Blogging 101 Panel & Workshop
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The document outlines a Blogging 101 panel and workshop event scheduled for April at the Cedar Falls Public Library, featuring panelists who will share their blogging experiences and techniques. Attendees will receive step-by-step instructions for creating a blog, engage in interactive workshops, and have opportunities for networking and book signing. Additionally, there are various resources provided for new bloggers, including tips on using the Blogger platform and promoting their content.
Blogging 101 Panel & Workshop
- 1. Blogging 101 Panel & Workshop, Saturday, April Cedar Falls Public Library
- 2. Our Agenda 1:00--Panel, “Show and Tell” (ALL are welcome! You don’t have to register for this part of the program). 2:15--Break (Cookies & punch, visit Authors’ tables, buy books & get them signed) 2:30-4:00, Workshop with Step by Step Instructions for Creating a Blog, and then work time with help.
- 3. Jocelyn Green, Author of the series, Heroines Behind the Lines. www.jocelyngreen.com/blog Her website/Blog https://www.goodreads.co m/author/show/2578437.J ocelyn_Green Her page on Goodreads, with a list of her 15 books.1 Nonfi “The write path,” by MELODY PARKER Mar 23, 2018. A recent article about Jocelyn appeared in the Waterloo Courier.
- 4. Jocelyn’s Bio https://www.amazon.com/Jocelyn- Green/e/B001JSD3RY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1521860668&sr=1-1 Her Amazon page. “Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage. The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.”
- 5. Mary Potter Kenyon: Author, Blogger, Speaker, Teacher, & Workshop Presenter Mary has written 6 books, including one with her marypotterkenyon.wordpress.com/ Her website and Blog https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=M ary+potter+Kenyon A list of her books https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Potter- Kenyon/e/B000APBBJY She’s also on Amazon! ·
- 6. Mary’s books, from her Amazon page "Coupon Crazy: The Science, the Savings, and the Stories Behind America's Extreme Obsession," "Chemo-Therapist: How Cancer Cured a Marriage," "Refined By Fire: A Journey of Grief and Grace," "Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink," with co-writer Mary Jedlicka Humston, and "Expressive Writing for Healing, " a grief journal that was released April 1st.
- 7. Robyn Mulder: Writer, Speaker & Blogger robynmulder.blogspot.com/ her blog www.therobynsnest.org/ her website robynmulder.com --her new website, making it easier to find her blogs
- 8. More about Robyn Robyn is also a busy pastor’s wife, mother, and volunteer. I love her honesty in her writing, her empathy for young moms, and her sense of humor! https://robynmulder.blogspot.com/201 8/03/focus-friday-lets-focus-on- throwing.html?spref=fb A recent post that made me laugh--and think.
- 9. Cherie Dargan, retired teacher, Geek, Family Historian, Webmaster, Speaker & blogger www.geekygrandma.org Website with Blog www.bloggingbasicswithcherie.blogs pot.com -- new blog on Blogger
- 10. Cherie’s Bio I took early retirement from Hawkeye Community College in the fall of 2016 to write. Somehow, I became a webmaster for two more websites, wrote a couple of chapters for books, and became a volunteer for several organizations, including the Cedar Falls Authors Festival. I’ve done presentations, served on the planning committee and designed the CFAF website: it has been a lot of fun. I handle Facebook for several organizations. I also write articles for the Waterloo Courier, am working on my third book chapter (about Cedar Falls’ early history) and babysit my two grandsons whenever I can.
- 11. Panel’s “Show and Tell” Each panelist will show us her blog, and-- ● Identify the platform (software) used to create the blog ● Comment on why she chose that specific platform ● Talk about her purpose for blogging ● Explain her theme
- 12. Blogs of Presenters--Jocelyn Jocelyn Green www.jocelyngreen.com/blog Connecting with the readers of her 15 books www.goodreads.com/author/show/2578437.Jocelyn_Green Her Goodreads Page www.amazon.com/Jocelyn- Green/e/B001JSD3RY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1521860668&sr=1-1 Her Amazon Page
- 13. Blogs of Presenters--Mary Mary Potter Kenyon marypotterkenyon.wordpress.com/ Connecting with Readers maryandmebook.wordpress.com/ (This blog focuses on the book, Mary & Me) www.amazon.com/Mary-Potter-Kenyon/e/B000APBBJY She’s also on Amazon!
- 14. Blogs of Presenters--Robyn Robyn Mulder robynmulder.com --her new website, making it easier to find her blogs robynmulder.blogspot.com/ Perfectly Me www.therobynsnest.org/ The Robyn's Nest Help for Angry Moms…and Happy Moms, too. Writing about a variety of issues relating to faith and families.
- 15. Blogs of Presenters--Cherie Cherie Dargan www.geekygrandma.org -- Geeky grandma, Sharing ways to use technology in daily life bloggingbasicswithcherie.blogspot.com/ Helping new bloggers
- 16. Break from 2:15 to 2:30 ● Enjoy light refreshments, thanks to our Cedar Falls Authors Festival volunteers! ● Jocelyn and Mary have books to sell, and will be happy to sign them ● We will take a break until 2:30. Restrooms are back out by the stairs. ● IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THE SECOND HALF OF TODAY’S WORKSHOP, AND DIDN’T REGISTER ALREADY, PLEASE SEE CHERIE DURING THE BREAK! ● We will get out the Laptop Cart for those who did not bring their own computer.
