I really need to create a readership survey, because I have no idea how many of you are bloggers. Do you even care if I write about or link to blogging information? Hmmm… if you don’t, feel free to skim right past this post. For those of you who are interested, here are the sources of a few great blogging tips and tricks.
- Savvy Blogging is a brand new site dedicated to helping you make a business from your blog.
- The (UN)experienced Mom shares her thoughts on moving from Blogger to WordPress. For those of the curious sort, I’m on wordpress. Love it.
- Amanda’s Bliss*tastic series features several bloggers (including yours truly) with unique blogging perspectives.
- What I learned at the Savvy Blogging Twitter Party is a fabulous compilation of answers to 13 popular blogging questions.
- You’ll note a drift toward WordPress… here’s How to start a self-hosted WordPress blog.
- Here are 10 Blogging Tips from Melissa.
- Be sure to read Essential Blogging Resources from Carrie.
- If you’re ready to start or improve your blog, head over to We Are THAT Family for the “blogging tips” edition of Works for me Wednesday.
Now I’m curious. How many of you are bloggers? What are your burning questions? (Not that I’m qualified to answer them…)
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
I wanted to stop by and say thanks for linking to my Blogger vs. WordPress post! I am so honored you listed me here with these other awesome resources!
I believe you are going to Blissdom, right? (And if not, sorry…losing track of who is going and who isn’t these days). If so, hope to meet you there!
Have a great night…
Tamara
http://www.theunexperiencedmom.com
I am going! Provided we’re not delayed too much tomorrow by the yucky weather…
Great list, Amy. I’m honored to be included–thank you! I am loving SavvyBlogging and would definitely second your suggestion for all to check it out, along with the #savvyblogging Twitter stream!
I am a blogger and do love it. Thank you for this list of resources. I will check them out. One question I have is what you believe the most important piece to increasing readership. I have hear varying responses to this topic and wonder what your thoughts are. Thanks~
I think linking up to memes/blog carnivals is key in the beginning. Otherwise, it’s very hard for people to “find” you.
Thanks for the tips! Happy Blogging. =)
I too use WordPress (and I’m one of your faithful readers!) My husband, who works in IT, insists that it’s better, so I’m taking his word for it (and yours!).
My question is regarding templates: I LOVE the variety of free templates for blogger, such as “CutestBlogOnTheBlock” and I have searched many times for similar sites for WordPress, but haven’t come up with very many.
While I enjoy scrapbooking and creating digital books, I want to spend my “blog time” actually writing or posting pictures, rather than designing the templates. So I’m curious if anyone knows of websites with free (or relatively inexpensive) “scrapbook-style” or even “photo-book-style” templates for WordPress.
@Becky, I just found wix.com. I’ve really loved it! I made a new header there.
I don’t see many (if any!) scrapbook-style templates for wordpress. Sorry.
Thanks, looks like a really useful list of links!
Great list! I’ll be checking out your links.
Great tips. I use wordpress also but not hosted. Someone has my name already and I just cannot decide on a new name!
I’m a Blogger and right now I’m just focusing on posting more often and getting the quality of my posts going. Next I’ll focus on getting more readers. Any tips you have there are greatly appreciated!
I highly recommend linking up to blog carnivals and memes to encourage new readership.
I’m a blogger. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the links. I will be referring back to this post!
I am a blogger and will be checking out all the links here! Thanks! I would love it if you would link this post up to my Tuesday’s Tips http://couponomicstimuluspackage.blogspot.com/2010/02/tuesdays-tips-how-to-get-out-of-debt.html
Can I please ask what’s the difference between WordPress and Blogger. And now that I’ve been with blogger is it even a good move to go to WordPress? Thanks so much for your input!
I would recommend you google “blogger vs. wordpress”. When I did that, it gave me LOTS of articles on the topic. And yes… for monetizing purposes (and SEO) a lot of people are moving to wordpress. That said, I know several very successful “blogger” blogs.
I’m a blogger and I love posts that help me learn more about blogging. Thanks!
