cheaper than therapy wcf
DESCRIPTION
Brenda Baskin presents "Cheaper Than Therapy: Better Living Through Blogging," a 2012 WordCamp Fayetteville presentation. This session covers the many benefits of blogging about your life, as well as advice for starting and maintaining a personal blog.TRANSCRIPT
Cheaper Than Therapy
Better Living Through Blogging
A 2012 WordCamp Presentation
Brenda Baskin
Freelance Writer, Blogger, Professional Worrier
e-mail: [email protected]
moonbeammcqueen.com brenbaskin.wordpress.com
amillionotherpeople.wordpress.com
Twitter: @brenbaskin
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• Underwired Magazine
• The Current
• Barnett’s Magazine
• The Dayton City Paper
• Kalen, Inc.
• Oatmeal Studios
• Ephemera, Incorporated
• And of course, WordPress*
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• First blog: links.net
Started by Justin Hall in 1994
• Blog - derived from the term “weblog”
Coined by Jorn Barger in 1997
• “We Blog” – Peter Merholz, 1999
• First entered into a dictionary in 2004 Miriam-Webster’s “Word of the Year”
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Open Diary – 1998
LiveJournal – 1999
Blogger – 1999
Moveable Type – 2001
WordPress - 2003
Platforms (not the shoes)
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Political News SPORTS
Corporate
Hobbies Education ART
Microblogging Fashion Religion
PARENTING instructional
Weddings Cooking Photoblogging
and of course…
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It sure changed mine.
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THERAPISTS
• charge an average of $110 per hour
• Make you wait at least a week between visits
• Sessions limited to an hour
• Medications can be tricky
BLOGS
• Free!
• Can vent any time you want
• Take all the time you need
• No pharmaceuticals needed
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The Wonders of Blogging
• It’s as though someone’s given you a new pony!
• Endless supply of blank canvases
• Incredible creative medium
• Leads to good things
• Sacred Dumping ground
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• Choose Your Title.
• Pick a template.
• Search for a meaningful banner image.
• Let your tagline be your mission statement.
• About Page
• Manifesto / Artist’s statement
• Your blog is a personal extension of yourself.
• You can always start another.
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• Creative freedom
• No visual image of you
• Fearless writing
• Instantaneous, non-biased feedback
• Ticks people off
• Can become tricky
• Lawsuits
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It’s a personal decision.
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If You Build It, They Will Come
• Visit and comment on other blogs.
– Make sure your name is linked to your blog.
• Visit websites that have written about the same
subject.
– Post intelligent comments- leave a link.
• Answer comments on your blog thoughtfully.
• Use social media.
• Bee literrit.
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…are invisible.
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• Comment moderation
• Don’t tolerate abuse.
• You can’t save the world.
• Invite others to weigh in.
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Ethics
• Tell the truth.
• Be a master of disguise.
• Use your Superpowers
for good, not evil.
• If you screw up, admit
it. If necessary fix it.
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• Take responsibility not just for your own words, but for the comments you allow on your blog.
• Label your tolerance level for abusive comments.
• Consider eliminating anonymous comments.
• Ignore the trolls.
• Take the conversation offline, and talk directly, or find an intermediary who can do so.
• If you know someone who is behaving badly, tell them so.
• Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.
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• Keep your heart in the right place.
• Help others shine.
• Don’t worry- be happy.
• Avoid apologizing.
• Accept offers to guest post.
• Rules? We don’t need no stinkin’ rules.
• Love what you’re doing.
• Remember: A blog post is forever.
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• You can’t run ads on WordPress, but you can add a PayPal donation button
• Watch out for scammers.
• Visuals: a gift to your readers
• Best blog information comes from the fabulous people at WP, and from fellow bloggers.
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• WP Beginner (wpbeginner.com)
• Lorelle on Wordpress (lorelle.wordpress.com)
• WordPress Support & Forums (wordpress.com)
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