Jane at Cottage at the Crossroads and
Ann On Sutton Place are Launching a new linky party this Monday....
Gold Medal Blogging Tips
I haven't been blogging a very long time, but I will share some of the tips that have helped me. Hope you can look at all the party participants and glean some helpful hints. Here goes:
1.
Your Pictures are the Eye-Candy for Your Blog
They should grab attention and then tell your story.
I don't have the funds at the moment for an expensive camera,
but I read and check all kinds of places about how to take pretty pictures....
then I edit and re-size in Adobe Photoshop Elements.
Elements is the cheaper, dumbed-down version of Photoshop.....I LOVE it! But, don't despair, you don't have to learn how to use a software program.There are many photo-edit websites that are free that you can use...experiment until you find one that you like.
Below is one of my pictures used in a template that I downloaded, opened in PSE and used the color picker to make a colorbar. Loads of fun! You can get this template free from The CoffeeShop Blog
There are loads of free blog and picture layouts, actions, textures, brushes that you can download and use to make your pictures interesting.
Here is a partial list.
You have the option of creating your own blog headers....
I REALLY enjoy doing mine every season....sometimes every month....and matching the tags on the sidebar...fun!
For a short tutorial showing how to create what I call a "barely there" header go here.
Mary at Little Red House has a linky party...
Mosaic Monday [and instructions for making a collage].
2.
Be the Best You that You Can Be
Some days you will be a little frazzled....
Some days you will be Singin' In the Rain....
But....don't be a drama queen ALL the time....[smile]....
Your blog should be just as unique as you are so relax and celebrate your uniqueness!
3.
DON"T BE a NO-REPLY BLOGGER
It is entirely too frustrating to try to thank someone for a kind comment or to answer a question and find this<noreply-comment@blogger.com> !
UGGGHH!
Easy fix....I like easy!
Go to your dashboard. Click edit user profile.Check show my e-mail address. Save. Done!
4.
Check your Word Verification!!!
5.
Keep sidebars neat and tidy
I don't care for a lot of stuff crowding my sidebars so I found an alternative followers gadget.
To remove the bulky followers list go to this site-
http://www.latest-techtips.com/2011/04/how-to-add-blogger-follow-button.html
6.
Goldilocks and the Three Bloggers
Read this for loads of tips and a few laughs. http://www.lifewithbooks.com/2009/04/goldilocks-and-the-three-bloggers/
7.
Be social and get to know other folks by joining to linky parties!
You can meet new people and attract viewers to your blog. This is how it works-
A blog will host a link party, usually on a particular topic. You are invited to add your relevant post link to the list for others to see. Click on the title of your post and copy the web address for the actual post...not your whole blog.
Visit and comment....make new friends. Look at my linky party list below. I never link to all of them each week. I only link to the ones that my particular post is relevant to. The ones I can take the time to peruse and meet other wonderful bloggy friends.
Some weeks I don't have time to link to ANY! I know BAD Audrey!
So....
most of you have a lot more expertise and knowledge to share than I do....
won't you join us at Jane's Cottage at the Crossroads and Anne On Sutton Place to party?
 |
| http://cottageatthecrossroads.com |
Hope your week is amazingly wonderful!
Metamorphosis Monday at
Show It Off Monday at Get Outta My Head Please
Show It Off Monday at Get Outta My Head Please
Meet Me Monday at youaretalkingtoomuch.blogspot.com
Tuesday-
CowgirlUp Tuesday at CedarHill
Knick of Time Tuesday at knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com
Tablescape Tuesday at astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Tuesday’s Treasures at www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Transformation Tuesday at The Ironstone Nest
Transformation Tuesday at The Ironstone Nest
Turning The Daunting Into the Do-able at projectqueen.org
My Favorite Things at http://www.theironstonenest.com
My Favorite Things at http://www.theironstonenest.com
Wednesday-
Primp Your Stuff at
Wednesday is Rednesday at suelovescherries.blogspot.com
What’s It Wednesday at ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday atsavvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
Thursday-
Pearls and Lace Thursday at faithgracecrafts.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Tablescape Thursday at betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Treasurehunt Thursday at frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.
Friday-
Air Your Laundry at www.freckledlaundry.com
Freestyle Friday at www.happyhourprojects.com
Potpouri Friday at twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com
Vintage Inspiration at commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com
Saturday-
Pink Saturday at howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Sunday-
22 comments:
Great tips Audrey! And they are so true. I know after I took my photography class I noticed my follower numbers began to steadily increase. It really is all about the eye-candy! And yes linky parties are such a great way to meet other bloggers and make new friends!
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!
XO
Thanks for sharing such great tips, Audrey. There is always something to be learned no matter whether you are a new or experienced blogger.
I agree that photos are the eye candy. I like to believe that content is the key to growing a blog and not the header, and bells and whistles of a blog. Definitely don't clutter it up!
Hello Audrey: My first time to your blog, and I appreciate the helpful blog tips you shared today. I will be checking out those links that you provided--thank you so much, and have a fantastic week!
Great tips, Audrey. Thanks so much for stopping by. xo
Great tips Audrey, thanks for sharing and I am so going to check out Photoshop Elements and the really cool The CoffeeShop Blog! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – your creativity helped make the party a success!
Beautiful bee balm and coneflowers. Enjoyed your tips, too.
This is wonderful...so many great tips. I especially agree about the no reply bloggers. That is one of the most frustrating thing about comments. Thank you so much for linking up to our party!
Audrey, thanks so much for linking up to our linky party. First, I'd like to say that your headers that you create are amazing! And you are so right about the photos. Your mosaic really caught me eye! I am hoping to get a new camera in a month or so. I've really been stretching the little point and shoot!
Great tips from a newbie. Thanks
Very good tips and a lovely mosaic! Hugs!
Beautiful collage of cone flowers! They are one of my favorite flowers!!! Thank you!!! Cathy
Thanks for the fantastic tips and all the great links. You put a lot of work into this post.
I love to learn something new - thanks for the tips!
Great mosaic and helpful tips.
I've been reading your blog for quite awhile and always thought it to be very visually appealing. Sharing these hints and tips is much appreciated and I am going to study this post carfully.
Excellent tips! No reply bloggers and word verification are two of my biggest blogging pet peaves!
great tips! - thanks!
I am going to book mark this one!
have a great week.
loved your tips and your photos; especially that poor, featherless chicken...my my!
Great tips, thank you. I'm with ya on the no-reply and the word verification. These are just too frustrating and no one has time to hunt someone down and type those darn words. Thanks for sharing and for visiting with me:-)
These tips are wonderful. Some are way over my head...like the no reply. I noticed some people just reply via email (or it seems that way) I go back to their blog and I don't see their reply under my comment. Anyway. Slowly learning. I would LOVE to figure out how to create my oh header. I will definitely pull this up with husband and try. Old computer. :) Thanks for the tips and links! Great!!
Thanks for the awesome tips! I've already checked a couple of them out and I'm learning so much. Thanks again and I love the frazzled rooster. :)
Babs
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