WordPress is a free, open-source publishing platform originally developed for creating and maintaining blogs. WordPress.com provides free hosting and software management, while WordPress.org requires installing and managing the software using a third-party provider or your own server. The document provides steps for creating a WordPress.com account, customizing settings and appearance, adding widgets and categories, and tips for writing posts and pages.

1. Getting Started with Created by Mitzi Lewis Inspired by Barbara Nixon

2. What is WordPress? WordPress is a free, open-source publishing platform originally developed for creating and maintaining blogs.

3. What ’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org? WordPress.com provides hosting and software management (i.e., FREE) WordPress.org requires you to install and manage the software using a 3 rd party provider (or your own server) (i.e., $$) More info about the pros and cons of each option can be found at http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org The following steps focus on Wordpress.com

4. Create an Account (1 of 3) Go to wordpress.com Click the “Sign up now” button

5. Create an Account (2 of 3) 1. Fill out this form

6. Create an Account (3 of 3) 2. Choose your domain name wisely – you cannot change it later! 3. Choose a blog title – you can change it later.

7. Complete Registration While you wait for the activation e-mail, you can update your profile

8. Now What? Log In!

9. Go to “My Dashboard”

10. Go to “Settings”

11. 1. Change your tagline (or delete it) 2. Pick your time zone 3. Save your changes

12. Select “Appearance”

13. Pick a Theme You Like: 1. Preview 2. Activate

14. Select “Widgets”

15. Add Widgets: Search, Categories, Calendar, Links, Recent Posts (these are required – you may add others if you like) To add a widget, click and drag to the Sidebar

16. Select “Categories”

17. Add Categories Multimedia Class Audio Photo Audio Slideshow Graphics Personal (if you have any personal posts) Additional categories of your choosing Note: do not use the “Uncategorized” category – this is like saying “Reader, I don’t care enough about you to organize my blog”

18. Select “Add New” (under “Links”) Blogroll (a list of your favorite blogs)

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20. Select “Blog Stats” (under “Dashboard”) To View Your Blog Stats

21. What ’s the Difference Between Posts and Pages? Posts Pages Many WordPress posts can be on a single page One WordPress page at a time can can be on a single page For dynamic content For static content Can be categorized (posts can appear in multiple places on a website) Cannot be categorized Newest post shows at top (as info is added, older posts “sink down”) Accessible from anywhere in your blog (often shows up in header or sidebar)

22. Add/Edit a Post

23. Tips for Adding/Editing a Post Click “Save Draft” often Click “Publish” when you are ready for the post to “go live” If copying text from Word, use “Paste from Word” icon on toolbar – this prevents it from getting very messy

24. Adding a Link FIRST: Highlight text for hyperlink SECOND: Click link button

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26. Add/Edit a Page

27. Tips for Adding/Editing a Page (same as tips for adding/editing a post) Click “Save Draft” often Click “Publish” when you are ready for the page to “go live” If copying text from Word, use “Paste from Word” icon on toolbar – this prevents it from getting very messy

28. Tips for Your “About Me” Page Stay professional Include Name Photo (optional) University affiliation Major Career goals Links to other places you can be found online (optional)