Have you ever wanted to start your own blog? Do you want to keep others in your town informed about what’s happening in local politics? Do you want to help fill the gaps left in local news coverage by the retreat of newspapers?
If so, now’s your chance.
TownBlogs is an exciting new project of Connecticut Local Politics which will put you in charge of your own blog about your town, hosted here on the CTLP server. You’ll control the content, and, we hope, become a vital resource for people in your town looking for information about local politics and elections.
Questions and Answers
Q. What do I write about?
A. Anything related to politics and general goings-on in your town. Feel free to expand beyond the political world. There’s lots to talk about out there.
Q. Where will my blog be hosted?
A. On the ctlocalpolitics.net server. Your URL will be something like your_town.ctlocalpolitics.net. See enfield.ctlocalpolitics.net for an example.
Q. What blogging platform will I use?
A. We’ll install WordPress for you, and help you get it set up. WordPress is easy to use and is very customizable.
Q. There are tons of free blog sites out there. Why should I bother signing up with TownBlogs instead of, say, Blogger?
A. TownBlogs have several advantages over regular free sites. First, our server goes down a lot less often. Believe me, it was frustrating to have Blogger crap out on us every other day or so. Doesn’t happen here.
Second, your site will have a prominent link here on the CTLP homepage (higher up than the existing blogroll) and we will read, link to and plug your stories as often as possible. You’ll have a ready-made audience, especially as the elections draw nearer!
Third, we’ll provide the technical support and blogging know-how to help you get started.
Lastly, you’ll be part of a community of bloggers who will be willing to share information, knowledge and ideas with you.
Q. How do I get started?
A. Just fill out this quick form, and we’ll start setting you up. You’ll be blogging in no time!
This idea was inspired by a post over at My Left Nutmeg about blogging local races. There’s a lot of good tips and tricks over there, too.
7 responses so far ↓
1 ATalbot // Feb 22, 2007 at 3:33 pm ·
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I strongly object to having to be 18 to host a town blog. I wanted to start up a Vernon one but I’m only 16 and I certainly don’t want to lie. I don’t remember any age restrictions back over at MLN…
2 Genghis Conn // Feb 22, 2007 at 3:44 pm ·
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We can drop that. Go ahead and sign up, check the “18″ box.
3 ATalbot // Feb 22, 2007 at 3:45 pm ·
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Thanks! I promise not to write about Anna Nicole Smith or whatever it is us young people are suppoed to care about.
4 Gabe // Feb 22, 2007 at 4:06 pm ·
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Sorry A, you are out. No Anna, no blog…
5 CGG // Feb 22, 2007 at 8:55 pm ·
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Young people care about Anna Nicole Smith?
6 stfdguy // Mar 8, 2007 at 5:14 am ·
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ok, so I registered, got my username, password, etc, now I want to post in my townblog. I have clicked on my town name and there is nothing listed for posting. Suggestions?
7 tbanisch // Aug 10, 2007 at 1:21 pm ·
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I’m trying to set up a blog for Madison, but the link seems to be broken.
Can you help?
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