How to Make A Blog on Blogger: Part 1

Hey there! would you like a shiny blog? Who doesn't? But you have no idea how to even start. And it costs money, right? And you have to know code? WRONG! Even a monkey can make a blog. It's that easy to make your very own blog with Google Blogger. Use your blog to promote your business, share your discoveries or artwork, and get in touch with people with similar interests. It might seem complex, but I've broken it down into steps for you so it's much easier than you think.first, you will go to the Google main site. mouse over "more" and go down to "blogs".

this will take you to a site with all these silly blogs on it that have nothing to do with anything second life. where you need to look is here: (up to the right hand corner) where it says sign in. you don't have a sign in yet, but you have to go here anyway.

you're on the sign in page now. if you have a GMail account, congratulations! you can already make your blog. if not, you have to create an account. click on "Create an account" to start that process.


here's the create account page-it's a pretty average one. enter your email (so they can confirm you aren't a robot...) make a password, confirm your age, etc. then skim the terms of service and type in the funny-looking word and you've got your account!


next, you'll get a page that says you are getting a confirmation email. go check your email now! it'll be there in a minute or two-or it might be waiting for you.


here's the email you will get, with some privacy blocks, of course. the link circled in red is the one you want to click on-it will confirm your google account!


here's where the link will take you. you don't want to add your phone number now, so click where i put the red circle- "click here to manage your account profile."





here's your google profile. you don't have to care too much about this- what we are looking for is down here in the "More" link. click on that.


look in the right hand column. see the big orange square with the B in it? that's the logo for Blogger- that's what we're looking for! Click the link to finally start on your very own blog!


here's the sign in page. do not get cocky and click the big "create a blog" button! we made a google account to get around all the paperwork with that. enter your password onto the password box-you are already signed in, you just have to confirm it with the site. then we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!



that's right, there's only three steps to get started. yay! choose the name you wish to be known as in the box marked "Display Name" (circled) then click the "terms of service" box, and click the big orange arrow.


the boxes on this screen are pretty straightforward. so fill out what you want your blog to be called in the Blog Title box (if it's for your business, then name it after your business!) and the address (it is best if the address is the same as the title.) then, click the "Check Availability" link to see if anyone have the same address as you. if they do, don't lament! you can just add a number to it or change it around a bit. if you give out your link, people will bookmark it if they want to stay up on your stuff.
now for the fun part-choosing the theme! scroll down and take a look at all of them and pick one. you can change the layout and details later, so don't worry if you think it's hideous (cause most of them are.)



yay! you've got your blog! now click on the arrow to do just what it says-start setting up you r blog for real!



and THIS will be your first post. in your first post, I'll show you how to insert images, type in text, and add tags so your blog is more organized.
so, to start, type in the title of your first post! there's a box marked "Title" at the top of the text block, that's where the title goes, and it'll be on the top of the post when we publish it.



next, I'll show you how to add a picture- everyone likes a picture! click on the little box that looks like a landscape. I've circled it on the picture, so you can see where it is. this will open a dialogue box, and it's kind of confusing, so pay attention.


here's the dialog box- it's a bit complex. you can import an image from your computer, or add it from somewhere else in the Internet, arrange it on the page, and choose the size of the picture. one step at a time: we're going to upload a picture from the computer (it's easier, and there's no sticky copyright issues) click on the button that says "Browse".


this is what you're screen will look like if you use windows 7. if you've ever uploaded anything to the Internet before, or even opened up things from other programs, you know how this window works. click on the picture you want to upload, and then click the button that says "Open".


now that you've chosen your image, select where you want it to be. i prefer the center, because you don't have to deal with text wrap, but after this tutorial feel free to do what you want. after you've chosen the layout, click the terms of service box- this indicates you aren't putting up someone else's work as yours. after that, you can click on "Upload Image" (the big orange button) and you'll see...

a little loading screen. this is blogger uploading your image. then you get a dialog box that says your image has been added, and you can click a blue button that says done. click it, and you will continue to your post.

this is what you'll see- a page that kinda looks like old-school Microsoft word with your picture in it. next, you'll be adding text, which is kind of sticky sometimes-just give it a whirl and click right below your picture. you'll see a cursor pop up under your picture on the far-left side. you can use the buttons at the top to modify the layout of the text like a word processor, and if you've used one before you know what they do. you don't need them for this most basic of posts, but I've marked them anyway. I'll talk about the other buttons a little later.

-now, I've added text. i indented a bit with the space key, so the eye isn't screwed up. we're gonna do some things with the text to make it fancy- a link to the slurl of BB, for example.

here, you can see the dialog box for adding a link and put the slurl for the Builder's Brewery into it. Click OK once you have pasted your link in- feel free to add whatever link you want in.


now that you know how to insert photos, text, and links, all you need to do to finish is to add a tag. Tags are how you organize your blog: if you post a product that is a coat, add a tag that says coat, then add the coat tag to all the other posts you make with products that are coats. then, when a customer is looking for a coat, they can click on the "Coat" tag and find all of your coats! or houses, or goggles, or whatever.


then, click the big orange button that says "Publish Post"!

you'll see a screen that says "congratulations" and a link to view your post. click on it to see the first post on your shiny new blog!
here is your basic blog. there's lots of features you can add to it, and many ways you can organize it. but that's another class. enjoy your blog and make it your own!