In a recent post at Problogger a guest post by Mark Patterson brought up some important legal issues for bloggers: Intellectual Property Law Tips for Bloggers.

I highly recommend all bloggers, even people just thinking about blogging, to read this post. I imagine some of it will be over your head (some of it went way over my head anyway!) and may not be relevant to you right now - but you may very well need it at some point in the future. You can always skim through it now, make a mental note of what's in it and bookmark it for sometime in the
future.

Copyright
One of the topics discussed in the post was copyright. Anything you create you own the copyright to, but you should really include a copyright notice on you blog also. Mark noted:

"Let's just say that if you ever had to take legal action against someone who blatantly copied your content, your failure to use a copyright notice will substantially devalue your case."

I know that I don't really display my copyright properly on my blogs - I should really be using my full name, but to keep a little bit of privacy, I usually just use my first name or a nickname. The copyright notice should include either the copyright symbol or the word 'copyright' and also include the year the content was first published or the range or years.

The code I use
I used to hand edit my year range to include the present year sometime around the first of each year. But it is easy to forget to change it, and I've seen many, many sites of others where they have apparently forgotten to update theirs too.

Rather than hand editing it each year you can use PHP code to display the current year. My copyright notice is written like this:

& copy; 2003 - < ?php echo date("Y") ?> ideasforwomen.com

The ampersand and the word 'copy' with the semicolon after it will give you the copyright symbol (©)- but and this is important - you need to get rid of the space between the ampersand and the word 'copy' - I had to put the space in here so you could see how I did it. The first year I had my site was in 2003, so that is listed first. Then the code within the php tags should give you the current year. And, like I mentioned above, you should really use your first and last name if at all possible, instead of your domain name like I do.

If you use this code on your blog, you don't ever have to worry again about changing the current year to January by hand!

How do you make use of it?
Within the WordPress theme you are using, find the footer file and at the bottom right before the closing body and html - place the code. And that's it! I hope it makes your like easier, as it has mine!

I'm sure many of you have on your own blog or have seen blogs with links to some of the social media sites either after their posts or before them. These can make it easier for people to submit or bookmark your site.

If you use FeedBurner for your feed, they offer their 'FeedFlare' to make it easier to put these links in both your feed and on your actual blog. I still use FeedFlare for my feed, but I didn't like the formatting and some other things about the code they generate for you to use on your blog. There are plugins to do this with too - but the one I tried anyway - didn't give me as much control of the formatting that I wanted either.

I eventually just found the code to use for the link from each of the sites I was interested in and hand coded the whole thing so I could make it look how I wanted it to.

Social media sites
There are many, many social media voting and bookmarking sites, but many of them are not used too much or are not relevant to my blog's topic. Based on some reading I've done, I've narrowed it down to just a few to use on my blog:

• StumbleUpon

- because many people use it and get traffic from it.

• Kirtsy

- because it is relevant to a blog for women.

• Delicious

- it's been recommended to use it and easier to do well in than Digg

• Reddit

- same as Delicious

• Digg

- because, well, everyone seems to have a link to it and some of my posts could do well there if I got enough Diggs.

The code I use
While I liked the small icons I saw on many blogs, I think they can be confusing sometimes - I forget which site goes with which image. I wanted mine to include both the name of the site and the small icon at the bottom of each post. FeedFlare didn't do it that way and neither did Sociable (at least I couldn't figure out how to make it do it this way).

I use the following code at the bottom of each of my posts:

<p class="smallcenterbold"> <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>&title=< ?php the_title(); ?>">Stumble: <img<br /> src="http://cdn.stumble-upon.com/images/16x16_su_round.gif"<br /> border="0"/></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.kirtsy.com/submit.php?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>">Kirtsy: <img src="http://www.kirtsy.com/badges/kirtsy_addicon.gif" mce_src="http://www.kirtsy.com/badges/kirtsy_addicon.gif"<br /> style="border:0" alt="add to kirtsy" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>&title=< ?php the_title(); ?>">delicious: <img<br /> src="http://www.ideasforwomen.com/graphics/delicious.med.gif"<br /> border="0" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://reddit.com/submit?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>&title=< ?php the_title(); ?>">reddit: <img<br /> src="http://www.ideasforwomen.com/graphics/reddit.png" border="0"<br /> /></a> <br /> <a href="http://digg.com/submit?url=<?php the_permalink(); ?>&title=<<br /> ?php the_title(); ?>">Digg: <img<br /> src="http://www.ideasforwomen.com/graphics/digg.png" border="0"<br /> /></a> <br /> <mce:script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/IdeasForWomenNewsBlog?i=<?php the_permalink() ?><!-- " type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> // --></mce:script> </p> <p>

You can style the paragraph tags to look however you want them to look. I center mine and keep the text small.

This code goes into the index.php file of your theme right after the div with class="storycontent" closes.

I also wanted something shorter and simpler to put at the beginning of my posts that uses just the icons. I figure this might be easier for people in a hurry and who are really familiar with all the icons used:

</p> <p class="smallcenterbold"> <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>&title=< ?php the_title(); ?>"><img<br /> src="http://cdn.stumble-upon.com/images/16x16_su_round.gif"<br /> border="0"/></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.kirtsy.com/submit.php?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>"><img src="http://www.kirtsy.com/badges/kirtsy_addicon.gif" mce_src="http://www.kirtsy.com/badges/kirtsy_addicon.gif"<br /> style="border:0" alt="add to kirtsy" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>&title=< ?php the_title(); ?>"><img<br /> src="http://www.ideasforwomen.com/graphics/delicious.med.gif"<br /> border="0" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://reddit.com/submit?url=<?php the_permalink();<br ></a> ?>&title=< ?php the_title(); ?>"><img<br /> src="http://www.ideasforwomen.com/graphics/reddit.png" border="0"<br /> /></a> <br /> <a href="http://digg.com/submit?url=<?php the_permalink(); ?>&title=<<br /> ?php the_title(); ?>"><img<br /> src="http://www.ideasforwomen.com/graphics/digg.png" border="0"<br /> /></a>  </p> <p>

This code goes in the index.php page of your theme right after the following code:

<br /> <a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark">< ?php the_title(); ?></a><br />

The exact placement of the code may change depending upon the theme you use and of course where you want to put it. This is something you can play around with, try it different ways, until you get it where you want it and how you want it to look!

We We all want more people reading our blogs - that's why we have them in the first place, right?

Readers who subscribe to your blog's feed are great - because they will probably keep coming back to visit again and again as your new posts show up in their feed readers or email software.

It just feels good too, doesn't it - knowing that there are people out there who like what you write enough that they want to keep reading more? It can also be a point of pride if you have a lot of subscribers.

So how do you get them?

Of course the standard answer is to write good content that people want to read. And you need to do that - but there are still some things you can do to make it easier - and hence more likely - for people to subscribe:

1) Get a FeedBurner feed. Why? They offer lots of nice features to make your feed better. And a way to track how many subscribers you have, regardless of the feed reader they use.

2) Make your subscribe button big and bold!
WordPress and other blog software tend to put the subscribe link down towards the bottom of your blog where it can't be easily seen. Put it above the fold of your blog so people can find it faster. Using a bigger button than the standard small one can help too.

This page has 51 RSS Buttons For Your Blog that you can use. You can also make your own with photoshop or other graphics software - or - make your own customized one with a Feed Button Image Generator (this is what I'm using on my blog now!).

Many people like to offer their visitors direct links to add the feed to specific feed readers - you can do that with just one button now at FeedButton.

3) Provide a way to subscribe by email.
Some people don't know what RSS or feed readers are or don't want to be bothered with it. FeedBurner provides a method for people to subscribe through email and can generate the code for you to add the form to your blog. It can be really helpful to add that form at the top of your blog near your 'big and bold' feed button.

4) Explain what subscribing and RSS are.
There are  still many people out who don't understand what is meant by subscribe and may think they need to pay something. Providing a page on your blog where you explain it to people may be enough to get some of them to subscribe. A couple of examples are Darren's "What is RSS?" and my "What does 'subscribe to my blog' mean?".

