Remember News Editing or Media Law? Well if you're memory is fuzzy I can relate. In the spring of 2009, I wrote a blog post about Columbia architect Robert Tennenbaum. He was pissed to put it mildly and threatened me with a libel suit.
"Oh Shit!" That was my initial reaction, while standing at a light rail station in Linthicum, unable to remove the post or even phone a friend who could do it for me.
I then remembered that Mr. Tennenbaum had consented to a recorded interview. To cover all of my bases and give readers a better understanding of the charge, I placed the entire interview on my blog in the form of podcasts and issued a response. Hopefully you won't find yourself in a similar situation. If you do or you simply need a refresher, here it is.
There are three criteria for libel. First, a defamatory statement must be made. Second, a person must be identified. Third, the material must be published.
Libeling a person means injuring that person's reputation or ability to make money. Remember that corporations can also be libeled.
There are four defenses against libel. The most obvious defense is the truth! The other three are qualified privilege, fair comment & criticism and consent.
A word of advice. Be careful in how you handle an accusation of libel. Stay calm and think before you act. Seek out the advice of seasoned professors and professionals. If handled properly the accusation can work in your favor, against the accuser.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
FileZilla
File Transfer Protocol. FileZilla is a program which allows for the transfer of information between hard drives. You can download and use this FTP free of charge. If you're having trouble finding FileZilla, look here.When you execute the program, you will be prompted to information for Host, Username, Password and Port. The Host is tiger.towson.edu. The Username is your Towson login ID. The Password is your password. Leave the port blank.
The interface is quite simple. The screen on the left is your hard drive. The screen on the right is your virtual drive. When loading soundslides for example, simply drag the renamed publish_to_web folder from the left side of the screen to the right side of the screen.
Play around with FileZilla, it's a useful tool. I use FileZilla to upload html pages and soundslides onto the internet when I don't have access to my virtual drive on campus.
Embedding Soundslides
If you've never worked with Soundslides before, embedding them can be a pain-in-the-ass. If you have some experience with Soundslides, you'll probably agree they can still be a pain-in-the-ass. Either way, follow these simple instructions to embed Soundslides in your blog without the pain-in-the-ass.
First you need actually create a Soundslides presentation. Once you've done that, the program will give you a (publish_to_web) folder. Before you do anything else, rename this folder with a single, lowercase word.
Next, move the renamed folder into the WWW folder of your virtual drive. If you can't access your virtual drive, click here.
Now, go to the Soundslides Embed website, which will prompt you to enter the URL of your Soundslides. Type http://tiger.towson.edu/~(login ID)/(renamed Soundslides folder)/index.html and click continue.
Don't include the parentheses in the URL as shown in the URL above. If you followed these instructions correctly, a screen will appear that allows you to manipulate the size of the Soundslides player. When sizing the player for your blog, treat the player as though it were a Youtube video. The bigger the better. Don't try to squeeze in text beside the player.
Copy the code (Ctrl + C) and paste it (Ctrl + V) into your blog post as you would a Youtube video. Resize if necessary. If you didn't get this far, make sure your renamed folder is lowercase and spelled correctly and try again.
First you need actually create a Soundslides presentation. Once you've done that, the program will give you a (publish_to_web) folder. Before you do anything else, rename this folder with a single, lowercase word.
Next, move the renamed folder into the WWW folder of your virtual drive. If you can't access your virtual drive, click here.
Now, go to the Soundslides Embed website, which will prompt you to enter the URL of your Soundslides. Type http://tiger.towson.edu/~(login ID)/(renamed Soundslides folder)/index.html and click continue.
Don't include the parentheses in the URL as shown in the URL above. If you followed these instructions correctly, a screen will appear that allows you to manipulate the size of the Soundslides player. When sizing the player for your blog, treat the player as though it were a Youtube video. The bigger the better. Don't try to squeeze in text beside the player.
Copy the code (Ctrl + C) and paste it (Ctrl + V) into your blog post as you would a Youtube video. Resize if necessary. If you didn't get this far, make sure your renamed folder is lowercase and spelled correctly and try again.
Custom Google Search
Google works with Blogger to help readers find you, so why not make Google work for you directly? Instead of having your readers search your blog archives for a specific post, give them the option to search your blog with an embedded Google search bar, tailored to your blog page.
The Google Custom Search gadget allows readers to search only your blog or pages you designate, with the power of Google. The bar is small and fits neatly in your sidebar. I recommend the Google Custom Search bar be placed above your blog archives.
Click here to get started building your own Google Custom Search. Once you've created your search bar, click on the link to homepage, then click the link (Add this search engine to your blog or webpage). Next, tweak the cosmetic settings and click the box (Get the Code). Back on Blogger, under Settings - Edit HTML, bring up the page of code that is your blog. Click the box Expand Widget Templates. Scroll down at least three quarters of the way down the page and start looking for the titles of your gadgets. Paste the code above or below the gadget of your choice.
The Google Custom Search gadget allows readers to search only your blog or pages you designate, with the power of Google. The bar is small and fits neatly in your sidebar. I recommend the Google Custom Search bar be placed above your blog archives.
