Blogging To-Do List

Now that you’ve received a basic introduction to WordPress, over the course of the next week you will need to set up your blog and complete the following tasks:

1.  Sign up for a WordPress account.  Make sure you go to WordPress.com, NOT WordPress.org.  You will create a username and password, and it will also ask for your URL.  We discussed options for URLs in class, so develop a couple in case you need a backup.  You will need to email both your username and URL to me ASAP (your password is to remain confidential).

2.  Choose a template/theme.  Templates with a lighter background and darker text are easiest on the eyes, and you’ll want something that looks professional and is not for a specific genre (no wedding, food, or hobby themes, please).  Also, choose one with at least two columns so you can add widgets to your sidebar(s).  The choices for free templates change regularly so it is difficult for me to stay on top of them and make precise recommendations, but I would like you to choose a theme that shows the date and time of each post (the date at the minimum).

3.  Customize your blog.  Come up with a title, and you can adjust the color scheme, fonts, background, header, etc. on many themes.  I want to see you create a professional product, but there is still room for you to be creative!  Also, make sure you go into the settings and choose the correct time zone.

4.  Write a short “about” section.  This is where you introduce yourself to the blogging community.  It need not include your last name or identifying details that are invasive, but it should be made clear enough that I know who you are.  A few sentences will suffice.  You can also include a clear picture as your avatar, if you wish.  If your template doesn’t have a readily apparent place for such a section, I can show you how to add one manually.