A Robust Publishing Platform
If you're going to blog, you need a publishing platform. I've used Wordpress since the beginning. It's easy to use, offers good-looking customizable themes and has a ton of plugin options for added functionality. For the novice or expert, there's not much you can't do with Wordpress.
WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless.
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http://wordpress.org/
WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless.
If you're going to blog, you need a publishing platform. I've used Wordpress since the beginning. It's easy to use, offers good-looking customizable themes and has a ton of plugin options for added functionality. For the novice or expert, there's not much you can't do with Wordpress.
Sharing Tools
If someone likes a blog post you write, you want them to share it with their social network. Sharing tools, like ShareThis, are essential for any blogger. Make it easy for your readers and provide them with a button at the end of your posts!
Ranked #1 by ComScore, ShareThis offers a suite of solutions for publishers and advertisers that are proven to drive traffic and engagement.
http://sharethis.com/
Ranked #1 by ComScore, ShareThis offers a suite of solutions for publishers and advertisers that are proven to drive traffic and engagement.
If someone likes a blog post you write, you want them to share it with their social network. Sharing tools, like ShareThis, are essential for any blogger. Make it easy for your readers and provide them with a button at the end of your posts!
A Smart Phone
What would I do without my trusty iPhone? I blog on it, share posts, respond to comments, look at my stats, take notes and photos, research posts...The list goes on and on as I find more handy apps to use. A smart phone keeps a blogger going when she can't be next to her computer!
The faster dual-core A5 chip. The 8MP camera with all-new optics also shoots 1080p HD video. And introducing Siri. It's the most amazing iPhone yet.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/
The faster dual-core A5 chip. The 8MP camera with all-new optics also shoots 1080p HD video. And introducing Siri. It's the most amazing iPhone yet.
What would I do without my trusty iPhone? I blog on it, share posts, respond to comments, look at my stats, take notes and photos, research posts...The list goes on and on as I find more handy apps to use. A smart phone keeps a blogger going when she can't be next to her computer!
A Popular Publishing Network
Ever feel like you're the only person reading your blog? Joining a publishing network can be a great way to share your blog with the world and meet other bloggers. My blog is part of the BlogHer Network. While it's invitation only to be a "network member," anyone can join BlogHer and create posts. I post on BlogHer and lead readers to my blog.
BlogHer.com is the Web's leading guide to the hottest news and trends among women in social media. The best writing by women online in parenting, food, fashion, politics, sex, relationships and more.
http://www.blogher.com/
BlogHer.com is the Web's leading guide to the hottest news and trends among women in social media. The best writing by women online in parenting, food, fashion, politics, sex, relationships and more.
Ever feel like you're the only person reading your blog? Joining a publishing network can be a great way to share your blog with the world and meet other bloggers. My blog is part of the BlogHer Network. While it's invitation only to be a "network member," anyone can join BlogHer and create posts. I post on BlogHer and lead readers to my blog.
StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon provides a huge amount of referral traffic to my blog. While others can "stumble" your posts via a sharing tool, you can also stumble your own posts to make them available to other stumblers. I use StumbleUpon to keep track of articles I might want to reference later and to find inspiration for future posts.
We help you easily discover new and interesting stuff on the Web. Tell us what you like, and we’ll introduce you to amazing web pages, videos, photos and more that you wouldn’t have found on your own.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/home
We help you easily discover new and interesting stuff on the Web. Tell us what you like, and we’ll introduce you to amazing web pages, videos, photos and more that you wouldn’t have found on your own.
StumbleUpon provides a huge amount of referral traffic to my blog. While others can "stumble" your posts via a sharing tool, you can also stumble your own posts to make them available to other stumblers. I use StumbleUpon to keep track of articles I might want to reference later and to find inspiration for future posts.
Access to Experts
Good blog posts often require some research and a knowledgeable voice that you might not be able to provide on certain topics. I use Reporter Connection (reporterconnection.com) and HARO (helpareporter.com) to connect with sources for blog posts and to offer myself as a source for reporters.
Reporter Connection is a free daily email service that connects busy journalists with experts available for media interviews.
http://reporterconnection.com/
Reporter Connection is a free daily email service that connects busy journalists with experts available for media interviews.
Good blog posts often require some research and a knowledgeable voice that you might not be able to provide on certain topics. I use Reporter Connection (reporterconnection.com) and HARO (helpareporter.com) to connect with sources for blog posts and to offer myself as a source for reporters.
