How to build a blog
In the second Comms School session we explored third party and owned blogs, how to build a blog and post content, and making blogging a habit.
The second session of Comms School got to grips with building a blog and making blogging a habit.
We kicked off by reviewing some of the blogs posted by members of the Comms School community.
#CommsSchool homework – the PR blogs I admire, Jessica Pardoe
#Startingout – getting that first ‘dream job’, Lucy Hayball
#CommsSchool: blogging 101, Liz Hinds
Create a personal brand through blogging, Niuma Ugail
Blogging confidence, India Barker
Blogging for Business: learning from the professionals! Rachael Gordon
Thanks to everyone who has joined us on a blogging journey. Almost 500 people have signed up to the Facebook community.
Third party vs owned blog
You’ve two options when it comes to posting content on the Internet. You can either use a third party platform such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Medium; or you can build your own platform.
During the Comms School session I showed how it takes two clicks to post content on Linkedin. It could not be any easier.
The benefit of using LinkedIn is that content is shared with your network and practitioners that follow the hashtags that you use.
The downside is that you’re reliant on LinkedIn to host and share your content. It could go down, as Facebook and Instagram did last week, or change its terms of service.
Our recommended approach is to build your own space on the internet.
WordPress is the most popular service for blogging. It powers a third of website and is free for an entry level service.
During the session I walked through the process of setting up and personalising a blog. We covered domain names, themes, web pages and blogs.
We created a Comms School blog, with an About page, and Marcel’s post from the first session. You can check it out for yourself.
Making blogging a habit
We concluded the session by exploring how to make blogging a habit. This included creating a routine, making time for writing and discipline.
It’s helpful to build a routine and stick to it. You might prefer working in silence or listening to a writing playlist. You might opt for doing it at home, in your university’s library or out and about.
It’s good to schedule time to write. Be realistic with your goal. Choose one morning or evening of the week, set a reminder on your phone, and try to commit to it.
Don’t overthink the process of writing. Turn your notifications off and just do it. Then edit. No first draft is perfect. The editing process will make it great.
Homework
This session’s homework is to create your own space on the Internet as we’ve set out.
If you already have your own blog or site, we’re keen to hear about your writing habits. Write a blog post about it and share with @wadds and @marcelkl on Twitter, with hashtag #CommsSchool.
Please don’t be shy of sharing your work in the Facebook community as well. We’ll feature your work during our next session.
Next time on Comms School
The next session of Comms School is at 6:30pm, BST on 2 April and will cover how to build a social media presence and personal brand online. I hope you can join us.