welcome

Blogging For Newbies WorkshopInstructor: Maria de los Angeles

August 7, 2010 • Preemo, South Miami

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introductions

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what is a blog?

A profound shift in the way humans communicate and connect.

A blog is an empty vessel for content.

Put anything you want in it and see it grow.

get started

Create something out of nothing.

What are you passionate about?

Start from scratch with an outline.

Be fearless. You know more than you think.

look who’s talking

If you’re alive, you have a voice.

It takes time to develop and it always evolves.

ALL writing is persuasion.

What are you selling? Who is your

audience? How do you want to

talk to them?

immerse yourself

Eat, breathe and live your passion.

Fall in love with your blog.

Commit to it. Find an angle, even

when there isn’t one. If it doesn’t work,

then move on. It’s OK to evolve.

technique - editorial

Decide on a topic. Create an outline. Set up an editorial

calendar. Everything you

encounter is a potential blog post.

Keep an eye on news, current affairs and trends.

You’re a publisher now! Start thinking like one. You’re also an editor and a writer.

technique - writing

General is boring; specific is interesting.

Keep it short: 300 - 500 words per post.

Read it aloud. SEO: use words that

YOU would use to find your own subject matter online.

Catchy headlines.

Practice is what turns the craft of writing into an art. Every great writer knows you never stop practicing.

technique - community

Engagement is key. Find similar blogs. Comment and interact. Link to blogs you like. Use comments to

generate topics for your own blog posts.

If you use social media, spread the word.

Your blog doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your voice is one of many in a community. Make it a beautiful contribution.

technique - resources

Blogging Platforms blogger.com wordpress.org

or .com typepad.com posterous.com

Good Reads problogger.net southfloridadailyblog.

blogspot.com

Media youtube.com creativecommons.or

g istockphoto.com cellphone digital camera HD compact camera

case studies

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Here we discussed each participant’s particular blogging questions.

writing exercise

Be specific: Can you describe it in rich, sensuous detail? Memory: Does it remind you of an experience from your

past? Introspection: What was on your mind when you ate it?

Stress? Fight with the spouse? Upset stomach? Reach out and touch someone: How can others relate to it? Have fun: There is no right or wrong. Enjoy the practice.

Turn the ordinary into the extraordinary! Take 20 minutes to write about what you had for breakfast today. 250 words maximum.

more learning FREE 1-hour webinar co-hosted by Patrick Barbanes, “the

branding professor” on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 6:30 PM. http://patrickbarbanes.com/free-webinar-awaken-the-blogger-within/

Social Media Marketing Workshop with Patrick Barbanes, Saturday, August 21, 2010 hosted by Life is Art. Wynwood District, Miami. $35 investment. http://www.lifeisartfest.org/blog/ccrsvp/

FREE lecture and discussion “Social Media and Blogging for Your Business” with co-panelist Patrick Barbanes, hosted by South Florida Freelance Network, Tuesday, August 24 at 6:30 PM in Broward.

http://www.meetup.com/freelancer/calendar/14197654/

thank you!

This presentation will be available on www.slideshare.net

Feedback survey {link removed, only accessible to students}

I’m available for individual consultation if you want to dig deeper into your blogging projects. Good luck and please stay in touch. I’d love to see your progress!

Maria de los Angeles{contact info removed for privacy}Email beachbombshell@gmail.com for more info on workshops.

acknowledgements

Special thanks to Ivan Mladenovic of Preemo for hosting the workshop in this beautiful

space!

http://www.preemo.com/

And thanks to @brianbreslin for equipment help.