How To Set Up A Blog

"How to set up a blog". I have promised you this post. It's finally here!

Before I will give you the instructions on how to set up a blog, let me first define what is a blog or blogging ( especially for those who are not familiar with these terms: blog or blogging).

What is a blog? A blog is the condensed name of "weblog" or "web log". It is a private webpage published by an individual or a group. A blog may also be referred to as a website.

A blog is like a diary, only it is done online. To "post" means to write or display something on the blog. Hence, you may post your thoughts, comments, articles or news, any information, photos, videos and/or audios.

A blog can be just a blog to share something about yourself with your family, relatives and friends or it can be for the public. A blog can be an avenue to sell, promote or market something. When you post something to a blog, it is blogging.

Over the years, blogs have become so popular that even if the bloggers (the ones who blog) did not intend to make money online they eventually did so as they were offered opportunities by advertisers and marketers. (But this will be another topic that I will post about later in the near future...)

Meanwhile, first things first. Let me share with you here the basics- how to set up a blog.

In creating a blog, you actually have a choice to use a private domain or your own website (example: www.you.com) which you have to spend for. Or, you can start blogging for free by using the free blogging services of the likes of Blogger, Yola, Wordpress, etc.

For purposes of having a feel of blogging or how to blog, let us use BLOGGER to set up a blog.

Instructions:
1. Create a Google account by visiting www.blogger.com. On the Blogger webpage, there is a button that will allow you to create a new Google (Gmail) account in minutes. If you have an existing Google (Gmail) account, you can skip this step and move on to the next.
Note: When creating your Google account, you will have to provide some basic information, including your current email address. You will also be asked to create a password.

2. Now that you already have a gmail or google account, go back to Blogger. Sign in using your google account and password.

3. Choose the "Create a blog" option on the Blogger dashboard. By the way, Blogger allows you to create and manage about a 100 blogs with your account. You can manage all of them using your "dashboard".

4. Name your blog (blog title). Choose something that is easy to remember. You may choose a title from any of your hobbies or interest or something that will describe the content of this particular blog. Make your title something catchy, yet not extremely long.
The name or blog title you choose will be the first part of the URL or web address of your site. The URL for your site will be http://yourblogtitle@blogspot.com.

5. Choose your template. Blogger provides many templates you can choose from to set up your initial blog on the site. Please don't take so much time in choosing the template at his point in time. You can always go back later and change it according to your desire from among the many choices blogger is offering. Meanwhile, just choose one so you can start your blog.

6. Now post something on your blog. You can either write it straight into BLOGGER by clicking "New Post" and edit and saving it as you go along until you are satisfied with your post. OR, you can write your post in a Word document or notepad and just copy and paste it to BLOGGER.

7. Before clicking on "Publish Post", preview it first by clicking on "Preview" to take alook at what you have so far done. Once you are satisfied with the post, then you may now publish it.
Note: You may still edit your published post by going to the dashboard and clicking on "Edit Post".

8. When done, just sign out.

9. To add an update or a new post just sign in again using your google account. then, add a post to your blog with a new title.

That's it guys! Now, try it!

Next time, I'll talk about on how you can make money online through your blog...

One more thing. You might be interested in cooking. You can turn that interest, hobby, passion or whatever you call it into some money making ideas. Please check my other blog Filipino Food Recipes and Cooking Tips for recipes that you can turn into business. Thanks!