Notetaking Tools
When I get inspiration for a blog post, I jot notes down in Evernote. Then, I don't have to wrack my brain to remember the ideas when I actually have time to write. My notes are then available to me via my smart phone, laptop, desktop computer, iPad, or any device with internet access. A handy notebook works well too. :)
The Evernote family of products help you remember and act upon ideas, projects and experiences across all the computers, phones and tablets you use.
http://www.evernote.com/
The Evernote family of products help you remember and act upon ideas, projects and experiences across all the computers, phones and tablets you use.
When I get inspiration for a blog post, I jot notes down in Evernote. Then, I don't have to wrack my brain to remember the ideas when I actually have time to write. My notes are then available to me via my smart phone, laptop, desktop computer, iPad, or any device with internet access. A handy notebook works well too. :)
Google Alerts
I use Google Alerts to keep track of topics that I blog about on a regular basis. It's a great way to get relevant articles and blog posts emailed directly to you without having to search around for content. And, yes, I have an alert set up for "bacon."
Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries.
http://www.google.com/alerts
Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries.
I use Google Alerts to keep track of topics that I blog about on a regular basis. It's a great way to get relevant articles and blog posts emailed directly to you without having to search around for content. And, yes, I have an alert set up for "bacon."
A Good Photo Editing Tool
Images add a lot to blogs. They can help you tell your story and drive readers to your posts. Photoshop is a great program for photo editing and for creating your own images. If you can't afford the full program, they also have a more simple, free online version.
Every picture tells a story, but you want your pictures to tell epics. With a rich set of pens, brushes, and color and painting capabilities, Photoshop helps you set scenes, advance narratives, and reveal truths in ways that take the audience out of ...
http://www.photoshop.com/products/photoshop
Every picture tells a story, but you want your pictures to tell epics. With a rich set of pens, brushes, and color and painting capabilities, Photoshop helps you set scenes, advance narratives, and reveal truths in ways that take the audience out of ...
Images add a lot to blogs. They can help you tell your story and drive readers to your posts. Photoshop is a great program for photo editing and for creating your own images. If you can't afford the full program, they also have a more simple, free online version.
A Flexible Photo App
While this list isn't about smart phone apps, I have to say I love Camera+ and use it a lot when I need a quick photo for a blog post. I don't always have my camera on me, but I usually have my iPhone. With Camera+, I can take a picture, edit it, add a border, and choose from a number of filters to make it look even cooler. Best of all, it's free!
Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or someone who’s barely touched a camera, Camera+ will make you love taking photos.
http://campl.us/
Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or someone who’s barely touched a camera, Camera+ will make you love taking photos.
While this list isn't about smart phone apps, I have to say I love Camera+ and use it a lot when I need a quick photo for a blog post. I don't always have my camera on me, but I usually have my iPhone. With Camera+, I can take a picture, edit it, add a border, and choose from a number of filters to make it look even cooler. Best of all, it's free!
SkinnyScoop Lists
Blog readers often digest text easier when compiled in a list. SkinnyScoop makes it easy to curate lists on just about anything. Readers can follow your lists, comment on different items and add to your lists, making it an ongoing conversation. Bloggers can use SkinnyScoop to rehash old posts, embed a new list onto their blog, or find inspiration.
SkinnyScoop is your cheat sheet for everything – take advantage of the passions and expertise of other women, or unleash your inner Oprah & share your own. Women make decisions; SkinnyScoop makes it fun and rewarding!
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/
SkinnyScoop is your cheat sheet for everything – take advantage of the passions and expertise of other women, or unleash your inner Oprah & share your own. Women make decisions; SkinnyScoop makes it fun and rewarding!
Blog readers often digest text easier when compiled in a list. SkinnyScoop makes it easy to curate lists on just about anything. Readers can follow your lists, comment on different items and add to your lists, making it an ongoing conversation. Bloggers can use SkinnyScoop to rehash old posts, embed a new list onto their blog, or find inspiration.
Facebook Fan Page
Facebook is a great way to hold conversations with your readers, post photos in albums, and "reshare" content from other pages to your fans. Bloggers can also check demographic information on their readers or use the "insights" tab to track content posted the page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
Suggested by Alyssa F.:
Facebook is a great way to hold conversations with your readers, post photos in albums, and "reshare" content from other pages to your fans. Bloggers can also check demographic information on their readers or use the "insights" tab to track content posted the page.
