Blogging For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)): Amazon.co.uk: Susannah Gardner, Shane Birley: Books

Product Description

The blogging bestseller, now fully updated to reflect the latest tools and techniques

Blogging is forever evolving, and remains essential for anyone who wants a distinctive Web presence. There are many options that surround blogging–on everything from blogging software to hosting services–and this fun and friendly guide gets you started so can begin logging in hours of blogging!

Building on the success of the two previous bestselling editions, this latest revision includes essential blogging basics, the elements required of a good blog, and the tools you′ll need to get started. You′ll discover how to determine the right blogging software for you, whether you should run your own blog or use a full–service hosting site, and how to set up an account and write your first post.

Builds on the two previous bestselling editions and covers the latest advertising tools to attract an audience, methods for making money with your blog, and ways to measure your blog′s success
Includes updates to the major blogging software utilities including Google′s Blogger, TypePad, and WordPress
Walks you through the latest search engine optimization techniques for increasing your blog′s visibility
Reviews the newest plug–ins and gadgets that will allow you to extend your blog

If you′re in a fog about how to blog, then this easy–to–understand guide is the right book for you.

From the Back Cover

In a fog about blogs? Read this book and it all becomes clear!

Millions of people posted a blog entry this morning. They′re promoting products, espousing causes, discussing their lives, and sharing tips on everything from getting the laundry clean to getting their candidate elected. Join the fun! Here′s how to choose and use blogging software, pick a topic, add photos, attract readers, and keep your blog interesting.

Blog basics — find out what defines a blog and what type of blog best suits your purpose
What you say — learn how to create appealing content and what you don′t want to put in your blog
Compare tools — understand the pros and cons of hosted services and see what Blogger, WordPress, and other tools offer
When smaller is better — explore microblogging, including Twitter® and Tumblr
Speak up — try your hand at podcasting or video blogging
Socialize your blog — boost readership with a presence on social networking sites
Blogging for dollars — see how to put ads on your blog or in your RSS feed, seek sponsorships, and maintain a business blog
Know your visitors — learn to collect and analyze statistics on who′s visiting your site, when, and for how long

Open the book and find:

Tips for choosing a topic
How to connect with your readers through comments
Advice on blogging ethics
A comparison of leading blogging software
Help managing routine blog tasks
Hints for conquering writer′s block
Ways to boost readership
Why RSS feeds are a great idea
Cool widgets, gadgets, and themes to customize your blog

Learn to:

Use the latest versions of Blogger and WordPress®
Recognize what goes into an effective blog
Find your niche in the blogosphere
Build an audience and make money from your blog

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

Very useful Text 27 April 2010

By Wendy Jones TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I am fairly new to blogging so I found this book to be extremely useful. I was using the basics of blogging and wanted to use it more effectively and Blogging for Dummies has helped me to do this. I agree the advanced user might find it less helpful, but I liked the way it took me through the stages of blogging in easy steps. Following the chapters I have developed my blogs and have incorporated some of the techniques into what I am doing. I like the way it gives you a general overview in the beginning and then develops the themes mentioned later in the book. I would certainly recommend this book to all those new to blogging or those who have been using the basics for some time and wish to gorw their skills.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Blogging for Dummies 11 April 2011

By Spider Monkey HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER

I have found over the years of reading numerous `Dummies' books that the quality of them can be very variable. Fortunately `Blogging for Dummies' is one of the better books in the series I have read.

This has a similar layout to other books in the series and if you know one book, you pretty much know the style of them all. This has informal prose, plenty of icons to guide you through the text, short accessible chapters and the `Part of Tens' at the back.

In this book you will learn how to get started, with full explanations of blogging and what it entails. You will be guided through various software and finding your niche or topic to blog about. It helps with ideas to build your community following and how to deal with comments on your blog and it also has ideas for marketing. It finishes up by exploring how you can make money from your blog or tie it into your existing business, before ending on some lists of tips to grow your community, ways to make your blog shine and some key blogs to explore. It also has a glossary and appendix briefly exploring html code used in blogs. This last section is very basic indeed and shouldn't be relied upon to make your blog fully functional from scratch, this is beyond the scope of this book and something you'd have to research elsewhere.

There are plenty of screen shots to demonstrate ideas explored in the book, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to carry out certain functions on your blog and related sites. This is easy to read and has plenty of ideas to help your blog develop and grow and I have been gradually utilising some of the ideas in this book on my own blog as I have worked my way through the book.

All in all this is an interesting and informative introduction to the world of blogging and should turn you from a novice into a competent blogger in no time. In the short time I have been blogging I have found it remarkably satisfying and with the knowledge on hand in this book you should soon be feeling the same way.

Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

New blogger. 2 Aug 2010

By A. H. Johnstone

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have found this book extremely helpful. It has really given me a lot of insight on readability. I have begun podcasting thanks to the help of this book as I previously had no clue where to begin on this. The podcast will be a very useful supplement to my written blog. The information is set out in a way that it is easy to find and you don't need to read it from cover to cover to gain the information you need. I am also one of life's margin-scribblers so it is handy to have a source to move out from that I can make my own notes in.