Blogging, Blogs, etc - RV-Dreams Community Forum

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Blogging, Blogs, etc

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

HELP

Starting to get a blog set up. Any suggestions?

We would like to be able to monitize it later, (amazon, etc).

I've found Wordpress, and Blogger. Any others?

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

I like Wordpress for all the templates and tools available. As well as lots of publishing guides and help. It may cost you more to host it, though.

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

blogger is free to use but we only do it for fun and to keep friends and family informed/entertained.
We did not "monitize" it, not that we couldn't use the $$'s but couldn't see that it would be that big a money maker and I frankly hate all the ads when I'm just trying to read something.

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you want the flexibility to eventually monetize your blog, you'll probably want to go with a self-hosted WordPress.org setup. It'll cost you a few bucks a month, and you'll have to learn about setting up and managing your install (plug-ins, back-ups, updates, load caching, etc.).

If you go with the free version of WordPress.com, they have restrictions on placing adds, affiliate links and selling stuff. I'm not sure what the rules are with the other free services.

- Cheire

jrzygrl64 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have thought about the possibility of starting a blog a few times. I know absolutely NOTHING about it at all, except how to read one. Ha ha! I have not looked into it at all, but I have noticed that a lot of fellow RV Dreamers have one. I have also noticed some have ads, some not.

Hubby has said I should look into it b/c, God knows, I have the Irish gift of gab (had it even before I kissed the Blarney Stone) and like to tell stories, share pics, etc. The other side of that is that I am also a bit of a private person and I might find it hard to be so open with multitudes of people. I mean, I give Howard and Linda so much credit (and other bloggers as well) for sharing their lives so openly so us "others" can benefit from their experiences and knowledge. I really feel so privileged to share their lives through their blog.

If nothing else, it would make it easy for family and friends to follow us along on our journey, and easier for us b/c we wouldn't have to repeat stuff so many times.

So, I don't think I was helpful at all, but just felt the need to add my 2 cents worth to the discussion. (does anyone know where the cents symbol is?)

Anyways, thanks for listening!

Kelly

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

I use word press as well and find it really easy to use.

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm a dope when it comes to computers but I find myself around Word press ok. Pretty easy to use.
And Kelly,,, your a natural for a blog,,, see how easy it was for you to tell us how you feel about blogs!!!! You told us what YOU wanted us to read and nothing more. We have no idea what you had for breakfast LOL!!

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I use Google Blogger and found it pretty simple to set up. Just use it as a "sort-of diary" since I don't blog much if we aren't on the road, and as a way for family and friends to hear about our adventures. As Kelly said, then I don't have to repeat myself as much, because people read the blog. In fact, I have had friends say "when are you getting out for another trip? you haven't updated your blog for xx days, we need something new to read!!" :)
For me, it's just something fun to do.

LibertyLinda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, I started out with WordPress and am still with them a year later - if I can figure it out, anyone can! evileye I got some great help and advise from the Dreamers too! biggrin

Monetizing is really, well nothing to rely on for money IMO. I like to blog for whoever wishes to read about the RV adventures, I am not on facebook, so this has been my alternative I can have family/friends check in on the blog to see what we are up to. It's fun, but not a source of any income.

Oh, check out http://hitchitch.com/links.html for all the different blogs on RVer journeys, it may give you some ideas and you can see the different hosts people use.

Good luck!