I have received so many questions about how to start blogging from our readers lately that I thought I would just go ahead and do a whole post on it and share some of my tips to help those of you just starting out as well as some more experienced bloggers. Just for background, I have been designing web sites for companies since 1997 and have been blogging (not just on Doll Diaries) since 2006. I have made plenty of mistakes and learn something new every day, too.
Blogging is a fantastic way to share what you love with others who have the same interests. It is also a way to improve your writing skills, photography and creativity! So with that, here are my tips for new (and experienced bloggers)!
WHERE TO SET UP A BLOG:
1. Blogger – this free service from Google is the perfect place to start if you are new to blogging and want to blog for fun and personal expression. It is super easy to use and customize. Just remember, because it is a free thing from Google, technically anything you upload becomes theirs – and if Blogger goes down, so does your site. Another tip for Blogger users, allow the Name/URL combination for commenters so I can leave you a note telling you what a great job you are doing.
2. WordPress.com – this is also a free service, but not quite as user friendly as Blogger. It is similar to what I use, but like Blogger, as soon as you upload content it is no longer your own. WordPress.com also has a lot of restrictions as to what you can and can not have on your site.
3. Self hosted WordPress - Doll Diaries is self hosted WordPress. I bought the domain name from Godaddy and I pay for hosting on HostGator. If you are really serious about blogging or want to blog for your business (or even set up your business website), then self-hosted WordPress really is the way to go. You control everything and everything is yours!
WHAT TO DO NEXT
1. Get permission! If you are a child, be sure to check with your parents before you do anything new online! Anything you post can be read (unless you set your blog to private) by the world so be sure to set guidelines as to what you can and can not post. You may even want to use a made up name for your online persona.
2. Decide on a name – pick something short and sweet and easy to remember if at all possible. Also, pick a name that has to do with what you want to write about. Be careful about using other brand’s names in your site name, too.
3. Start writing! Don’t worry about whether your post is too long or too short, just write. The more you write, the easier it will become.
ETIQUETTE
While there are not a lot of blogging RULES, you need to be aware of some basic etiquette.
1. If it is not yours, CREDIT THE SOURCE. Ok, this one is a RULE. If you use a photo, idea, or text from another site, let your readers know where you found it. If you don’t know where it came from, then state that, too. A link to the original source is always the best practice. Just because you found it on Google Images does not make it free to use as your own.
2. Use your own images when you can. You can use tools like picmonkey.com to make cool collages, add photo credits, special effects and frames that make your photos even more special.
3. When sharing text, don’t copy the other person’s entire post! That’s not right. Feel free to copy 1-2 paragraphs, just enough to let your readers know there is something good worth reading, and then link to the original post. Trust me, the first time you see an entire post you wrote on someone else’s blog, you will understand.
Most of all, have fun and be yourself. Write when you have something to say and don’t stress about it when life gets busy!
I hope you found my tips to be helpful! If you have a blog, put the address for it in the URL box when you leave a comment so we can check it out – you don’t have to beg us to visit you, we know you are there 
PS – If you are a company that needs guidance with your blogging or social media strategy, drop me a line at share@dolldiaries.com – I’d love to work with you.
You rock, Char!
“Just because you found it on Google Images does not make it free to use as your own.”
THANK YOU! I can’t tell you how agravating it is Someone stole my picture of Ola and posted it as their own, then tried to explain it as Google image search found it. Goggle does not make its own pictures! (it got taken down when I reported).
Thirdie
I like WordPress–I need to blog more. I barely find time for it. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks for the advice, Char! I’m thinking of starting a blog for Julie, and need all the help I can get. Tell me, do you have to host your pictures somewhere like Photobucket on Blogger? Or is it a copy/paste, browse your files type of deal?
Great tips, best I’ve seen yet!
I like blogger, it’s really understandable for kids:)
Sharry – because I use self-hosted wordpress on my own server, I store all my photos on my own site. However, you can certainly use photobucket, flickr or picasa to store them. I know blogger also lets you upload them from your computer, too. Copy and paste for photos is not the best way to do things. If you use a service like photobucket and such, they will give you code to copy.
WordPress does let you upload from your computer.
