One truth that is evident in blogging is that it does not require vasts amount of money. Everybody is provided with the opportunity to start their own blog.

Outline of Required Tools

Before venturing into an analysis of the tools required to get you moving right along, let us briefly list the mandatory tools required for professional blogging.

1. A software platform or content management system
2. A web hosting account
3. A domain name
4. Access to a PC
5. A little knowledge of HTML

Blogging Platform

The blog you are currently reading from uses a piece of software known as a “blogging platform” which runs on a web server just like it would on any ordinary home computer.

The blogging platform is the back-bone of any blog. The software allows authors to concentrate on the heart of the content instead of having to waste silly time organizing, developing, and editing page contents. Blogging platforms provide many functionalities not limited to:

1. A common, themed template which exists for all pages of a blog.
2. Functionality allowing visitors to leave comments.
3. Page/post organization based on categories, dates and/or even authors.
4. Access to up-to-date RSS feeds

If you’re keen, you can always write your own blogging platform, but I would completely advise against the idea. The are some terrific open source options available which are “free” of charge. They are secure, up-to-date, and provide every feature under the sun. The two most common blogging platforms are WordPress and Drupal (amongst others). Take your pick…

Webhosting Account

Web sites are hosted on a server PC, a PC which is usually more powerful than your average desktop computer.   All your web content (images, pages, videos, and even flash) is “hosted” on a machine referred to as a web server. Most organizations, companies and “regular joe’s” outsource hosting to a third party meaning they rent the server .

For further information, I recommend that you visit W3C schools.  They have a comprehensive guide on web hosting.

It’s always best to use a web host which has been recommended to you by friends or family.  The differences in service can differ drastically from provider to provider.  It’s worth giving BlueHost a try - it’s the host of choice for BlogaPro and it only costs $6.95 a month.

Domain Name

A domain name is the name that identifies a computer on the Internet (eg. google.com).  How exactly do you get a domain name? Well, domain names can be bought from registrars for a very small annual fee.

Choosing the RIGHT domain name involves more than just plucking the first name that enters your mind.  In fact, domain names often make or break sites.

A few considerations in choosing the correct domain name:

1. Long or short domain name
2. Hyphenated names
3. Plural or singular names
4. Which top-level domain (eg. .com, .org, .net, .co.uk )

Christopher Heng at sitewizard.com has written a comprehensive article on choosing the best domain name.  I recommend that you give it a read; it will be worth the time spent.

Access to a PC

Blogs do require some regular attention, so having access to a PC is mandatory.  If your blog becomes popular, you might eventually receive emails on a consistent basis.   It’s always worth responding to your fans.

No, this does mean that you have to have your own personal computer.  In fact, I know of two bloggers who regularly visit the library to update/alter their blogs. Utilizing a friend’s computer or one at the library is a great way to save money without having to invest in a purchase.

A little understanding of HTML

HTML or “HyperText Markup Language” is the markup language for web pages.

What exactly is HTML?  Wikipedia describes HTML as, “…a means to describe the structure of text-based information in a document — by denoting certain text as links, headings, paragraphs, lists, and so on — and to supplement that text with interactive forms, embedded images, and other objects.”

If you are currently using either FireFox or the IE web browser, you can view the markup language of any web page by right clicking in a blank area of a page and selecting “View Page Source” from the pop-up menu.

How exactly are you going to learn HTML?  Not too worry, there are plenty of online tutorials available.  Three great sites I would recommend would be W3C Schools, HTML Quick, and David Raggett’s Intro to HTML.  Give them a try!

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging. Ready to jump into the deep-end, are you? Not just yet. If you’re new to the “blogosphere”, there are a few things you ought to know about…

We’ve written 4 posts on how you can start your blogging career. The content is geared towards those individuals who are looking to wet their feet.

Blogging is a cheap, fun hobby; if you can play the ‘game’, it can prove to be a lucrative business.

Define a blog

Wikipedia defines a blog as “a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order.”

Blogs tend to be updated on a regular basis. Blogging is a commitment and not a one-off effort. The art of blogging encompasses a collective group of skills not limited to creative writing, marketing, and artistic design.

What does a blog consist of?

Essentially, a blog can consist of anything you want it to be and more. Many authors develop an entire community around their blog. For example, most blogs provide visitors the with the opportunity to leave comments and even criticism.

As has been mentioned, most blogs consist of mostly text while many blogs have accompanying photographs, videos, audio and even other media types.

A blog and its content centers around a theme or “niche”. Niches can vary from politics, technology news, to even break-through medicine. The choice of niche of your own blog is up to you; however, the successful “choice” of a niche will often correspond to the failure or success of your blog.

What is professional blogging?

Professional blogging centers around developing a wider audience or even an online community. Probloggers are motivated by the potential to earn money. Making money “professionally blogging” (also dubbed “problogging”) is made possible by those individuals which visit your site.

“Yes, but how do I make the money?”, I hear you ask. Money is earned through advertisements, referrals, and even by selling items directly on your blog.

So just how much money can you earn? The sky is the limit - I kid you not. Darren Rowse of ProBlogger now earns a six figure income from his blog alone. In fact Darren is a full-time blogger by profession; he is not the only “lucky” one.

Bottom line, professional blogging is an excellent hobby requiring commitment in addition to a variety of skills including marketing and creative writing. A blog consists of a variety of content/media types and pertains to a theme of your choice.

Next in the installment, “What tools does a blogger require?“