This presentation explains why Tumblr is such a good choice for people who want to create a blog, and then gives some instructions in how to use it. It was created for the Cedar Falls Christian Writers' Workshop, June 19-22, 2013.

1. Tumblr: Getting
Started
CWW--2013
Cherie Dargan
cheriedargan@gmail.com

2. Overview
We will take a look at Tumblr,
talk about why you need a blog on Tumblr,
show you how to set up your Tumblr account,
how to customize your blog,
how to post (and the types of posts),
and how to connect with others on Tumblr.

3. Tumblr: What is it?
A micro blogging tool, like
Twitter, with a variety of
formats for creating
posts.
Posts include text, photos,
links, quotes, audio &
video.
Tumblr is visually engaging.

4. Words of Praise for Tumblr
"Tumblr, the visual blogging platform, is a hidden gem of
the blogging world. For organizations with visual content,
a younger demographic (though not a requirement), and
a commitment to regular blogging, Tumblr may be the
perfect blogging channel.
Tumblr is low on the time-commitment scale; posting a
photo with a caption, ―reblogging‖ content from another
blog, or adding a short phrase or image ideal content
genre within the Tumblr culture. "
http://communityorganizer20.com/2013/03/06/five-nonprofit-organizations-connecting-with-tumblr/
FIVE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CONNECTING WITH TUMBLR. 06 March 2013

5. Two kinds of activity on Social Media:
Creators and Curators
A report by Pew Internet Research (August 2012)
• 46% of adult internet users post original photos or
videos online that they themselves have created. We
call them creators.
• 41% of adult internet users take photos or videos that
they have found online and repost them on sites
designed for sharing images with many people. We call
them curators.
Overall, 56% of internet users do at least one of the
creating or curating activities we studied and 32% of
internet users do both creating and curating activities.
http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2012/March/Pew-Internet-Social-

6. Why use it to create a blog?
Tumblr is a great tool for writers: you can get a blog up in
no time and spend a few minutes a day developing it,
instead of considerably more time with a regular blog.
As noted, you can post original content, link to content, or
repost/reblog something you see on another Tumblr
blog.
Because it is easy to use, you're more likely to post
frequently. I’ve been using it for over six years and love
it!
You'll also be part of something big: According to Tumblr’s

7. How much time do people spend
on social media sites?
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneratio
n/how-long-do-we-spend-on-
social-media-sites-
infographic/15415
By Charlie Osborne for iGeneration |
February 28, 2012 -- 14:30 GMT
An Infographic.
While Facebook still
dominates the social
media scene, Tumblr and
Pinterest have captured
a lot of attention and
people are spending

8. So, let's get started!

9. Find your Focus
My Tumblr is focused on Educational
Technology and I follow a number of Tumblr
blogs on the same topic.
Think about your passion—is it genealogy,
gardening, or grandchildren? Reflect that in
your title and the "blurb" you will write.
I will show you how you will share this
information with others as you customize
your Tumblr page.

10. Step one – Set up your account with Tumblr
https://www.tumblr.com/logi
n
Click on the Sign up link at
the bottom of the screen.
Choose a password and
username and include
your email address.

11. Step two -- Tell us what you love
Click on the
categories you see
and Tumblr finds
blogs you may want
to follow.

12. Step three--find friends to follow
Next, you can choose
to let Tumblr search
your Facebook
friends list or Gmail
contacts, to see if
anyone you know is
already on Tumblr.
You can also skip
this step.

13. Step four -- find Apps for your
devices
Next, Tumblr asks you
if you have any of
the following
devices:
• an iPhone or iPad
• An Android device
• Windows phone
There are Tumblr
apps to download
for each device.

14. See your blog--and dashboard
Now you see your
blog (and posts from
anyone you
followed, by clicking
on categories &
choosing to follow
specific blogs)
This is the dashboard:
see the icons for
posts.

15. Guide to icons
Types of Posts: Text,
Photo, Quote, Link, Chat,
Audio, Video
Home: your account
Envelope: private
messages
?: Questions/Help
Gear: Settings
Circle with line on top:
Logout

16. More icons to know
You may see a post
featured at the side
that you do not
follow. This is like a
showcase.
Plus sign--follow
Two arrows, going
opposite ways --
reblog or repost
Heart -- like

17. Searching Tumblr
Use the search bar to look
for blogs with similar
topics--or Find blogs.
Click on Posts (see number
of total posts) to see
ONLY your posts
Click on Following to see
who all you're following,
or to search by email,
URL, or username.
Click on Followers to see
who is following you.

18. So, let's customize your blog
Click on the gears/settings
On account, you will see
your email & password
(you can change your
password here). You can
choose how to edit your
posts. Save your
choices.
Dashboard: check items on
the list of options. Save.
Email: do you want to be
notified if new followers?
Save.

19. Customize Your Blog, cont.
Click on the final item: the name of
your blog.
Then click on avatar to select your
picture & upload.
Next, find the word customize under
theme.
This brings up a series of boxes at
the left, letting you pick a theme
(design).
Under that, you can edit the name of
your blog and write a brief
statement about the purpose of
your blog. You can also tweak
your theme's colors and styles.
Don't forget to save changes & close.

20. Now, let's add some content
Here are a few Ideas--
Post a brief introduction of
yourself.
Post a picture that means
something to you & helps
capture the topic or focus
of your blog.
Post a link to a web
resource that you found
that relates to your topic.
You use the dashboard
page to compose your
posts, using the various
templates.
You are not restricted to a
certain number of
characters, as you are
with Twitter.
If you post a picture, add a
caption to explain it.

21. To See your Blog,
Look at the dashboard page and find the name
of your blog & its URL.
Click on the URL to launch your blog, as it
appears to others.
You can also click on your photo/avatar to
launch the page.

22. ·

23. Have a question?
Click on the ? to go to
the Tumblr Help.
http://www.tumblr.com/help
Want to explore
topics?
http://www.tumblr.com/expl
ore
A list of tags

24. Check out my Tumblr--and a few
more!
http://cherieedtech.tumblr.com/
Cherie’s Tumblr page
http://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/
Wil Wheaton
http://techedblog.tumblr.com/
TechEdBlog
http://yeahwriters.tumblr.com/
YeahWriters
http://libraryofahipster.tumblr.com/
http://sparkauthors.tumblr.com/
Sparkauthors
http://writersrelief.tumblr.com/
Writers Relief
http://newsweek.tumblr.com/
Newsweek
http://thewritewire.tumblr.com/
The Write Wire

25. Questions? Need help?
Cherie Dargan
cheriedargan@gmail.com
Catch me between sessions and we will find a
few minutes to do some troubleshooting.