Last night I taught a little Blogging class here at the house for the girls at church (Enrichment Night). We started about 7:30 and went untill 10. There were a lot of questions and hopefully most of them got answered. Tiffany helped out and we put together a handout for the class so I thought I would post it for those who might be interested or who couldn't come.
One thing I found out was that A LOT OF PEOPLE READ MY BLOG BUT DON'T LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!! If you are a lurker....don't be afraid. I welcome comments and have met a lot of fun people and learned from those friends through blogging. I would be very sad if they had stayed lurkers because now they are my friends!!! So please, please make yourself known and comment!! ÜÜÜ
O.K. here is the handout. If you have an questions or great ideas that I don't have on this list leave a comment or e-mail me and I will add it to the handout. Thanks!
Blogging 101
What is a blog? According to Wikipedia, a blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) are part of a wider network of social media.
The world (and our ward) has gone “blog crazy”. Why is everyone so excited? What are the benefits of blogging?
1. It’s a fun way to stay connected with extended family, old friends………all those people on your x-mas list that you in the past you would hear from once a year. You can all stay up-to-date on what’s going on in a more day to day way in each others lives.
2. It’s a fun way to keep a journal and do your family history.
3. It’s a fun (and much MUCH easier way!) to do your scrapbooking or keep up with your family photos.
4. Because of the fun, social twist blogging puts on journaling or scrapbooking, it becomes easier to keep the happenings of your life up–to-date.
5. You can print it out as your family photo journal. (Or even one copy for each of your kids!) http://www.blurb.com/book/blogbook
6. You get all the same benefits of journaling- you tend to start thinking of life in a slightly different way. You’re more aware of “moments” and things you want to remember and you end up capturing more of the moments before they slip away.
7. You get to look at other people’s blogs- you can get SO MANY, MANY, MANY good ideas from other wonderful mothers to help you in your life!!
8. You realize that you’re not the only one out there that might be struggling with something- you see other people in a slightly more “real” light, and as you become more “real” in your own posts, other people’s comments help you realize that some of our experiences are more common than we think. It’s very therapeutic!
9. Lets you stay more up-to-date with technology and computer skills.
10. It’s a fun hobby.
11. Getting comments on your posts is fun!!!
12. Your Husband can get a glimpse into what goes on in the family when he’s not around
Ideas, Tips and Techniques
8 Ways to Bling Up Your Blog
1.
http://www.bloggerbuster.com/
2.
http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/
3.
http://www.pyzam.com/
4.
http://www.cottagearts.net/tutorials.html
5.
http://bloggerfordummies.blogspot.com/
6.
http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/
7.
http://www.shabbymissjenndesigns.com/shoppe09f02ecf5121ee2d3124270536d47
8.
http://smjtutorials.blogspot.com/
9. http://www.scrap-e-blog.blogspot.com/
Blog About This:
Memory Monday - write about a memory
Menu Plan Monday – post what you’re having for dinner that week and the recipe to share with others and to save for yourself.
Tuesday Tell All – let it all out!
Top 10 Tuesday – list your Top 10 favorites that week
Wordless Wednesday – post a picture only
Just For Fun Friday – be creative
Five on Friday – another way to list things
Sunday Thoughts
52 Blessings Project
Journal Ideas - 258 of them!
(
http://homepage.mac.com/mseffie/handouts/258journal.html)
Header How To
A header is the top picture on a person’s blog. It’s not complicated to make or install. Here’s how:
1. Find a picture you like and crop it so it is apx. 700x300 (mine is 780x341) You can always right click on a person’s header that you like –- go to properties and it will give you the exact dimensions.
2. This is where you can add words or digital scrapbook elements to your picture (with your photoshop program of choice) which will be you blog header (title page).
3. Go to CUSTOMIZE on your blog
4. Click on the EDIT that says HEADER
5. Click on BROUSE to find said picture. Upload said picture.
6. Make sure you click on the dot that says
Placement-instead of title and description.
7. TAH-DAH! You have a cute header!
Blogging Safety
1. Never offer any personal information including your last name, contact information, home address, phone numbers, school's name, e-mail address, last names of friends or relatives, instant messaging names, age, or birth date.
2. Decide up front how much personal information you will share on your blog
3. Consider the way you are perceived online
4. Assume what you publish on the Web is permanent. Anyone on the Internet can easily print out a blog or save it to a computer.
5. Use blogging provider sites with clearly stated terms of use, and make sure they can protect the actual blogs, not just the user accounts, with password protection. (Even so, it's better to assume anyone can see it.)
6. Avoid trying to "outdo" or compete with other bloggers. Remember this is for fun!
7. Keep blogs positive and don't use them for slander or to attack others.
8. Ask yourself (and instruct your kids to do the same) if you are you comfortable showing any of the content to a stranger. If in doubt, take it out.
9. Keep your reoccuring events private (swimming lessons @ the same time, park days, etc.) also don't let on that your husband will be out of town or gone!!!
Google is your conscience, and it keeps a record of every single word your write on the Internet. Do you really want this to be archived forever? Watch what you say about your family or events, friends and kids. It will probaly be out there for all to read in the forever future!
Adding Your Name to Your Blog Posts:
http://momswhoblog.blogspot.com/search?q=adding+a+signature
Don’t forget to Google your How to Questions. I did and I got a lot of great sites that had helpful information. Here are a couple:
1.
http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/02/background-image-for-blogger-header.html
2.
http://www.momswhoblog.blogspot.com/ This is my favorite how to site. I wish they would update it more. I read this whole blog and found a lot of helpful information...
Html Codes for Font Colors:
1.
http://www.computerhope.com/htmcolor.htm
2.
http://html-color-codes.com/
3.
http://html-color-codes.info/#Html_Color_Code_Chart
Fun and FREE Font’s For Your Computer!!
1.
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/scrapbook/fonts/fontsforpeas/
This site has a TON of the cutest fonts for your computer for FREE! They will even make a font in your own handwriting! I love this site!
Blogging Etiquette's Top Ten:
1. Give credit where credit is due.
2. Punctuate and capitalize (use that spell check!).
3. Leave a comment or a shout out if you visit a blog.
4. Don't confuse thy opinion with truth.
5. Refer to someone’s post with a link.
6. Make it possible to link back to your blog if you leave a comment.
7. Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
8. Keep it short and sweet (mostly).
9. Remember to have fun with your blog – it’s who you are!
10. Remember to love thy neighbor as thyself this means be nice!
