When Rob Bluey went to highschool, he had to learn to navigate complex HTML code & script to promote his school newspaper.
Today, there are great tools out there that make blogging much simpler & easier for folks interested in making a difference online. Tools like:
Blogger is google’s easy to use blogging tool. Bluey went through the 3-step process and actually set up his own blog. In about 5 minutes flat, Rob has a blog post up complete with video.
It’s also easy to post pictures.
It’s also easy to indent large block quotes. Simply click “Block Quote” and you’re all set.
Other tools out there:
Rob prefers wordpress to blogger, because wordpress is easier to use. Specifically, wordpress.org to wordpress.com. (The downside of wordpress.org is that isn’t free & you need to be a bit more tech savvy)
With wordpress there are many more options at your disposal (things like blogroll, presentation, widgets, etc…)
In wordpress, you can get crazy with widgets — it’s easy. Just pick a widget from a list of available widgets & click & drag the widget into your sidebar, give it a title, and you’re ready to go.
According to Bluey, blogging isn’t just about getting started…(that’s easy) — the key to being successful is blogger outreach. You need to identify your niche issue. Your blog needs to be a place where people come to you & trust what you have to say.
Rob’s niche? — earmark reform.
Tools to find what other bloggers are writing about:
Technorati – tracking 112.8 million blogs!
