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So You Think You Can Blog … You’re Right!
Published on September 3, 2008 by Phaelia 
Blog, Featured, Lunar Guidance, Mailbag 
37 Comments
Thelyne of Eonar (US) writes in with the following great question:
My name is Thelyne and I’m a blooming Resto druid from Eonar. I’d like to know how you got this lovely blog started as I’d like to start my own! Thanks!
What an exciting question to be asked! I’m always happy to see new blogs being created, especially by other Druids like myself, and I’m flattered that Thelyne chose to ask me for some advice. Because I think a blog reader is 10x more likely to create their own blog than a non-reader, I thought I’d share step-by-step, the process of creating a blog to show you just how easy and rewarding it can be.
Step 1: Decide on a Focus
This is really important. As enthusiastic as you might be to start writing immediately, it’s helpful if you can first refine what you want your blog to accomplish. There are limitless options to the type of blog you can create. Here are just a few and examples of each:
- Spec/Class Niche: Haelz, Unbearably HoT, Yet Another Warlock Nerf, Parry! Dodge! Spin!
- Guild Leadership/Officership education: Lume the Mad, Chick GM
- Role Niche: ThinkTank, Tank Hard!
- Roleplay: Too Many Annas (though not exclusively), Blogatelle, Need More Rage
- PvP (Mis)adventures: Out of Mana
- One or More of the Above: Big Bear Butt, BigRedKitty
Step 1a: Familiarize Yourself with the Other Players in your Niche
Learn about the other bloggers who write about the same topics you do. Pick out things you like and don’t like to help you refine the plans for your own blog. Take note of their blog titles to avoid stepping on any toes with too similar a name. Familiarizing yourself with your fellow bloggers will also help later on when you’re trying to gain exposure.
Step 1b: Pick a Title
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| Don’t get "Trapped" by your title later on! |
Hand-in-hand with your blog’s focus, you will want to choose a title that reflects that focus. Be careful here; if you choose a focus and title that’s super-specific, you may find yourself feeling restricted later on. When I created Resto4Life, for instance, I recognized that — unless I wanted to switch focus to playing a Restoration Shaman — I was pretty much committed to Phaelia. Common inspiration for class or spec-specific blog titles include talents and spells, forum-based pop culture references, and in-game places associated with that class or spec. Don’t name your blog after your character unless you’re relatively certain you won’t be switching mains or renaming them (or are considering a server transfer).
Step 2: Choose a Platform
Focus defined and prospective blog title in hand, you’ll want to pick out a space for your new home. There are several different options for a blogging platform, and I’ll discuss the most common here:
- Blogspot.com
This is Google’s blogging platform. It’s extremely popular among new bloggers due to its ease of use and relative customizability. Many bloggers also already have a Google account, making creating a blog a relatively simple process. Theme selection is relatively limited, but you can customize available themes to your heart’s content. Image uploading can be cumbersome. - Wordpress.com
This is the company-hosted version of WordPress. Similarly easy to use. There are many different themes available, but once selected, your ability to make changes is extremely limited unless you wish to pay. Extremely limited customization. - Wordpress.org
This is a downloadable copy of the Wordpress blogging platform for use with your own web host. Requires a bit of technical know-how to set up as well as paid web space and a custom domain name. Extremely customizable and flexible with practically unlimited available themes, but much more difficult to use than the previous two options.
It is not uncommon for a blogger to initially create a blog through Blogspot or Wordpress.com only to move to a self-hosted option later on when he/she is more certain of her future commitment. Resto4Life actually started out at Blogspot.com before moving to a self-hosted option. (A detailed walkthrough of completing such a migration is available here.)
If you’re pretty certain that you’ll want to be self-hosted eventually but find yourself daunted at the idea of creating a database and completing a WordPress installation yourself, I recommend choosing a web host that includes an automatic install (and upgrades) of WordPress. Resto4Life is hosted with HostMonster.com, who is not only affordable but reliable and includes one-click installs for several packages, including WordPress. They’ll also throw in a free domain registration.
