March 21, 2006

1,000 Dance Bloggers in 2006

I think it would be great if more dancers, choreographers, dance companies, educators and others involved in dance would create blogs and start participating in the growing dance blogosphere.

It's not difficult to create a blog and the benefits make it more than worthwhile.

If dance companies or dancers create blogs that talk about their work in engaging, accessible ways, I'm certain that every dance blogger will support and promote their efforts. As things stand now, there are very, very few dance blogs from established dancers and dance companies that write about their work in a direct, meaningful way for their online audiences.

All I'm really saying you need to do is write short blog posts as if you are having a conversation with somebody about on-going projects or upcoming performances. Add some good pictures to the mix and you'll be on your way to creating engaging blogs. You simply want to stay away from adding boring boiler-plate marketing copy or using tedious press releases. Just write in your own voice and let dance enthusiasts know what you're up to and thinking.

And the best part is you can start a blog for no money - it's free!

To get started:

Visit TypePad or Blogger to create a free blog. Just answer the questions and check off boxes to create your blog's basic design and structure. Here's a screen shot from TypePad where you pick the layout of your pages - as you can tell (click on image for larger view), you click on a circle next to the layout you like and move on to the next section.

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Creating a Blog in TypePad

Blogger is just as straightforward. Here's a screen shot of the Blogger home page - you follow a few steps and your blog is ready to go live:

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Blogger Home Page

Once your blog is up, you can then add pictures, videos and audio messages. Both TypePad and Blogger have tools for adding pictures. Or you can upload your pictures to services such as Flickr. If you have dance videos, you can post them to YouTube, Google or other services. To add audio messages and podcasts, go to Odeo.

All of the above services are free. Some of these services do have professional level offerings for which you have to pay. But you can get started now and it doesn't cost anything. You can have a blog, pictures, videos and audio messages all without a grant, funding, donations, sponsors, writing lengthy applications, getting on your knees and begging for money, without having to consult a board of directors and without extracting a cent from your bank account.

OK - I'm going over the deep end today with my hype. But it's not really hype if something does not cost you any money and you can instantly reach out to a supportive community of dance bloggers (and a world-wide audience of Internet users) who will help promote and talk about your upcoming performances. Is it??

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