Choosing the Proper Blogging Software | Press Distribution

Here is a blog regarding choosing software to blog. It's final recommendation is WordPress however, from my perspective, there is a learning curve.

Some of the information in an article like this suggests that the new blogger has some technical/software background and this may not always be true.

I have always suggested that you start out using the templates provided by the blog host that you have selected and then look around. Sometimes their software would be the easiest.

Remember you read blogs to learn not just what is said but how it is said. To whom is the writer writing? Perspective? Is the professor writing for other professors(?) or for someone trying to learn?

Choosing the Proper Blogging Software | Press Distribution

16 Tips for Successful Online Video Marketing | Social Media Examiner

The article linked at the bottom of this post talks about tips for successful online video marketing.

When you think about video and are producing video you are marketing something. It may be your talent or your knowledge about something. You could be selling your services. Doing it right is the best way.

I know sometimes we have to make do with what we have but be aware of what you can do and what is out there.

16 Tips for Successful Online Video Marketing | Social Media Examiner

Blogging Is Bad For Your Back

This is another good read for bloggers however you have to scroll down past the ad's to get to the story. It isn't far however it is a pain.

I have always thought the reading was the most important reason that you go to a blog (and or create one) however, like so many businesses, the attitude becomes "we do this for a living and that comes first". I thought that what you did was the most important aspect and that if you did it well the money would follow.

Maybe that is why I don't make a great deal of money however I do love what I do and in my case that is most important.

I like writing and I like supporting or guiding those who are getting into the things that I am into. Nothing is a secret. I guess my philosophy follows a bit along the lines of what Michael Fox says at the end of his new book, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Future", Live to Learn.

Read the following post as I have been there. Get a good posture and position for doing a great deal of computer work or you will (or could) suffer.

Blogging Is Bad For Your Back

Introduction to Blogging – Key #1 of 4 to be successful | PanAsianBiz

This is one blog that I would disagree with it's layout totally. I would like to have some advertising on my blog to both support the blog and to make a living however this one over does it. It is nothing but a vehicle for advertising under the premise that the blog is actually putting forth information. To read the blog you first have to get past the ad's.

Trying to move around on the page I clicked on at least two of the ad's and had to close pages before going on. Very frustrating and I will not be going back very soon.

This is my idea of what not to do. Not sure how long he can keep up the money thing.

Introduction to Blogging – Key #1 of 4 to be successful | PanAsianBiz

SmartBrief stats: How business leaders view social media | SmartBlog On Social Media

This is an interesting read on business leaders looking at and/or into social media - of which blogging is one of the tools. You need to have some of the information mentioned in this article as well as a plan if you are going to approach someone in your company to have a company blog, one that is public (not just internal).

One thought is that we are now very social in our connections and use of these tools be it blogging/Twitter/Facebook or any one of the others. As the article may elude; to this is the way it is and we are not going back no matter what the nay sayers claim. Look around the conversation is everywhere.

Read on.

SmartBrief stats: How business leaders view social media | SmartBlog On Social Media

The Top 5 Questions for B2B Social Media Campaigns | Our Social Times

This is an interesting read however each question needs to be resolved for the individual business. I put this up as one more thought regarding social media and business - small or large. Social media is moving fast and you need to do more reading and then make changes to what you are doing. See what others are thinking, that's why I link to these blogs.

The Top 5 Questions for B2B Social Media Campaigns | Our Social Times:

Collaboration – Can It Work in Blogging?

I posted an article on collaboration yesterday on Curious Voyager (the other blog) however last night I found myself thinking about creating a collaborative blog work.

Here is how my mind works.

We were out with a group of friends to dinner at a great spot in Mason, OH named Pitrelli’s Italian Cafe. Right off the top I think this place has great food as well as the best service. It truly is a very nice place to visit. I under stand they are moving to a bigger facility and I do hope they can keep their customer service and food preparation as it is. We have always been treated very well at Pitrelli’s and last night was no exception (loved the violin musician). We celebrated 4 April birthdays and I don’t think it could have been better. 8 GREAT friends, 4 couples (that was easy) with 4 being born in April – 3 female, 1 male. We all came away saying we would go back for any reason or no reason. It was really a wonderful evening. Thank you Pitrelli’s!

I could describe what we all had however that was not the reason for this post.

Now on to the collaborative blog idea.

Taking Cincinnati as the “place” I am thinking about asking people to contribute to “Cincinnati TTDO” or a “Cincinnati Things To Do” blog. One that would take in a variety of places or events in the area. Things to do, things to see, places to eat at and in general present the positive side of this area. 

I know there are other blogs and or web sites however maybe we could be enough different that it would count.

The places or events do not have to be fancy or outlandish, just fun and enjoyable. Does not have to be food, could be a museum. It could also be a review of an event; the potato festival. Why not?

