Aug 24 2008
Blogging for Dummies - book review
Like many Dummies books, the Blogging for Dummies book is comprehensive! It’s a thorough introduction to blogging from rank Internet newbie, to the typical active blogger seeking to learn more about the medium. 
As a 2008 book, it’s reasonably current. This is one of those Dummies books the publishers will need to update annually. I recommend readers always seek the latest possible edition of any blogging book, as popular technologies change so rapidly in the field. RSS, comment spam, social networks and podcasting are all given their due space. An entire chapter is devoted to adding and managing photos for your blog.
Two large chapters offer the fundamentals of blogging for business and adding advertising. This won’t be specific enough to get any would-be pro blogger rich, but *does* provide enough basics to get started with affiliates, AdSense, TextLink Ads, AdBright and the like.
Lots of screen captures and sidebars explain complex concepts quite clearly. I enjoyed one sidebar in particular about why comment spam exists (and hint; it’s more about page rank juice than possible click-throughs).
I’d recommend this book for the newbie through advanced blogging beginner. Intermediate level bloggers looking to to brush up on the basics would likely enjoy adding this as a reference to the bookshelf, and might find a few gems they originally missed.
Advanced bloggers won’t find much useful here…but as it’s a Dummies book, that’s to be expected!
From all the blogging books targeting the beginner, this one offers the most bang for your buck, and really does a nice job of holding your hand along the way.
Buy Blogging For Dummies at Amazon.com
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hi jill,
thanks for the great write-up of blogging for dummies — i really appreciate it and i’m glad you are finding it useful
susannah.
You are welcome Susanna; it’s a great reference book. Thanks for doing such a bang up job with it.
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