 Food blogs
 Photo blogs
 Wedding blogs
 Sports blogs
 Shopping/Consumer blog
 Political blog
 Official (company) blogs
westhavenlibrary.org

13. Examples of blogs
westhavenlibrary.org
http://smittenkitchen.com/

14. Examples of blogs
westhavenlibrary.org

15. Examples of blogs
www.crashtestkitchen.com/ westhavenlibrary.org

16. westhavenlibrary.org

17. Create Your Own Blog
 Several free blog hosting services
 www.blogger.com
 Free blogs, owned by/uses Google login
 www.wordpress.com
 Provides free and additional pay options
 www.tumblr.com
 Provides free service. Focus on connecting with other Tumblr
users, sharing content. Tumble Blogging.
westhavenlibrary.org

18. Why Blog?
 For enjoyment
 Publicity
 Showoff your work
 writing, art, cooking
 Personal “printing press”
 You are the author/editor/publisher
 For profit…
westhavenlibrary.org

19. What to Blog?
 Possibilities are endless
 Many blogs are focused on one subject
 Cooking- share recipes, techniques
 Music
 Politics
 Sports
westhavenlibrary.org

20. What to Blog?
 Personal blog for friends and family
 Professional blog
 Creative blog
 Share photographs,
 written works
westhavenlibrary.org

21. What to Blog?
 Tumble Blog- Tumblr
 Repost links to other websites
 Content from other sites
 Commentary blog
 Discuss news stories
 Post videos- critique
westhavenlibrary.org

22. Ready to Start your own blog?
 Choose a blog host
 Blogger.com
 Wordpress.com
 Tumblr.com
westhavenlibrary.org

23. Start your blog with - Blogger.com
westhavenlibrary.org

24. If you have a Google Account
westhavenlibrary.org

25. Create a Blogger username
westhavenlibrary.org

26. Create your new Blog
westhavenlibrary.org

27. Create a Blog
address (this is how
others will access
your blog)
Choose a template
westhavenlibrary.org

28. Start Blogging
As easy and writing an email
westhavenlibrary.org

29. Blogger Dashboard
westhavenlibrary.org

30. Start a blog with Wordpress.com
westhavenlibrary.org

31. westhavenlibrary.org

32. westhavenlibrary.org

33. Start a blog with Tumblr.com
westhavenlibrary.org

34. westhavenlibrary.org

35. Tumblr Dashboard
westhavenlibrary.org

36. Tumblr Theme Customization
westhavenlibrary.org

37. Connect with Readers
 Easy to get lost in the sea of existing blogs
 Tell people (target audience)
 Connect with other bloggers, blogs
 Comment on similar blogs
 Trade posts- guest post etc.
westhavenlibrary.org

38. Blogger Code of Conduct
 Take responsibility not just for your own words, but for
the comments you allow on your blog.
 Label your tolerance level for abusive comments.
 Consider eliminating anonymous comments.
 Don't feed the trolls.
 Take the conversation offline, and talk directly, or find
an intermediary who can do so.
 If you know someone who is behaving badly, tell them
so.
 Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say in
person.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blogger%27s_code_of_conduct
westhavenlibrary.org

39. David Cirella- dcirella@westhavenlibrary.org