I promised to share some of my favorite blog resources and tips with you.

Some (but not all) of what I’m posting here is covered in my previous post about blogging, so check that out too.

What are the top blogs?

If you think that people can’t make money off of blogging, just look at the valuation of these top blogs listed last week! If anything, this ought to help inspire you further. Or make you very depressed. But take the high road!

Which blog software do you recommend?

I use WordPress. I must confess. It’s the best. No stress. God bless. When it comes to rhymes, I admit, I’m a mess. But, I digress …

Should I let them host it, or me?

Host it yourself. On your own domain and URL. When they host it, you can’t do as much. For example, your choice of plug-ins and themes is way limited. So is your ability to run ads or become highly findable by search engines. It’s your blog. Make it yours.

Where do I host?

I host my blog at Bluehost. For one low all-inclusive fee, you can get your domain URL, host it, get domain privacy, and get help setting up WordPress and file transfer (FTP) ability. They have great shopping carts, other useful tools, and all you’ll need to have a blog of your own. Plus, they’re open 24/7.

Best browser?

I use FireFox. It’s free. It’s much easier and way more useful than Internet Explorer. The toolbar comes with Google and embeds RSS, which means you can bookmark your favorite blogs easily, then use pull-downs to view their blog post titles without having to visit each one. Firefox uses tabs, so you can have multiple sessions without having all those windows open on your desktop. It also saves your session even if your computer freezes, so you don’t have to type in all the URL’s again.

How to get blog traffic and search engine attention?

Your blog might as well have a lot of traffic, search engine attention, and comments. And great topics, titles, and content. I’m not an expert, but I know way more now than when I started. That’s because I took this state-of-the-art course on brand-building and social networking, taught by some guys who run a company called Blaze Your Name. They get right to it. Really worth it. Check ‘em out if your blog is gonna be for real.

What other courses are there?

I attended this course called Guerrilla Business School and another one called The World’s Greatest Marketing Seminar offered by a company called Peak Potentials. Even if you aren’t blogging, either of these courses will basically just blow your mind with stuff you never even considered.

Can you list a few more books?

I liked Publish & Prosper: Blogging for Your Business, which I got at the local Apple Store, and Blogging for Dummies, available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

What do I write about?

Experts recommend that you write about something you love to talk about or do all the time even without a blog, in a way that other people would find valuable or fun to read, or both. Like your business, your hobby, or your ideas. You have to love the topic if you’re gonna write about it a lot, or else you’ll get bored after about a week. So pick something you love.

Have you thought about a blog? Are you planning one? Already have one but want to expand?

Please go ahead and let me know. I’d be glad to help if I can, offer more suggestions, or just kick it and brainstorm with you for a minute.