Step 2a: Register a Domain Address (Optional)
This step is optional for those choosing to host their blog through Blogspot.com or Wordpress.com, but at $10 or less per year, I recommend it. Having a custom domain name lends a feeling of permanency and can make you easier for readers to find and remember. Just be careful. If you are considering purchasing a domain name, do not search for that domain name unless you are ready to purchase it. There are unscrupulous types that monitor domain searches so they can buy them up and "squat" on them to resell them for higher prices and/or to advertise on them. Also be aware that there have been some cases where squatters will purchase domain names that match the titles of blogs on Blogger or Wordpress.com on the possibility that the author will later want to purchase a custom domain.
Help registering a custom domain name is available here.
Note: Many web hosts will include a complimentary domain registration when you choose them as your web host. Be sure to check to see if this feature is included with purchased web space before registering a domain separately.
Step 3: Write, Write, Write!
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| The best way to improve your writing is through practice… or so I’ve read. |
So you have your blog named, hosted, and created. Before you go shouting to the rooftops about your admirable accomplishment, you’ll want to shore up your concept with a few posts. Remember what you’ve learned from others sharing your blogging niche and start sharing your own thoughts. If you get stuck for ideas, you can always choose or pull inspiration from one of the Blog Azeroth Shared Topics to help get the words flowing!
Step 3a: Refine Your Style
This includes the style of your blog as well as the style of your posts. While you might have great things to say and share, if they aren’t in an easily digestible format, it will be difficult to attract and keep readers. There are a million-and-a-half recommendations on this topic, but here are a few of the easiest to implement:
- Avoid critting your readers with a wall of text. Break up huge paragraphs which can be difficult to digest. Use special formatting like bold, italics, and subheadings to make things more readable and organize your thoughts. A couple of examples of blogs that make good use of formatting include Yet Another Warlock Nerf and Parry! Dodge! Spin!
- Include pictures. Try to be consistent with the images you choose, be they in-game screenshots, pictures from the Model Viewer, or stock photography. For some great examples blogs that leverage images to best effect, check out /hug and Too Many Annas!
- Use a spell checker. It’s easy. It’s free. If you use Google Bar, it is that button labeled "Check" at the top of your browser. Firefox users will find spell-check is built in to their browser, as well.
- Categorize or tag your posts to make it easy for readers to find more information on those topics. For help learning about the difference between tags and categories, click here.
- Give your blog a unique personality. Try to make your blog’s aesthetics and writing style speak to its focus so that you’re not only easily identifiable but memorable, too. In the words of Runycat:
Choose a title that will make wayward porn searchers stumble upon your site.
I cannot tell you how many keyword hits I get for " bare ass"Obviously, this is hyperbole (well, for most people anyway), but you get the idea. Find some way to make your blog stand out from the rest! Great examples of blogs with distinct personality that shines through in every post include Need More Rage, Big Bear Butt, and BigRedKitty.
- Tip from Valenna: Work towards consistency in your posts, speech and tone. If you are in character 100% of the time and you switch out to talk about your real life, your readers are going to jolted. The same applies to the way you write. If you post even-keeled, balanced posts that look at all sides of an issue and then post a rant, your readers will be surprised. Let your readers know what to expect when returning to your blog, and they’ll keep coming back.
Behemothdan of More Pew Pew, Less QQ shares a great resource for helping to improve your blog’s overall aesthetics here.
Step 3b: Grow Your Blog
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| Grow your blog … but hopefully not into a rust-colored fern like this one. |
Once you’re happy with the content and appearance of your blog, start getting your name out there! Here are a few different ways you can do this:
- Offer to swap links with other blogs within your niche (and, of course, it’s helpful to add a link to the blog in question before asking if they’d be willing to link to you). Druid blogs can request to be added to the World Tree listing here at Resto4Life, a project designed to specifically help new and old blogs increase their exposure.
- If you write on a topic that’s similar to one written by another author, try to incorporate what they’ve already written by providing a brief quote or a link back to their original post. Many blog authors monitor incoming links, and this can be a great way to get some free link love in return.
- Join and participate in Blog Azeroth. Learn from others and share what you’ve experienced. Ask (and answer) questions. Meet other bloggers.
