Tribal Syndication requires a personal blog from which syndication activity radiates throughout the internet world. In this brief discussion of the essentials for blogging, we will touch on obtaining a domain name, hosting your blog, creating a theme for and designing your blog. These are the essentials to getting up and running, ready to maximize your Tribal Syndication efforts.
Obtaining A Domain Name
This is a pretty simple step. Simply go to a major domain site like GoDaddy.com or HostGator.com and see if the name you have in mind is available.
Test out a few names. Pick your favorite and purchase it. It’s really that simple.
Just a few things to think about here. You will want a dot com name in all likelihood. They get far better recognition than dot net or any other options. Since you are looking to create a personal branding site… the type best suited for Tribal Syndication… you are best off giving it your own personal name. If your name is not available in dot com, I suggest you use a variation of your name rather than settle for a dot net. For instance, if JohnSmith is taken, try AskJohnSmith, or JohnSmithCoaching, etc.
Hosting Your Blog Site
Most of the people I’ve worked with in Tribal Syndication use Word Press to host their blogs. I recommend you do the same.
Word Press is so flexible and universal that you can shape and design it to fit just about any purpose you have in mind, and because of its compatibility with so many plugin features, you can really make it powerfully useable for the specific purpose of Tribal Syndication.
Word Press has a free, unhosted version known as its dot com version. This is NOT recommended for Tribal Syndication because it is not easily syndicated. Instead, be sure to purchase a domain name and then have that hosted as a Word Press dot org site. This can be accomplished through the hosting service itself if you use GoDaddy or Hostgator. Otherwise, you can do it yourself or have your blog design service handle it.
Creating a Theme and Design for Your Blog
This is the most visible aspect of your blog, and perhaps the most important thing you’ll do to both attract and keep prospects on your site. The importance of keeping people on your site is pretty evident. If people aren’t visiting or spending much time on your blog, you won’t be very successful in creating any blog “buzz” for yourself. That will translate into very little business coming through your opt-in offers and, therefore, an empty sales funnel.
I would certainly recommend at this point that you use a blog design service to get you up and running, unless you are one of the minority of bloggers that is truly capable of all the coding and technical maneuvering required to do it yourself. It’s certainly penny wise and pound foolish to try to be a master of all trades. This is a job for the pros, as long as you have the budget for it.
When you get a Word Press blog site, it will be a basic shell. You need to design it before you start adding content to it.
Think about your theme first.
Is your blog about health and nutrition? Internet marketing?
How do you want to be perceived? As a success coach? A personal development guru? A leader in you business? An affiliate marketer?
Once you’ve decided “WHO” you will be on your blog, the header, optin features,photos, background color and overall design features will need to comply with the image you wish to present to the world. If you are capable of doing this kind of design work, that’s fine. If not, use a professional design service. But remember, be SURE to know exactly what you want on your blog… the photo, the headline, the opt-in box… because ANY changes you want to make after your blog has been designed will cost you extra money for the designer service.
Finally, for the purpose of Tribal Syndication, you need to modify your blog with the many available Social Media plugins available. Most important for Tribal Syndication, you need to have bookmark sharing plugins like Onlywire, Facebook share, Twitter retweet, Google Friends and many others. These are CRITICAL to making your blog interactive and to do the Tribal Syndication required to make you a serious player on the internet.
If you are able and willing to spend the time required to learn how to get these plugins installed and activated on your blogs, then do. Many of them require some pretty significant time to set up, but once done, they are pretty much set. I know from first-hand knowledge, that they don’t always operate the way they are supposed to, so you might want to have your blog designer set them up and maintain them for you, although this is a fairly costly service. Only you can decided what your budge is for this, but whether you do it, or a design service, it is essential that your blog be equipped and maintained with cutting edge social media plugins. This is essential to maximizing your Tribal Syndication efforts.
I’d be more than happy to help any bloggers trying to set up and design their blogs, or to find the best and most affordable design services out here. I’ve been where you are. It has not always been pretty, but I’ve picked up some real world solutions and know-how in my trips around the block. Whether you’re one of my existing clients, or just a casual visitor, I’d be happy to help you work your way through this rather daunting challenge. Once you’ve got the technical stuff under control, the real fun begins… creating your content!
David – great outline of the necessary steps needed to get your blog set up. You are definitely right about the fun starting AFTER you get all the other stuff set up:)
.-= Glyna Humm´s last blog ..Got Videos? =-.
