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blogging basics

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Dear WordCount: How should I choose a blog topic?

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 26, 2011 | 4 Responses

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The latest installment of the Dear WordCount advice column for freelance writers tackles how to choose a subject for a blog.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged blogging basics, Dear WordCount, how to choose a blog topic, how to choose a profitable blog niche | 4 Responses

Photo courtesy Lauren Nelson/Creative Commons

8 essential reasons to put links in blog posts

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 18, 2011 | 12 Responses

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For a post to be ready to publish, it’s got to have links – adding them shows you’re helpful, in on the conversation, and know how to curate content.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged adding links to blog posts, blogging basics, how to add links to blog posts, hypertext | 12 Responses

Best of WordCount: write killer blog post titles

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 15, 2011 | 6 Responses

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This edition of Best of WordCount is devoted to blog post titles. What good’s a post without a great title? Find out how to take yours from ‘meh’ to marvelous.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged blogging basics, how to write blog post titles, SEO and blog post titles, writing blog post titles | 6 Responses

2011 WordCount Blogathon is here: Get started blogging

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 1, 2011 | 8 Responses

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Here are tips taken from previous WordCount posts you can use to make a blog look professional from the get go.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged 2011 WordCount Blogathon, blogging basics, blogging basics for writers, blogging tips, how to write blog posts, starting a blog | 8 Responses

Blogathon poll: What blogging basics do you want to learn?

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 28, 2011 | 3 Responses

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During the course of the 2011 WordCount Blogathon in May, I’ll devote my own posts to covering blogging basics. Take this poll to tell me what I should write about.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged #blog2011, 2011 WordCount Blogathon, blogging basics, blogging tips, starting a blog | 3 Responses

25 more ways to blog every day

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 25, 2011 | 9 Responses

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In Part 2 of this two-part series, I share 25 additional tips for writing blog posts to make sure you never run out of ideas.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged 2011 WordCount Blogathon, blogging basics, blogging for writers, blogging tips, how to blog every day | 9 Responses

25 ways to blog every day

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 24, 2011 | 8 Responses

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In Part 1 of this two-part series, I share 25 tips for writing blog posts to make sure you never run out of ideas. Look for 25 more tips in Part 2 tomorrow.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged 2011 WordCount Blogathon, blogging basics, blogging for writers, blogging tips, how to blog every day | 8 Responses

2011 WordCount Blogathon: Events calendar

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 11, 2011 | 12 Responses

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Save these dates for theme post days, guest post exchange, haiku day and other events during the 2011 WordCount Blogathon, May 1-31.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged 2011 WordCount Blogathon, blogging basics, blogging for writers, blogging tips, how to blog every day | 12 Responses

My ‘Ready…Set…Build Your Blog’ workshop at #ASJA2011

My ‘Ready…Set…Build Your Blog’ workshop at #ASJA2011

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 7, 2011 | 3 Responses

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Want to start a blog or take your existing blog to the next level? Sign up for my blog intensive on Sunday, May 1, at the ASJA annual conference in New York.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged 2011 WordCount Blogathon, ASJA 2011, blogging basics, blogging classes for writers, how to start a blog | 3 Responses

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Welcome to WordCount, a blog about the freelance writing business. You'll see fresh material throughout the week on writing basics, blogging, tech tools for writers and more. A good place to start is my Greatest Hits page, with links to 101 of my best posts. Don't miss the Friday reading list for writers, a week's worth of writing inspiration. Tune into my #wclw Twitter chat for writers on the last Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. Pacific time. I also host the WordCount Blogathon, a blogging challenge to post every day in May. Use this form to register for this year's event. Subscribe to WordCount on your blog reader or get it delivered via email. Send email to wordcountfreelance@gmail.com.

Michelle V. Rafter

Reporter, editor, blogger, finance, business, workplace issues and media.

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