So, I’m taking the plunge and moving this lil blog that I’ve had since 2006 over to WordPress. I have been wanting to do this for awhile because I’ve heard from a lot of you that it’s a great thing to do and I’m looking forward to all the new things I can do with WordPress.
Category: Blogging
Promote your Blog
I’ve had a lot of people ask me how to get your blog out there and noticed. I usually say to network and comment. Try to find other bloggers with interests like yours and people you have things in common with! I also like a lot of blogs because I relate on some level…..sometimes I don’t even have things in common with them. I just find their blogs interesting to read…or found them in some other way 😉
A great way to get your site noticed, especially when attending blogger functions is through car magnets.
You can get a magnet and put it on your car like this:
Isn’t this cool?
Magnetsonthecheap.com has a great selection of car magnets and they are super stylish and reasonably priced too! I created my own magnet and it took less than 10 minutes.
“On The Cheap” sites offers several different options: magnets, banners and signs are all great resources if you’re thinking about advertising your site.
They are custom, stylish, and affordable.
You can stick them anywhere!
Go check them out!
Why I Blog???
Today is a bunch of random stuff that has been on my mind….
I’ve been thinking about WHY I blog. I do blog for me…but then I have to think that yes, other people read this too. People I don’t even know. I have to be mindful of that. Then I question myself and what I write constantly. Am I writing and representing the image I want to???
The answer to that is no. No, I don’t think that a lot of what I put out here on the world wide web is necessarily the best representation of what I should be posting. I forget that more people read than just me and my family now and I need to be respectful of that. I write what I feel and what I believe. I am a sinner and I make mistakes. I can only hope that most of what I put out here is respectful and mindful of that.
I want to have the memories. I LOVE having these memories. I LOVE taking photos. I often think….it will be so nice for Connor to have this blog to look back on some day. I wish I had something like this to read when I was growing up. Is everything I post something I would want my SON to read one day? No. I do what him to read this as well…..also keeping that in mind. I hope he does and I want to be proud of what I put on my blog.
I also know not everything is “personal”. I do reviews & have ads on this blog. Now, don’t get me wrong, the extra money (while it’s not of any significant amount) is nice and a little incentive to blog! Thanks to BlogHer for creating a fabulous network for women and a way to monetize and make a little extra cushion money. They are great folks and I really appreciate all BlogHer as done for me 🙂 I dream that someday I’ll be able to go to one of their fabulous conferences.
I don’t want this blog to be a page full of advertisements either. I keep that in mind. While I do receive sponsors and have advertisers. That is by choice and I do enjoy that aspect. I understand the choice to monetize your blog is personal for everyone & I think if you are comfortable with that then go for it! Everyone likes a little extra moolah! So I say why not?
So many doors have opened for me through blogging. I’ve met so many people I would have never known if it weren’t for blogging. I am grateful for all of this and consider it a blessing.
Truly in my heart…all of this mish mash we call life that we choose to share with others is a blessing. In this day and age where reality TV is so prominent I think blogging sort of feeds into that realm. It’s a way to peek into other people’s lives (if they choose to share it with you) and feel connected in some way or another. Blogging takes away the awkwardness. You can share things easier than if you were standing right in front of that person. You can just read and connect. If you choose to comment that is your choice. It’s something I need to get better at!
Well, those are just some thoughts I’ve had lately. Lord knows my thoughts always come out jumbled. I have so many grammar errors it’s scary! ha ha! But I’m so blessed to know you all and thanks for reading about our life. I truly enjoy reading about yours as well!
xoxo Becky
PS: Sorry about all the blog layout disaster drama yesterday. I lost of bunch of stuff and I don’t know how to get it back…..but it’s not the end of the world. I’ll evolve and start over again 🙂
I made these 4th of July cupcake toppers if ya’ll want to print them just click on the picture to make it bigger then PRINT.
Look how this kid watches TV…..silly boy!
DFW Blogger Directory: Add Yo’Self!
I’m so excited to get the ball rolling on this. I know the Houston gals have something similar where they do bloggy meetups and plan fun events. I’m hoping to start the same thing here in the DFW area. If you are a DFW blogger and would like to be added to our DFW directory please….
And add your blog!
We will be in touch soon with some fun get togethers & events!
xoxo
The Java Mama
Top 5 Blog Posts People Love to Read
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about blogging. What we post, why we post, what draws in the most readers. This particular post is my opinion and it doesn’t mean it’s true or works….or whatever….it’s just thoughts I ‘ve had.
These are things I think people like to read about and also things that draw in the most traffic to your blog:
1. “HOW TO” POSTS
I love to read tutorials and “how to’s” on how to do things. Whether it be crafts or hairstyles…people not only want to see pictures, they want to know HOW to get it done. For example: Kate over at The Small Things Blog started posting about hairstyles and tutorials. Her blog has not been around long, but I’ve watched it jump from a meager 100-something followers to over 12K followers in what seems like overnight.
Thanks to Pinterest, we now have a great tool to showcase our “how to” and tutorial posts. People gravitated towards her blog because it was something they could relate to and something they could possibly do themselves.
Now, I do have to say that just because you see a hairstyle/hair color on someone it DOESN’T mean it’s right for you….trust me I know this! But they are fun to look at and get inspiration from!
2. PICTURE & VIDEO POSTS
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. People are very “visual”. I love to read good writing as well, don’t get me wrong. But when you get down to the nitty gritty people want to “connect” and by seeing photos and videos of the person they are reading about really helps connects the author to their audience.
3. GIVEAWAYS & REVIEWS
Who doesn’t love a good giveaway? I do! It’s fun for you and your readers. It increases your traffic, especially when you promote via Twitter and Facebook. When I do a giveaway or a review I really try to think of things that belong on my particular blog. I wouldn’t be doing a review or giveaway for video gamers because it’s just not something I’m into. Think of things YOU like and want to share. It never hurts to contact a company directly, I mean the worst they can say is “No” right? I’ve sent out so many emails requesting giveaways or review sponsorship….and some say no…some say yes. You never know unless you give it a shot! Everyone LOVES free stuff!
4. LINK UPS
Link ups are a great way to meet other bloggers and promote your own as well. As you may recall from yesterday’s post I recently participated in a coffee mug swap. By participating in this link up it gives me a chance to put my blog out there on someone else’s website and I get to read about bloggers I would have never found otherwise. It also increases YOUR traffic because they will click on your linkup and lead them to your site. It’s also a lot of fun 🙂
5. ASK QUESTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, & TIPS
By asking questions or getting recommendations, and tips from other bloggers it draws your audience in. It allows readers to participate in a conversation. It also allows you to respond to them! (Please go and connect your email to your Blogger acct! It makes it so much easier to respond to comments!) By engaging in issues/asking questions/or whatever it may be it makes you seem more personable and approachable. I’m not just a blogger, I’m an actual person…with feelings and opinions too. Keep that in mind and try to be kind folks 😉 Even if you don’t necessarily agree it’s always good to put a voice out there and you never know who you may help or influence!
Whelp….that’s it for today!
I thoroughly enjoy blogging and everything it has brought to my life. I feel like it’s a blessing and so many good things have come from it and I hope you enjoy it too! I’ve been blogging since 2006 and that’s a long time in bloggy land. My blog has never “hit it big”, but I do enjoy it. Blogging should never feel like work and it should be something you enjoy. I can truly say I enjoy it. And if you don’t have a blog….it’s never to late to start!
I’ll leave you with my sugar booger and his new shades 🙂
It’s FRIDAY tomorrow peeps!
Put a smile on it! 🙂