In this session, Sallie Goetsch provided a few reasons why you need to do some planning before you start blogging.

Q & A

For inexpensive shared hosting (including the ability to easily install WordPress on your own site), Sallie recommends BlueHost and HostGator. For high-traffic sites, try Media Temple's Grid Service. If you want a WordPress only site where your backups and updates are handled  for you, sign up with Page.ly.

You can import a blog from TypePad/Movable Type, from Blogger, or from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress blog. (Some will be easier than others. There may be some page rank considerations and other tricks that you'll want a web expert to help you with.)

It's easiest to get comments on your blog by being controversial, but controversy for its own sake is unprofessional. Try writing posts that expand on or disagree with something said by popular bloggers. (But if you disagree, be prepared for their fans to beat up on you.)

You don't have to worry too much about spam comments thanks to plugins like Akismet.

There are lots of places to get together with other bloggers. Check Meetup.com.