> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.agentfire.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.agentfire.com/spark-editor/blogging/creating-a-new-blog.md).

# How to Write and Publish a Blog Post

Write and publish a blog post on your AgentFire website: create the post, add your text and images, set a featured image and categories, then publish.

Blog posts on your AgentFire website are built in the same editor as your pages. Most posts only need three things: your text, a featured image and a category.

## Create the Post

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Click New Article

Go to **Blogging** in the top menu and click **New Article**.

<figure><img src="https://2039430885-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fq65vhH2v4k5rpDOha9Vm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f51947ac9fb1a1cc08e921ed72bf8b18003c997f%2Fblog-1-list.png?alt=media" alt="Blogging page with the New Article button highlighted and a list of published articles"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Name your post

Type your post's title and click **Create Article**. The title also sets the post's web address, shown under the title box.

<figure><img src="https://2039430885-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fq65vhH2v4k5rpDOha9Vm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c23528aaed2b5f1d3c940569ffdd4d79db12c304%2Fblog-2-name.png?alt=media" alt="Let&#x27;s give your new article a name window with a sample title typed in and the Create Article button" width="500"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open it in the editor

Your new post appears at the top of the list as a **Draft**. Click **Edit** to start writing.

<figure><img src="https://2039430885-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fq65vhH2v4k5rpDOha9Vm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3c7104c256ebde0a6785d8b9b0ef83db056bb43a%2Fblog-3-draft.png?alt=media" alt="New post in the Blogging list with Draft status and the Edit button highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Write Your Post

In the editor, scroll below the image area and click **Click here to start writing your blog article...**, then click the pencil icon on the **Text Editor** label. The writing window opens on the right.

<figure><img src="https://2039430885-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fq65vhH2v4k5rpDOha9Vm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8da7c117681509b9369702eb199197028d4da474%2Fblog-5-text-editor.png?alt=media" alt="Blog post in the editor with the Text Editor writing window open, showing the formatting toolbar and Add Media button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Type or paste your text, then use the toolbar for headings, bold, lists and links.
* Click **Add Media** to place images inside your post.
* Click the expand icon in the top right of the window for a full-screen writing view.
* To paste HTML, switch from **Visual** to **Text** first.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pasted text looks wrong?** Text copied from Word or Google Docs can bring hidden formatting with it. Paste it into the **Text** tab instead, then switch back to **Visual** to add headings and links.
{% endhint %}

### Want a more designed layout?

Click the **Add Block** icon (the plus sign) in the top toolbar to add more sections to your post:

* **Spark Creator** lets you build a section with headings, text, images, sliders and videos.
* **Text Editor** adds another writing block.
* **Media** adds an image or video between sections. For videos, upload to YouTube first and paste the link.

<figure><img src="https://2039430885-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fq65vhH2v4k5rpDOha9Vm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-134f44ce7fcedf7d098bd8e5859accd0da8c5c77%2Fblog-4-add-block.png?alt=media" alt="Add Block icon highlighted with the Blocks panel open, showing Spark Creator, Text Editor and Media" width="500"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Add Your Featured Image and Categories

Click the **Settings** icon (the gear) in the top toolbar.

<figure><img src="https://2039430885-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fq65vhH2v4k5rpDOha9Vm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6ce281c7b7a4b7ffbf5c4d1939dfb05a51684b74%2Fblog-6-settings.png?alt=media" alt="Settings icon highlighted with the Settings panel open, showing Publish, Featured Image, Excerpt, Format, Categories, Tags, Lead Tracking and Discussion" width="500"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Most posts only need these three:

| Setting            | What it does                                                                                            |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Publish**        | Sets the post to Published, Draft, Scheduled or Pending Review, and controls who can see it.            |
| **Featured Image** | The main image shown at the top of the post and on your blog page. Use a wide photo without text on it. |
| **Categories**     | Groups your post with related posts. You can create a new category here.                                |

The rest are optional:

| Setting           | What it does                                                               |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Excerpt**       | The short summary shown on your blog page.                                 |
| **Format**        | Choose **Video** to use a YouTube video's thumbnail as the featured image. |
| **Tags**          | Keywords that help organize your posts.                                    |
| **Lead Tracking** | Turns lead source tracking on or off for this post.                        |
| **Discussion**    | Turns comments on or off.                                                  |

{% hint style="warning" %}
An image placed inside your post doesn't become the featured image. Set it under **Featured Image** so your post shows a thumbnail on your blog page.
{% endhint %}

## Publish Your Post

Under **Settings > Publish**, change **Status** to **Published**, then click **Save** in the top right corner. You can also choose **Scheduled** to publish it later.

Before you publish, use the eye icon in the top toolbar to preview your post and check the text, links and images.

## Common Questions

<details>

<summary>Can I write my post in Dash AI?</summary>

Yes. If your plan includes Dash AI, you can create the article there, then copy it into a new blog post using the steps above. AgentFire Plus clients can also ask our team to publish a Dash article for them.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I edited a published post and now it's missing from my blog.</summary>

Open the post, check **Settings > Publish** and make sure **Status** still says **Published**. If it changed to Draft, set it back and save.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Why can't someone else see my draft?</summary>

Drafts and previews only work for people logged in to your website. Publish the post, then share its live link.

</details>

<details>

<summary>My Dashboard looks different or editing options are missing.</summary>

Make sure you're logged in as the site's main administrator rather than a Team Link user. If you still don't see the options, email <support@agentfire.com>.

</details>