3. Why Blog?

4. To market or promote yourself, service or product

5. Why Blog? To market or promote yourself, service or product To establish yourself as an expert

6. Why Blog? To market or promote yourself, service or product To establish yourself as an expert To boost SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

7. Where do I begin?

8. Two initial decisions need to be made

9. FIRST Should I pay for a hosting package or opt for a free site?

10. FREE (?) WordPress.com - - - - - - VS - - - - - - PAID HOSTING

11. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free.

12. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER:

13. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space

14. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress.

15. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress. -No custom e-mail addresses included

16. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress. -No custom e-mail addresses included -A customized wp.-free domain is $12-$17/yr

17. FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress. -No custom e-mail addresses included -A customized wp.-free domain is $12-$17/yr -Additional space is available starting at $20/yr for 5GB

18. PAID: Hosted Site Domain Registration: $10+/yr

19. PAID: Hosted Site Domain Registration: $10+/yr Hosting: Varies - $120/yr should include one domain, custom e-mail addresses and ample storage space

20. FREE: Networking WordPress.com is a network -May create additional traffic -Slim possibility to be chosen as the Blog of the Day

21. PAID: No Network Responsible for your own networking

22. FREE: Auto Updates WordPress.com will automatically update your site to the current version whenever an update becomes available.

23. PAID: 1-Click Updates WordPress will notify you Your responsibility to install Usually done with 1-click.

24. FREE: Limited Themes Only WordPress.com free themes allowed Customization limited to the control panel options Style customization is $30/yr You are responsible for customizations

25. PAID: Full Theme Support Thousands of free and paid themes are available online Same control panel operates basic customization Open customization only limited to your imagination

26. FREE: No Plug-ins Available No plug-ins of any kind are allowed $2,500 each month (yes $2,500) join VIP Program for full control of customization and the ability to use plug-ins

27. PAID: Plug-in Freedom Unlimited access to all free and paid plug-ins available for WP

28. FREE: WP Ad Space WordPress.com reserves the right to sell ad space on your site Ad-free option is $30 per year

29. PAID: Content Control Only what you post or allow will ever be visible on your blog

30. FREE: Sales Restrictions Cannot sell or control the ad space on your site IF you receive MORE THAN 25,000 views per month and apply for the privilege If approved you will split the revenue 50/50 with WP

31. PAID: Make Money! Control and sell whatever ad space or items you want on your site

32. CONCLUSION Nothing but the Gift of God is ever free.

33. CONCLUSION Paid Hosting = Freedom

34. SECOND Should I design it myself or pay someone?

35. Do-It-Yourself

36. Easy to get started

37. Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install

38. Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme

39. Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel

40. Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel WP is written in PHP, not HTML

41. Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel WP is written in PHP, not HTML Install plug-ins (paid site)

42. Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel WP is written in PHP, not HTML Install plug-ins (paid site) Spend a lot of time learning

43. Outsourcing

44. Get a professional

45. Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio?

46. Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay!

47. Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay! Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML

48. Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay! Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML Analyze styles and variety

49. Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay! Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML Analyze styles and variety Ask for references/recommendations

50. Outsourcing continued... DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

51. Outsourcing continued... DO YOUR HOMEWORK! KEEP COSTS DOWN!

52. Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes

53. Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time

54. Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time Blogging workshops AND online tutorials

55. Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time Blogging workshops AND online tutorials Gather high resolution images and media

56. Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time Blogging workshops AND online tutorials Gather high resolution images and media Outline your blog plans

57. Blog Outline

58. Are you just blogging (simple posts)?

59. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space?

60. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video?

61. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages?

62. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom e-mail addresses? How many?

63. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom e-mail addresses? How many? Customized header? Additional design?

64. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom e-mail addresses? How many? Customized header? Additional design? Launch date?

65. Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom e-mail addresses? How many? Customized header? Additional design? Launch date? Choose a designer/developer

66. Questions to Ask

67. What does the package include?

68. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!

69. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal

70. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes

71. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of e-mail addresses included

72. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of e-mail addresses included Storage space included

73. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of e-mail addresses included Storage space included Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included

74. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of e-mail addresses included Storage space included Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included SEO plug-in?

75. Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of e-mail addresses included Storage space included Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included SEO plug-in? Length of included support

76. Thank You for Your Patience and Attention

77. I hope this presentation will help you make informed decisions.

78. www.ChelsiGraphics.com