This must be a first person(s) review and we will only publish positive reviews. In other words if the place or event does not warrant a positive review we just won’t write about it.

At present I am considering 3 avenues to go.

• Avenue A: would be places or events we can reach in the evening and return.
• Avenue B: for weekends a day trip to a festival or other event within a radius that would allow us to go and return within the same day.
• Avenue C: to cover weekend trips Saturday and Sunday.

Each of these avenues would be tagged as such and would be able to be searched.

I will work more on this and get back to all. If anyone has thoughts please  comment on the blog. At the moment YOU are the first to know. I’ll tell my wife when I get home. As usual I am working from Starbucks.

The Secret of Blogging Success | Mark Evans Tech

"With no barriers to entry, the blogosphere welcomes with open arms anyone and everyone looking for a public platform. In theory, anyone has a shot at becoming a blogging superstar by simply having the right content at the right time that captures the imagination of lots of people."The Secret of Blogging Success | Mark Evans Tech:

The above blog is an interesting read and one that make sense. It captures the bloggers dilemma however it "..chugs along on enthusiasm, curiosity and early morning coffee."

Try as I may, I could not Have said that any better.

Small Issue with Blog Roll

On the left side of this blog is what is referred to as a Blog Roll and sometime over the weekend it disappeared. Not sure why or what happened however I am trying to get it back to it pre-weekend condition.

From the previous blog, this weekend is when I updated the connection so that one could use www.easeofblogging.com as the URL and perhaps something at that point caused it to crash. As luck would have it that is not one item I had backed up so have to rewrite it. You might keep in mind that a backup is a good thing.

Ease of Blogging Domain Name

I believe that in an earlier post I said that I had purchased the domain name “Ease of Blogging”. Since that was purchased at Godaddy I had to point the domain name to this blog. I accomplished that this morning however it may take 24 to 48 hours to process.

When the process is completed I can then publicize the blog at “easeofblogging.com” rather than “blogspot.easeofblogging.com”. It is actually easier for others as that is the more natural way of displaying your address and at the same time your blog is now on YOUR domain.

This whole process is actually easier if you buy your domain name through Blogger, they do all the background work for you and the total cost will be $10, the same as it was at Godaddy for me however I had to do all the work and it can get a little tricky.

Another advantage of purchasing your domain name at Blogger is that you will get a Google Apps Account for free at the same time.

The process to link the domain name to this blog took some time as I had to change a few things at Godaddy (CNAME & ANAME records) and then one thing at Blogger on the settings for my blog. You can find all the necessary information at Blogger by going to How do I use a custom domain on my blog?

My recommendation would be to let Blogger do it, much easier. I have a friend who says; “I like that word EASY”.

Eric Felten: Slatkin's Blog Too Far: How the Maestro Made Them Mad - WSJ.com

This is the perfect story of someone putting too much information into their blog. It is all right to be personal in your communication however remember it can be read by people you would not want to know some things. Employer's read blogs, future employer's as well as husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, and many others. Give them the Good Side, the Positive one. Being honest is one thing, being _____ is another. If you need someone to talk to, the whole world might not be the best option. I encourage you to follow the link and read the  story.

As for this conductor Bill Engvall would have said; "Here's your sign".

Eric Felten: Slatkin's Blog Too Far: How the Maestro Made Them Mad - WSJ.com

How To Make Money From Blogging With Chris Brogan | Small Business Trends

Here is an interview with Chris Brogan (video as well as some text). The title is very interesting and it is aimed at business people however I suspect there is something here for everyone. This is posted at Small Business Trends and that site is alone one that you might want to review.

I tried to post this yesterday however I sent it to the wrong place.

How To Make Money From Blogging With Chris Brogan | Small Business Trends

I Blog

Why not a little frivolity and perhaps some vanity thrown in. Last week I thought it would be interesting to have my very own personal license plate and my wife agreed, so here it is. I couldn’t wait to put it on the car.

Picture taken with my Droid – got to give credit where credit is due.

MEDIAlternative: The futures of journalism | The Bloomington Alternative

Some Interesting information here. A look at both sides of the value of blogging as well as other discussion.

"During the Q&A session, EIU students asked some thoughtful questions about the current state of journalism and what, if anything, could be done to improve journalistic performance. It's tough to do justice to such questions in a few minutes. Nevertheless, I did my best to suggest that the Internet and related technologies provide some reasons to be optimistic about the future of journalism -- despite what naysayers in so-called legacy news organizations might say about blogging, social networking and emerging forms of journalism."

Thoughts On Blogging Startup

I have just finished reading a post regarding blogging tips to develop a unique position. I read it and then began to take issue with the wording of some of the tips (my prerogative). The article; “5 Blogging Tips for Developing a Unique Identity” and I am going to present my own slant on each of the tips. We all have our own view and this is mine.