Click here to get started building your own Google Custom Search. Once you've created your search bar, click on the link to homepage, then click the link (Add this search engine to your blog or webpage). Next, tweak the cosmetic settings and click the box (Get the Code). Back on Blogger, under Settings - Edit HTML, bring up the page of code that is your blog. Click the box Expand Widget Templates. Scroll down at least three quarters of the way down the page and start looking for the titles of your gadgets. Paste the code above or below the gadget of your choice.
Hosting Websites
Blogger gives you the options when it comes to multimedia content but Blogger doesn't supply every demand. There are several websites that can help you provide content to readers. Youtube is probably the first site that comes to mind because of the ease with which you can upload and embed videos.
If you embed a Youtube video, insert a slug line directly below the video to let readers know exactly what they're watching. If you want to show readers more than one video, post the first and link to the others. If you're uploading your own video, click options, disable related videos and enable delayed cookies.
Box.net providers users with a free account and the capability to share audio files. When you upload an audio file on Box, you have the option of linking readers to it in the form of a podcast. Readers can even download the file.
Scribd.com works in a similar fashion to Box.net. Scribd allows you to embed documents onto your blog as a viewable PDF. Readers even have the option of reading the document on full screen without having to download it.
Soundslides can be a useful tool but difficult to embed if your new to the software. I've written a how-to post on Soundslides, read it if you're having difficulty. Soundslides embeds like a Youtube or Blogger video and lets you sync pictures with audio in a sort of slideshow format. Try to keep your Soundslides under two minutes in length.
If you embed a Youtube video, insert a slug line directly below the video to let readers know exactly what they're watching. If you want to show readers more than one video, post the first and link to the others. If you're uploading your own video, click options, disable related videos and enable delayed cookies.
Box.net providers users with a free account and the capability to share audio files. When you upload an audio file on Box, you have the option of linking readers to it in the form of a podcast. Readers can even download the file.
Scribd.com works in a similar fashion to Box.net. Scribd allows you to embed documents onto your blog as a viewable PDF. Readers even have the option of reading the document on full screen without having to download it.
Soundslides can be a useful tool but difficult to embed if your new to the software. I've written a how-to post on Soundslides, read it if you're having difficulty. Soundslides embeds like a Youtube or Blogger video and lets you sync pictures with audio in a sort of slideshow format. Try to keep your Soundslides under two minutes in length.
Widgets
Widgets are those small programs visible on the right or left side of your blog page, depending on the layout. If you have a blogger profile with a picture, that's a widget. If you have a blog roll or a blog post archives, those are widgets too.
In my opinion, its a good idea to have a few widgets layered vertically on your page, so long as they are necessary or pertinent. Think of your blog page like a online news site or newspaper page. People don't typically view news sites or read newspaper pages to look at the ads and sidebars, they simply want the news.
So how much is too much? Well, to be honest, blank space on a blog is not as detrimental as blank space on a news site page. The goal of your blog shouldn't be to generate revenue at this point, though that's certainly an option farther down the road. Think streamlined, think personalized. Your blog is an extension of you, highly focused into a coherent stream of facts and opinions.
With that in mind, a profile widget is a must. Let your readers see and get to know you, the author. The profile widget should be at least halfway down the page from the top. Blog post archives are also a must, as they encourage readers to digest more of your content and spend more time on your page. Blog post archives should be near or at the top of your page.
A blog roll is essential to building relationships, credibility and ultimately traffic. I suggest you orient your blog roll directly underneath your blog post archives. The blogs on your blog roll are automatically ranked by most recent post. Remember to ask other bloggers to incorporate your blog on their rolls so that as you post, your blog will be displayed at or near the tops of their lists. Remember readers are reluctant to scroll down, so if they see your blog at the top of another blogger's roll, they are more likely to click the link.
Finally, your blog should include a disclaimer widget. Your disclaimer sets the rules of play, how you mediate comments and content. Word your disclaimer as clear and concise as possible and don't be afraid to tweak or change it later on. I suggest you place your disclaimer under your profile widget, near the bottom of the page.
Consider the usefulness and necessity of a widget before placing it on your blog. Calendars, games, search bars and news updates are novel but not necessary. Readers don't visit your blog to check the date, the news or to play Minesweeper. Finally, consider adding a page counter to your blog.
Analytics sites like Statcounter offer you the option of placing a small, innocuous counter at the bottom of your page. Once your numbers go up, consider adding a page counter to your page, if anything it will save you the time and trouble of checking your analytics five times a day to see how well you're doing.
In my opinion, its a good idea to have a few widgets layered vertically on your page, so long as they are necessary or pertinent. Think of your blog page like a online news site or newspaper page. People don't typically view news sites or read newspaper pages to look at the ads and sidebars, they simply want the news.
So how much is too much? Well, to be honest, blank space on a blog is not as detrimental as blank space on a news site page. The goal of your blog shouldn't be to generate revenue at this point, though that's certainly an option farther down the road. Think streamlined, think personalized. Your blog is an extension of you, highly focused into a coherent stream of facts and opinions.
