Writing a Post - Step by Step

There is no right or wrong order to writing a post , but we’ll start from the top and give you the step-by-step details for filling in each of the blanks on the Write Post panel. There are two post editing modes, basic and advanced. Typically, the basic mode is the default for writing new posts, but that can be changed with the When starting a post option in the Writing Options Subpanel of the Options Administration Panel We will take you first through the basic post screen and then the advanced.

 Basic Post Editing ScreenYour Drafts

Drafts are posts that have been saved rather than published. If you have posts you have written and saved, thereby creating a Draft, they will be listed above the Write Post title. Click on the title link to open that posts’ Write Post edit screen, edit the post, and when you are ready, click Publish and it will be released to your site and to the world.TitleThis is where you enter the title of your post. You can use any words or phrases. Avoid using the same title twice as that will cause problems. You can use commas, apostrophes, quotes, hypens/dashes, and other typical symbols in the post like “My Site - Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid”. The editor will clean it up for the link to the post, called the post-slug.

Edit Time

By default, at the time the post is saved, that will be the date and time of the post within the database. To change this, click the checkbox and change the date and time information. All posts dated in the future will not appear on the site until that time has passed. If you wish to write posts that will automatically appear on your schedule, set the date and time here.

Delete This Post

If you decide to Delete this post forever, click this button. It will ask “Are you sure?” to give you a second chance to reconsider.

Custom Fields

Custom Field offer a way to add information to your site. In conjunction with extra code in your template files or plugins, Custom Fields can modify the way a post is displayed. These are primarily used by plugins, but you can manually edit that information in this section.

The BookmarkletAt the very bottom of your Write Post screen is a buried treasure feature and is a powerful tool. The bookmarklet is a bit of Javascript you can click and drag to your browser link bar. Just put your mouse over the link, press down on the left button and, without letting go, drag it to the top menu bar of your browser (most browsers) where the “Link Toolbar” resides and release it. It will add a link that says “Press It” and the name of your site. When visiting a web page that has information you would like to share with your site users, click the Press It link and a window will pop-up. If you are not logged into your site, the login will appear. If you are, it will automatically bring up the Write Post screen with the link to the site you are currently viewing already set in the Post Editing box and the title of the site in your post Title box. You can write more information about the site, change the title, set the categories, and when you are ready, choose Save as Draft, Save as Private, and Publish. Choose Publish and your post is published to your site, ready for the world to see and read. Simple and easy.Tips For Posting You can say or show the world anything you like on your site. Here are some tips you need to know to help you write your posts. Excerpts vs MoreIf you have changed the index.php template file to display the Excerpt instead of the full Content of a post, it will automatically use the first 55 words of your post as the Excerpt or up until the use of the More Quicktag mark. If you use an Explicit Excerpt, this will be used no matter what.Practice AccessibilityTo be compliant with web standards for accessibility, be sure to include ALT and TITLE descriptions on links and images to help your users, such as <a title=”CIF” href=”http://churchfeed.net/” mce_href=”http://churchfeed.net/”>ChurchFeed Christian Information Portal</a>.Use ParagraphsNo one likes to read writing that never pauses for a line break. To break your writing up into paragraphs, use double spaces between your paragraphs. It will automatically detect these and insert <p> HTML paragraph tags into your writing.

Using Headings

If you are writing long posts, break up the sections by using headings, small titles to highlight a change of subject. In HTML, headings are set by the use of h1, h2, h3, h4, and so on. By default, most Themes use the first, second, and sometimes third heading levels within the site. You can use h4 to set your own headings. Simply type in:

<h4>Subtitle of Section</h4> with double lines before and after and will make that title a headline in your post. To style the heading, add it to your style.css style sheet file.Use HTMLYou don’t have to use HTML when writing your posts. It will automatically add it to your site, but if you do want control over different elements like boxes, headings, and other additional containers or elements, use HTML.Spell Check and ProofThere are spell check Plugins available, but even those can’t check for everything. Some serious writers will write their posts in a text editor with spell check, check all the spelling and proof it thoroughly before copying and pasting into the editor.Think before you postRanting on blogs is commonplace today, but take a moment and think about what you are writing. Remember, once it is out there, it can be seen by many and crawled by search engines; and taking things back is harder once it is public. Take a moment to read what you’ve written before hitting the Publish button. When you are ready, share it with the world.

Write about what you like

You’ve heard this a thousand times before and it sounds too cliched, but it is true. If you force yourself to write something that you don’t really enjoy, it will show. Perhaps you might not have a specific theme for writing when you just start, but that’s ok. You’ll become more focused later. Just enjoy the experience and write what you like.

Write frequently

Write as frequently as you can, may be even more than twice a day, but don’t let quantity get in the way of quality. Your viewers come for content, don’t give them useless stuff.

Don’t use too much slang

Not all the readers will be from your part of the world so make sure people can understand easily.

Don’t hide your emotions

Tempting as it might be, don’t hide your real emotions. After all that is what a blog is about. If you want, you can stay anonymous and voice your feelings on whatever you are passionate about. You might have strong views on various subjects but let your readers know your passion. What is passion worth if you can’t even share it? You’ll actually love the discussions it can lead to. The discussions will broaden your own thinking and you might end up making some really good friends.

Consider your readers

Perhaps this sounds weird, but consider who needs to know about your blog before you tell them about your new blogging hobby. Will you be able to write freely if you tell them? How much should you let your readers know about you? Is it ok if your boss or girlfriend reads your posts? If you don’t want them to read, take anonymity measures accordingly.

Make use of comments

Comments let people share their ideas. Sometimes, they might not be good, but you can ask such people to shut up. Most of the times, they will and if they don’t you can delete their comments. Blogging like real life, can be both fun and not so fun at times. Be prepared. Also, give your people a place to contact you in private if they want to write to you.

Worry about blog design later

Blog design matters, but only to an extent. Don’t give up on blogging just because the design isn’t coming up as you’ll like it it to be. Sooner or later, you’ll get around the design problems with ease. But continue writing. Content is what attracts your readers, not just the look of your blog.

Don’t play too safe

Talk about the real you. Readers aren’t impressed by how big your house is, which cool club you belong to, or what the weather is in your hometown. Don’t be a bore and put a long post on how you fixed the leaking tap in minutes. Readers don’t care about braggers, they care about the real you–how you feel, what gets you excited, why you are the person you are. But if achievements are all that you can talk about, you will bore your readers.

Use pictures and videos

They make the pages colorful and viewers get to see a little of your part of the world. They feel connected.

Keep writing

Don’t stop blogging. If you don’t have anything to write about, chances are, you are still holding back. Let loose. Perhaps surf more blogs and maybe you’ll get an idea. You can write about your friends, complain about your boss, or simply rant about what’s gone wrong. Yet if nothing else works, just write a review on the latest movie, book, or product. Easy actually.

Save your posts

Save your posts before you press the publish button. Anything can happen with your computer or with an internet connection. You don’t need to lose your post