Blogging 101: May Blog Tips Roundup

Blogging 101: Blogging Tips Roundup

 

I’m so sorry I didn’t get to do a Blog Tips Roundup last month but this month makes up for it. I’ve included some of the links from the previous month but they are all too helpful not to share. I won’t talk too much so let’s get started.

Moodboard Guide by Corina of Cocorrina

 

Moodboard Guide – Corina of Cocorrina

So this may divulge into more of a design tip than a blogging tip. However, moodboards are becoming a huge part of not just design blogs but fashion, lifestyle, and photography blogs are well. Corina did a great job in explaining some helpful tips in creating moodboards. Inspiration is a huge part of blogging and moodboards are a great way of creating inspiration.

Never Stop Tweaking Your Website - Zoe Rooney

 

Never Stop Tweaking Your Website – Zoe Rooney

What’s great about having a blog is that it’s yours for as long as you want it. I have never felt my blog was perfect and I’m glad I chose a CMS that allows me to easily make changes.  Zoe does a great job in explaining how to never stop making changes. Your blog is a reflection of what you’d like it to be so choose to be your own editor. Check out different user experience options, design options, SEO practices, and more. The web is always changing so don’t allow yourself to be stuck in the past.

Activity Breeds Activity - Shauna of Nubby Twiglet

 

Activity Breeds Activity – Shauna of Nubby Twiglet

One of the questions I get most from new bloggers is how to get comments and subscribers. In a world where thousands of blogs are being created everyday, how do you find an active audience? Shauna does a great job in explaining how being an active blog owner breeds activity on your own blog. To get more, you have to give. Trust me, from personal experience, it works.

Wordpress.com vs WordPress.Org - Noor AlQahtani

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.Org – Noor AlQahanti

Another big WordPress question I get often is what is the difference between WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress at WordPress.Org. Noor has written up a great post explaining the benefits of both. She also provided helpful tips to help you decide which platform is best for you. I have been using self-hosted WordPress for the past six years and I have no regrets. If you’re thinking of switching from another blogging platform, be sure to take a look at Noor’s post.

6 Easy Ways to Make Your Blog Pretty  - Shanice of Modern Mint Design

 

6 Easy Ways to Make Your Blog Pretty – Shanice of Modern Mint Designs

So have you ever visited a blog and thought, “Wow, that person really has their stuff together!”? You can too! I know there are certain things that require HTML/CSS knowledge or even design knowledge; however, there are small organizational tips you can follow to make your blog stand out. Shanice offers some great, helpful tips on how to spruce your blog up a bit. If all else fails, hire a designer.

Bloggers You Don't Want To Be - Katelynn Brooke Blog

 

Bloggers You Don’t Want to Be – Katelyn of Katelyn Brooke Blog

We all have come across that blog of someone who just seems to enjoy doing everything wrong. I know that lately I have come across a few blogs with posts that make me cringe. Katelyn offers a few great examples of bloggers you probably don’t want to come across as. I know we all have flaws as bloggers but some things are  avoidable. Let your blog be a reflection of yourself.

Sourcing & Linking - Bethany of Love Grows Design

Sourcing & Linking – Bethany of Love Grows Design

If you haven’t noticed, I am a huge advocate of sourcing and linking. I post images by different artists here all of the time and I am allowed that opportunity because of the way I link back.  Bethany wrote an amazing post on the importance of sourcing and linking. Wouldn’t it suck to have your content shard but have no credit given back? It happens to the best of us, especially with images floating around large social networks like Pinterest. Sometimes a reverse Google Image search makes the world of a difference in giving proper credit. I would encourage you, if you aren’t already, to always provide links for content that is not your own.

 Designating A Blogging Space - Celestine of Java Aficionado

 

Designating a Blogging Space – Celestine of Java Avicionado 

I often feel as if my surroundings dictate the outcome of my blog posts.  I always try to blog in an area that offers the best inspiration and peace of mind. Celestine wrote a great post on the importance of designating a blogging space. While we don’t think our environment effects us often, I would encourage you to try to blog in a new place. Have you ever blogged outdoors? Try it! You never know what may happen.

Making Images SEO & Pinterest Friendly - Angie of This Muse Is Taken

 

Making Images SEO & Pinterest Friendly – Angie of This Muse is Taken

There are so many different ways to increase your traffic. One of the best ways is to make your blog more SEO friendly. Angie wrote a great short article on how to use your image’s alt  tags to create SEO friendly images. In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, take the time to check out this easy SEO guide. It’s extremely helpful and easy to follow.

Staying Motivated to Blog - Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky

Staying Motivated to Blog – Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky

So how do we continue to be motivated to blog? Elizabeth goes over quite a few tips that help her keep her blogging drive up. I like what she says about blogging for yourself. It’s nice to have readers and comments, but you are here because you want to be. I always keep that in the back of my mind as I construct my blog posts.

I hope these have helped a bit! Looking forward to next month’s roundup.

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Inspiration: Minimals

I’m very excited to share this adorable product line with you. As you can tell, I am a big fan of minimal illustrations. I always have a hard time buying artwork or cards for babies because a lot of the designs are very gender-specific and overwhelming. Minimals solves these problems with a stationery line featuring clean minimal, gender-neutral colorful illustrations of different animals. Minimals features cards, prints, invitations, and posters all featuring cute animal illustrations. I’m not going to talk too much but I’ll share a few of my favorites from the card line. They can make amazing artwork if put in a frame or shadow box as well. I do love a design that’s versatile.

Minimals - Flutterby

Minimals - Necky

Minimals - Peekaboo

Minimals - Wishy-Washy

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Inspiration: Neck of the Woods Project

Happy Monday! I am back in full force. I’ve missed blogging so much but I had an opportunity to work on so many things that I’ll be posting about this week. One of the most inspiring things I’ve found in my hiatus is the Neck of the Woods Project by Chloe Allen. The Neck of the Woods Project features hand-lettered sayings from all around the world created by Chloe. It’s an interesting way to learn crazy things that are every day idioms in other cultures.  I adore Chloe’s hand-lettering and how she makes each saying unique. There are only a few thus far but I’ve enjoyed them all. Here are some of my favorites.

Neck of the Woods Project -  Zacatlán de las Manzanas, Puebla, Mexico

Neck of the Woods Project - Boston, Massachusetts

Neck of the Woods Project - Scotland, UK

Neck of the Woods Project - West Virginia, United States

All images copyright Chloe Allen | Society6

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Blog Feature: Designing A Life

Angel-Yarde_of_Static-Romance_Why-Do-You-Blog

 

There can’t be anything more obnoxious than starting a blog post with a giant picture of my face. Sorry friends! Although I’m on a technical break, I wanted to share that Shayla of Designing a Life has kindly featured me on her Why Do I Blog Series. So in case you haven’t visited, today is a great day to start. See you Monday!

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Blog Break

Vacation

I always want to start of my serious posts with “Kids” as if I’m Ted from How I Met Your Mother. So I will, forgive me.

Kids, today I woke up this morning feeling exhausted. I have some unfinished projects I need to get done. I’m also collaborating with two amazing bloggers, Kristyn and Yelle, to work on creating a space for Floridian bloggers, Sunshine Bloggers. I want to take this week to focus on getting this project off the ground. I’m also involved with a new group of women here in town to discuss more personal things. I want to give these things a chance to blossom so that’s where I’m putting my energy this week. Again, I open the space once more for any guest bloggers who are interested. If not, I will be back here with more inspiration this week. I hope to find many things during my blog vacation. For more inspiration, be sure to check me out during the week on Pinterest and Instagram. See you on Monday. :)

Image Credit

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