Are you a "blogger?" (Or, maybe you're on the other end of the spectrum, and don't even know what that means.)
Either way, let's take a look at the Group Blog feature within all Groupsites to see how it works and how it can work for you.
The Group Blog feature is found under the COMMUNICATE tab on the SUMMARY page of any Groupsite.
By default, the Group Blog follows the same visibility rules as your Groupsite. If your Groupsite is Private, or Limited, then only members of your Groupsite will be able to see the Group Blog. If your Groupsite is Public, then the whole world can see your Group Blog.
Managers can easily adjust this by following these steps:
- Log-in to your Groupsite
- Select the MANAGER tab
- From the Group Settings Page select "Permission Controls" (3rd option down the page)
- The 2nd section under Basic Permission Controls is "Group Blog Permissions"
This allows you to control both who is allowed to write blog posts (choices are "Only Managers" or "Allow All Members") as well as set the blog visibility (choices are "Default - follows group visibility" and "Public - viewable by anyone").
Here's a link to how to use additional Groupsite Permission Controls.
Here's how easy it is to post your first blog post:
1. Click on the COMMUNICATE tab and select "Group Blog."
2. Click the "Write a Post" button at the top right of the main body of the page.
3. You will see a box to type the title of your blog post followed by our WYSIWYG editor where you can type all of the wonderful thoughts you would like to share with the group (or the world).
All the features of our WYSIWYG editor are available to you use including embedding pictures and video.
When done, there are a few "other options" to consider at the bottom of the page.
The Intro Image allows you to insert a picture or graphic image as sort of a chapter header to you post. Here is an example:
To select your intro image, simple click the "Choose file" button and you will see a window where you can search the files on your computer. Pick any image you wish and it will be inserted at the beginning of your post.
Additionally, if you wish, you can link that intro image to another website by typing in the web address. Perhaps you are reviewing a book as your post and use an image of the book for your intro image, you make want to link that image to Amazon.com where your readers could buy the book.
Finally, you can publish your post immediately by hitting the "UPDATE" button, or you can uncheck the "publish immediately" button and you will see the option to pick the date and time you want you post to go live. This is a great feature if you have one day where you are feeling very prolific, write a bunch of pearls of wisdom but want to dole them out over a period of days or weeks.
Once published, readers of your blog can easily comment at the bottom of each post.
Once you have posted at least one blog post, as a manager, you will see two new buttons at the top of your Group Blog page, "Blog Admin" and "Categories."
Clicking on "Blog Admin" allows you to edit / delete any existing blog posts and "Categories" allows you to create categories to help organize your posts. You can create as many categories as you like and each time you write a post you can assign it to a category making it easy for your readers to find the posts that matter to them.
The Group Blog is a powerful way to give your group a voice both inside your Groupsite as well as the rest of the world (if you choose to make it public).
Give it a shot. At the next techno-cocktail party you can wow the crowd with your hipness by saying, "Yeah, I just wrote a post on that on my blog". They are sure to be impressed. 