With that in mind, a profile widget is a must. Let your readers see and get to know you, the author. The profile widget should be at least halfway down the page from the top. Blog post archives are also a must, as they encourage readers to digest more of your content and spend more time on your page. Blog post archives should be near or at the top of your page.
A blog roll is essential to building relationships, credibility and ultimately traffic. I suggest you orient your blog roll directly underneath your blog post archives. The blogs on your blog roll are automatically ranked by most recent post. Remember to ask other bloggers to incorporate your blog on their rolls so that as you post, your blog will be displayed at or near the tops of their lists. Remember readers are reluctant to scroll down, so if they see your blog at the top of another blogger's roll, they are more likely to click the link.
Finally, your blog should include a disclaimer widget. Your disclaimer sets the rules of play, how you mediate comments and content. Word your disclaimer as clear and concise as possible and don't be afraid to tweak or change it later on. I suggest you place your disclaimer under your profile widget, near the bottom of the page.
Consider the usefulness and necessity of a widget before placing it on your blog. Calendars, games, search bars and news updates are novel but not necessary. Readers don't visit your blog to check the date, the news or to play Minesweeper. Finally, consider adding a page counter to your blog.
Analytics sites like Statcounter offer you the option of placing a small, innocuous counter at the bottom of your page. Once your numbers go up, consider adding a page counter to your page, if anything it will save you the time and trouble of checking your analytics five times a day to see how well you're doing.
Px & HTML Code
What's px? Px is the HTML shorthand for pixels. Ever notice the picture or title of your blog has a frame around it? There are lines separating posts and framed around headlines and pictures.Making these lines disappear is a great way to streamline the layout of your blog and tweak the presentation to your tastes. One way to make finding specific code easier is (Ctrl +F).
On the Blogger page, click the Layout tab. Next, click the Edit HTML tab. You will see a page of text and code. Scroll down until you see /* Header.
Look for pieces of code with numerals followed by px. By changing the numerical value to zero, you can make borders and frames disappear.
Remember to save your page (Ctrl + S) or copy the original code (Ctrl + C) before making alterations. The HTML code can be altered to change fonts, colors, spacing, etc. I highly recommend changing the px value for the header to zero. Otherwise, the picture or text of your blog's header will appear inside of a frame with empty space surrounding it. The frame also makes resizing your blog header more difficult.
Dreamweaver
Adobe Dreamweaver ahead matey but beware of pirates. If you're in J-School at Towson University, you've used Dreamweaver. This program allows you to build web pages.
Embedding web content greatly advances your blog. If you're off campus and can't use the labs, .you can skip student loans and take a torrent.
Torrents run on a system similar to LimeWire, a file-sharing network. Torrent programs allow users to download music, movies, games, applications and more. Some programs charge you, others give users (free)dom of information. Most torrent files include instructions and keys.
Download the software, disable the internet connection, copy the files, generate the key, question ethics one last time and complete the installation.
Google Maps
Easy. Google search maps. (Ctrl + V) Paste code into blog post like you would for a picture or video. Google lets you adjust the size of the map but you can also Edit Html and change the px number values to fit. 500 width by 500 Height works well.
This is a cumulative listing of crime in Columbia for 2009. Commercial crimes are green, residential are red and vehicle thefts are blue.
View Larger Map
Use Google maps to visually link readers to the written content. The pinpoints you see can be modified to display thumbnails of the points or a text box or both. Create color borders, plot routes and directions and destinations.
Play with it.
This is a cumulative listing of crime in Columbia for 2009. Commercial crimes are green, residential are red and vehicle thefts are blue.
View Larger Map
Use Google maps to visually link readers to the written content. The pinpoints you see can be modified to display thumbnails of the points or a text box or both. Create color borders, plot routes and directions and destinations.
Play with it.
SEO
Search Engine Optimization. Sounds fast, right? Google can find the answer to most queries in the time it takes you to read this sentence. Finding the exact answer to an exact query make take more time however.
Here's what you need to know. SEO is good for your blog because it helps readers and seekers find you and it makes you feel more important, because you are. It all starts with the question; how does Google search?
Google searches by page rank. Every page on the internet has a rank. That rank can fluctuate based on three factors. First Google ranks your blog by how many pages link to it. Then Google looks at the page rank of the pages that link to your blog. The higher the rank the better. Finally, Google measures linking pages' rank by how many links each page contains. More links means a lower ranking.
So how do you improve your SEO? Here are five tips to get you started . . . in the right direction.
First, look at your post headlines. They act as pseudo search queries. I written a post for my blog about Athar Habib, a highly recognizable person in Howard County. In the headline, I write Athar Habib because Google not only searches for the words Athar Habib, Google searches for the precise ordering of the words as Athar Habib. Write precise and short headlines.
Next, link in to the conversation. Remember your blog roll? Use it as a diving board to jump into the pool of links. Link your blog to relevant pages and readers & get them to link to you as well. This is accomplished by hard work and dedication. Columbia Blog Project has a great SEO because I work hard to bring quality content to readers on a daily basis. This doesn't mean you have to post daily but every post should be well written and crafted for readers.
Now that you're publishing quality content to a readership, those readers will tell other readers about your blog. For the same reason you might tell your friends about a great band, readers of blogs will tell other readers about a great new blog, its human nature. If you think about getting the word out like posting fliers, you want to post fliers in places with high volume traffic. The internet equivalent of shopping malls, schools and other social institutions are social networking sites and aggregators.
Analyzing your analytics can also improve your SEO. I check my analytics daily with statcounter. Among the analysis tools at my disposal is recent page activity. Everytime an IP address (computer screen) projects my page, I can see the path the person using that IP address took to reach my page. According to my analytics, the majority of my readers use Google to find me. The analytics also tell me what keywords readers are searching for to find my posts. This information allows me to insert more precise keywords into my posts.
Finally I label each post with precise keywords. At the bottom of the post composition window is an empty bar. I like to insert multiple keywords into the bar before I click save or publish. I've made it a habit and I suggest you do the same.
Here's what you need to know. SEO is good for your blog because it helps readers and seekers find you and it makes you feel more important, because you are. It all starts with the question; how does Google search?
Google searches by page rank. Every page on the internet has a rank. That rank can fluctuate based on three factors. First Google ranks your blog by how many pages link to it. Then Google looks at the page rank of the pages that link to your blog. The higher the rank the better. Finally, Google measures linking pages' rank by how many links each page contains. More links means a lower ranking.
So how do you improve your SEO? Here are five tips to get you started . . . in the right direction.
First, look at your post headlines. They act as pseudo search queries. I written a post for my blog about Athar Habib, a highly recognizable person in Howard County. In the headline, I write Athar Habib because Google not only searches for the words Athar Habib, Google searches for the precise ordering of the words as Athar Habib. Write precise and short headlines.
Next, link in to the conversation. Remember your blog roll? Use it as a diving board to jump into the pool of links. Link your blog to relevant pages and readers & get them to link to you as well. This is accomplished by hard work and dedication. Columbia Blog Project has a great SEO because I work hard to bring quality content to readers on a daily basis. This doesn't mean you have to post daily but every post should be well written and crafted for readers.
Now that you're publishing quality content to a readership, those readers will tell other readers about your blog. For the same reason you might tell your friends about a great band, readers of blogs will tell other readers about a great new blog, its human nature. If you think about getting the word out like posting fliers, you want to post fliers in places with high volume traffic. The internet equivalent of shopping malls, schools and other social institutions are social networking sites and aggregators.
Analyzing your analytics can also improve your SEO. I check my analytics daily with statcounter. Among the analysis tools at my disposal is recent page activity. Everytime an IP address (computer screen) projects my page, I can see the path the person using that IP address took to reach my page. According to my analytics, the majority of my readers use Google to find me. The analytics also tell me what keywords readers are searching for to find my posts. This information allows me to insert more precise keywords into my posts.
Finally I label each post with precise keywords. At the bottom of the post composition window is an empty bar. I like to insert multiple keywords into the bar before I click save or publish. I've made it a habit and I suggest you do the same.
Layout
The layout of your blog is important. The layout is literally the first thing readers will see when they come to your page. The goal of the layout is to present your posts to readers as quickly and simply as possible.
The template is the most important part of the layout. Blogger offers several templates and styles. My advice is to pick a simple template like minima, minima lefty or simple II. If you've ever created a powerpoint presentation, you'll know that the best presentations are the simplest. Flashy animations and eclectic patterns distract the reader from reading your posts.
Color scheme is also important. Some blogs have white text with black backgrounds, others use drab colors with bright text. My blog, Columbia Blog Project uses black text on a white background. Why black on white, why so simple? First off, complimentary colors strain the eyes and shorten the attention span. Look at any online newspaper site, black on white.
Finally look at fonts and colors. Headline text should be bright and attention grabbing, as should link text. When choosing link colors, take care not to make the link or visited link colors too dark or too similar, otherwise readers may skip over them. Try to limit your color scheme to three colors.
The template is the most important part of the layout. Blogger offers several templates and styles. My advice is to pick a simple template like minima, minima lefty or simple II. If you've ever created a powerpoint presentation, you'll know that the best presentations are the simplest. Flashy animations and eclectic patterns distract the reader from reading your posts.
Color scheme is also important. Some blogs have white text with black backgrounds, others use drab colors with bright text. My blog, Columbia Blog Project uses black text on a white background. Why black on white, why so simple? First off, complimentary colors strain the eyes and shorten the attention span. Look at any online newspaper site, black on white.
Finally look at fonts and colors. Headline text should be bright and attention grabbing, as should link text. When choosing link colors, take care not to make the link or visited link colors too dark or too similar, otherwise readers may skip over them. Try to limit your color scheme to three colors.
Aggregators
What's an aggregate? In short it's a website that compiles lists of blogs by subject, giving readers more choices. For example, I write a blog about Columbia, MD. In order to reach out to readers who may not find me through Google or a referring link, I've added my blog to the list on hocoblogs.
Adding your blog to an aggregate site increases your traffic. Most aggregate sites rank blogs by the time of the most recent post. If you publish a post at 8 a.m., before the morning rush, your blog will be ranked somewhere at the top of the list. Chances are good that readers will scan the top five or six blogs on any given list, so positioning your blog within that list becomes important.
Also remember that there are three main ways readers find blogs on the internet. The first is through a referral. Blogger readers may find your blog through the blog roll of a fellow blogger. That's why its important to put yourself out there and build relationships with other bloggers.
Next, readers find your blog through search engines like Google. More often than not, readers type keywords into their search queries rather than the name of a blog or specific post. Hence the importance of Search Engine Optimization or SEO for short. Finally, readers will access aggregate sites or simply look up your blog's url. Remember the more you put yourself out there, the easier it will be for readers to find you.
Adding your blog to an aggregate site increases your traffic. Most aggregate sites rank blogs by the time of the most recent post. If you publish a post at 8 a.m., before the morning rush, your blog will be ranked somewhere at the top of the list. Chances are good that readers will scan the top five or six blogs on any given list, so positioning your blog within that list becomes important.
Also remember that there are three main ways readers find blogs on the internet. The first is through a referral. Blogger readers may find your blog through the blog roll of a fellow blogger. That's why its important to put yourself out there and build relationships with other bloggers.
Next, readers find your blog through search engines like Google. More often than not, readers type keywords into their search queries rather than the name of a blog or specific post. Hence the importance of Search Engine Optimization or SEO for short. Finally, readers will access aggregate sites or simply look up your blog's url. Remember the more you put yourself out there, the easier it will be for readers to find you.
AP Style
The Associated Press Stylebook is an invaluable text for journalists. Its a good habit to flip through the pages regularly. I keep my copy next to the toilet paper roll. If you own a copy; mark, highlight or dog-ear pages.
Blog posts should encourage reader comments. Keep in mind however that you don't want readers commenting on your posts because they've found errors. After searching the book, I've come up with my list of 10 commonly used rules followed by their page numbers.
Addresses: Abbreviate Ave., Blvd, and St. only with a numbered address. Spell out and capitalize addresses without numbers. Always use figures for addresses and spell out first through ninth. Use figures for 10th and above. (6)
Age: Use figures for people or animals but spell out ages for inanimate objects. Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives, before a noun or as a substitute for a noun. (9)
Directions: Lowercase north, south, east and west as directions. Capitalize as regions. (73)
It's, Its: It's is a contraction for it is or it has.
Its is the possessive form of the neuter pronoun. (127)
Months: Capitalize months of the year in all uses. When used with a date, only abbreviate Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. (159)
Numerals: Spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence, with the exception of calendar years. Spell out numerals one through nine and use figures for 10-999. (172-173)
Obscenities: Do not use in stories unless part of a direct quote, with a compelling reason. If a full quote that contains obscenities cannot be dropped, but there is no compelling reason for the obscenity, replace all letters except the first with hyphens. (174)
Quotations in news: Never alter quotations even to correct a minor grammatical error or word usage. Do not use substandard spellings such as gonna or wanna unless the quote is for a feature. (203)
Route numbers: Do not abbreviate route. Use figures and capitalize route when used with a figure. (215)
States: Eight states are never abbreviated. Spell out Hawaii and Alaska because they are not part of the contiguous United States. Spell out states with five letters or fewer: Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
If you still need help double checking your style, Tim Harrower of Inside Reporting has created a list of free online quizzes to test your knowledge of the AP Stylebook.
Blog posts should encourage reader comments. Keep in mind however that you don't want readers commenting on your posts because they've found errors. After searching the book, I've come up with my list of 10 commonly used rules followed by their page numbers.
Addresses: Abbreviate Ave., Blvd, and St. only with a numbered address. Spell out and capitalize addresses without numbers. Always use figures for addresses and spell out first through ninth. Use figures for 10th and above. (6)
Age: Use figures for people or animals but spell out ages for inanimate objects. Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives, before a noun or as a substitute for a noun. (9)
Directions: Lowercase north, south, east and west as directions. Capitalize as regions. (73)
It's, Its: It's is a contraction for it is or it has.
Its is the possessive form of the neuter pronoun. (127)
Months: Capitalize months of the year in all uses. When used with a date, only abbreviate Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. (159)
Numerals: Spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence, with the exception of calendar years. Spell out numerals one through nine and use figures for 10-999. (172-173)
Obscenities: Do not use in stories unless part of a direct quote, with a compelling reason. If a full quote that contains obscenities cannot be dropped, but there is no compelling reason for the obscenity, replace all letters except the first with hyphens. (174)
Quotations in news: Never alter quotations even to correct a minor grammatical error or word usage. Do not use substandard spellings such as gonna or wanna unless the quote is for a feature. (203)
Route numbers: Do not abbreviate route. Use figures and capitalize route when used with a figure. (215)
States: Eight states are never abbreviated. Spell out Hawaii and Alaska because they are not part of the contiguous United States. Spell out states with five letters or fewer: Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
If you still need help double checking your style, Tim Harrower of Inside Reporting has created a list of free online quizzes to test your knowledge of the AP Stylebook.
Links
Easy. See the chain link icon?If you don't have a new tab open, do so now.
Locate the page you want to link.
Copy the http code of the site. Click (Ctrl + C).
Highlight this text with the mouse.
Click the link icon between Text Color and Align Left.
Click (Ctrl + V) in the window.
Click anywhere, or here to see it again.
Links help the blogger build relationships on the internet. Link to a blog post you Googled.
Click & link a picture to allow your readers to magnify it. A blog roll will let you link your readers to other blogs and pages in your niche.
Leaving comments is the best way to receive comments. Your comments link to your blogger profile and your blog. Want free advertising? Talk to people, they are invaluable source of information. Apply for Google Adsense, it can generate a valuable source of revenue!
[Was this post helpful? Tell me what you think, leave a comment or a link. This post is for educational . . . purposes. I wasn't trying to rhyme words, but when I realized it, I went with it.
This post was designed to show you how to insert a link.]
[If you can write this shorter, simpler or more concise, email me a copy and I will display your rehash in a post and link to you!]
Time To Blog
When you publish posts on your blog impacts the level of traffic it receives. Remember that blogger orders posts according to the time you actually start writing it. So if you save a post with the SAVE NOW button on Monday and publish the post on Tuesday, the post will appear under the date heading of Monday. To counteract this, copy and paste the body of the saved post into a newly created post and publish.
Think about your internet habits as well as the habits of blog readers. When do you have access to the internet, when do readers access the internet? Installing analytics on your blog from day one will help you gauge the habits of readers. It is reasonable to assume that the majority of readers are 25-40 and working behind a desk or in a cubicle somewhere. With that in mind, they are most likely to be surfing the internet during the hours when they should be working. say between 9-5.
I write a post in the morning somewhere between 8-10 a.m., then another between 3-5 p.m. This way I can keep my readers interest throughout the work day and chances are readers will look at my blog again when the get home from work. As a general rule, readership tends to dip on the weekends, most likely because readers are out doing other things, so I only publish one post a day on the weekends.
Think about your internet habits as well as the habits of blog readers. When do you have access to the internet, when do readers access the internet? Installing analytics on your blog from day one will help you gauge the habits of readers. It is reasonable to assume that the majority of readers are 25-40 and working behind a desk or in a cubicle somewhere. With that in mind, they are most likely to be surfing the internet during the hours when they should be working. say between 9-5.
I write a post in the morning somewhere between 8-10 a.m., then another between 3-5 p.m. This way I can keep my readers interest throughout the work day and chances are readers will look at my blog again when the get home from work. As a general rule, readership tends to dip on the weekends, most likely because readers are out doing other things, so I only publish one post a day on the weekends.
Analytics
One of the most useful tools to a blogger is analytics. Search engine Google offers a free analytical tool on their site. Some users, myself included have had problems with Google's analytics. If you are having issues with Google analytics or you would simply like another analytical tool on your belt you should try Statcounter.
Why use analytics? Simply put, analytics keeps track of all the quantitative data associated with your blog and can help you tailor your blog to your readers, which is key! Analytics software keeps track of the amount of times per day, week, or month that your page is accessed. Analytics can also tell you things like where your page was accessed from, how long a user was on your site, how many individual pages the user visited and what search keywords were used to locate your site.
How do you install analytics? Easy. When you sign up for an analytics account using Google or Statcounter, the sites will give you a string of HTML code. Select the entire code (Control + A) and copy the code (Control + C). Okay, now go to your blogger.com account. Sign in and click on the tab Layout. Underneath the layout tab you will see five smaller tabs. Click on the tab labeled Edit HTML.
This will bring up a text book filled with HTML code. Scroll down to the bottom of the code until you see a small piece of code that has the text /body inserted between < > signs. Press the enter key a few times to give yourself a few extra lines, then paste (Control + V) the HTML code above the tag. Click the save tab and you're done!
Why use analytics? Simply put, analytics keeps track of all the quantitative data associated with your blog and can help you tailor your blog to your readers, which is key! Analytics software keeps track of the amount of times per day, week, or month that your page is accessed. Analytics can also tell you things like where your page was accessed from, how long a user was on your site, how many individual pages the user visited and what search keywords were used to locate your site.
How do you install analytics? Easy. When you sign up for an analytics account using Google or Statcounter, the sites will give you a string of HTML code. Select the entire code (Control + A) and copy the code (Control + C). Okay, now go to your blogger.com account. Sign in and click on the tab Layout. Underneath the layout tab you will see five smaller tabs. Click on the tab labeled Edit HTML.
This will bring up a text book filled with HTML code. Scroll down to the bottom of the code until you see a small piece of code that has the text /body inserted between < > signs. Press the enter key a few times to give yourself a few extra lines, then paste (Control + V) the HTML code above the tag. Click the save tab and you're done!
Comments
Even if you haven't installed analytics on your blog, there is a sure fire way to check your progress. Comments help you gauge reader's responses to your blog or lack thereof. From experience, I've learned that readers won't comment on your posts unless you give them a reason to.
Most readers see comments as a way to respond to an issue or opinion with their own opinion. Whether or not you're a fence sitter, the best way to blog on an issue is to state a strong opinion. Say you're writing about creationism versus evolution. Make sure readers know where you stand on the issue. Part of blogging is putting yourself out there. If you write a strong opinion, you can bet someone reading it will let you know they disagree by commenting on it.
Comments can be positive or negative. I've had readers tell me I make them sick to their stomachs, that I'm an ignorant hack, that a specific post enrages them to the point that they're ready to sue me. Great! If people are leaving you negative comments it means at the very least that they care just enough to burn you. Don't delete negative comments unless you absolutely have to.
Its up to you whether or not to allow anonymous comments. I recommend that you do because it allows readers to respond more openly to your posts than if they gave their identity.
A great way to provoke comments from readers is to ask their opinion about your blog. How am I doing? What content do you like, what don't you like? How can I improve? As Linda Ellerbee so eloquently said on Nickelodeon, "if you want to know, ask."
Finally, consider adding a disclaimer to your blog. A disclaimer explains the rules to the readers. The disclaimer for Columbia Blog Project tells readers that I can and will delete any profane or innapropriate comment as well as any comment that doesn't pertain to the post. Placement of a disclaimer on your blog is key. Place the disclaimer below your blog archives and blog roll but above widgets and other non-essentials.
Most readers see comments as a way to respond to an issue or opinion with their own opinion. Whether or not you're a fence sitter, the best way to blog on an issue is to state a strong opinion. Say you're writing about creationism versus evolution. Make sure readers know where you stand on the issue. Part of blogging is putting yourself out there. If you write a strong opinion, you can bet someone reading it will let you know they disagree by commenting on it.
Comments can be positive or negative. I've had readers tell me I make them sick to their stomachs, that I'm an ignorant hack, that a specific post enrages them to the point that they're ready to sue me. Great! If people are leaving you negative comments it means at the very least that they care just enough to burn you. Don't delete negative comments unless you absolutely have to.
Its up to you whether or not to allow anonymous comments. I recommend that you do because it allows readers to respond more openly to your posts than if they gave their identity.
A great way to provoke comments from readers is to ask their opinion about your blog. How am I doing? What content do you like, what don't you like? How can I improve? As Linda Ellerbee so eloquently said on Nickelodeon, "if you want to know, ask."
Finally, consider adding a disclaimer to your blog. A disclaimer explains the rules to the readers. The disclaimer for Columbia Blog Project tells readers that I can and will delete any profane or innapropriate comment as well as any comment that doesn't pertain to the post. Placement of a disclaimer on your blog is key. Place the disclaimer below your blog archives and blog roll but above widgets and other non-essentials.
Finding Your Niche Audience
Get inside the minds of your readers, your niche audience. Who are they? What do they think about? What are they interested in? These are questions you need to answer for yourself!
Say your writing your blog about Baltimore city politics. Who is interested in Baltimore city politics? Local politicians, parents with children in city schools, employers and employees of city businesses all care about city politics. Who are these people? How do you find out who they are?
To find the answer, you have to get to the source. If you are blogging on city politics, go to public hearings, talk to city council members and the Janes and Johns who attend meetings. Talking to people is the single greatest way to gain information about them.
If you write what you like, there's a good chance others will like what you write!
Say your writing your blog about Baltimore city politics. Who is interested in Baltimore city politics? Local politicians, parents with children in city schools, employers and employees of city businesses all care about city politics. Who are these people? How do you find out who they are?
To find the answer, you have to get to the source. If you are blogging on city politics, go to public hearings, talk to city council members and the Janes and Johns who attend meetings. Talking to people is the single greatest way to gain information about them.
If you write what you like, there's a good chance others will like what you write!
Idea To Topic
If you can think of ten possible posts for an idea, chances are its worth pursuing. Remember you'll need to write a total of 40 posts. Students often think themselves into corners when it comes to pursuing a topic.
Start thinking about your topic from two perspectives; what interests you and how many people share your interest. When you're writing posts, let this mantra float through your head: why should we care?
HowChow is a great example. Chow blogs about food in Howard County, Maryland. I've even asked Chow about the pho at An Loi. Easy 10, 20, there's plenty of places to eat in Towson.
J-School student Nicole Rossi blogs about places to eat in Towson. Cory Twibell blogs about the New York Rangers. Daron Savage blogs about Upper Chesapeake sports. Pick a team or an area.
Do journalism about your area like Kiel Mclaughlin, editor of the Towerlight.
Remember that posts usually run anywhere from 50-250 words. Longer posts can be as long or longer than 500 words.
More examples of blogs.
Start thinking about your topic from two perspectives; what interests you and how many people share your interest. When you're writing posts, let this mantra float through your head: why should we care?
HowChow is a great example. Chow blogs about food in Howard County, Maryland. I've even asked Chow about the pho at An Loi. Easy 10, 20, there's plenty of places to eat in Towson.
J-School student Nicole Rossi blogs about places to eat in Towson. Cory Twibell blogs about the New York Rangers. Daron Savage blogs about Upper Chesapeake sports. Pick a team or an area.Do journalism about your area like Kiel Mclaughlin, editor of the Towerlight.
Remember that posts usually run anywhere from 50-250 words. Longer posts can be as long or longer than 500 words.
More examples of blogs.
Generating Ideas
The first thing you need for a blog is an idea. So go grab a pen and a notebook and start thinking.
In her book The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need, Susan Thurman discusses ways to generate ideas. I've listed two of her methods from pages136-137 here:
1. Freewriting is one of the most effective methods of cultivating ideas. Begin by writing your topic at the top of the page. Write anything related to your topic--words, phrases, or complete sentences, whatever scraps of thought come to mind. Give yourself a time limit of about ten munutes. Don't:
You can repeat the process to expand on the ideas that you like. Since you're working in ten-minute sessions, the assignment may not seem as overwhelming as it first did.
2. Questioning is another method to help you develop ideas. Suppose you've been given a very general topic like "relate a terrible dining experience you once had." Begin by asking yourself variations of the reporter's fundamental six w and h questions (who? what? when? where? why? how?)
Think about what interests you, what you're passionate about and start there. Good writers write what they know. If you can come up with at least ten post ideas for your idea, it's worth blogging about.
In her book The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need, Susan Thurman discusses ways to generate ideas. I've listed two of her methods from pages136-137 here:
1. Freewriting is one of the most effective methods of cultivating ideas. Begin by writing your topic at the top of the page. Write anything related to your topic--words, phrases, or complete sentences, whatever scraps of thought come to mind. Give yourself a time limit of about ten munutes. Don't:
- Be comcerned with spelling or punctuation
- Go to the time or trouble of grouping your ideas
- Bother erasing anything
- Worry even if you digress from your topic
- Stop if you can't think of a specific word (just write ??? or XXX or some other shorthand)
You can repeat the process to expand on the ideas that you like. Since you're working in ten-minute sessions, the assignment may not seem as overwhelming as it first did.
2. Questioning is another method to help you develop ideas. Suppose you've been given a very general topic like "relate a terrible dining experience you once had." Begin by asking yourself variations of the reporter's fundamental six w and h questions (who? what? when? where? why? how?)
- Who was involved? (You and your date Pat)
- What started the "horrible" part of the evening? (You both became sick while still sitting at the table)
- When did this happen? (on a summer evening in 2001)
- Where did this happen? (at Sally's Scrumptious Shrimp Shack, in Seattle)
- Why did this happen? (you had eaten seafood that hadn't been cooked long enough)
- How did the evening end at the restaurant? (the manager gave you a complimentary dinner and a gift certificate to return another time)
Think about what interests you, what you're passionate about and start there. Good writers write what they know. If you can come up with at least ten post ideas for your idea, it's worth blogging about.
Introduction: Why Blog?
So why should you write a blog, what's in it for you? How will blogging benefit you?
The simple answer is: because you can. You have a voice and you deserve to be heard. You have an opinion and a right to express it. You have a topic of interest and a chance to talk to other like minded people.
The most important quality in a journalist is independence. Writing a blog allows you, as a journalist, to report on and write about whatever you want. You choose which stories to print and you decide the editorial process! In the hands of a journalist, a blog can become a powerful tool. Think of your blog as your own newspaper. You can even generate revenue through ads but you won't earn much.
So if you can't make a decent living writing a blog, why keep it up? I pondered that very question once. Then, a managing editor of an online news site called me back one day and informed me that my blog had impressed the entire newsroom. I was rewarded with a paid internship! Remember what your professors have been telling you all along; build your portfolio. Think of your blog as your digital resume.
You've got a lot of blogging to do, so get to it. This blog is designed to help you along the way. Oh and one last word of advice. If you're using Wordpress, switch to Blogger. You'll thank me later and you're welcome.
-Jack Cole-
The simple answer is: because you can. You have a voice and you deserve to be heard. You have an opinion and a right to express it. You have a topic of interest and a chance to talk to other like minded people.
The most important quality in a journalist is independence. Writing a blog allows you, as a journalist, to report on and write about whatever you want. You choose which stories to print and you decide the editorial process! In the hands of a journalist, a blog can become a powerful tool. Think of your blog as your own newspaper. You can even generate revenue through ads but you won't earn much.
So if you can't make a decent living writing a blog, why keep it up? I pondered that very question once. Then, a managing editor of an online news site called me back one day and informed me that my blog had impressed the entire newsroom. I was rewarded with a paid internship! Remember what your professors have been telling you all along; build your portfolio. Think of your blog as your digital resume.
You've got a lot of blogging to do, so get to it. This blog is designed to help you along the way. Oh and one last word of advice. If you're using Wordpress, switch to Blogger. You'll thank me later and you're welcome.
-Jack Cole-
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