I am most definitely a blogger. I have questions about SEO. I know what it is but I am not sure how it works and how to incorporate into an effective results on my blog:-)
One of the most important things I’ve learned about SEO is to title your posts something that people would SEARCH for. No “cutsie” titles.
Amy, thanks for the blogging links. I will be checking them out!! Now, have a grand and wonderful time at Blissdom. Take pictures and notes. I expect you to tell us all about it, when you get home!
I sure will, provided I can get to the airport! Weather moving in…
I am not really a blogger, but I have a few that I post to (mostly for my own pleasure) without any sort of consistency. I do enjoy tips and tricks, though, because I keep thinking someday I’ll put them to use and become a regular blogger!
Thanks for the list. I am a blogger who eventually will probably try to monetize (a smidge) but right now I’m so overwhelmed with other things, it’s pretty low on my pirority list. But the links have been dutifully copied into my file so I can process them when the time comes!
That was me when I started a year and a half ago! Maybe… might… monetize… a smidge…
Hi! Thanks for the great list! I’m a blogger at http://christianfrugalmama.blogspot.com and I’m really working on balance, schedule and making money right now. I’m a little lost and doing everything by trial and error. I’m really trying to build up readership and engaging my readers. No one comments usually and I usually feel like I’m talking to myself…
When I started out I linked ALL of my posts to a blog carnival or meme. I truly think that’s the best way to get visitors to your blog.
Morning! I am a blogger and after a few months using Blogger, I moved to WP. I did lose my google connect followers, which was a bad surprise–but that may be fixed now. One question I have about WP–Does anyone know if there is a way to get hyperlinked text in the sidebar? (like 2 list giveaway links?) In blogger, there was a widget for that. Not that I can find in WP. I will be checking out these links, today. Thanks!
I’ve used the “text” widget before to put in just about anything in the sidebar. You might try that.
Blogger! And excellent post, thanks! I started off over 3 years ago with a family blog that has morphed. Now I have an idea for a new blog, but can not for the life of me think of a name! I’m ready to start if only the inspiration would come.
I am new to this whole blogging world, so I appreciate your hints & tips.
My question, is when did you notice you developed a following.
With my blog, I was kind of using it as therapy & somehow I now have 6 readers. I am always curious how people find you.
Yep I am a blogger — relatively new to the game. So this post is great for me!! Many thanks!!
Okay I can’t get this link to work:
What I learned at the Savvy Blogging Twitter Party is a fabulous compilation of answers to 13 popular blogging questions.
?????
Thanks for all the info. I am a blogger. I am still a Blogger blogger. The only BURNING question I have is about setting up links. I notice some links open new tabs and some do not. I want the ones on my blog to open new tabs (leaving the reader on my blog). Is there a way I can do this? I shy away from posting links because of this little “issue”. Thanks!
target=”_blank” is the code you want to put in your link to make it open in a new window/tab. Hope that helps!
Thanks for all of the helpful links. I am a blogger and don’t make any money at it, but would love to increase my readership. That is something I want to work on. Have fun at Blissdom.
Hey Amy! I’m a blogger. Found you through WFMW and wanted to say thanks for the really helpful links. Great job!
Yes, I blog at blogger! My blog deals with the “home”! (Food, decorating, family life for the most part). I would like to learn how to make my blog more “attractive” without spending the money.
Currently my blog is a hobby and I don’t anticipate turning it into a business (nor do I desire to do this).
I am interested to learn more!
I am zero help in the “looking pretty” department. Super happy to have friends who know that stuff, though!
I bookmarked all the links to look at in my spare time. Thanks. I’ve been wanting to add an rss feed to my blog and/or website. Anyone know how?
Try feedburner.google.com That’s how I got my feed.
I currently have a blog that like 4 people in the world read and 3 of those are related to me
….I really use it more as a family scrapbook of sorts. I am not witty, amusing, or clever by any means, so most of my posts are boring. That being said, I love reading everything you write!! You inspire me to be such a better wife and mommy!
You’re sweet, Mollie. If mine was a family scrapbook of sorts, I think I would WANT only relatives to read it. Don’t need everyone knowing everything about my family.
