This Cheat Sheet supplements the information provided in Blogging All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition and helps you find resources and tools to make your blog a unique place that allows you to reach your goals.
Popular blogging applications
Many online tools and applications allow you to create a blog, but not all of these tools are equal. Some offer far more customization and functionality than others. Following, are some of the most popular and feature-rich blogging applications.
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WordPress.com: An easy-to-use, free blogging application with limited functionality and additional features available for a fee.
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WordPress.org: The most feature-rich and customizable blogging application. It’s free but does require an investment in a separate web host and more technical knowledge than other blogging applications require.
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Blogger: An easy-to-use and fairly feature-rich blogging application that is completely free.
- Medium: A very unique blogging platform that is free to use and offers an opportunity for writers to receive payment for their writing.
- Wix: A free blogging platform that features drag-and-drop website building, making it easy for bloggers to get up and running quickly.
Finding blog help and resources online
Even the most seasoned bloggers have questions and need help sometimes. Following, are some of the best websites and blogs to find blogging tips, help, and resources.
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ProBlogger: Darren Rowse is one of the most popular bloggers around, and he shares his experiences on his blog about blogging.
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WordPress support site: The official support site created by the people behind WordPress.
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WordPress.org Codex site: The official site offering documentation for all WordPress.org features and tools.
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Blogger help site: The official help site owned by the people behind Blogger.
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StudioPress: A fabulous source of WordPress templates.
Getting traffic to your blog through social media
To grow your blog’s readership and fan base, check out these tools and start promoting your blog and content across the social web:
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Twitter: The most popular microblogging site.
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Facebook: The most popular social networking site.
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LinkedIn: A popular social networking site for businesspeople around the world.
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Pinterest: A rapidly growing visual social bookmarking site.
- TikTok: A highly popular video-based social media app.
- Instagram: A popular image- and video-based social media app.
Blog money makers
Blogs can be just for fun, but they can also turn a profit. If you want to earn money from your blog, check out these popular monetization opportunities:
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Google AdSense: A popular contextual advertising program that any blogger can join and easily integrate into a blog.
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Amazon Associates: A popular affiliate advertising program that any blogger can join.
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SocialSpark: A popular pay-per-post monetization program that requires full disclosure.
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BuySellAds: An online advertising marketplace where bloggers can sell ad space and advertisers can purchase that ad space.
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Media.net: A popular ad management program.
- TapInfluence: A pay-per-post program that pays people to publish content on their blogs.
- Rakuten: An affiliate program that links bloggers up with a wide variety of merchants.
