How to set up a blog.

Get Blogging.

 

Starting a blog (short for web log ) is easy, fun and lets you make friends all over the world. Here's Giga Girl's step-by-step guide to creating your own little corner of the internet.

 

IF YOU'RE already a member of Bebo (bebo.com) or MySpace (myspace.com), you can start a blog on your profile page. You've probably linked to loads of your friends, which means you've already got heaps of readers - you just need to start writing. Other great blogging sites include Blogger, Live Journal, Diaryland, Xanga and Mindsay.

 

The instructions for joining are different on every site, but setting up a blog is just like signing up for a new email address - the hardest part is choosing your username. (Hint: Don't use your actual name.)

 

Next, decide how you want your blog to look. Most blogging sites let you choose a layout and colour scheme when you sign up. Try to avoid too many contrasting colours and remember it's easiest to read dark text on a light background. If your site looks good and is easy to read, people are more likely to come back.

 

You can change the look of your blog as often as you like, and even download 'skins' or 'themes' that will completely change how it looks - check out Blogskins or Create Blog.

 

Now, time to write something! Write about things you are interested in - your life, funny things you fi nd on the net - anything. Try not to write just about what you did ("I went to the mall"); give us your unique perspective on it ("St Lukes smells like cold chicken and babies"). Update frequently so readers come back often.

 

The best way to make blog buddies is to read lots of other blogs. Leave comments and link to your favourite blogs in a sidebar or as 'friends'. Most bloggers will notice when you link to them and will check out your site. Make sure that people can comment on your entries, reply to comments (except spam, of course) and visit the blogs of the people commenting. You can keep track of how many people are looking at your page by installing a Sitemeter.

 

ABOUT PRIVACY

 

Keeping a blog is a great way to make friends, but make sure you protect your privacy from strangers (and future bosses and boyfriends/girlfriends!):
. Use your fi rst name only, or even a made-up name.
. Never reveal your street address or suburb, or the name of your school.
. Don't tell anyone your phone number - home or mobile.
. If someone gives you a bad feeling, keep copies of their emails and stop contact with them.
. Don't post anyone else's personal information on your site - your friend's mum won't want everyone to know you think she's having an affair! At the very least, make up fake names for the people you talk about.
. Live Journal (livejournal.com) lets you make some entries 'friends only', so just the people on your 'friends list' can read them - very handy if you want to write about personal stuff without worrying who might see it.

 

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