Create and Format a New Post in WordPress

Are you ready to create your first post in WordPress? Here’s a step-by-step guide for those of you who aren’t familiar with the interface.

Skip to the Good Parts with the Slideshow Version

New Post: Where is it?

Once you’re logged in to the dashboard, look for ‘Add New’ under ‘Posts.’ (Your options will differ, depending on your level of permissions, but the ‘Add New’ option is available for anyone with permission to create new posts.) The ‘Posts’ section is on the left-hand menu bar, and is tagged with a cute little push-pin icon. Just click ‘Add New’ and an edit menu will open up.

Create a Title For Your Post

Titles should be descriptive and clear – you want your reader to be able to understand the point of your post/article. Don’t turn the title into a post, however – keep it down to a handful of words. Type your title into the block directly under the words, “Add New Post.”

Basic Formatting Tools

The most important tools you’ll use are here:

Note: subheadings should be in Heading 3.

Use Bold, Italics and bullets sparingly – don’t overformat your text.

Inserting Images

First, click the ‘Upload/Insert Images’ button.

Then, click to select a file from your computer.

Next, choose the file in your computer’s file system.

Click “Open” to upload the image.

Select the appropriate orientation – left, right, or center justified. The text will wrap around left or right justified images.

Select the appropriate size for your image. Center-justified images must be larger, while images inserted on either side should be smaller. Thumbnails are really too small, so use larger images when possible.

Click ‘Insert into Post’ – this step is absolutely critical.

Save your draft periodically.

Add notes for Incentive articles, Expert articles, and any notes you may have on the article. Notes will be delivered when you submit the article for review.

All done? Click to submit for review.

Don’t worry about tags, SEO, featured image, or anything else – just follow the guidelines above, and your friendly neighborhood editor will take care of the rest.