For non Wordpress.com bloggers, I recommend Statcounter or — for the more technically savvy — Google Analytics to help you monitor your blog’s growth (Wordpress.com includes built-in stats). Try not to get discouraged by slow growth, though. Building a blog takes both time and commitment.
Conclusion
I hope that I’ve been able to show you how easy it is to create your own web presence. I know that it can be daunting when faced with some of the more well-established blogs out there, but we all started somewhere. In fact, I’d like to share a small snippet of a chat conversation I had with Valenna back in March of 2007:
[11:26:07 AM] Phaelia: I would like to blog about being a Resto druid
[11:26:31 AM] Valenna: Make a new blog and call it Resto For Life?
[11:27:00 AM] Phaelia: good idea
[11:28:36 AM] Phaelia: I like that idea a lot.
[11:31:09 AM] Phaelia: resto4life.blogspot.com
Just remember: you’ll never get there without taking the first few steps!
Additional Resources
The number of resources available to bloggers is practically endless. For World of Warcraft bloggers, the Blog Azeroth forum is a great repository of knowledge and friendly faces willing to help you with just about anything. Additional recommended resources include:
- Lorelle @ WordPress
Don’t let the title discourage you if you happen to choose Blogger. Lorelle’s has tons of information for bloggers of all types. - WoWModelViewer.org
The model viewer is a fantastic program that will let you model and take pictures of your character, creatures, and items from within the game. This can be an invaluable resource for creating a consistent style. - Twisted Nether
A brand new "blogcast" each week featuring interviews with other bloggers. Can be a great way to learn more about the world of blogging! - News Sources
MMO Champion and WoWInsider are great resources for newly-released information. Just don’t fall into the trap of simply reposting news, though. Include your own commentary and personal take on the info.
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I am excited that BRK is back, though!
/cry I love you, ty for everything.
Thanks for the kind words and recommendation, as well as the great round of tips to help someone get started blogging. I’ve been on WordPress.com for 3 years and if you are into tweaking and playing with the code, and know how, it’s frustrating, but for those not into that but into the writing and generating interesting content, it’s fabulous. There are some beautiful Themes available, and trust me, not having a custom domain name hasn’t hurt me one bit. It hasn’t hurt most of the other popular bloggers on WordPress.com either. That’s an old myth.
The key to a successful blog is sharing your passion with others through words, images, video, and audio. To teach, learn, share, and express yourself. It helps to write with search terms and keywords, the words used to find you from search engines, but more important that you let your personality and passion for your subject matter flow through your blog.
A blog is your world to play in. You can create every element and explore it fully, and invite others to explore with you. In a way, it’s a game to get lost in, too.
Have fun and thanks again!
Oh there’s a celebrity commenting on your blog (talking about Lorelle)
An awesome list of things to consider as blogger, and an inspiring post. I’m predicting at least 5 new resto druid blogs in the next few days (I hope I’m wrong though, ten would be even better). Also, thanks for mentioning my blog for the formatting part, but you forgot to include the most important one: yours. To be honest, when my posts just don’t seem right I check your archives. There, busted.
Some great tips here. I plan to take a lot of them to heart as I start my blogging career. It’s mainly a warrior blog, with a bit of my resto druid thrown in on the side.
@Lorelle: I’m extremely flattered to have someone of your tremendous community contribution notice and comment on a blog as small as mine. Thank you so much for chiming in with your insight. I’ve reworded the section related to registering your own domain so that it more closely reflects my own personal preference and sounds less like a hard-and-fast rule. Thank you!
@Horns: I’m very flattered – thank you for saying that you’ve been able to take something in the way of blogging from Resto4Life. I’m looking to borrow from your own techniques in the near future (I LOVE love LOVE your rotating self-advertisements – I just have a little too much clutter in my sidebar atm to justify another addition).
@Donjio: I look forward to seeing it. =) Please let me know when you’ve gotten started and if I can help!
@phae: I’ve already gotten started, and I seem to be off to a good start. http://newbwarrior.wordpress.com
The main premise of the blog is my first impressions of a warrior as I level him up. Talent reviews, skill assessments and the like. It may come down to a name change in the future, but as it stands, I am a newb warrior hence my name.