Lena – that is what I thought. Some people like to keep all their photos in one place and copy the code, others prefer to upload from their computer. A lot depends on how you took the photo in the first place.
Awesome tips! And yes, thank you so much for saying that thing about Google Pictures! I see that problem all the time. Oh, and where did you get that Keyboard McKenna has? Can you say ADORABLE? :- )
Amanda – the keyboard and monitor are from a retired American Girl set from 2006. The mouse is here somewhere – I just didn’t grab it for the photo.
Great tips for beginners, I use wordpress and find it really nice, though they do have a limit to the amount of pictures you can upload before you have to pay for more storage space.
The best tip so no one gets hurt or upset is to link/cite your sources!
OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH I WAS THE LAST PERSON TO SAY THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS!!!!!
Yes Ari, your question was the one that finally made me just put everything into one post for who ever needs it.
Thanks for the tips, Char! I love having my blog. I’m really getting into photography and stopmotions. My doll that I’m going to make into a boy should arrive any day now! I still have to find a wig but I’m still really excited. I love being able to share my work on a website. I use wordpress and really like it.
I am going to cry!
I saw a Kailey that went really cheap on ebay. Her hair was a mess, but you could rewig her. The only really bad thing was that she didn’t have a pinkie…………
Char, thanks! That stinks, but I could probably make a keyboard out of clay, and a monitor out of carboard or something :- )
Thanks for the advice!!! I’m a staff member on lizgillies.org. I don’t own it, but i c an post stuff and mentor the comments. But I do have a question.
Question : When I get comments some are ads and stuff and a bunch of links. Is there a way I can block the senders? I’ve spammed a few. Just wondering if you deal with the same thing. Thanks!
What if you DO want to use a picture from Google Images, but Can’t find out who’s it is?? Just put (Photo from Google Images) ????
Thanks! I love blogging and these tips are helpful!
I really want to start a blog!
Erica – it depends on what software the site is built on. For WordPress sites you can install plugins to help keep spam out.
Erica – when you find an image on Google images it always has a source. You have to click on the image then copy the URL of the page it came from.
Thanks for the tips!! I haven’t had any of my photos been stolen so far, but I can imagine the frustration that people get from it.
-Jessie
americangirlphotographer.blogspot.com
Ari why are you going to cry???
Please visit my new blog!
Delaney, I think I saw the same Kailey because she was missing a pinky! I ended up getting a JLY with green eyes (Felicity’s color) and blonde hair and am going to put a boy wig on her when I find one. Her wig is really nice I might sell it or customize another doll and then sell the doll. I’m not sure, I’ll have to see. But yeah I would’ve preferred brown eyes since I don’t have any dolls with brown eyes but hey I’m just glad I could find one cheap.
dharma~ I am so happy that I was (somehow) mentioned on my favorite site in the whole wide world!!!!
Omg! Thanks char! Right now I am preparing my blog. P.s. I used to go by rose, but now am going by Vivienne for my screen name. I love the name Vivienne.
Email is my mom’s (under 13.)
That’s my blog. I hope you like it. I’m not sure if anyone reads it, but I enjoy blogging anyway
I wonder if I should start a blog?
Thanks for the tips! I’ve been wanting to create an AG blog and this will be a great help. (:
kt, yes!
Now I’m going to start my own blog! Fabulously AG! (Im starting it over the weekend)
oh so they were tears of joy! i thought something had happened!
cool ari I’ll check it out once you put it up
thanks for the advice delaney you have an awesome blog
Thanks kt!
Kk kt I’ll inform u went it does (my screen name will be Izzy)
Thx for your concerns dhamra!
Kt~ You should totally start a blog! If you descide to I’ll check it out!
Delaney~ Can you check out my blog when it goes up? (it will probably be blogger like you!)
Thanks, Char! Awesome tips
hi, awesome tips eh?
Yes I will!! Blogger is great. I love it. So many cool features, and safe too!
Thx Delaney!
Is this site a blog or a website?
Liv – this site is technically a blog. But a blog is simply a website that is comprised primarily of articles posted in a sequential format. Every blog is a website, but not every website is a blog. Does that make sense?
I started a blog about 2 days ago thought I spent 100 dollars on someones computer Luckily I did’t few. These are GREAT tips Char.
P.S Pretty name