Leahey.org

This is intended to be an all-in-one resource-guide for a new blogger. It will be updated over time.

Updated: August 26th, 2006

Please note, any links below with (ref) next to them include a referral code, as does the Adsense button. Please consider using those links when you sign up, as I get a small commission. If you do not wish to use my link, search for the company’s name in Google.

The entry is broken in to several sections.

Get started: First things first, you’re going to have to choose a bloggin platform. That is to say, you have to decide what content-management system you want to use. I personally prefer Wordpress (that’s what Leahey.org runs). If you choose to go with WP, you have two options. You can either choose to have them host your blog for you (which means you can entirely skip the “Monetize” section below, they don’t allow ads) or you can host your own. Consider using Godaddy(ref) for both domain registration and hosting.

I include several other options below, besides Wordpress. Check them all out, see what you think will fit you best.

Wordpress: Wordpress is a good all-around web publishing platform. It’s quick, stable, and intuitive to both new and experienced users. It is also extremely expandable through plugins, ports and themes. (See below).
Wordpress Hosted: Wordpress hosted is just what it sounds like, the Wordpress publishing platform, hosted for free by the good people of WP. Note though, you are not allowed to run ads on your blog if you are hosted with them (As of August 2006). Though, they have hinted at allowing them in the future.
WP-Plugins: The definitive directory of Wordpress plugins. Theres a plugin here to help you do virtually anything you would want to. Leahey.org uses, MightyAdSense to display the ads, KG Archives for cleaner archiving, and Wordpress Backup for backing up of entries.
WP-Themes: After you have everything running the way you want it, the next thing you’re going to want to do is improve the overall look of your site. I recommend downloading a simple theme, even if you plan on designing your own. Use it as a template.

Blogger: Blogger is Google’s blogging platform. I personally do not like it, I feel it limits you too much. I have to give the devil his do, though, it is probably the easiest blogging platform for the new blogger. It has a similar system to Wordpress, you can either host your blog yourself, or have them do it (and get a small bar across the top of your page). Their hosted version does, however, allow Adsense ads.
Blogger Hacks: If you do choose to use Blogger, be sure to check out this link. It has several tips, tricks and hacks for making Blogger dance to your tune.

MovableType: Movable type is SixApart’s blogging platform. Just in case you’ve been asleep for the past few years, they’re the people who brought you Livejournal. I like MovableType, its similar to Wordpress in its expandability.
MT Plugins: Yep, they have ‘em too.
MT Styles: Movable Type’s version of themes.

Drupal: Drupal is really a content-management system, designed for much larger sites than most blogs will ever be. The Onion uses Drupal, as does TWiT. It’s a bit overkill for blogging, but it will work.
Drupal Modules: Are basically plugins.
Drupal Themes: A somewhat limited list, but there are quite a few beautifully designed themes here.

Pick your topic: You probably should have done this first, but if you haven’t yet, pick your niche. What do you enjoy? What do you know a lot about? What can you foresee yourself being able to write, say, an entry-a-day about?

There is really no such thing as a bad topic, there are just topics that tend to be more popular than others. However, if you’re the only blogger, or one of a few, in an unpopular topic, you will probably still generate a considerable amount of traffic.

Under this “Pick your topic” heading is also Pick your Name and Register your Domain. A lot of bloggers argue that domains are not neccessary, as a very few people will be visiting your blog and not be coming from a link. I beg to differ, I think a catchy or crappy name can make or break any website, including a blog. Consider ease of typing, and ease of remembering when choosing your dot-whatever.

Generate some content:

Some bloggers swear by monetizing (read:putting ads on their site) right from the start. They believe integrating ads from the beginning insures that your readers will be used to them, and it won’t come as a shock when their view of your entries is suddenly obscured by an ad for eBay.

I don’t particuliarly subscribe to this notion. I think you will do better generating some content first, getting a few hundred daily hits, and then moving towards attempting to make money on your work. If done properly, the traffic-gaining period should take no more than a month, two at the most.

Monetize:

First, right off the bat, read every entry you can find at problogger.net. Let me repeat that, Read the problogger.net archives before moving forward. I really can’t stress that enough, in my opinion there is no better resource for information on monetizing weblogs, to be found.

Adsense: Adsense has always generated me the major percentage of my revenue. Google just got this one right. I choose to use the Adsense MightyAdsense Plugin for Wordpress to handle my advertisements. I’ve heard rumblings of Yahoo’s new ad service being even better, but as of August 2006 it’s still invite-only. (Referral warning: If you choose to use Adsense, please consider using my referral:

Text Link Ads (ref): I personally have only been using Text-Link-Ads for a short time. From what I’ve heard from others, though, it is a quality service. It’s different from adsense in that its not pay-per-click. Advertisers pay you a flat monthly rate (determined by Text-Link) for advertising on your weblog/website.

Amazon Affiliates: I have no included a referral link to this service for a reason. I have, as of yet, received absolutely no money from Amazon. I have decided to list them in this list only because I have heard of others having success with them. To me, it seems like a rough way to make money. You basically only profit if someone not only clicks your Amazon banner, but buys something, and it ships. You would probably do better with signing up and just using your referral link when recommending specific items, rather than running a banner ad.

Commission Junction: This is another case of works-for-some-but-not-for-all. I have heard of people making a killing with CJ, and I have heard from people who haven’t made a dime. I, unfortunately, am of the latter.

Adgenta: This is an i nteresting service. They require that you use their blog editor, and they append a keyword-based ad to the bottom of your entries. Their editor is decent (Qumana) so I don’t mind using them. It is, however, Java. And Java can be slow.

I will be adding to this resource-index from time to time, so check back.