Donjios last blog post..Tier 4 Talents
Awesome tips Phae. Very helpful. I wow-blogged for a bit back in my more noobish days, but lost interest due to real life being way too hectic. I think your post just inspired me to start back up again
And your blog is absolutely beautiful btw! Love it! I’ll be sure to take your advice as I go run off to make a little blog of my own.
Great to see you on your blog Phae. I really do admire your writing style as I have seen a lot I must say, and yours is a cut above the rest. I think we have discussed this topic back on BA but with the way that you write it even inspires me to write even more!
Thanks again for this great contribution and I hope to see you dancing in SW for phat loots! LMAO… I joke…
<3 Visin
Don’t put yourself down. I show up on all blogs of all shapes and sizes. I’m not prejudiced.
You are off to a great start and have clearly learned a lot. It’s so wonderful to share all that knowledge and experience with others. Always glad to help. And keep blogging your passion!
I’m also thinking about starting a blog, but still hesitating. The specs/classes I play already well covered, don’t see point in repeating what’s been already told (mostly by you). What can be unique and interesting for others in my play is gold. I mean making tons of gold without ever farming. I just don’t know yet how important gold will be in WotLK. If everyone can have plenty without effort and only vanity pets and titles can be purchased for lots than it wouldn’t interest anyone. On the other hand if having lot of gold helps normal gameplay (like 5000G epic mount help you reach instances faster, farm much faster), people could be interested in a goblin minded blog. I’m not a beta tester so I can’t really determine yet if gold is important to have or just nice to have but does not matter. If Thaelia who see things I cannot could have a hint I’d be grateful (as far as goblins go
).
LOL! I was hoping for a short e-mail! What a wonderful response and thank you so much for such detailed instructions. I did a quick “How To” search but that just confused me even more but this was exactly what i was looking for. Thank you so much!
@ Ghostboci – Everyone always needs gold! Especially with the start of an expansion. There will be mats to buy, pets to show off, titles to brag about and who knows what else! No matter how much gold everyone makes leveling, you always need more!
I’m back here re-reading this post, to make sure I don’t miss anything
Best of luck to anyone who is inspired to begin blogging!
I found this post very inspiring. I am new to the WoW blogging world. I read quite a few blogs to help further my writing skills and just because I have fun doing it.
Reading this article, I’d just like to say thanks for all your posting, you have been an inspiration to me. Keep the posts coming.
Parises last blog post..I know… It’s been way too long!
Amazing post, Phae! Now I’m actually inspired enough to make the blog I’ve been wanting to make for months now.
Yey, I did it! And if I can, anyone can. True story /wink
Thanks again Phae
Hehe, love the little IM convo snippet there.
Pikes last blog post..Pay It Forward
@Donjio: That’s excellent! It looks like you’re off to a great start. Nice use of images, especially. Needs more Dr00d, tho.
@Emee: Welcome to the blogosphere. Cute name, but you may want to consider a switch. There’s already a Omen of Clarity blog from SaladFork! ^^
@Visin: Thanks a lot, Visin. And no mailbox dancing for me!
@Lorelle: Thank you, Lorelle. That means a lot!
@Thelyne: You’re very welcome! I look forward to seeing you put some of these ideas into practice.
@Parise: I’m flattered that I’ve been able to inspire you. Keep posting.
@Gelaende: Awesome – I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Please share!
@Pike: Why thank you. I couldn’t believe it when Val dug that up last week!
I would change it, except it’s the name my husband insisted on. I’m sure there’s plenty other Omen of Clarity websites, as it’s simple and cliche and whatnot, but after begging him to come up with something (so he would be a part of the site!), I’m definately keeping it
Unless of course he changes his mind and wants it to be something else >.> But I do appreciate the heads-up either way!
@Phae: Thanks for the encouraging words! I certainly hope to keep it up, as my last attempt at blogging failed miserably…
Donjios last blog post..Tier 4 Talents
I’ve just started up my blog in case anybody is interested.
http://sheepthis.blogspot.com/
Only one post so far, but I gotta start somewhere!
