Blogging 101

I am recommending two books below for the beginning blogger. I am sure even the advanced user can pick up a new trick or two.

These two books should get you on your way to blogging success quickly! I recommend you get them soon, since they are so current and will include the latest information and blog software versions.

Blogging for Dummies is just being released today!

Amazon.com: Blogging For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))

From the Back Cover

Express yourself, build your business, or promote a cause

Make your blog stand out in a crowd, build an audience, and even make it pay

Whether you’re just finding out about blogs or you’ve been blogging for a while and are curious about podcasting or videoblogging, you can find answers in this book! Get the scoop on software options and how to boost readership, handle comments, make money with ads and sponsorships, add audio or video, and much more.

Discover how to:

• Create and maintain a blog that draws readers
• Protect your privacy and your job
• Deal with spam and inappropriate comments
• Find your niche
• Use your blog to promote your business

WordPress for Dummies is only two months old!

Amazon.com: WordPress For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

From the Back Cover
Includes coverage of WordPress MU community software

Create a hosted, self-hosted, or multi-user blog, explore plugins, and more.

WordPress is powerful software known for helping bloggers share their thoughts online. Whether you want to set up a blog in the WordPress community, add a blog in the WordPress community, add a blog to another site, or build your own blogging community, this book shows how WordPress can help. With this book, you’ll soon be navigating WordPress templates plugins, and themes with no problem.

Discover how to:

• Personalize WordPress settings
• Understand common template tags
• Manage and moderate comments
• Deal with spam and trackback
• Troubleshoot common problems

Technorati Tags: blogging book, WordPress book, for dummies computer book, learn to blog, learn WordPress

Plugin Directory for WordPress

Problogger blog tools post

Must-have WordPress Plugins

Top 30 WordPress Plugins

Technorati Tags: WordPress, WordPress plugins, WordPress widgets, blog tools

WordPress theme viewer - free themes

Cutline Theme that I use for eCoachBiggi and RidgeviewTech

Brian Gardner - News Styles themes – premium themes

WP Remix – WPDesigner premium theme

WP Templates – 7 places to start looking for WordPress themes from ProBlogger

Technorati Tags: WordPress, WordPress themes

WordPress Documentation

WordPress FAQ

How to Install WordPress Manually

Technorati Tags: WordPress, WordPress installation, WordPress documentation

Bluehost – Highly recommended by me and WordPress! Quick WordPress setup. Award Winning Customer Service.

Namesecure - Get your domain name.

Wordpress hosting – WordPress recommended hosts.

Slicehost.com - For when you need to upgrade to a Virtual Private Server!

ServInt.net – When you want to upgrade to a dedicated or virtual private server. Has an easy upgrade path to keep up with the growth of your traffic.

NameBoy – Domain Name generator based on keywords entered.

WhoIs – Who owns that domain name you want?

Technorati Tags: hosting, domain, domain name, domain search, Bluehost, Namesecure, Slicehost, ServInt, NameBoy, WhoIs

Problogger article on choosing a platform and selecting a domain name for your blog

Wordpress.org - Self-hosted

Wordpress.com – Hosted

WordPress.com Beginner Resources

Typepad.com - Hosted

Blogger.com – Hosted

Setting Up a Blog with Blogger.com – Tutorial

Blog Software Comparison Chart

Technorati Tags: blog platform, blog hosts, hosted, self-hosted, WordPress, Blogger, Typepad