- 17. The Planning Sheet I sent this worksheet out to those who signed up for the workshop ahead of time. So, grab your worksheet, or open your email or Google Drive, if you saved it there.
- 18. A quick look at the Planning Sheet 1. What is a Blog and why do you want one? (A web blog, or Blog, is an online journal where you post a series of short pieces that others can read). Why do you want to create a blog? 2. Plan your blog (Purpose, Audience) What topic, theme, or issue is your blog going to focus on? __________________ Who is your audience? ____________________________________________________________ What do you want to accomplish—Educate? Motivate? Build a base of readers? ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________
- 19. Planning sheet, cont. Are you writing a book or series of books that the blog will help to promote? ____________________ How often can you realistically post to your blog? ________________________________________ Do you have a Gmail/Google account? If NOT, it is easy to create one. (Here’s how) https://www.gcflearnfree.org/print/gmail/setting-up-a-gmail-account?playlist=Gmail
- 20. Four Reasons to Use Blogger If Then You’re just starting out blogging Use Blogger, a free tool from Google You want something FREE (no monthly fee for web hosting) Use Blogger You have limited technical skills (you can compose in word and copy and paste, you can attach a document as an attachment to email, you can upload a photo) Use Blogger You have a Gmail account and use other Google Apps Use Blogger
- 21. Name your Blog Keep it simple and announce your purpose! Many people use their name. My blog name: _____________________________________ Blog Address—unless you buy a custom URL, your blog’s URL will look like this— http://insertname.blogspot.com (for example, http://Susie.smith.blogspot.com) FOR EXAMPLE, http://bloggingbasicswithcherie.blogspot.com/ Cherie’s Blog on Blogger
- 22. CAUTION!! Think before you Choose! My Funny, True Confession! Barbs talks -- www.barbstalks S0 think about how your blog name will look before you finalize it. Write it down, plugging it into the URL below. http://insertname.blogspot.com http://suesreads.blogspot.com :^) htt
- 23. Decide how you want to balance privacy with your online persona, by answering these questions-- https://www.gcflearnfree.org/blogbasics/developing-your-blog/1/ Will you use your full name? Yes or No If not, what name will you use? A nickname? A first name only? Will you identify where you live? Yes or No Your Job? Yes or No Your family?
- 24. Log onto your Google/Gmail account Notice that I have SEVEN Google Accounts to manage! But it’s okay: it’s like having keys to more than one house.
- 25. OK, now let’s create a BLOG! 1. Now, click on Google Apps and find Blogger & Open it. 2. In the top left, next to "New blog" click the Down arrow . 3. Click New blog.
- 26. What’s Google Apps? In Gmail, look up at the upper right hand corner--You will see a little set of dots, arranged in a table They are the applications (programs or Apps) in the Google family. Click on MORE at the bottom of the screen for more Icons--you want the Big Yellow B for Blogger in the 2nd screen.
- 27. Next, NAME your blog--remember that becomes your URL, or web address 4. Enter a name for your blog. (see your worksheet!) http://insertname.blogspot.com So, if you are a Star Trek fan and want to “channel” Spock, you might choose “Spocks Wisdom” 5. Choose a blog address, or URL. (Insert the title of the Blog) (this is the standard name, not a unique domain name like my Geekygrandma.org, which I must pay for each year). This one is free! http://spockswisdom.blogspot.com
- 28. Customize how it looks with a Theme (design) Select Theme – keep it simple and avoid the darker templates because they are harder to read. Think about Powerpoint Designs: the theme controls colors, font styles, & the overall “look” of Your blog. Before you click, take a look….. Browse choices: you can get a preview and change your mind!
- 29. My solution--A Dynamic Theme The Reader can CHOOSE how to view the blog! I found this very exciting--7 different looks. Dynamic -- you can change how you view the blog. Static -- stays the same. So, let’s take a look at the SAME content & 7 ways to view it!
- 30. First, Classic--notice the small black box w archive
- 31. Second, Flipcard--each image is a Post
- 32. Third, Magazine -- see one Post displayed, with others below
- 33. Fourth, Mosaic--Click on an image & that Post pops out!
- 34. Fifth, Sidebar: list of Posts on the Left Hand Side
- 35. Sixth, Snapshot -- reminds me of Pinterest. Very Visual! Again: each image is a Post.
- 36. Seventh, Timeslide--the most recent Post is first.
- 37. Downside to the dynamic theme ● Not all of the elements that you add to the page will show up! ● Things like Subscribe by email and Social Sharing Buttons, as well as comments
- 38. So, if I change the theme to Simple Blue
- 39. Adds a few features not available in Dynamic: Comments, Social Share, Reactions
- 40. Choose a template--a design 6. Choose a template. Blogger gives you lots of choices. A template controls the colors, font style, and look of your blog. You can try a couple out and you can always change this later on! Once you have selected one, it is time to click on the next button! 7. Click Create blog. Blogger will take just a moment to create it.
