What is the Foreign Policy Blogs network?

Foreign Policy Blogs (FPB) is the largest network of global affairs blogs on the Web.   Launched by the Foreign Policy Association in 2007,  our roster of bloggers includes topical and regional experts, journalists, authors, members of academia, the non-profit world as well as federal and global organizations.  You can read more about the blogs on the FPA Wikipedia page.

How can I get a blog?

Check out FPA’s Global Job Board for recent openings.  If you’d like to propose a blog, send an email to the online editor.

What are the requirements for bloggers?

Bloggers are encouraged to publish news-driven posts on their respective subjects at least once daily, and original analysis posts on a weekly basis.

The time commitment for bloggers is one year, with the possibility of an extension following the initial year.

In addition to postings, bloggers are encouraged to submit op-ed length (1500 words or less) analysis pieces for publication on FPA.org and distribution in the Global Views and Great Decisions e-newsletters, which reach 60,000 subscribers.

All bloggers are expected to compile a Year in Review of their subject based on a questionnaire to be sent by the editors of FPA.org every November, for publication in December, as well as respond to special requests when relevant.

Finally, bloggers are sometimes asked to participate in media requests sent through the FPA.

What are the benefits for bloggers?

While all bloggers are volunteers, they are given the benefits of a national FPA membership, which includes all FPA publications, admission to many FPA events, and access to all parts of www.FPA.org.   Outstanding bloggers are given full support from FPA in other endeavors within the foreign policy community, in addition to letters of support for covering conferences and events as member of the media.

I’ve been selected as a blogger for Foreign Policy Blogs. Now what?

Once you have gone through the selection process and been invited to join the Foreign Policy Blogs network, you will receive a welcome email containing a login and pasword.

The FPB network is divided into 10 master categories, referred to as Groups.  Each Group has a senior blogger.  You will receive an email from your senior blogger welcoming you to the group as well as periodic updates.

Who are the senior bloggers?

Click here for a current list of senior bloggers.

Ok, I am sorted out.  Now how do I get started?

Follow these simple steps before you begin posting.

Login
Go to www.foreignpolicyblogs.com, and click the link in the footer that says “Blogger?  Log in Here.”

Manage your blog
Blog management is conducted from the “Dashboard”.

Create Your Profile
Click on your username in the upper right column.  Select “Your Profile”

Enter your name, contact information and bio.  Your bio should include your professional credentials, but also something fun and personal.  How did you choose to become involved in this issue?  Is there a funny or interesting story behind it?  Have you travelled in this region?  What was it like?

*Be sure to select your  ”Display name publicly as” so that it appears First name Last Name.

Upload a photo.  Click on the “Upload Avatar” button to upload your profile picture.  Please use a professional looking headshot or passport type photo if possible.

How do I create a post?

To create a post, simply click on “Add New” link from the Dashboard “Posts” section. The more posts you publish, the more traffic is likely to be driven to your site. Blogs should be updated at least once every day.

*When creating a post, be sure to select the category box that it best corresponds to.  Most new bloggers will be assigned a particular category, though bloggers can post across categories within their group at the discretion of the senior blogger.

How do I add a link?

To add a link to a post, simply highlight the text you wish to link and click on the image of the chain in the top navigation of the content management system.

How do I add a photo?

*ALL POSTS SHOULD INCLUDE A PHOTO

To add a photo to your post, the image must first be stored on your computer’s hard drive. You can also insert a link to a photo to display, thuogh this is not encouraged.

To upload the image:

• Click on the image upload icon in your tool bar (it looks like a square within a square)
• Select the desitination from which the image will be uploaded (your computer, a url, or your media library in WP)
• Add a title, description and any other information you’d like to appear
• Select the size you’d like the image to display (500 pixels)
• Click “Insert into Post”

Click here to see an example of how an image should be inserted into a post.

How do I embed a video?

There are many ways to embed a video.  Most video players now offer  ”embed” code for a given video.  This is the most simple way to embed a video.  When writing a post, select “HTML” in the upper right side of your viewing panel. You can then paste the embed code for the video into your post.  Go back and select “Visual” in the viewing panel and you should see where the video will appear.

How do I upload an audio clip?

Hosting for audio clips is provided by the Foreign Policy Association.  If you have an audio clip to upload, contact the online editor for special instructions.

How can I promote my blog?

The best way to promote your blog is to email the link to all of your contacts and let them know you’ve just joined the largest network of global affairs blogs online.  Once you’ve got a substantial number of posts up, it’s time to reach out to organizations, blogs and publications that are interested in your topic, and offer to exchange links.  Promotion should be ongoing throughout the blogging process.

What about Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
There are three ways you can best optimize the way search engines find your blog posts.  The first two, adding a meta title and a meta description, can be done under your writing pane where it says “Platinum SEO Pack”.  A good title should be short and start with the keywords you’d like to bring up your article.  Bloggers are also encouraged to use “tags” – key words that related to the content of your post – that can be entered in the right column under “Post Tags.”

What about comments?

Once you begin to build an audience for your blog, especially if you are posting frequently and engaging your readers, you will likely generate comments on your blog.  Each blogger is responsible for approving or blocking comments on his or her blog.  Only comments that cause gross offense should be blocked.  Blogs are meant to be a forum for discussion.  Staff at FPA will, on occasion, check blogs to make sure comments are being approved.

We also encourage bloggers to comment on other posts within the network, and to post comments on related blogs to help bring back traffic to yours.

Will my blog be edited?

All bloggers are responsible for editing their own posts.  While FPA staff will review and provide feedback on posts, the FPA is not responsible for content on Foreign Policy Blogs due to the high volume of posts.  All editorial questions should be directed to the online editor.

Who provides technical support?

FPA provides technical support to all blogs.  If, after checking the Best Practices blog for solutions, you can not solve your problem, email FPA technical support.

What happens if I don’t post?

All blogs should be updated a minimum of five times per week.  Bloggers who are not posting news items daily and analysis posts weekly without notifying the online editor ahead of time will receive an email inquiry regarding the lack of posting on the first occurence.  A second occurence will result in an official warning and a third occurence will result in removal from the network.

If you will be away for an extended period, or other time conflicts arise, simply email the online editor and he or she will make arrangements for a guest blogger during your absence.

Who owns the copyright to my blog?

Technically, the FPA owns all copyright on material that appears on the Foreign Policy Blogs network.  However, we are generally very open to bloggers having content syndicated or reprinted in other publications.  Such issues are dealt with on a case by case basis.

What if I still have questions after reading this?

If you are still experiencing problems after reading this tutorial, or have any other questions, please post your question in the Best Practices blog.