Note: Perhaps my disagreement is more in semantics – it’s you decision. You can read the article and then read my response below and just read my feelings.

The first tip was Topic Selection after which was stated; “It is always good to select topics that have some sort of popularity with readers.” Personally it is always good to select topics that are close to my heart whether it be personal or business.

Blogging is one form of the ultimate niche market. I am not out here looking for a subject to start a blog on that you want to read that perhaps I have no interest in. I need to be into the subject, in the presence of it, and it must be meaningful to me first. That is the only way that I know what someone else interested in the same subject might want to read (or hear or see).

Second tip: Opinions offered. Now I agree with this one. You should have your own opinion that is what sets you apart. Not to be argumentive but to be able to express your feelings and thoughts and then through comments be able to hear and respond to others. Works for business as well as personal.

Blogging is a conversation and your blog is yours.

Third tip: Content quality. Well I might take issue here with the word’s; “…type of information that readers find intriguing, educational, humorous or useful.” If you do not find it intriguing, educational, humorous or useful don’t write about it. I repeat, if it isn’t you then don’t write it. This is your blog and you must feel that you are writing both for yourself as well as the reader. I am not saying to present an arrogant personality, there is always another view, however (again) this is your blog and your point of view.

Fourth tip: Timeliness of information: For the most part I will agree however there are times when it is worth repeating old news perhaps with a new slant. Bringing back a subject that perhaps did not get enough initial discussion and you have a reason to return to that well. Good, go for it. Dredge it back up however don’t just repeat old news, have something new to say. Don’t post just for the sake of posting.

If you heart isn’t into it take a break.

Last tip: Personality. I agree with the author here. “Everybody has a unique personality therefore use it to your advantage on your blog.” The author goes on to talk about humor, sarcasm, or tutorial delivery. Be yourself, write, talk and deliver who you are. Above all be comfortable with yourself and your presence.

Now I command you to go and blog!!

Top 10 Free Small Business SEO Tools - www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

For anyone starting up a blog or a web site and would like to get your web presence known (be found by a search) this is a good read. There are a number of links and explanations regarding Search Engine Optimization or better known as SEO. In a recent Web Design and Usability Techniques class this was something discussed a little at the end.

I have a prior link here to Google's Webmaster Tools and that can also give you good insight as to what one needs to do.

I said in the original piece that the only real initial cost to blogging (specifically at Blogger) is time and reading should take up some of that. If necessary print it out.

Top 10 Free Small Business SEO Tools - www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

How to Make Money By Blogging at Home: Start Your Own Blog and Earn Cash

How to Make Money By Blogging at Home: Start Your Own Blog and Earn Cash

Another link to a home-based business blog that talks about some of the same things we covered in the seminar.

Mommy bloggers gather to sharpen Web, business and marketing skills - San Jose Mercury News

Mommy bloggers gather to sharpen Web, business and marketing skills - San Jose Mercury News

An interesting article that discusses what blogging has become and the power and reach. The fact that some of the bloggers at this boot camp are there because this has become a business and they are here to learn is even more fascinating.

Use Google Alert’s To Find Data For Your Blog

One thing that you can do in Google is set up an Alert and have Google search throughout the day for postings that you may be interested in. I do this and have alerts sent to my inbox for various items that I would like to research. Each of the emails that I get have 10 to 20 possible links with a brief message on what the reference is. This is a great way to do research on almost anything and be kept up to date with Google doing all of the work.

In Gmail on the top left you will see a menu that should look like this and you click on the more arrow on the right. This will show have a fly out menu that appears like this (only more entries). At the bottom is an “even more >>” link and that is where you want to go next.

Once you get to the next page you will see a long list of possible things that you can investigate – don’t get lost in them although I will say that I use a number of other items in this list. At the moment  we are looking for Alerts.

The link should be on the top of the left column (pictured here on the left). Once you click (or select) the Alerts option Now the fun begins.   

In the Search Items box list one item you are interested in (i.e. “blogs on recipes” or just “recipes”). Check the rest of listed items and be sure your email address is at the bottom and then select the “Create Alert” button.

You can return here and there is a link to manage alerts so that if you don’t like what you are getting you can remove the alert and/or add others.

Currently I have about 5 alerts running. They come into my inbox and I can then do what I want with them.

This is a good source for feeding that blogging mind.

Previous Blog Link

I realize that the prior link was to a United Kingdom blog however a great deal of it’s content is relevant anywhere. The idea I have here is to post items that can cause you to reflect on what it is you are doing. Updating content or frequency of blogging is important.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all post’s need to be a chapter in a book. Some can be just what I have done, links to other posts and other blogs. Join the community and spread the word. become the knowledgeable one. You just may be someone else's resource.