This document provides information about blogging and starting a blog. It introduces Renée Veldman-Tentori and Olga Mecking as bloggers and discusses how social media has changed communication and business. The document then covers the benefits of blogging, what blogging is, how to start a blog by choosing a platform, and which platforms to use. Tips are provided on topics like how personal to make a blog, using images, monetizing a blog, costs, guest posting, increasing readership, and sharing your blog.

2. Who are we?
• Renée Veldman-Tentori
www.zestee.com
• Olga Mecking
www.europeanmama.com

3. Social media
Social media is changing our world,
how we connect and communicate,
how we do business and how we live.

4. Benefits of Blogging...
• What can blogging do for you?
• Particularly suitable for travellers
and internationals
• Who already blogs?

5. What is Blogging...
• One type of social media - interactive
• Short for "Weblog"
• Personal or for business
• Lots of different types of platforms

6. How to blog...
• Really easy to get started
• Choose a platform
• Just get writing!
• Write about anything you like

7. Which platform should I use?
• WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
• Blogger
• Tumblr
• LinkedIn
• Lots more….

8. The European Mama Top 7
1. Stay in touch with family and friends
2. Expat life can be isolating
3. Constant Inspiration
4. Knowledge that is worth sharing
5. Opportunities
6. It's fun!
7. Your perspective is unique
http://www.spiceupyourblog.c
om/2013/06/7-reasons-for-
starting-travel-or-expat-
blog.html#.WDtDT3eZO7M

9. 1. Family and friends
Source: Flikr commons. Photographer: Paul Stang

10. 2. Isolation
Source: Flikr commons. Photographer: David Smith, Digital Mind

11. 3. Constant inspiration
Source: www.facebook.com/hollandphotography1. Photographer: Rich Theemling

12. 4. Sharing knowledge
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

13. 5. Opportunities
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

14. 6. It's fun!
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

15. 7. Unique perspective
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

16. Zestee Top 5
1. Build a business
2. An online portfolio
3. Create a community
4. Find some structure
5. Creative outlet

17. 1. Build a Business

18. 2. Online portfolio

19. 3. Create a community

20. 4. Find some structure

21. 5. Creative outlet

22. How personal should I get?
• It’s totally up to you!
• Personal posts are usually the most popular but
it really depends on the context
• Identify your goals for blogging and this will
help to answer this question

23. What about images?
• Keep in mind: copyright and IP issues
• Taking your own photos is a great idea
• Join stock photo sites
• Use plugins like photodropper
• Use services such as Canva.com

24. Can a blog be a business?
• Yes – but it’s hard work
• Making the blog itself a business
• Online advertising: need significant traffic
• Using a blog to grow your own business (which
is based on other products and services)

25. What does it cost?
• Starting for free
• Costs include buying a URL and hosting
• Once you self host, you have more flexibility but
take on a lot of other responsibilities such as
backups and security.

26. Should I guest post?
• More traffic
• Networking ops
• Preparation for freelance writing
• You may have more knowledge
• You can write about different topics

27. Tips to increase readership
• Think about your categories and keywords
• Network with other bloggers - online and offline
• Cross promote across social media channels
• Enter competitions and themed "events"
• Work on a captivating layout and images

28. Share your blog!
• Zestee and European Mama Facebook Pages
• Expatica
• Online directories
• Other suggestions?

29. Can a blog become a book?
Dutched Up!
27 women bloggers in NL
http://dutchedup.wordpre
ss.com

30. Some blogs to check
out...
• Your favourite blogs?