5) Add a subscribe option at the end of your posts.
Adding a link to subscribe at the end of your posts might catch the attention of people who just finished reading your post and liked it. Why make it harder by expecting them to scroll back up to the top of the page to subscribe?

6) Add your feed link to your emails.
When you are corresponding with people through email - don't just add your blog link to your signature - add the link to your blog feed too!

Editor Added:

This video gives a great & entertaining example of how to use your reader:

Video Source

Introduction

WordPress Plugins are small computer programs that "interact with a host application" and usually provide a very specific function (source). When using WordPress, plugins extend the functionality of WordPress "to do almost anything you can imagine".

The official WordPress plugin directory currently has over 2500 plugins! And if you do a search engine search you will find even more! There are plugins of all types to help you manage all sorts of things like comments, posts, images, formatting, admin, etc.

Installing Plugins

To add a plugin to your blog you first need to download it to your computer. You will probably then need to unzip the file. Once you've unzipped it you should look for a 'Read me' file to read the specific instructions for installing, customizing and using that plugin.

Most of the time you then upload the indicated folder to the server where your blog is hosted using FTP. They should be placed in the directory called 'plugins' which is in the directory 'wp-content'. Wp-content should be in the main directory your blog was installed into.

Occasionally some plugins will require that you manually edit one of the files that came with it before you upload it. You shouldn't open or edit these files in a word processing type of program like Microsoft Word. Instead use a plain text editor like Notepad. It is a good idea to keep a record of any changes you make in case you have any problems or if/when the plugin needs to be upgraded.

Activating Plugins

Once you have it uploaded it, log into your dashboard and click the 'plugins' link on the upper right. You should then see a list of 'Currently Active Plugins' and beneath that 'Inactive Plugins'. Find the plugin you just uploaded and click the 'activate' link way to the right.

Using Plugins

For some plugins that's all you need to do and it will be working the way you want it to at that point. For most you will want to click on the 'Settings' link on the top right, next to the 'Plugins' link. There you sill see a list of all the plugins you have installed and activated. Click whichever one you want to customize. There you will see some options that you can set. Some plugins only offer a few and some multiple tabs of pages of settings you can change.

Troubleshooting and Upgrading

If you have problems getting a particular plugin to work, first make sure you have followed all the instructions carefully. I know sometimes I get in a hurry and only skim through it all and most of the time I can get away with that, but not always. WordPress also provides some instructions if you have a problem: Troubleshooting Plugins

You may need to contact the creator of the plugin and ask if they have any suggestions or if anyone else has had similar problems. If you do this make sure you send them all the information you can about your blog, the error message (if any) that you got and other plugins you are using that may be conflicting with the new one you are trying to use. And remember they are providing the plugins for free so be patient with waiting to get help from them.

Keep in mind also that sometimes when you upgrade to a newer version of WordPress some of your older plugins may no longer work. They also may need to be upgraded.

How to Choose Which and How Many Plugins to Use?

Now – have fun adding some plugins – but try not to go too crazy with adding every single one that sounds kind of interesting. Think first of all – will it be useful to your visitors? Or will it help you to manage your blog better? Adding a few just for fun is ok – you just don't want to add so many that they become distracting.

When you are reading your favorite blogs one of things you can do is to check and see which plugins they are using and whether or not you think they are helpful to you as a reader.

At first I hardly used any at all, but over time I am adding more as I find some that add value to my blog. I will be writing about some of those here in the coming weeks.

One way to help build your personal brand is to include a picture of yourself on your blog. I know that for many women (and men too!) this feels really uncomfortable because sometimes we don't feel good about how we look or at least how we look in photographs.

It is a really important detail though – when you include your picture it helps people to feel more connected to you as a blogger, and as a person. It adds a personal touch.

It doesn't matter what you look like either. You don't have to be beautiful or perfect. Nobody cares what you actually look like, they just want to see you. They won't make a judgment about your writing based on how you look. The point is that it allows people to get to know you better.

