so you want to blog: the hows, whats, and whys of creating your own space on the internet
TRANSCRIPT
So You Want to BlogThe Hows, Whats, and Whys of Creating Your
Own Space on the Internet
Sarah Bean Thompson,
Amy Koester,
Why Blog?
● Maintain a record of your programs,
reading, etc.
● Professional portfolio
● Work through your library thoughts
● Participate in a community of sharing
● Blog for you
● Your audience will come
● Be wary of too much self-promotion
● Don’t be greedy
● Don’t stress
● Have fun!
A Few Tips
1. Choose your platform
2. Create your site name
3. Choose your content
focus
4. Know your employer’s
policies
5. Create an “About Me”
section
First-Time Blogging in 10 Steps
6. Write, edit, write, edit…
7. Think visually
8. Give yourself a schedule
9. Use
labels/tags/categories
10.Promote & share
● Wordpress
● Blogger
● Tumblr
● Free vs. Paid
1.Choose Your Platform
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Make it personal
● Make it relevant
● Beware the really long
name
● Paid domain or not
2.Create Your Site Name
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Reviews
● Program Recaps
● Thoughts & Issues
● Combination
● Collaboration vs. Guest
Posts
3.Choose Your Content Focus
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● Can you name your
library?
● Do you need a
disclaimer?
● Can you blog at work?
● Are there photo rules?
4.Know Your Employer’s Policies
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Your name & job
● Type of library
● Reading and/or
professional interests
● Professional
accomplishments
● Review/Blog policy
5.Create an “About Me” Section
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Start building your
content
● Always proofread
● Update & correct if
necessary
6.Write, Edit, Write, Edit...
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Always try to include
at least one image
● Use your own photos
● Search the Creative
Commons
7.Think Visually
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Be realistic
● Be flexible
● Take advantage of the
“schedule” function
8.Give Yourself a Schedule
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Consider how you want
to organize your
content
● Consider how you want
others to use your site
9.Use Labels/Tags/Categories
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
● Have a blog roll
● Read & comment on
other blogs
● Participate in blog hops
● Share on social media
● DON’T be obnoxious
10.Promote & Share
image from “check sign and cross sign 3” from openclipart user jextee, Creative Commons licensed
Great Review Blogs:
● Abby the Librarian
● Book Smugglers
● A Fuse #8 Production
● The Nonfiction Detectives
● Sense and Sensibility and
Stories
Resources
Great Programming Blogs:
● Bryce Don’t Play
● Future Librarian Superhero
● Jbrary
● Reading with Red
● Storytime Katie
Resources
Great Issues Blogs:
● Hi, Miss Julie!
● Inclusive Early Literacy
● Latin@s in Kid Lit
● Mel’s Desk
Resources
Great “Kitchen Sink” Blogs:
● Fat Girl, Reading
● Sturdy for Common Things
● Teen Librarian Toolbox
● Tiny Tips for Library Fun
Resources
Great Collaborative Blogs:
● ALSC Blog
● Library as Incubator Project
● Little eLit
● Nerdy Book Club
● Storytime Underground
Resources
Blog Hops to Check Out:
● Nonfiction Monday
● Tune In Tuesday
● Thrive Thursday
● Flannel Friday
Resources
Questions?image from “Red - Query Icon” from openclipart user ryanlerch, Creative Commons licensed
Sarah Bean ThompsonSpringfield-Greene County Library District
http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/
Amy KoesterSkokie Public Library
http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com
Contact Info