STEP #4

This blog was created using Blogspot which is FREE and filled with amazing elements that you can plug into you blog to create interest and enhance your blog.

If you would like a tool for writing HTML code, try this link: NVU Software You can type in any dialog as you would if you were using MS Word or Works int he 'normal mode' tab and then click preview to be sure it is written the way you would like it. Then just click on the tab for HTML Tags and you will see what you have written in HTML code. Do a copy and paste where you wish. This is a nice little tool to have available. Writing HTML code is just a matter of knowing the 'language' and remembering to begin and end each statement with matching code. It is kinda like when you highlight something in MS Word that you want to change. It tells the computer what to reference. Begin with " and end with". To learn the basics this is a FREE INSTRUCTION SITE: HTML Lessons Something you really need to get use to using is this handy little technique. Adding a phrase to any copied link that will tell it to open in another window. If you do not add this, any link your visitor clicks on will lead them away from your page. They may forget how they found you or forget they wanted to read more on your page. Not a good thing. The word "new" or "blank" means a new or blank window which is what you want. So, use the proper code and put it in the proper place and you link will open easily in a different window leaving your page open. The link I gave you for HTML Lessons was created by going to the landing page (the home page or the page I wanted you to see first), copying the address from the browser navigator bar, typing the words HTML Lessons, highlighting HTML Lessons, clicking on the Insert Link button, and pasting the address I copied. Then you will need to add the language to make your link open in a new window. The words you typed, HTML Lessons will appear highlighted and the link will be in place. Just before the words you typed, the HTML code will appear on your draft and you will see "> just before the words. This is where you add the target code. Put your cursor just before the > symbol, give it a space and type target="new" and that's it. When you publish, this save the work you have done and puts it out to the Internet. If you have done something wrong, a message will come up and your code will be highlighted. If you have done it correctly, you can check your link on the published page.

WRITING YOUR BLOG:
First sign up for one of the free blog sites. I have used Blogspot for years and am very happy with the service so I stick to it. There are a lot of options. Once you have created your account you will be on the 'Dashboard'. Click on 'create a blog and follow the format. You will need to type in the title of your blog which is best to keep close to the address you choose or visa versa. Then type in an address to use with blogspot.com and click on the availability button. If it is green type in the verifying letters and click to continue. If it is not available, change it slightly or add a couple words like review or your name and it should be available for you to use. The title of your blog is the most important thing right now.

Now you will be shown a bunch of templates to choose from. Click on the previews and choose the one you like the best. I would not choose an all black background for many reasons. Blogs do not need to be fancy, but they need to be appealing to the eye. It should be a clean format and easy to see the words. Now you are taken to a 'posting' area. This is like using MS Word. Type what you want to say and to save the work hit the 'Publish Post' button. When you go back to edit post, your words will be in HTML code. If you want to see it as it appears on the Web, hit he 'Preview' button. The color of the words will not be the same as on the Web but the words are there. If you have links you can check them from the 'preview' page. To go back to the edit section click on the 'Hide Preview" button. If you are getting lost because of the HTML coding, you can use your NVU software. When you have what you want, do a copy paste into your edit post area for your blog. Done.

Now you need to go to the Settings tab. Here you will see a place to delete your blog if you change your mind...it will all go away. Your title will appear and under that a place for a description. I suggest you keep this simple as it will appear just below your title in the top banner of the blog. I just use one sentence to emphasize the title of the blog. I leave the rest of the settings as they appear in default settings but you can do what you want here. Click the Save Settings and your are done here. Now click on the "Layout" tab. This is where you can add things to your blog...interesting things and affiliate links. AdSense is a built in element (element is a plug-in that appears on the side of the message you have typed). There are a lot of elements you can plug into your page. Its all up to you. Play around with the choices and see what you like best.

If you decide to put an affiliate link in with your text, it is just a matter of doing a copy/paste of your affiliate banner that you think will work best with your blog. You can also add this to the side by using the HTML/JavaScript element. Just paste the banner code and add a title if you want. That's it. You can change the position of the elements you add by doing a click and drag. Make sure you update your profile. It is a good thing to add to every blog.

Now under the "Layout" tab, click on the "EditHtML" tab. You will need to tell the robots what to look for when they crawl your blog. This is the language I use for my blogs:
meta content='5 days' name='revisit-after'/
meta content='BASIC CONTENT OF THE BLOG' name='classification'/
meta content='TITLE OF THE BLOG' name='description'/
meta content='TRUE' name='MSSmartTagsPreventParsing'/
meta content='THE KEYWORDS YOU CHOOSE THAT DO APPEAR IN THE BLOG' name='keywords'/
meta content='FOLLOW' name='robots'/
meta content='Global' name='distribution'/
meta content='Safe For Kids' name='rating'/
meta content='YOUR NAME' name='author'/
meta content='YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS' http-equiv='reply-to'/
meta content='English' name='language'/
meta content='Public' name='doc-type'/
meta content='CODE YOU COPY FROM GOOGLE VERIFY' name='verify-v1'/
Each line of the meta content should begin with this symbol < and end with > The bold areas are where you need to put in your own information. Place all this after the last word title and before b:skin.

Now you can copy the address of your blog and put it onto your website as a link to more information. This saves adding pages to the website and paying more money to the host. It also makes another way to submit your site. Make sure your blog has a link back to your website page.

PICKING AFFILIATES:
Look for websites that you have personal knowledge of their service or companies that offer compatible services matching your website content. Go to their home page and scroll down to the very bottom. Usu sally in very small print you will see the word 'affiliate'. Click on this link and you will see what they offer and how to join their affiliate program. You should NEVER have to pay to be an affiliate. When you set up an account, you will have a number that will be included in their advertising banner or text links. When someone clicks on this link, you get the credit and a sale from this creates income for you. It is selling on commission. You can click on the two banners on the side of this page to see what their programs offer. Once you join, you will see they have a huge selection of companies that you can join and promote. Look for the ones who have the best track record (biggest payout percentage or greatest turnover) and the ones that are most compatible with your website.

Before you publish your blog, check the spelling.