I am sure there are other ways to do this, but this is how I do it.
What you need:
1. A blog (tee-hee) For this example we are using http://blogger.com.
2. A storage site (such as 4Shared for this example)
3. A preview of the creation you're offering and ready to go
4. Your creation zipped and ready to go (don't forget to add your Terms of Use (TOU))
* I recommend you add your TOU to each and every file you offer.
Now you should be good to go so let's begin.
Go log into your 4Shared account and upload your zipped file. To do that, click on the Browse button as shown below. Navigate to the location of your zipped folder, click on it and then click Open. Now click Upload.
Once that has uploaded you will see this:
Now you need to Copy the link above that’s in the box. You could use HTML Tags etc, but that is not what I am teaching in this lesson. This is a simple way to me, no fuss – no muss. You should copy that to a notepad if you don’t already have your blog open, in case you need it again because of a mistake. This prevents going back and forth between 4Shared and your blog, and just saves time.
Ok, if you don’t have your blog open, do so now please. Once you are signed into your blog and on your dashboard click on New Post. You will see the next preview, without the Add image part of this preview; we’ll come back to that shortly. Take a few moments to look over this window (on the blog) and familiarize yourself with the tabs and buttons.
Where I typed in the number 1 it says Title. That is where you type in the name of your creation. You can see on my preview I typed "Alpha Ornament". That is the file I just uploaded, plus it did double duty for this tut :)
Now we need to add our Preview. Click the icon that looks like a mountain. It is the insert picture button. You can see it in the preview. Clicking it opens the second (top) section of this preview. If you want it centered tic Center before doing anything else. The size you will need to determine based on your preview size and your column width. You can play with that if it isn’t right. Just start with Medium first.
If you want to upload from your computer as I have done click the Browse tab and locate the Preview you have ready. If you plan to use Photobucket or something similar you will need to have the HTML code to put in the URL box. For the sake of this tut, let’s say it is Photobucket. You need to copy the "Direct Link" code and paste it into the URL box. Either way, when you have done so, click the Upload Image button. Please Note: I had to use Photobucket's HTML code to add my images here but not for my image used for my previews, odd. So it may be different for different things. If all else fails, try one at a time and then click Preview (under Compose tab) and you'll see if it workd.
Now you are back to the Posting window and you probably have a bunch of code in there and are going "what the heck"? Don’t panic, just click the Compose tab and you will see the actual image if it isn’t showing already. The Preview link under the tabs will let you get a "plain" view of what it will look like on your blog.
Drop down a line (tap Enter on your keyboard), type your message, as much as you want. When you are finished drop down 2 lines only (keeps a wide space from being in your presentation) and type out the word Download.
Here you have a couple options. You can use the word Download for your link or you can just use 4Shared. Or you can do like I did (since I use both 4Shared and Rapidshare) and type Download then drop down and type 4Shared. I think you’ll get the idea shortly. You can even use an image for your download link once you get comfortable with what you’re doing.
Ok, back to the way I am doing it here. I typed Download, dropped a line, and typed 4Shared. Look at next preview if you need a visual. As you can see, I’ve typed my message about the freebie I am offering. I’ve typed Downloads, dropped another line and typed 4Shared.
Highlight the word 4Shared, nothing else. Go up to the icon showing the link with the globe behind it and click on it. Its #2 in the above preview and you’ll see a close-up below.
I almost forgot to tell you that the "Labels for this post" section above is for quick searching if you have added the Label widget to your page. I typed freebies and it will show in the freebies link if someone clicks it from my main page.
Copy the link you saved from 4Shared and Paste it into this box that pops up and click OK.
You can now click the Preview tab to see how everything looks. Hold your mouse over the link to show the complete address for the link you just made (without clicking it).
Now click Hide Preview Link.
If you are satisfied with everything click **"Publish Post".
** DO NOT click Save Post!! It will close your post and save it as a draft. I found out the hard way, and it messed up my formatting for some reason. Your post will auto save every few minutes. I would imagine you can do a draft however, if you want to work on a post for a few days :)
If you find you need to edit something click Customize (from main blog window), then click the Edit Posts tab, and finally the Edit link on the post you were working on and correct anything you need to. Now, be sure to SAVE this time, using the Save button!!
There you have it …you have just set up your first download offer for your scrap blog! Congratulations!!
I hope I didn’t make this too complicated for you!
Debb/Shade DeZines
Tutorial © Shade DeZines 2008 Do NOT claim as your own!
Do not host or upload this tutorial without my express, written permission. You MAY print it for personal use. Otherwise send people to my blog to learn from it.
Thank You
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