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Need advice on starting a blog (professional writer)

post #1 of 6
7/23/11 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 

Hey guys,

 

So here's the deal. I've been writing (for money) since November. I haven't, however, gotten around to putting together a blog for people who like (or hate) my writing to get updates and links to my other work. Since my writing has been getting a surprising amount of attention I figure I should do so now. (I do not retain the Copyright to the work I'd be linking to, which does put a damper on what I can post.)  

 

I figured before half-hazardly starting a blog I should check with you guys on what service to use and so and so forth, as well as advice. I want to start off on the write (pardon the pun) foot. 

 

Thanks!

 

 

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post #2 of 6
7/23/11 at 2:10pm
Are you writing for one publisher or several? I'd talk to them about the copyright issues and see if a deal could be worked out. If you're linking to them, driving traffic, and maybe getting some ad revenue for them, then they'd probably enjoy the extra exposure. Pitch it as something good for everyone.

As for a site, please keep it simple and easily accessible by mobile devices.

Also, I'm curious about your writing. Can I convince you to link to a piece or two here?
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post #3 of 6
7/23/11 at 2:48pm
Lots of people like WordPress. It's got good and easy to use templates and I think there are good options for you if you're going to commercialize your site. I've used Blogger forever because it was the first one I found. It's hooked into the Google universe, which might be a plus for you.

They're both free. One tip about blogging, if you want to cultivate an audience, you have to stay consistent with your updates. Second, I don't know what you write about, but if you attract a big audience, you'll want to think about how to moderate comments. Keeping it all open and available seems like a good idea at the outset, but after a while you'll may get troll infestations and you want to start out the way you intend to go on.
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post #4 of 6
7/23/11 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 

Uncle Erik: No, but I will PM you some links to my writing.

 

When I first got the gig I asked them if I could link to my articles from a blog. They said "Absolutely" for the reasons Eric described, and don't see how they'd have legal standing to reject me linking to them. However (because they don't want to lose traffic, I assume) they won't let me link in the opposite direction - from their site to a blog. 

 

So it seems like Wordpress and Blogger are main two? What about TypePad? I don't mind paying money if it's higher quality.

 

 

 

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post #5 of 6
7/23/11 at 3:27pm
TypePad, I knew I was forgetting something.

I think that WordPress and TypePad are the more professionally oriented ones, where Blogger is more of the hobbyist platform. I think it all depends on how you want this to function, whether or not you want to turn it into an income maker or just have a place online to showcase your work.

If you're planning to make it pay for itself and you're not a technical sort, then I'd advise you to read up on the specs and see which gives you the greatest flexibility and works best for you. Here's a good post with advice on how to choose a platform.
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post #6 of 6
7/25/11 at 1:01am
Thread Starter 

Hey guys,

 

I'm actually thinking of just going with Twitter now (created an account today). Not sure if there is a real point to having a blog when I could get paid to publish on the actual site. I'll see how Twitter goes.

 

And UncleErik I'll get you those links. wink.gif

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