Originally published in Outpost Magazine

So, you've managed to stuff your small backpack with too many clothes, your passport, plane ticket and ipod are in your back pocket and you've got some sturdy shoes on your feet. Now what? Whether you’re planning a simple trip, an overseas vacation, or an adventurous trek around the world, keeping a travel blog is something you might consider including on your list.

It's a great way to remember your journey, as well as an excellent tool to share your travel stories and photos. It's also a place where friends and family can post comments giving them an opportunity to actively participate in your mis-adventures. Because you’re writing a blog, there’s also no need to send out multiple emails or the ubiquitous "hey everyone" mass dispatch. Anyone can subscribe to your blog and they are automatically notified when you make an entry. Write it once and your done.

The incredible simplicity of blogging is one of the things that makes it so popular. But if text isn’t enough for you, many blogging toolsets also allow you to post photos, video, and audio files.

But for the semi-web user a blog can sound complicated. How do you start one? Do you need to buy a program? Can anyone change my blog? The threat of being bombarded by technical terms crushes hopes for aspiring bloggers. Here are some steps to get you online while off the beaten path.

1. First things first. It's surprising how much you can learn about blogs by reading other blogs. By typing in "travel blogs" in Google and clicking on a couple of the results, you can get a sense of how they are formatted, what people are writing about, the anatomy and elements of a blog and the millions of different features available to you. You can then make a list of what you like and don't like and try to find a blogging service that matches your needs.


2. After you've done your research, the next step is to set yourself up with one of the many blog hosting services. There are many websites where you can post your blog for free and with little to no technical skills. Blogger and LiveJournal are just a few of the popular services available. Both offer various levels of subscriptions depending on whether you want added extras that you pay for. Signing up to a blog community is relatively simple, just visit the website, pick yourself a user name and a password, follow the instructions and get started. You’ll be provided with your own blog space, and a blog address such as http://yourname/blogger.com. Most blog services offer a range of templates and you can even edit these directly to personalise your blog. Some blogs even specialize in travel. Travellerspoint allows you to create a public travel blog or a private travel diary that is password protected for selected viewers. TravelBlog allows for unlimited photos in your travel journal and BootsnAll lets you set up a travel blog in specific travel community.

   Another option is to host your own blogging software such as Wordpress or Moveable Type, but you will need more technical knowledge. These solutions give you the flexibility to customize certain functions, design your own layout and do search engine optimization.



3. Whether you are using your own domain name or signing up with a blog service you will need to pick a name for your blog. Although you can change this if you really don't like it, it's better to get it right the first time and stick with it. Try to choose a name that ties into what you will write about.


4. After you have your blog service and name you can start blogging. Most people start with simple text entries on their blogs, but as you get the hang of the different blog authoring tools available to you, you can add graphics, hyperlinks, and even a webcam.

   Most importantly, develop an authentic voice. This is the most important element of a successful blog. If you are authentic, honest, and original, you will find readers who care about what you write. And if you write about what you know and what you are passionate about, you can assure that your readers are informed and entertained. Inviting response and enabling your friends and family to respond is a key ingredient and defining characteristic of blogs.



5. Get a digital camera if you don't have one. Photographs liven up a blog and, if they're good, can really be worth 1000 words.