{"id":257,"date":"2023-10-23T14:35:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T18:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cutheme-docs\/?page_id=257"},"modified":"2026-08-10T20:01:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T00:01:03","slug":"creating-and-managing-posts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cutheme-docs\/basic-training\/basic-training-module-2-content-management\/creating-and-managing-posts\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating and Managing Posts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Creating and Managing Posts\n <\/h1>\n \n \n \n\n

Basic Training Module 2: Content Management<\/p>\n\n\n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Posts are used for news, announcements, stories, and other content that is published regularly. Unlike pages, posts are designed to be grouped, categorized, and displayed in listings throughout your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to create posts and use categories, featured images, and excerpts to help organize and showcase your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a New Post<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To create a post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. From the Dashboard, select Posts<\/strong> > Add New<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Enter a title for your post.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Add content using blocks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Save your work or publish the post when it is ready.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Posts are created using the same Block Editor workspace used for pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note:<\/strong> Saving drafts, previewing content, and publishing content were covered in Module 1: Getting Started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"View<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Organizing Posts with Categories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Categories help group related posts together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, a department website might use categories such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • News<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Research<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Awards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Student Stories<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Categories make it easier to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Organize content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Create filtered listings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Help visitors find related information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        To assign a category:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Open the post editor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Locate the Categories<\/strong> section in the sidebar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Select an existing category or create a new one.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Tip:<\/strong> Use categories consistently. Creating too many categories can make content difficult to manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Featured Images<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          A featured image is the primary image associated with a post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Featured images are commonly displayed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • In news listings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • In card layouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • On landing pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • In featured content sections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            To add a featured image:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Open the post editor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Locate the Featured Image<\/strong> panel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Select Set Featured Image<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Choose an image from the Media Library or upload a new one.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Recommended size:<\/strong> 600 \u00d7 400 pixels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Choose images that are clear, relevant, and visually consistent with other content on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Writing Effective Excerpts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              An excerpt is a short summary of a post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Excerpts are often displayed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • In news listings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • In cards and featured content blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • In search results<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                A good excerpt helps visitors quickly understand what the post is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Best Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                A strong excerpt should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Be one or two sentences long<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Summarize the main message<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Encourage visitors to read more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Example<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Learn about upcoming changes to campus parking and what they mean for students and staff.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                  If no excerpt is provided, WordPress may automatically generate one using content from the beginning of the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  Managing Existing Posts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  To view your posts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  1. Navigate to Posts<\/strong> > All Posts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                    The Posts screen allows you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    • View all posts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Search for content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Filter by category<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • View drafts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Manage published content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      As your website grows, categories and search tools become increasingly important for finding content quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      Content Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                      When creating posts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      Use Meaningful Titles<\/strong>
                      Post titles should clearly describe the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      Choose Categories Carefully<\/strong>
                      Categories help visitors discover related content and improve the organization of your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      Add a Featured Image<\/strong>
                      Whenever possible, include an image that supports the content and works well in listing layouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      Write a Custom Excerpt<\/strong>
                      Custom excerpts provide a better experience than automatically generated summaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      \n