Believe me, I understand how some women feel uncomfortable with it. I can't stand looking at pictures of myself! But I forced myself to do it. I found a picture of me that was at least tolerable and put it up there for the world to see. It was one of the best things I ever did!

Be consistent

Use the same picture on your blog and on all the social media sites you participate in. Try not to change the picture too often, if at all. Use it on Twitter, BlogCatalog, MyBlogLog, Facebook, StumbleUpon, Digg – every site you participate in. Get a gravatar too – so people can see you when you leave a comment on gravatar enabled blogs.

This is really important to help people to recognize you and remember who you are. Success in blogging depends in part on networking and it makes it much easier for people to remember you and your blog if you use the same picture.

Have Fun with It

For some people using a silly picture might be a good idea – one of you upside down, wearing a silly hat, etc. But remember if you are blogging for business you need to look more professional. In general the image you use should reflect the tone and purpose of your blog. In any case, try to relax and have fun with it.

If you really, really can't do it

If you really, really can't bring yourself to showing your picture to the whole world then use an image of your logo or part of it. And be consistent – use that image everywhere. Or make an avatar of yourself at Yahoo or some other site. And again, be consistent and use it everywhere.

Exceptions

Some exceptions for not using your picture might be if you are blogging anonymously and not using your real name. In that case using your picture could give away your identity, but you might still be able to use an avatar of yourself.

Quality

Ignore for a minute what I said about nobody caring what you look like. Actually that's still true – but there is something to making sure the quality of the picture you use is pretty good. You don't want to use one that is real grainy, blurry, too dark, etc. It doesn't have to be a professionally taken photo though either. Mine had been taken at Target for a totally different purpose. Even a picture taken at home by someone you know may be good enough – just play around with it, relax, have a bunch taken and pick one!

In this part of my 'Getting Started with Blogging' series I will briefly go over how to install and use WordPress. Earlier parts of this series Part 1: Choosing a Topic and Part 2:Hosting are also available.

Finding a Web Host

There are many, many web hosting companies out there – some very good, some not so good. WordPress lists some hosting companies on their site that have auto-install options for WordPress. Many of them charge as little as $6.95 a month for hosting.

If you go with another company where you install the software on the hosting server yourself the features your hosting account needs to have are PHP version 4.3 or greater and MySQL version 4.0 or greater. WordPress even includes a sample email to send to a potential host to see if you can install it there.

Installing WordPress

Once you have your host picked out you then need to download WordPress. WordPress supplies both a Famous 5-Minute Installation and some more detailed instructions if you need it.

Setting Up and Customizing WordPress

One of the first things you will want to do with your newly installed WordPress blog is to pick a theme. A theme is sort of like a skin, but it is much more than that. It is a collection of files that make up the graphical interface of your blog. Some themes also include features that others don't. You can use
the theme viewer to find a theme or do a search in a search engine for "WordPress themes" – you will find that there are many thousands of themes available for free.

You can also create your own theme. This is an especially good idea if you already have a web site and you want your blog to have the same overall look and feel as the rest of your site.

For more information on setting up your blog I recommend Getting Started with WordPress, WordPress Lessons and Working with WordPress.

If it all seems overwhelming at first – don't let it bother you! Much of it you will get used to soon enough. And WordPress offers so much functionality that many long time users are still not aware of all that they can do with it. Many features you can learn about over time when you need them.

Using WordPress

When you first log in you will be taken to your "Dashboard" page. On this page you will see a summary of the posts, pages, drafts, etc. that you have – once you have something written. It also will list the recent comments and incoming links. On the upper right of the page you will see a small text link called "Settings". Within that page are links along the top to change the settings for Writing and Reading your blog and a few others. Some of those are pretty self explanatory so you may want to adjust them right away.

On the upper left is a link called "Write" – click this and start writing your first post! On the right of this page you can click either "Save" or "Publish". If you just click "Save", your post will be saved but will not actually be shown on your blog – click "Publish" to make it viewable to the world.

That, in a nutshell, is all you need to get a started writing on your blog!

Next time – Part 4 of Getting Started with Blogging: Let the World Know