David,
You have covered the most important starting points for creating a blog. It is so much better to narrow your field of interest down, you can expand on your topics easier and build a loyal following. thanks again for the great tips!
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..I See YOU! =-.
Hi David~
These are great tips for anyone looking to get set up and running with efficiency and ease. I had decided I wanted to take on the challenge and learn the whole set up process, and with very little tech knowledge it was quite a task! I really did enjoy the process for the most part, but didn’t even know what I was getting myself into to be honest, so just kept chugging along. Looking back, I think would hire a design service in a heartbeat!
And yes, creating content is the fun part for sure!
.-= Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Torch Flash Mob =-.
David,
I love your posts – your content is always very valuable, presented in a great form to follow and inspiring action!
´s last blog ..The Power & Speed Of My Tribe =-.
Thank you so much,
Venus
.-= Venus
Hey Beth, you are SO right. It was a lot of work (we’re both not techie!)… very rewarding to go through and put behind us… and NEVER want to do it again IF we could avoid it. It’s just such a chore when we want to really get down to our creative stuff. And by the way, Beth, You did a GREAT job with your blog… both the design AND the content. I really enjoy it… I learn a lot and also enjoy the dialogue you inspire!
Thanks Venus, for your kind words, and Val and Glyna. You guys rock! Keep it rollin’…
David,
I love that you touched on the design & branding of you and your blog. This is huge in terms of sending a clear message out there to your clients and readers. Consistency is key! Thanks for this timely post
Take care,
Becca
.-= Becca´s last blog ..Do You Have A Tribe? =-.
Good to have you checking in Becca. My goal here is to create some real world benefits for you guys, so glad to hear you’re finding it helpful.
I wished I had this information when I first started out.
Garth
.-= Garth´s last blog ..Dating Tips – Men, Not Getting That Second Date, and Want It? =-.
David,
You have covered all the essentials that someone looking to get started in online marketing would need to know to take the first step. There are lot of things to consider and do and it can often be very overwhelming. Your post helps someone know what steps to take first.
Thanks.
.-= Don Enck´s last blog ..Master This Skill and You’ll Discover a Goldmine! =-.
Thanks for chiming in Don and Garth. Creating your blog is essential to get started, but maintaining it is ongoing… as you both know!
Hi David, very good that you cover these essentials.
Most people fail to understand how important is to have a self hosted blog.
No doubts, to have your own domain for branding and ownership purposes is a most in syndication.
Thanks for sharing…
.-= Omar Estrada´s last blog ..Diario P2P (Punto a Punto) =-.
This is great ( & much needed ) info David. Thanks!
Many Blessings,
Karla Setchel
.-= Karla Setchel´s last blog ..Surviving a Long Trip with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue or TMJ =-.
This in a great guide line for people wanting to venture into the world of blogging! You have covered many key points. Alot of people will surely appreciate the valuable information covered here to help them get started.
Thanks for sharing David! Keep rockin!
Regards,
Sharon
.-= Sharon Hartman´s last blog ..Choosing a blog topic =-.
David,
Great suggestions for newbie bloggers. I second your advice to get professional help from the start. It will save you hours of frustration and much trial and error. Your time can be better spent on content and message which is your original intent!
Christy
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Feed your Mind! =-.
David,
This is an straight step by step guide to star blogging, and great advice about making our blog interactive. (I am installing Onlywire now)
Thanks for sharing
Raisa
.-= Raisa Garrido´s last blog ..Más sobre Atracción =-.
Great Article David, I always learn a lot from your Blog! Thank you!
David A Haines
.-= David A Haines´s last blog ..The Right Frame of Mind =-.
David, this is where I’ll send people who want to get started in Blogging. You have it all in a Nut Shell. I’m just the nut without a shell. When I try to explain this stuff they just say “Huh”
.-= Nelson Schroeder´s last blog ..Your Perfect =-.
Hi David,
I have had some people asking questions about blogging. So I will send them right here:)
I just wanted to make the comment because people don´t have a clue about choosing (or even needing) a Theme or things like that.
So, yep! I will make a good use of this post
Thanks
.-= Omar Estrada´s last blog ..Diario P2P (Punto a Punto) =-.
Thanks for all the great comments, guys. I really appreciate your activity out here.
Raisa, I’d love to hear how the Onlywire thing works out. I’ve heard it’s a bit of a nightmare to load, and could slow down your blog. ??? Keep me posted.
Omar, I’d be happy to help any of your associates with their blog design concerns, so yes, send them over to ask away!
And Nelson, I hope you find your shell!
Thanks guys, it’s always fun.