Blogging For Dummies, 6th Edition

The bestselling guide to blogging—updated and better than ever!

Are you ready to make your mark on the Internet with a personal blog, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Blogging For Dummies gives you the lowdown on blogging basics, the anatomy of a good blog, and all the tools you need to get started. Plus, you’ll find advice on choosing a blog topic, picking a domain name and host, writing your first blog post, planning an editorial calendar, and much more.

Whether you’re interested in casual blogging or creating a more professional online presence, Blogging For Dummies covers it all—and makes it easier than ever to put your thoughts and words out to the masses. Updated to include coverage of the latest trends and techniques in the blogosphere—like technology changes in blogging software and social media—it helps you choose a blogging platform, use SEO effectively to drive traffic to your blog, create content that’s pinnable and shareable, and integrate your blog with social media through plug ins. Best of all, you’ll discover how you can make real money from your passion and become a professional blogger.

• Choose a blogging topic and platform
• Use your blog to build your personal brand
• Monetize your blog through advertising and sponsorships
• Create content that easily integrates with social media

Blogging is a great way to express yourself, build and audience, and test out your ideas, and Blogging For Dummies will help you jump in with both feet!

Table of Contents

Part 1 Getting Started with Blogging
Chapter 1 Discovering Blog Basics
Chapter 2 Entering the Blogosphere
Chapter 3 Choosing and Hosting Blog Software

Part 2 Setting Up Your Blog
Chapter 4 Starting a Blogger Blog
Chapter 5 Starting a WordPress Blog
Chapter 6 Starting a Tumblr Blog
Chapter 7 Creating a Squarespace Blog

Part 3 Fitting In and Feeling Good
Chapter 8 Finding Your Niche
Chapter 9 Creating Great Content
Chapter 10 Building Community with Comments
Chapter 11 Blogging Anonymously

Part 4 Going Beyond Words
Chapter 12 Working with Photos
Chapter 13 Starting a Podcast
Chapter 14 Diving into Vlogging
Chapter 15 Leveraging Community with Forums

Part 5 Marketing and Promoting Your Blog
Chapter 16 Making Your Blog Easy to Find
Chapter 17 Getting to Know Social Networking
Chapter 18 Joining the Big Four Social Networks
Chapter 19 Measuring Blog Presence

Part 6 Getting Business-y with It
Chapter 20 Making Mad Mad Money
Chapter 21 Blogging for Companies

Part 7 The Part of Tens
Chapter 22 Ten Ways to Grow Community
Chapter 23 Ten Things All Bloggers Should Do