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how to start a blog

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5 newbie mistakes I’d avoid if I started blogging today

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 23, 2012 | 13 Responses

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It’s another Blogathon theme day, when everyone writing on the same thing. Our topic: If I started a blog today, what would I do differently? Here’s my answer.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged 2012 WordCount Blogathon, blogging tips, how to start a blog, tech tools for writers | 13 Responses

Best of WordCount: Go from beginner to blogging superstar

Best of WordCount: Go from beginner to blogging superstar

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 29, 2012 | 2 Responses

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Congratulations, you’ve started a blog. Here’s how to make sure it’s a winner. If you’re doing the 2012 WordCount Blogathon read this before May 1.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged #blog2012, 2012 WordCount Blogathon, blogathon, blogging challenges, blogging tips, how to blog every day, how to start a blog | 2 Responses

The bad, good and very, very good of the 2011 blogathon

The bad, good and very, very good of the 2011 blogathon

By Michelle V. Rafter on June 2, 2011 | 8 Responses

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What can you get from blogging 31 days straight? Bloggers in the May 2011 blogathon shared lessons learned in a June 1 #blog2011 chat. Here are the highlights.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged #blog2011, 2011 WordCount Blogathon, blogging basics, blogging challenge, how to start a blog, Michelle Rafter blog, WordCount blog | 8 Responses

Bad beginnings: 10 newbie blogging mistakes & how to fix them

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 3, 2011 | 22 Responses

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A lot can go wrong when you’re starting a blog. Here are 10 common mistakes beginning bloggers make – and how you can avoid them.

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Posted in Blogs | Tagged #blog2011, beginning a blog, blogging mistakes to avoid, blogging tips, how to start a blog | 22 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

ASBPE guest post: simple steps to starting a blog

ASBPE guest post: simple steps to starting a blog

By Michelle V. Rafter on April 13, 2009 | 1 Response

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Today there are more reasons than ever for writers to have a blog. With the media world going digital, freelancers need to keep up with new forms of writing in order to earn their daily bread, or just have a simple way for editors to check out their work. But getting started can be intimidating. [...]

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Posted in Blogs, Magazines | Tagged American Society of Business Publication Editors, ASBPE, freelance writing blogs, how to start a blog | 1 Response

Sex sells, and other blogging lessons learned

Sex sells, and other blogging lessons learned

By Michelle V. Rafter on January 9, 2009 | 20 Responses

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Made you look. In the blogging world, a catchy title will make people click through to read your post. That’s just one lesson I learned since starting this blog a year ago. I still consider myself an advanced beginner, but I’ve picked up enough over the past 12 months to want to share. Here’s what [...]

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Posted in Blogs, Freelancing, Web 2.0 | Tagged Blogging, how to start a blog, how to write blog posts, putting links in blog posts, sex sells, what makes a good blog, what makes a good blug | 20 Responses

6 simple steps for starting your freelance writing blog

By Michelle V. Rafter on June 16, 2008 | 21 Responses

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In the past week I heard from several writers who are thinking about starting a blog. Bravo! Now comes the hard part. There are all kinds of reasons for blogging: building a brand, practicing different types of writing, promoting a book, putting your resume and clips online, or just getting stuff out there that you [...]

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Posted in Blogs, Freelancing, Web 2.0, Writing | Tagged freelancers with blogs, how to start a blog, writers who blog | 21 Responses

How to be a blog star – take a class or teach yourself

By Michelle V. Rafter on May 21, 2008 | 3 Responses

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Want to start a blog but aren’t sure how to get started? One way is to take a class. Another is to teach yourself. Mediabistro.com is offering three new, short classes on starting a writing-related blog as part of its Crash Course series of mini-seminars. Classes are online and on demand, so you sign up [...]

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Posted in Blogs, Freelancing, Web 2.0, Writing | Tagged Blogging, blogging for writers, freelance writer blogs, how to start a blog, Mediabistro, writer blogs | 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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