Ah the good ol’ days of blogging.
Back when we didn’t have fancy-pants editing tools and whatnot.
Remember sending your blog posts directly via email? Yeah I do.
It was a whole different beast back then.
Yo, wanna ditch the fancy dashboards and just send your posts via email? 🤔 Check out this guide on “Post by Email” for some old-school blogging magic!
Post by Email: A Blast from the Past (and Still Kinda Useful)
Yo, wanna ditch the fancy dashboards and just send your posts via email? 🤔 Check out this guide on “Post by Email” for some old-school blogging magic!
You see “Post by Email” is like that old-school friend you haven’t seen in ages but they still hold a special place in your heart.
It’s a simple straightforward way to publish content perfect for those who prefer a quick and easy approach.
But let’s be real the world’s moved on.
We have fancy dashboards spell checkers and even AI assistants to write our blog posts! So why even bother with Post by Email?
Well there are a few reasons why this feature might still be useful even in our digital age:
- For the “Write Anywhere” Crowd: If you’re someone who loves to write on the go whether it’s on your phone or tablet Post by Email can be a godsend. Just whip up your draft in your favorite email app and BAM! It’s on your blog. No need to switch platforms or apps it’s all done within your familiar email environment.
- For the “Keeping it Simple” Folks: Some folks just prefer the simplicity of writing in plain text. No fancy formatting no distractions just pure content. Post by Email lets you stick to your guns and keep your writing process clean and uncluttered.
- For the “Old School” at Heart: Let’s face it some of us just like the nostalgia of it all. There’s a certain charm to the old-fashioned way of doing things. So if you’re a bit of a traditionalist at heart Post by Email can be a fun little throwback to the early days of blogging.
Setting up the “Post by Email” Feature
Now before you go sending emails like crazy you gotta set things up properly.
It’s like building a foundation for your digital house.
You wouldn’t want your blog posts to get lost in the digital ether would you? Here’s how to get started:
1. Activate the Feature:
First things first you gotta enable Post by Email in your WordPress dashboard. You can find it under Jetpack -> Settings -> Writing -> Post by Email. It’s like flipping the switch on your blogging power source.
2. Create a Secret Email Address:
You can’t just send your posts to your regular email address.
That’s like trying to send a letter to your neighbor by dropping it in your own mailbox.
You need a special address like a secret rendezvous point for your blog posts.
To create this address follow the instructions on the Post by Email settings page.
It’s like having a special code phrase for your blog.
3. The Do’s and Don’ts:
Just like with any other form of communication there are some things to keep in mind when using Post by Email:
- Use an Email Client: This is the key folks. Don’t even think about sending your posts from a script or you’ll be met with the dreaded “anti-spam controls.” Those things are like digital bouncers keeping the riffraff out.
- One Site at a Time: Just like you can’t be in two places at once your blog posts can only be sent to one website at a time. If you try to be a multitasking marvel only the first email address you used will be recognized.
Sending Your Posts via Email
Alright you’re ready to start sending those emails like it’s 2003! Here’s the breakdown:
- The Subject Line: This is the title of your post so make it catchy and informative. It’s like the headline of your blog post grabbing attention and enticing readers to dive in.
- The Body of the Email: This is where you put your content. Write your blog post as you normally would but keep in mind that Post by Email will strip out any unnecessary formatting. It’s like a minimalist editor keeping your content clean and focused.
- Attachments: Want to add some pizzazz? Post by Email lets you attach images and PDFs. Think of them like the visuals that make your post pop.
- Shortcodes: Ah the secret weapons! These little code snippets let you customize your posts. It’s like having a secret menu at your favorite restaurant with special options for your blog. We’ll dive deeper into these in just a bit.
Shortcode Secrets: Mastering the Magic of Post by Email
Shortcodes are like the secret sauce of Post by Email giving you extra control over your posts.
They’re like little spells that you can cast to make your blog posts dance to your tune.
Let’s break down these magical codes:
1. The “Categories” Shortcode:
This lets you add existing categories to your post or even create new ones.
It’s like organizing your blog into neat little folders for easy navigation.
Just use the following format:
2. The “Tags” Shortcode:
Similar to categories tags help you categorize your content but with a slightly different focus.
They are like little labels that you can use to describe your post.
3. The “Delay” Shortcode:
This shortcode lets you schedule your posts for a later date.
It’s like setting your blog on autopilot ensuring your content goes out at the perfect time.
4. The “Status” Shortcode:
This code lets you control the visibility of your post.
It’s like a secret password that determines who can see your content.
5. The “Title” Shortcode:
Sometimes your email subject line isn’t the perfect title for your post.
This shortcode lets you set the title manually.
6. The “End” Shortcode:
This shortcode tells Post by Email to ignore anything that comes after it.
It’s like a “stop” sign preventing your email from sending out extra nonsense.
7. The “Comment” Shortcode:
Want to turn comments on or off? This shortcode lets you control the interaction with your readers.
8. The “Publicize” Shortcode:
Want to share your blog posts on social media? This shortcode lets you control how your content is shared on different platforms.
A Few Words of Caution (Because Wisdom Comes with Experience)
Post by Email might be fun but it’s not a magic bullet.
There are a few things to keep in mind:
- Formatting: Post by Email strips out a lot of formatting. So if you’re a fan of fancy headers bullet points and bold text you’ll have to work around it. It’s like writing on a typewriter keeping things simple and straightforward.
- Shortcode limitations: Shortcodes can be a little quirky. Sometimes they work flawlessly and sometimes they’re a bit finicky. Just keep experimenting and you’ll find the sweet spot.
- Security: Always be cautious about sending sensitive information via email. It’s like leaving your front door unlocked so make sure you’re not sharing anything you wouldn’t want others to see.
The Final Word: Is Post by Email Worth It?
So is Post by Email worth the effort? That depends on your needs and preferences.
If you love the simplicity of writing in plain text and sending your blog posts directly from your email then go for it! It’s a quick and easy way to get your content out there.
But if you prefer a more visual and customizable approach then you might want to stick with your trusty WordPress editor.
In the end it all boils down to finding what works best for you.
Remember there’s no right or wrong way to blog.
It’s like your creative playground so experiment have fun and let your voice shine through!
Yo, wanna ditch the fancy dashboards and just send your posts via email? 🤔 Check out this guide on “Post by Email” for some old-school blogging magic!