This unit introduces the fundamentals of blogging, including the blogosphere, niche selection, content creation, basic SEO, analytics, legal/ethical considerations, and introductory monetization and promotion strategies. Students will learn to use common blogging platforms and launch a prototype blog, building the foundation for advanced audience growth and revenue tactics in subsequent units.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the blogosphere and at least three potential niches by evaluating target audiences, competitor activity, and alignment with measurable blogging goals using two research methods (e.g., competitor analysis, Quora, keyword research).
- Apply website-building tools (e.g., WordPress or Blogger) to register a domain, configure a basic theme, and launch a functioning blog prototype with an organized content structure.
- Demonstrate foundational content creation and publishing skills by producing and publishing two blog posts that incorporate SEO basics, appropriate visual or video elements, and comment moderation practices.
- Evaluate legal, ethical, and early monetization/promotional options (including advertising, affiliate links, sponsored content, guest blogging, email sharing, and social amplification) and recommend a strategy aligned to the blog’s goals and audience.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 50 Lessons
- 30 hours
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
- Unit 1 — Blogging Foundations and Launch50
- 1.1Getting to Know the Blogosphere20 mins
- 1.2Choosing a Topic20 mins
- 1.3Launching Your Blog Quickly20 mins
- 1.4Avoiding Blogging Don’ts20 mins
- 1.5Determining What Makes a Niche Blog20 mins
- 1.6Finding Your Focus and Keeping It20 mins
- 1.7Determining Your Niche Blogging Goals20 mins
- 1.8Creating Content20 mins
- 1.9Revealing Why Organizations Blog20 mins
- 1.10Researching the Competition20 mins
- 1.11Knowing When You Need Outside — or Inside — Help20 mins
- 1.12Discovering the Types of Corporate and Non-Profit Blog Posts20 mins
- 1.13Learning Rules and Laws20 mins
- 1.14Getting Familiar with How Blogging Applications Work20 mins
- 1.15Determining Your Goals and Needs20 mins
- 1.16Finding Out What WordPress Is20 mins
- 1.17Discovering Blogger20 mins
- 1.18Understanding SEO Basics20 mins
- 1.19Making Sense of Web Analytics20 mins
- 1.20Asking the Question with Quora20 mins
- 1.21Collecting Your Content Components20 mins
- 1.22Writing Well20 mins
- 1.23Responding to Comments20 mins
- 1.24Defining Social Networking20 mins
- 1.25Sharing Content by Email20 mins
- 1.26Understanding Guest Blogging20 mins
- 1.27Determining Your Goals20 mins
- 1.28Understanding the Different Types of Advertising20 mins
- 1.29Understanding Affiliate Marketing20 mins
- 1.30Discovering Sponsored Content20 mins
- 1.31Defining Social Commerce20 mins
- 1.32Choosing to Sell Direct Ads20 mins
- 1.33Requesting Payment for Guest Blogging Services20 mins
- 1.34Understanding the Importance of Visual Content20 mins
- 1.35Benefits of Creating Video Content20 mins
- 1.36Understanding How Social Media Amplifies Your Blog20 mins
- 1.37Getting the Scoop on Podcasts20 mins
- 1.38Finding and Reading Blogs20 mins
- 1.39Finding Your Voice20 mins
- 1.40Choosing a Domain Name20 mins
- 1.41Providing Attribution20 mins
- 1.42Visiting Niche Blogs20 mins
- 1.43Generating Traffic and Capturing an Audience20 mins
- 1.44Identifying Niches That Might Work for You20 mins
- 1.45Branding Your Blog20 mins
- 1.46Finding Companies That Do It Right20 mins
- 1.47Understanding Your Readers and Delivering Content They Want20 mins
- 1.48Knowing the Skills to Look for When Hiring a Blogger20 mins
- 1.49Turning a Business Blog into a Direct Sales Tool20 mins
- 1.50Responding to Negative Comments and Attacks20 mins
Instructor
Free
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