If you like to write and often find yourself keeping up with bloggers who write about some of your favorite subjects, chances are you’ve thought about starting your own blog. As a tech-savvy individual, starting a blog is a fairly easy process, as long as you’re dedicated to staying consistent. If you decide to take the plunge, keep these tips in mind for safety.
Consider Staying Anonymous
While you may want to share your blog with friends and family, why share your identity with strangers if you don’t have to? Coming up with an anonymous pen name can actually be fun. If you do choose to use your real name, consider listing your first name only.
Check Privacy Settings
Most blog sites allow the option to keep your blog private so that only people who you invite can see it. This can be a positive thing to do not only for safety, but also if you want to utilize your blog as a personal journal. You can switch your blog to public whenever you choose to.
Keep Personal Information Limited
If possible, avoid writing about personal details such as your location, and names of friends and family or anyone who wouldn’t appreciate being mentioned. The same goes for photos – be cautious when showing your face, or the faces of family and friends unless you have their permission.
Protect Login Details
Just like any online outlet, be sure to choose a secure login for your blog including a strong password that’s hard to guess. It’s also important to change your password regularly, to avoid someone hacking into your blog and posting something inappropriate.
Read Before You Publish
Before you hit publish, always re-read your blog post from the perspective of a random visitor. Make sure you didn’t include any private details or inappropriate content. Rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t want a teacher or future employer to see it, don’t post it.
As long as you take the right safety precautions and a smart approach to starting a blog, it should be a positive experience that will help you to build valuable skills, have something to look forward to, and serve as a therapeutic outlet. Happy writing!