I wish someone could rate my blog and give me advice on how to improve it. I just started blogging a few days ago. I really appreciate posts like this; I want to learn and understand all I can about wordpress and blogging so maybe I could even turn it into a jobby!!!
On the savvyblogging.net site they have a forum set up where you can request a blog mentor. You might try that.
I’m a blogger–I actually have two blogs, both on blogger. One of these days when I start making a few bucks at it I might move to WordPress, but until then, I have to stick with blogger for the price–free!! I do have my own domain names, but that’s the extent of what I’m willing to pay right now.
Don’t blame you a bit! I didn’t move until the $$$ potential was there. Free is good.
Wowzers….what perfect timing!! I am a brand spanking new blogger and do I EVER need to read/bookmark/reread “How to Improve Your Blog”. I am on Blogger and getting ready to make my very first post, lol I am soooo stepping out of my comfort zone on this one but I know that it will be lots of fun and hopefully a little therapeutic as well. Have a happy day all!!!
I have been trying to figure that out too. I have a spot for it but it doesn’t seem to be working…I would also like an email sign up delivered by feedburner.
I got my email sign up on the feedburner site. You might start there. It is definitely a good thing to have to increase subscribers.
Thank you so much for all the links! I had a lot of fun reading. I don’t see my blog ever becoming my business, but for now I am really enjoying having it just for fun. Thanks again for all the tips!
Thanks so much! I’m always interested in reading information and tips on better blogging. Love the blogging world!
I’m a blogger! I actually have two sites:
http://www.thedomesticcontessa.com – a site where I blog about life as a wife and stay-at-home mommy to two little ones. I started this site as a way to keep track of all the great ideas I’m finding around the Internet!
http://www.myblogsmentor.com – Having seen the need and desire for a more structured way of learning about how to blog and the blogging world, I recently created this site. I love blogging and learning more about it so my posts relate to things about blogging that I am learning. It is my desire to help make the task of blogging less overwhelming while helping other bloggers learn about blog design, increasing traffic, monetizing, and more. Be sure to join the discussion at my forum there!
Thanks for a great list of resources – I’ll be checking them out soon!
I sure hope my readers are following that link for some great advice!
Hi I am a blogger too. I used to be a subscriber, and then I stopped and deleated the link. I cannot for the life of me remmebr why. Because I just spent the last 15 minutes reading past posts, wondering why I ever left. So I am glad I am back. I need to follow some of these tips.
I’m glad you’re back, too!
Thanks for the help!
I am a blogger…have been for two years…seriously where did the time go?
The links were extremely helpful…I just recently bought my own domain and I am making the switch to wordpress, AAAHHHH!
Wish me luck!
Good luck with that! I hear it’s a hassle… but so worth it.
I have a WordPress blog, but now a self hosted. I feel clueless with it.
Clueless with the design or the dashboard or what? I might be able to help…
Sorry, I meant I do not have a self-hosted.
You know I’m a blogger!
When you do your survey, which is really quite an interesting endeavor, don’t use survey monkey. They charge you $20 for any responses over 100! Check with #savvyblogging ladies for free options.
Katie
Good to know! I’ll probably use google docs. I hear that’s easy… We’ll see!
Thanks for posting these tips, Amy. Now that I’m almost moved and I’m officially a SAHW, I am planning to do a lot more blogging than I have done.
I hope I can figure out the self-hosting thing once we’re moved into our new place and have internet.
Great tips! Thanks so much! I am unfamiliar with memes and blog carnivals. It was recommended a couple times, but I don’t know what they are.
help!
A meme is like Menu Plan Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Frugal Friday, or the one I host… Finer Things Friday. It’s where bloggers write a post with the weekly theme and link up so others can find their post. Hope that helps!
As one who is just thinking about a blog, it seems as though WordPress blogs all look similar in that they are just words at the top and no”cute” photos and such. Is that correct? Is it possible to change that? Is it costly?
My first blog http://amysfinerthings.wordpress.com has a photo header. You can use anything for the header, as far as I know.