Overcoming Tech Fears: A Personal Voyage of Discovery (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this series, E.V. introduced us to her journey of exploration into the worlds of social media and creating web sites. Today, she takes us deeper into that uncharted territory …


Once we create a website, the webby cave lights up with the flashlight of our writer’s resume. Stake that identification flag on our own little piece of the web and chin up. We’re ready to be discovered.

Videos, and instructions by others who already understood the tech world didn’t help me to understand. It was comfortable learning it all at a snail’s pace, so I created my own maps, descriptions, even sketches.

  • Allow time each day to explore our websites. Push that Icon, tap that Button, be brave and click on that Menu Item.
  • Write exploration notes. I journaled my discoveries while working on my WordPress website, then followed each step. Notes eased my helplessness, and gave me confidence, and independence.

I learned website Features by pretending it was a medical office which I’m familiar with. After using My Site (the back office) so often, I’ve memorized most of my notes explaining the necessary Tools to Post and enhance my blog. It helped me visualize my website this way—

  • Website Header with my name and a lovely image I chose is the Front Door which states whose office it is, name and type of practice—Writer.
  • The Template Design and Layout Menu with Posts on our website greets the visitor. Like a Front Desk with a receptionist—friendly and efficient to meet the needs or interests of those who walk in.
  • In My Site, I alone am the Office Manager. I choose how I run my site, the décor, what to post there for visitors.
  • The My Site feature on the Menu Bar is the Back Office, contains the administrative activities of the practice. I’m the only Office Manager in the Back Office. It’s my responsibility to complete all Tasks required.
  • My Site, (Back Office) lists Tasks I can choose from to help the Header, (Front Door) and Layout and Menu, (Front Desk) of my blog. These allow visitors to learn about me and my practice, (Writing). When I’ve completed a Task, it is often visible to my visitors.
  • Templates. Research WordPress.com/plans for the one that fits the need. Keep it simple if it’s the first website. Write down the names of the templates in order of preference.
  • For an unknown reason in my experience, Followers are much easier to obtain with a WordPress.com website than some of the others. Maybe because there are so many members?

A Free version of WordPress.com versus a paid version—

  • In my mind, risks were minimized with the free version. I learned crucial information in the three years I used it.
  • The drawback was that visitors had to type in my cumbersome, free WordPress.com address to find me— [email protected]. I heard it recommended we match our names or pen names when we create our websites.
  • We make it easier for others to discover us by matching our names on our business cards and social media accounts.
  • Recently, I transferred to an upgraded version for $4 per month or $50 per year. A Personal Plan website gives advantages—it allows mapping my own Domain Name, sparrow.world, to my WordPress.com site so that people can find me more easily.
  • The $4 version removes ads (which pays for a free site). The small-scale ads posted on my site didn’t bother me, but visitors may not like viewing them.

Enjoy creating some curiosity on our sites, and portray our writing brand, flavor, or essence accurately. Lay down a unique, personalized welcome mat, and invite others into our world.

About E.V. Sparrow 3 Articles
E.V. is a Grammy, newlywed, and caregiver for her Mom. Sparrow served on mission trips, a worship team, and as a prayer ministry leader. She volunteered with Global Media Outreach, Serna Village, and led small groups in Singles', Women’s, and Divorce Care. Sparrow’s published short stories encounter the unexpected. Please follow me on Instagram @ev.sparrow.world

1 Comment

  1. E.V., I like your analogy–thinking of our websites as similar to a medical office with a front office that people see and a back office where we do things to make the office run. I also like the permission you give to go “at a snail’s pace” if that’s how we’re comfortable learning. You’re amazing at how far you’ve come on learning the technology of writing!

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