The Blog and Ping Tutorial

The BLOG AND PING TUTORIALTable of Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6 Just What Is Blogging and Pinging??? ……………………………………………………………… 6 Why Is Blogging and Pinging The Newest Marketing Tool? …………………………………. 7 What Do The Spiders See? …………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Simple Steps Lead to Big Results…………………………………………………………………… 11 Chapter 1: Creating Your Blog ………………………………………………………………………….. 13 Step1: Go To Blogger.com ……………………………………………………………………………. 13 Step 2: Create an Account…………………………………………………………………………….. 14 Step 3: Naming Your Blog …………………………………………………………………………….. 15 Step 4: Choosing a Template ………………………………………………………………………… 18 Step 5: Creating a Test Post………………………………………………………………………….. 19 Chapter 2 Making Your Blog Settings Count…………………………………………………….. 22 Why Settings Matter …………………………………………………………………………………….. 22 Step 1: The Settings Tab ………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Step 2: Settings Publishing Tab…………………………………………………………………… 24 Step 3: Settings Formatting Tab ………………………………………………………………….. 26 Step 4: Settings Comments Tab ………………………………………………………………….. 27 Step 5: Settings Archiving Tab…………………………………………………………………….. 28 Step 6: Settings Site Feed Tab……………………………………………………………………. 29 Step 7: Republish ………………………………………………………………………………………… 30 Chapter 3: Creating a Yahoo Account………………………………………………………………… 31 Why A Yahoo Account Is Needed…………………………………………………………………… 31

Step 1: Create Your Yahoo ID and Password ………………………………………………….. 32 Step 2: Security, Customization, Verification, and Terms of Service ……………………. 34 Chapter 4 Yahoo and Your Blog RSS Feed ……………………………………………………… 36 What Is An RSS Feed?…………………………………………………………………………………. 36 Why Use the Yahoo RSS Feed? ……………………………………………………………………. 36 Subscribing to Your Blog ………………………………………………………………………………. 37 Chapter 5 Blog This!……………………………………………………………………………………… 43 What is BlogThis!?……………………………………………………………………………………….. 43 Installing BlogThis!……………………………………………………………………………………….. 44 Using BlogThis!……………………………………………………………………………………………. 45 Chapter 6: Pinging Yahoo ………………………………………………………………………………… 49 Pinging The Next Step……………………………………………………………………………….. 49 Step 1: Changing the Code …………………………………………………………………………… 49 Step 2: Creating a Yahoo Ping ………………………………………………………………………. 52 Chapter 7: Pinging Other Search Engines ………………………………………………………….. 54 Creating a Technorati Ping ……………………………………………………………………………. 54 Using Ping-O-Matic………………………………………………………………………………………. 60 How Do You Know If It Is Working?………………………………………………………………… 62 Chapter 8: Using Business Blogs Instead of Websites………………………………………….. 65 Blogs Vs. Websites For Small Business ………………………………………………………….. 65 Your Business Blog’s Name and URL Matter …………………………………………………… 66 Finding the Right Key Words………………………………………………………………………. 66 Choosing a Title ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 74

Creating a URL That Works ……………………………………………………………………….. 75 Your Business Blog’s Content ……………………………………………………………………….. 79 Pinging Your Business Blog ………………………………………………………………………….. 85 Chapter 9: Tips and Tricks ……………………………………………………………………………….. 86 Tips For Blog and Ping Blogs ………………………………………………………………………… 86 Tips and Trick for Business Blogs…………………………………………………………………… 87 Changes to Your Business Blog Template ………………………………………………………. 88 Change Editor ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 88 Adding Links…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 90 Change About Me …………………………………………………………………………………….. 92 Changes to Your Business Blog Settings ………………………………………………………… 93 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 95 Appendix 1 – Blogging Submission Sites…………………………………………………………….. 96 Appendix 2 Weblog Providers ………………………………………………………………………… 99 Appendix 3 Photo Blog Software…………………………………………………………………… 104