June 14, 2012

A guide to help creatives start blogging

While I'm on the subject of books, here's a really useful one. Blogging For Creatives: How designers, artists, crafters and writers can blog to make contacts, win business, and build success. Robin Houghton has put together this super guide to help anyone (not just creative types) set up a blog from scratch and make it go.

The book avoids technical jargon, is easy to understand, and won't make your eyes glaze over. Robin addresses hosting options and blogging platforms (what's the difference between Blogger, WordPress, Tumblr, and others?), the anatomy of a good blog post, how to promote your blog, options for advertising and sponsorship, and legal considerations. Step-by-step screenshots show how to get things done. The book also features dozens of example sites with tips from a variety of bloggers sprinkled throughout. Including yours truly.

I speed-read through the entire book and would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in starting to blog, or looking to grow their little blog into something with more impact.

My review copy has the UK version of the cover; the just-released US version has a different cover design but same interior. Grab it here at Amazon, and get more blogging tips at BloggingForCreatives.com.

14 comments:

  1. tinajoJune 14, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    Interesting, thanks for letting us know! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Grandma GJune 14, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    Well, pray tell... what was your expert tip?! Or do we have to buy the book to find out?

    Mum

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jessica JonesJune 14, 2012 at 4:05 PM

    It was to make sure your photos are bright enough. Dark photos are a common problem on lots of blogs, and it brings down otherwise-great content.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jessica JonesJune 14, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    Nothing earth-shattering. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Grandma GJune 14, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    Thanks! If I ever have a blog, I'll try to remember that.

    Mum

    ReplyDelete
  6. AndreaJune 14, 2012 at 9:03 PM

    That's funny. I recognize the exact cover photo from iStockphoto.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jessica JonesJune 14, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Ha! I've spotted some popular istock faces on junk mail and billboards, and I'm always compelled to tell whoever I'm with, "That's a stock photo. I know that person's head."

    ReplyDelete
  8. CrochetBloggerJune 16, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    Still an important expert tip for bloggers getting started! Congrats on being a part of what looks to be a good book.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Emily PeckJune 17, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    This looks like a wonderful book! I've added it to my amazon card! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Patricia CatsburgJune 17, 2012 at 4:52 AM

    what a nice and interresting book gonna check if the ship it to the netherlands

    ReplyDelete
  11. DesireeJune 17, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks for posting this. I'm always looking for way to bring in my more freelance work without having to chase it so damn much.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 20, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    I just started a blog and this was perfect timing! Thank you -- I just placed my order at amazon.com.

    www.multiplerealitiesblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. mJune 26, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    I just bought this book after reading your blog post and so far it's great, full of great info :O)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Roly AllenJuly 10, 2012 at 4:31 AM

    Hi, I'm Roly and I work for Ilex, the publishers of the book. The UK cover (with the stock photo) was the cause of a good deal of debate around the office - some people loved it, other people preferred the clean typographic option which HOW (the US publisher) went with. Interesting that Andrea recognised the face...

    ReplyDelete