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If you’re technologically challenged and
still haven’t entered the blogosphere, here are some quick
definitions:
"Blog" is short for "weblog."
Blogs consist of regular journal entries, photos, audio and video
clips, links, etc. Quickly and easily created with automated
templates, blogs allow readers to leave comments and interact.
People who have blogs and use blogs are
called "bloggers."
The "blogosphere" is the
interconnected virtual world where bloggers post, comment, and track
other blogs.
There are many things to like about
blogs. Above all, they’re easy! The major blog programs provide
forms so all you have to do is answer a few questions and then start
filling in the forms. Once you hit “submit,” your blog entry is
posted for the world to see. If you decide you don’t like it or want
to change it, you can delete it or make the changes and then
republish your site. Takes just minutes.
Blogs help you build an audience by connecting with readers
on a very personal level. Whereas websites are mostly static and
aloof, blogs are ever changing (or should be) and personal. If you
have a very focused subject matter, blogging is that much easier.
You know what you’ll write about. More importantly, you’ll know who
your readers are.
In the next issue or two, I’ll share more about blogging: What makes
a good blog? What makes a boring blog? I also hope to tackle tips
for posting on blogs and getting people to follow along on your blog.
In the meantime, visit the Art Biz Blog and tell me what you want to
know about blogs and what’s stopping you from starting a blog. I’ll
use what I learn for future newsletters and blog entries.
http://www.artbizblog.com
There is also a recording available of a darned-good conversation
I had with artist Lisa Call about blogging. You can find it at
http://www.artbizcoach.com/resources/blogging.html
Know This . . .
A good blog can build a following for
you like no website can do.
Think About This . . .
You can do it for zero cost!
Do This . . .
Start a blog this week. You
don’t have to know where you’re going with it, you just have
to start. Here are some resources:
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For those of you who know formatting,
WordPress open source software is extremely popular. As
I understand it, it is easy to install and format if you
have a little techie in you.
http://www.wordpress.com
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Blogger is free, too. Brought to you
by Google, you can start today.
http://www.blogger.com
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TypePad was my choice 2.5 years ago
and I’ve never been disappointed. However, it’s not free.
Pricing packages vary.
http://www.sixapart.com
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Copyright © 2007 Alyson B. Stanfield. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to use this article on your website, blog, or in your newsletter as long as you include this complete credit line: Copyright 2007 Alyson B. Stanfield. Alyson takes the mystery out of marketing your art and making more money as an artist. Visit
http://www.ArtBizCoach.com to get articles just like this one delivered to your inbox.
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