DONT BLOG, DONT DO IT, SAVE YOURRSEEFFLfLLLLLLLfff
megans last blog post..New Rules, Part IV
Thank you for all the awesome information!! I’ve been lurking here for a while, I enjoy your blog though my druid is relative low level. Your images are awesome, truly, and you’ve helped not only to inspire me to create my own WoW blog, but also to learn to use modelviewer!! So, thanks for the inspiration!
Maes last blog post..Ninja’d: Aren’t we all supposed to be on the same side?!
@Donjio: I fail pretty regularly at blogging. Pretty much any time I revive my personal blog with a “I’M GOING TO BE A GOOD BLOGGER!!!!” and then go silent for 6-9 months.
@Gelaende: That looks really nice! At first I thought it was a Mage blog, but I totally get it now. /bookmarked
@Megan: Mwahahaha. *Steeples Fingers*
@Mae: First of all, your avatar is the cutest thing ever. Your blog is also really beautiful. Great, great images! /bookmarked, too! P.S. <3 Modelviewer. Who needs paper dolls?
Thanks so much for the compliment on my avatar!! It’s actually a picture of Maeleigh, my mage, who I adore. I’m so flattered that you like my images, especially because yours are so great!! It took me a while to figure it out, but once I did, I can’t get enough of modelviewer, what a fantastic program! I heard of it on BlogAzeroth when you suggested it’s use to another blogger, that site has been really helpful so far!
Maes last blog post..Jubling, Spawn of Jubjub!!
@Mae: I’m glad you’ve found BA so helpful! I should see if I couldn’t get someone to write a guide to using the model viewer … hmmm … now who might I know that could do that ..? *ponders*
Thanks I have made a new blog because of this info– its my hunters blog
Featherkittys last blog post..PvP and Normal Servers
Hi
I’m a resto druid player, swapped over from balance a while ago and have never looked back, Yimas on Blackrock. I found this site ridiculously helpful when making the switch. Anyway I have been looking into this blog thing and decided to go ahead with it.
I’ve got a small blog, and was wondering if there was any sort of a formal community for wow blogs or anything like that, and if so how would one go about becoming a member of said community?
Wise Foxs last blog post..The Mall on Friday Night
@Featherkitty: Welcome to the blogosphere!
@Wise Fox: Yes, there is. I think you might be looking for Blog Azeroth!
I’ve signed up and have been poking my nose around. Is there a directory, or webring or anything like that, or is it by virtue to being a member to the blog azeroth message board that you are “part of the community”?
Wise Foxs last blog post..The Mall on Friday Night
@Wise Fox: Yes, you need only register and post your author introduction for author access to the private forums. There is a directory of BA blogs on a WIKI over at http://www.twistednether.net, but I’m not sure how up to date it’s kept.
I need to make posts any other sites than Blog Azeroth? – It just doesnt help much.
Featherkittys last blog post..Happy Halloween!!!!
What? ^_^
I need another website than Blog Azeroth so I can get some ideas for posts.
Featherkittys last blog post..Happy Halloween!!!!
hello Phaelia
I especially love the way you gather up the blue posts and speak about them at this time.
Im feeling inspired to start a blog too thanks for the great post on this. Also thanks for all the rest of your work here I visit this blog most days.
I also want to say to featherkitty the best place for inspiration for your blog is your own mind. The reason for this is because when you write you will write from your own experience and understanding and sense of humor, and concern, and it will not be like anybody elses because of that.
Just start with whatever is interesting you, or causing you confusion in the game right now:) Chances are many others will feel the same way and be looking for the same solutions that you find, or offer their own.
And MIss Phaelia here is the blog you have inspired me to start
hugs
xxxxxx
@Stillsong: Thanks for helping out Featherkitty.
I wasn’t entirely sure how to respond, myself! P.S. Your blog looks lovely — I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on it! 
Hi, great post and good resources, but could you possibly correct the link to wowmodelviewer.org as it’s missing the wow. The domain you are linking to is a spamvertising domain with popups galore which could possibly end up being wholly inappropriate.
Ta!
Everwraths last blog post..50 Mount Achievement