How to build a blog using all free stuff

I started this blog on 06/18/2008, with the intention of chronicling my exploits as I scour the world in search of free items. But, in my research of how to start and maintain a blog to detail this journey, I accidentally came across the best lesson of all: Information is and will always be free, as long as one does not mind asking questions and investigating sources to obtain it. Blogging, for what it is worth, was a term coined after the development of the World Wide Web (WWW) by Al Gore no doubt, as a way for various authors to create an electronic journal and share somewhat insightful commentary on topics of social relevance and an assortment of personal musings.

Blogging, however, has now developed into so much more than that and at the present has become a prevailing source of information and amusement, in addition to also becoming a source of income for a select few people. Creating a blog is easy. Conversely though, supporting the blog by filling it with relevant, useful, witty, funny, intuitive information on a regular basis is another thing.

This, I have discovered, is not so easy. I read somewhere the other day that over 200,000 new blogs come into existence every day. I wonder how many of them receive more than 1 post a month, or how many are actually deleted each day. I know that I have read enough of them now to know that even though some blogs are great, some are just plain crap.

So, as I build my free enterprise, I will begin to outline my daily task and any information I found about creating, building, maintaining and nurturing a blog. In short, writing about not only information on getting free stuff, but also reviewing any free information or sources I have found on managing blogs and enhancing my journal. So far, here is what I have found about creating and managing a blog and the steps I have taken:

1. Selected a blog platform. I chose blogger.com because it is free, period. I used wordpress.com and the interface was really sweet, but the free version does not allow any ads, therefore it can go to hell. I read several blogs about blog creation and it appears that you can find camps that love different platforms. But, like most things, you need to figure out what you need and just get started.

2. Select a blog template. Blogger has a lot of templates, but they just look lame and overused. I just reviewed several blogs with I found to be aesthetically pleasing and tried to duplicate their ideas on content layout. Then, I searched the internet for free templates that I could use to change the stock blogger template. I experimented with over 8 different templates before I settled on one. You should have some .xml or .html skill to modify the template, so if you don’t, get a free tutorial on .xml or .html and educate yourself. There is no need to go and buy any book and blogging or web design. Use the free information available like I did.

3. Create a blog topic. Like a book, a blog must have a plot. Create a plot which commands attention and compels the reader to want to read more.

4. Start blogging. This is the point of it all, correct? And don’t worry about making money right away. Get a good template, build good content and make it look appealing and hopefully, with the proper advertising, they will come. (HA, HA).

Author: Michael Hastings is the President of .free Media and Webmaster for Cheapwads