I'll be the first to admit I know absolutely nothing about writing professionally. In fact, I've never even blogged (I still can't believe "blog" is a verb). I recently found myself browsing the pages of DP and stumbled into the copywriting forum. Quickly I started to feel comfortable in this community, as it's rare to find a collective of big brains this side of a MENSA convention (and that's a fun group if ever there wasn't one). I've decided that my unique outlook on life and Cliff Claven-esque knowledge of a "little bit about everything" makes me a good candidate for freelance writing. Unfortunately, I don't have the slightest idea how to start. I'm so overwhelmed by all the info on this site that it's become a AdsenGooglblogalink jumble. I'm thoroughly confused and could really use a little help. I realize I'm a noob to the forum, but now that I've found you I'm treating DP like a girlfriend (talking all the time and nothing short of a restraining order will get rid of me). A couple questions: Where do I start? I have a couple of domain names that would work out for blogs, but how do I do it? Once I have my blog started, how do I publicize it? I have no formal training as a writer (in fact, I'm a blackjack dealer who never went to college). Is that going to pose a problem, or is knowledge of subject matter and proper grammar more important than education level? I have a tendency to say things that can be seen as "politically incorrect". I realize that's bad for Imus and golf commentators, but how does that affect bloggers/copywriters? Can one screw up brand you as a bigot or is any publicity good publicity? When I accept my Nobel prize for copywriting I'll be sure to name-check everyone who helped me along in my acceptance speech. Thanks in advance for your help.
Some of the most popular blogs have rather slanted views. They are designed to be opinionated and casual. Since most blogs are casual, a few grammatical mistakes and such won't hurt you - they may make your blog more "readable" and authentic. It really just depends on what you're planning to do with it. The folks over at the blogging forum can answer your more technical questions about setting up a blog - I just have my husband integrate Wordpress on my blog projects for me. He's the CIO of the family. Good luck!
Hi there If you're looking to get into blogging, you should check out some of the better blogging blogs (You'll hear more crazy sounding terms like that as you get going.) Problogger.net has been around forever, Copyblogger.com is excellent. All you need to know about writing for a blog and marketing it (the two key components of any blog - you'll learn from these guys. Don't read too much. There's just too much information out there, and the more you read, the less likely you are to actually get started. Yaro Staraks' blog is basically an Internet marketing blog, but there are enough blog management tips in there to get you started. There's also a blogging forum there, if you need to ask questions. For installing wordpress and the tech stuff, ask around in the blogging forums, although I didn't have any luck finding anyone when I needed help to set up my blog. If you're completely tech challenged like me, and need help setting up the blog, I could put you in touch with my tech guy. He charges by the hour, but it's ridiculously cheap. (Outsourcing rocks!)
Forgot to read the latter part of your thread. You don't need to have a Ph D in English to be a blogger (which is the beauty of it all, really). But you'll have to be professional about your writing standards. Edit and proofread everything before you publish - it doesn't give a great impression if your content is stuffed with typos, and grammatical errors (although one or two will slip by from time to time). From the looks of your post, I think you have what it takes to hold people's attention and make them read, which is what blogging is all about. All the very best!
I specialize in politically incorrect. It looks like you need a couple of things. A reference for a noob on the basics of the web. (a friend of mine has written a good one with some real hand-holding examples.) Secondly references about writing on the web. I think you could sign up at printnpost.com where you can get paid to blog. It won't be big bucks but you make money on the google ads that run on your blog. And you can make a name for yourself there. Then you don't have to do anything about setting up a blog and just get the feel for writing on a website. The owner there publishes fast which means you aren't waiting a week to get your words up there. The articles index pretty well and I like that you can add photos, podcasts, you tube videos. Another idea is that wordpress and blogger have blogs that you sign in and post. It's free and the "domain name" is something like http://myname.wordpress.com. I need to find that link.