Most books about blogging sound really good and I would love to read them. But Teach Yourself Blogging in 24 Hours? Hmmm… Something just seems really wrong about this. Maybe it’s because it sounds like they are trying to pigeonhole blogging in to something that has a right and a wrong way to do it? Because if you ask me, blogging is a fluid thing – changing, growing, moving with the person that is writing the blog. And if you need to be taught how to do it … well, that just bugs me. I know it’s the title of the Sams book series, but still. [via Biz Stone]
Here, let me save you $25 – if you want to blog, go to Blogger and sign up for an account. Pick a spot for your site over at Blogspot. There you are! You’re blogging! Now make what you want to of it – don’t listen to anyone else about how it should be done. Later if you want to change what blog software you use, where you are hosted, or your design – go for it! You can learn how to do all of that online. Those of us that have been doing this for a long time didn’t have a book to teach us how, and I personally think we’re better for it! (Now, if you would like to send that $25 to me, I’d be happy to give you my address.)
6 replies on “If You Need a Book…”
Does this mean a “Blogging for Dummies” book will be on the bookshelves soon?
heh. yep.
I think you’re right about pigeonholing blogging that way. It’s definitely a constantly changing medium. What you suggested, though – Blogger and BlogSpot – would lead to a lot of mindless quiz-filled journals, though. Maybe there still should be some kind of education about the various types of blogs and journals and what can be done with them.
Two years ago today, I started blogging, not having a grasp of what I was doing, but damned if I was about to pay $25 dollars then; just goes to show, everyone’s out to make a profit. I wonder though who will buy such a book.
It amazes me that someone would think that blogging is complicated enough to require instructions, but then I’ve always preferred to stumble around and learn from my own mistakes. I guess they take it more seriously than I do… or, of course, are in it for the money.
You guys, we should absolutely write Blogging for Dummies! After this novel in a month, I can churn out thousands of words virtually instantly, and we’d all be rich – or at least richer. Come on, who’s with me?