Bloggers Boot Camp

Bloggers Boot Camp

Released July 2013
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136037535

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Book description

Bloggers Boot Camp shows you how to build a great blog from the ground up. This isn't a book about technology -- it's a book about engaging millions of readers. Starting your blog is easy, but building and maintaining a popular one is hard.

Blogging experts John Biggs and Charlie White (Gizmodo, Mashable and TechCrunch) share their secrets from the frontline showing you how to blog with quality and flair, find the best stories, and attract millions of readers to your blog.

Blogging goes way beyond writing. It's a conversation between you and your audience. Guiding you to blogging success Bloggers Boot Camp shows you how to:

* Uncover a niche for your blog, and realize key factors about yourself that you need to know before you write a single word.
* Gather the ideal tools for blogging, without spending too much or approaching it underequipped.
*Discover the best ways to spread the word about your new blog.
* Find the most compelling stories to write about, and get the information before anyone else does.
* Transform your writing by learning the subtle art of constructing a compelling, engaging blog post.
* Stimulate your readers to directly participate in the two-way conversation, perhaps the most exciting part of this new way of communicating.

Table of contents

  1. Front Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright
  5. Contents
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Introduction
  8. Chapter 1 The Niche
    1. What’s Your Name, Private?
    2. What the Heck Is Blogging?
    3. What Is a Blogger?
    4. The Four Questions
    5. The Two Rules
  9. Chapter 2 Getting Started
    1. Basic HTML for Bloggers
    2. Pick a Domain
    3. Ready-made Platforms
    4. How Do I Pick a Platform?
    5. Should You Hire a Web Designer?
    6. Running Your Own Server
    7. Tools of the Trade
  10. Chapter 3 Target Practice
    1. Enhance Your Writing by Reading
    2. Writing
    3. The 1,000 Words Rule
    4. The Bloggers Duffel Bag: Essential Skills for Getting Through the Day
    5. Blog Photography Tips
    6. Videography
  11. Chapter 4 Hello, World
    1. Introducing Yourself
    2. Producing Intro Posts
    3. Writing Your Contact Page
    4. Spreading the Word
  12. Chapter 5 What to Write About
    1. Need to Know
    2. How to Decide What Matters to Your Readers
    3. Finding News
    4. RSS
    5. How to Select Sites for RSS
    6. Building Your RSS Feed
    7. Twitter
    8. Google Trends
    9. More Sources: Press Releases from PR People
    10. Conferences/Trade Shows
    11. Dinners & Events
    12. Tipsters
    13. Aggregators Such as Google News
    14. Dealing with PR People
    15. Review Units
    16. Is It Worth It to Review?
    17. How to Snag Review Units
    18. Review It or Not—Pan It or Skip It?
    19. Should I Return Review Units?
    20. Further News Gathering
    21. Ten Questions to Ask Before Posting
  13. Chapter 6 How to Write a Blog Post
    1. When Should You Post?
    2. Deadly Headline Kills 200,000 Innocent Readers
    3. To Capitalize or Not Capitalize
    4. Use Perfect Grammar or Your Credibility Is Shot
    5. Top Five Grammar Goofs
    6. The Finer Points
    7. Blogging Traps
    8. Types of Posts
    9. Battles
    10. Graphics and How to Use Them
    11. Snark and the Single Blogger
    12. Post Length
    13. Being a Better Blogger
  14. Chapter 7 Mob Rule, Inciting a Riot, and Freedom of Speech
    1. Gizmodo’s Commenting Evolution: A Case Study
    2. You’re in Control
    3. Dealing with the Angry Mob
    4. Understanding Spam
    5. Rewarding Loyal Fans
  15. Chapter 8 Building Traffic, Making Money and Measuring Success
    1. SEO for Bloggers
    2. Off-Page
    3. The SEO Bottom Line
    4. Social Media
    5. Promoting with Twitter
    6. Contests
    7. Measuring Success
    8. How To Make Money
  16. Chapter 9 Ethics Problems and How to Solve Them
    1. Libel and Slander
    2. Shield Law
    3. Mr(s) Cellophane
    4. Junket Junkies
    5. Free Stuff
    6. Caught in a Trap
    7. Leaks and Trust
    8. Stand Up Straight, Private
  17. Chapter 10 Building an Empire
    1. Knowing When to Call in Reserves
    2. How to Be a Blogger Boss
    3. How to Find Bloggers
    4. Keeping Connected
    5. Firing
    6. Paying Bloggers
    7. Group Blogging Workflow
    8. Story Tips Via Email
    9. Communicate!
    10. Joining a Blogging Team
    11. Be Careful What You Wish For
  18. Appendix A Tips and Tricks of the Trade
  19. Index

Product information

  • Title: Bloggers Boot Camp
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: July 2013
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136037535