- 41. Now, let’s look at Blogger’s dashboard
- 42. New Post--many features/tools from Word
- 43. Can Insert Photos, Size them, add Captions
- 45. Compose or Copy and Paste text—must insert photos!
- 46. Save & Publish & Blogger Shares to Google+
- 47. I then share the new post on Facebook to promote it (copy and paste the URL)
- 48. Then, I cross post to the Geeky Grandma Blog, and sometimes LinkedIn
- 49. Create your first post: Introduction Plus a Photo If you do not have a photo with you, you can add it later! Use INSERT and look for the little picture frame icon: then, you can upload it from your computer. You can edit posts after you have saved or published them. Look at the list of posts -- edit, view, share, and delete. Brief post with picture: tell your reader who you are and why they should come back and read your blog! Depending on your topic and reason for creating the blog, you can write a few paragraphs to a page.
- 50. What should your Introduction include? Tell your reader a little about yourself (remember the planning sheet: use your first name or nickname?) A couple of paragraphs are enough for now. WHY are you blogging? Does the name of your blog announce your purpose? Does it explain your theme? Post a picture, or if you prefer, an avatar.
- 51. https://www.cartoonify.de/ - my first attempt!
- 52. My Introduction I used a pictorial essay, starting with this picture of my Great Grandma Eva. https://bloggingbasicswithcherie.blogspot.co m/2017/05/why-do-you-need-blog.html
- 53. Send me your Blog’s URL! SEND ME YOUR BLOG’S URL AND I WILL SEND A LIST TO THE GROUP TODAY, so that you can follow each others’ blogs. cheriedargan@gmail.com
- 54. Then what? ● Keep posting to your blog--weekly? Every other week? It’s up to you. ● Get 4-6 posts done and then send out an email to your friends and invite them to take a look. OR, keep posting the links to your Facebook page. ● If you haven’t used Google +, check it out. Wonderful resource. ● There are many ways to attract readers, using services like Feedly, Blogloving, and others. ● We could do a whole session on publicizing blogs & cross posting, etc.
- 58. Cross Post LinkedIn has a Blogging Feature now
- 59. Help Features built-in to Blogger
- 60. Need more help with figuring out Google? Go to GCF Learn Free! https://www.gcflearnfree.org/topics/googleapps/rogram of Goodwill Community Learn Free is a website sponsored by Goodwill Foundation® and Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC Inc.® “You can do a lot with a Google account these days, and our free lessons are here to help you get the most out of them.” https://www.gcflearnfree.org/gmail/ Their Lessons on Gmail Tutorials on using Gmail
- 61. Questions? Cherie Post Dargan, “Geeky Grandma” cheriedargan@gmail.com If you signed up for the workshop, I will send you the powerpoint by email. Otherwise, I will post the presentation on my Slideshare account, https://www.slideshare.net/mrsdargan If you attend the Cedar Falls Christian Writers Workshop, sign up for a session and I will work with you one on one as needed.
Editor's Notes
- #4: Our Panel -- Jocelyn has written fiction and nonfiction
- #23: My sad and funny story -- Barbs Talks…...barbstalks.com
- #41: Do not panic if you don’t like the theme; you can change it.
- #42: Look at the left hand navigation menu: starting out, ignore stats and campaigns and pages for now. We will look at settings later. Notice the HELP section!
- #43: Notice all of the familiar tools; this is a very visual tool bar. Remember, you must INSERT pictures, using the little picture frame box. But you can copy and paste text from word. You can also insert hyperlinks, you can format text (change the size, color of the text, underline, bold, etc.)
- #44: When you click on the picture, you can make it small, medium or large. You can add a caption. You can also choose alignment--to the left, middle, or right.
- #45: You can add hyperlinks (the URL or web address). This box lets you control what the user sees--the actual URL or a phrase?
- #46: My tip--a personal best practice is to put a date at the bottom. Last Updated March 27, 2018.
- #47: When you are done, click on publish and it will create the post on your Blog. It will also send a link to your Google+ account. Don’t use Google+? You might take a look and like it.
- #48: What many of us do is to create a link on Facebook to our blog posts.
- #56: After you have done 8-10 posts, you will start to see a little action in your stats, if you are promoting your blog on Facebook, with friends through email, etc. Notice you can see at a glance how many views posts have gotten from this simple list.
- #57: To see more, click on Stats and you can scroll through the section. I am interested in Operating systems, Browser, Countries, etc.!
- #58: You can also see which posts have gotten more views.
- #59: You can post your content on more than one platform. I do on LinkedIn. Several have gotten more attention than others--a great headline helps! “Mamas, Don’t Give your Kids Smartphones” has gotten 192 clicks.
- #60: Need help? Contact me. Look at Blogger. Google it! Go to the CWW this summer?
- #61: If new to Google account, here is a great resource.