Popularity: 29% [?]

Speed-Blogging: set up a blog in under two hours

Speed Blogging. An interesting concept, and one which I think I may explore over a few posts.

Some people struggle for ideas for blog posts, and there a are a number of high quality posts out there that point out countless sources of inspiration. There aren’t quite so many articles explaining what to do if you have a million-and-one ideas and not enough time to get them online in some meaningful way. Yes, I realise the irony of me starting a series such as this given the lack of posts here recently, but I promise you I have been incredibly busy with other projects such as marketing amuso.com, launching helpmeconvert.com, and of course, my girlfriend. Hopefully these Speed Blogging posts should help all of us become hyper-productive.

In this first post, I’ll look at how to get a blog up online as quickly as possible from intital ‘lightbulb moment’ through to promoting yor first few posts. Here is your checklist….

Idea

When you first have a bolt of inspiration for a new blog, make sure you do your research to make sure you’re not just getting over-excited about something that may never work.

• Will you be able to write about this regularly?
• Can you seed the blog with content regularly in other ways?
• What are the most competitive words to incorporate into your domain name?
• How will you brand your blog?

Registration

If your idea has legs, contact your hosting partner and go through the process of registering your chosen domain and getting a reasonable hosting plan.

• Settle on Domain name with a strong brand or some funky keywords
• Select a hosting partner. I use Varihost as they are truly awesome (and have a 1 click Wordpress install which can save you even more time)
• Register your Domain name (Varihost throw in a free .com name at the moment if you’re interested)
• Note down all the information sent to you after registering - you will need some of it if you want to resell your awesome Domain name
• Set up mailbox early on whilst you’re on a roll, and in the Control Panel for your new site

Wordpress

I’m sure some people will disagree, but Wordpress is by far the most flexible, customisable and SEO optimised bloggin platforms out there. Install it in the root directory of your domain using FTP.

• Download latest Wordpress from wordpress.org
• Upload to server using ftp, following Wordpress’ instructions
• Select a groovy theme from one of the thousands of ‘Free Wordpress Theme’ sites out there
• Upload essential plugins [SEO pack; Share This]
• Log in to your WP control panel and activate your theme & plugins

Other details

Bits and bobs…

• Change the structure of your permalinks to include the name of your blog post; this helps with SEO
• Tweak your theme logo and add graphical flourishes here and there by editing the graphics supplied with your theme
• Check your theme for spelling mistakes and odd phrases, using Wordpress’ built in theme viewer - many WP themes need significant changes before they can look even vaguely professional
• Add Adsense to your theme if you’re going to try and monetise your blog (though you may want to so early on)
• Add Google Analytics to your theme sooner rather than later - pop it before the </body> tag of your footer.

Is there anything I’ve missed from my checklist? Leave a comment below!

Popularity: 100% [?]

HelpMeConvert.com Blog is up and running

After the launch of my Macbook Pro fundraising effort, HelpMeConvert.com, I have been having a few problems with the blog, i.e it didn’t work. I’m glad to say that it is now up and running, and I will be updating it with news on the project and related articles on the net - if you hate Windows Vista and are looking to switch to a Mac, you may want to check it out!

So far the site has been open to the public for 48 hours, and I have had great fun on Google Analytics seeing where all the visitors are coming from. Most of the traffic has been coming from Stumbleupon, which further validates it as one of the best social bookmarking tools for sites looking to boost traffic. More importantly, I have received my first donations! Can’t wait to get my hands on that Macbook…

Popularity: 85% [?]

HelpMeConvert.com launches - help me buy a Macbook Pro and escape Windows

Well, it’s come to this. 18 months of using Vista has driven me mad, and now I need an escape. That’s why I have set up helpmeconvert.com, where I will be taking donations to fund this life upgrade. Please check it out, share with your friends, and maybe even chip in.

Popularity: 65% [?]

John Chow Game Show - Favourite John Chow Video Contest @ Amuso

For anybody out there who reads John Chow’s Money Making Blog and thinks the guy should have his own TV program, you may be interested in a show I set up at Amuso.com. John is known for posting many videos on a varity of topics, some serious, most not. So as a bit of fun, I have created the ‘Favourite John Chow Video Contest’ which you can all enter by posting a link to your fave JC moment caught on film off of YouTube.

Visit the John Chow Video Contest @ Amuso

The winning video will be chosen by popular vote, so pick a good one.

Popularity: 65% [?]

NickSmithBlogs.com has a spruce-up

Having started this money making blog 5 months ago, time has flown by, and traffic has been steady, despite infrequent posting. I have decided, however, that I want this blog to take on more of a personal feel, and as such I have removed all the adsense modules I had stuck around, and revamped my theme. Doesn’t it look good?!

Two new elements to my blog which may be of interest are the ‘Follow me on Purk’ and ‘Chat with me’ boxes to the right of the page - this should make it much easier for you all to get in touch with me - so please do! On a side note, I have only just signed up to Plurk, but it is one of the most beautiful, amusing and facinating social site I have come accross, well worth signing up.

Let me know your thoughts on the new design!

Popularity: 60% [?]