Cheaper Than Therapy

Better Living Through Blogging

A 2012 WordCamp Presentation

Brenda Baskin

Freelance Writer, Blogger, Professional Worrier

e-mail: brenbaskin@yahoo.com

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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