I’m Blogging ThisA blog, short for web log, is a website where content (articles and stories) is added to the homepage with the most recent at the top. For example, this website is a blog. Originally blogs were online journals, often personal and usually opinionated. But today, the blogging format has a variety of uses. The real advantage of a blog is the unique method for keeping current information front-and-center on your homepage. Readers want new content, and a blog is designed to give them just that.

So, should your nonprofit have a blog? That question was recently answered on the WildApricot.com blog. Their post, 10 Reasons Why Every Nonprofit Must Have a Blog presents an excellent argument for starting a blog today. From great search engine optimization (SEO - the ability to find your website on a search engine, like Google) to maximizing your fundraising efforts, WildApricot tells you how blogging can help you achieve your mission.

How do you get started in blogging? First, I recommend reading a few good blogs and possibly an ebook about blogging. For some great examples of nonprofit blogging, visit SOS Children’s Villages - USA and LA’s Homeless Blog. When you want to learn more about blogging, visit Blogging Startup or any of the other blogs listed in 7 Must Read Blogs for New Bloggers.

Finally, if you’re looking for a book on how to start a blog, it’s not easy to find one. But here’s the short list of books I would recommend:

  • Clear Blogging: How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them (2008) by Bob Walsh
  • The Secret Power of Blogging: How to Promote and Market Your Business, Organization, or Cause with Free Blogs (2007) by Bruce Brown
  • Blogging for Dummies (2008) by Susannah Gardner and Shane Birley [There is also an older Blogging for Dummies book by Brad Hill. It’s a good book, but already a couple years old.]
  • WordPress for Dummies (2007) by Lisa Sabin-Wilson and Matt Mullenweg [WordPress is the most popular software used for blogging. And it’s free.]

And, if you want a free book on blogging, download Bryan Clark’s ebook, Bigshot Blogging. This is a great book for beginning bloggers with lots of great advice and instructions.

Finally, if you just want to ask some questions about blogging or need some guidance, contact me and I will gladly assist you. I’m a dedicated blogger (currently managing and writing for four blogs) and love to assist new bloggers.

[PhotoCredit:Antigone]