Continuing Blogger Education

A while back I posted up step-by-step instructions on how to begin a free blog on Blogger.com.

One of the cool things about Blogger is that it allows for nearly as much flexibility as some of the more pricey platforms like Type Pad.

However, understanding how to use some of that flexibility when you are just starting out can be a bit of a headache.

For example, you can add a button to your sidebar in Blogger that allows your readers to post a tweet link on Twitter about it. Like a bumblebee to a flower, this is a great way to spread your ideas.

These widgets or "gadgets" as they are called on Blogger can help you cast your net on the web a little wider.

To add a gadget, log into your blogger.com site.

See where it says: new post edit posts settings layout monetize?

Click the layout option.

Here you'll get a screen that shows the arrangement of your page elements. At the bottom is a bar that says "Add a Gadget."

Click this!

A menu of possible gadgets will pop up. All you have to do is click the "+" sign to the right to add the gadget to your site!

Some that I recommend:

TwitThis. This is a third-party function. The easiest way to add this is to follow the following directions:

1. Open another tab in your browser so that your Google Account is still open as well as a blank.
   
2. On the blank tab, type in the following address in the URL address bar: http://twithis.com
3. Copy the code listed down the page.
   
4. Go back to your Blogger gadget list and click the option that is called "HTML/JavaScript"
   
5. Where the box that pops up says content, paste in the code you copied from the TwitThis website.
   
6. Hit save
   
7. You can reshuffle your elements to suit your taste. I like having my "TwitThis" icon at the very top of my sidebar. So all I did was moused over my element and, with my clicker depressed, moved the bar to where I wanted it. You can use the preview tab to see what the blog will look like. If you like it, hit save!
   

Some other Gadgets I like are the following:

Slideshow - lets me upload photos that will float by as readers peruse my page

Video Bar - post videos from YouTube here to entertain your blog guests (or your book trailer)

Blog List - A list of blogs you enjoy reading. A key to spreading the word, as you add blogs, comment on their site to let them know you added them. Maybe they'll add you to theirs!

Link List - A list of websites you find useful. Can include organizations related to your book topic or places to buy your book!

Subscription Links - this adds an author feed button that avid blog readers can use to see when you update (keeps them from having to always remember to click on their site). Think of it like autodraft on a bank account. Never miss a bill payment is great! So is never missing one of your posts!

And for those who are ready to really attack their functionality, here is a great blog that has tips (or hacks, as they are sometimes called) on improving your Blogger account!