If you have not had a blog before this is a great way to get started.
There are other free blog services of course, I just happen to really like WordPress.
When you decide to get more serious and host your own blog, all the information you will need is right here to help you do it. In addition, if you’re doing Part III of Barbara Sher’s Writing and Speaking program having a free blog on WordPress first will make life a lot easier down the road.
I trust those who find most of this pretty easy will forgive me for writing in such detail. Skip past this post, get your blog and get writing, we’ll catch-up to you in a few. WordPress does a good job of walking your through the steps to getthing a bog up and running.
For anyone who really wants, or needs, it all spelled out just as simply and clearly as possable, I’m here for you!
Signing up for a free WordPress blog:
1. Go to WordPress.com
2. Click on the big blue “Sign Up Now” botton
3. Fill out this page. Your user name is not the name of the blog, it’s just what you will use to sign in. You will want to chose the “Gimme a blog! (Like username.wordpress.com)” field.
4. Click Next
5. On this page you will choose your blog domain. Pick something you really like and/or is the same as the domain name that you have already bought, plan to use but HAVE NOT USED YET. Just make sure this is one you like.
6. Blog title is the words that will show up when people go look at your site. Mine says Why Not Rachel (so use spaces). This is the title of your blog, maybe the title of your book. It does not have to be the same words as your blog domain.
7. Click sign-up to get to the next page
8. Do as suggested and check your email.
9. In your email account click the link it suggests and you should have a new wordpress blog. Congrats. Next we will learn the wordpress dashboard and how to write and publish posts.
Profile
Hey you’re doing great. You have filled out everything, visited your email and clicked on the verifications link. Now you’re asked to type in a bit of a profile. Go ahead and then click to move forward.
Getting to know your Basic Blog
Alright, go back to that verification email. There should be a link that will take you right to your new blog. Go there and click.
Note: Next time you want to login and work on your blog you will go to wordpress.com and login.
Log in to wordpress.com
When you log into your blog:
1. Go to wordpress.com
2. Type in your username and password
3. On the left side of the page you will see your blog(s) click on the name of the blog.
YOU ARE NOW ON YOUR “DASHBOARD” Yippy!
Lets pick a theme first cause that’s fun:
1. On your dashboard click “design”
2. Scroll through the designs. When you see one you might like click on the picture.
3. If you like what it looks like click “Activate ______ ” over on the top right
4. If you’re not sure you like it click the X on the left side and keep looking around.
5. I’ll wait to go on until you choose your theme.
6. Great choice! Now you should be send back to the Dashboard
Manage:
1. From the dashboard click “Manage” we are going to get your first post up.
2. Click on the blue words “hello world”
3. Get rid of the “Hello World” Title and put something of your own. I’ll wait. You can also erase what’s in the body of the post and write something of your own. Click SAVE (you’ll find it over to the right of the text editing box. Go ahead write something.
4. Click Save.
Note: In the future when you do a new blog post, save as you compose and then when you’re done you’ll see the word “publish” next the word save. Click publish and you’ll have a new blog up and published.
You can edit published posts on wordpress.com very easily, let’s try that next.
Editing a Post:
