Basic Blog Training for Community Bloggers

Ann Treacy atreacy@treacyinfo.com

651-239-4581

Ann Treacy 651-239-4581atreacy@treacyinfo.com

Plan for the Night

• Why blog?• What to blog?• How to be an effective blogger• How to blog (nuts & bolts)• Set up Profile• Advance Features• How to promote

Why blog?1. Tell a story2. Reflection 3. Share an experience4. Make connections5. Invite interaction6. Track Progress on the

NWAF Outcomes

6. Track Progress on NWAF Outcomes

What to blog?1. NWAF Outcomes2. Horizons meetings3. Community events4. Other blogger entries5. Your thoughts related to

Horizons6. Interview Horizons

leaders and participants

How to be an effective blogger

1. Use first person2. Blog as you speak 3. Add context (last

night, as I was biking)4. Be timely5. Tell a story6. Use links7. Be brief8. Use media

• Images• Video • Slideshow

Ready to get started?

Let’s get logged in

• Go to: http://minnesota.communityblogs.us

• Select your blog name on the right• Visit your blog • Select Login• Input username and password

Write a Post

Add Title, Text & Categories

Scroll down and click PUBLISH

Quick Tip

• I create content in Word• Toggle to CODE• Paste content from Word• Toggle to VISUAL• Make format changes

Setting Up Profile

Please Set Up Name & Nickname

1. Enter first name, last name and nickname

2. Save3. Select Display name

publicly as preference

Advanced Blog Features

• Add a link• Add an image• Add video

• See handouts

Add link1. Get the URL2. Highlight words to link3. Paste URL in dialog

box4. Choose Target

Add an Image1. Get an image2. Size it (www.picnik.com)

• Less than 400 px wide

3. Upload picture to WordPress

4. Choose size, link and send to editor

5. Select pictures and make adjustments in dialog box• Align left/right

Add a video1. Get the address of the video2. Open WordPress3. Click on Yellow A4. Paste in address

How to Promote the Blog

• Email everyone you know and ask them to pass it on

• Get links from other sites– Post comments on other blogs – Ask friends to post on yours

• Put address on collateral• Make sure Horizons participants have address

Homework…

• Post an introduction– Who are you?– Why are you getting involved with Horizons?

• Post action form data on blog

• Extra Credit– Post a comment on someone else’s post