Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Blogging Basics

I am still shocked at the response I received from my post about what I've learned blogging.

You all got me thinking.  Maybe I should do a little blogging basics series. 

blogbasics

This series would include things I have learned along the way.  I am nowhere close to being a professional.  I have a tiny little blog (but lots of awesome readers).  I have had some amazing opportunities stem from this little blog and I’d like to share my wisdom.

I know some of the fancy big girl bloggers have recently discussed their blogging tips but I’m thinking more tips for us tiny baby bloggers.  We do things a little differently.  Our blogging mission isn’t too put food on our tables but to entertain one another instead.  I think we can do this while pretending to know what we’re doing as well.

My “blogging series” (if I stick with it) will be more focused on the basics.  The things that I had to dig to find on my own. 

Here’s where I need your input…

What would you like to learn from this series? 

Things I have in mind include but are not limited to:

  • Blog layout, Laying out a post, How to make a header, What’s your blog mission/focus?, Turn off that word capture, Make Picnik your best friend, Your “About Me” page, Finding your niche, Google Reader 101, Windows Live Writer 101, Getting your blog out there, Social media, Let’s talk $$$

What did I miss?

This would be a one post a week deal.  I don’t want to get away from my true love…….blabbing about my house and my compulsive shopping habits.  (I’m trying to limit my spending in January, so you get random posts.  Woo hoo!)

I would also love if some of you that have been blogging for awhile would chime in with comments.  Maybe I’ll have some helpers.  E-mail me if you are interested experienced little bloggers (decorandthedog at gmail). This could be fun…

36 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great idea to me! I'd look forward to having a read. From a fellow little blogger :)

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  2. "Make Picnik your best friend" is the one I would like please! I have photoshop but it is soooooo huge that I don't know where to start! So simple ways to enhance my photos would be nice please :)

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  3. Sounds like it would be awesome! Looking forward to it!

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  4. YES!!! Please do the series!! I would LOVE it!!!

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  5. LOVE your idea! I'd love to learn more about Windows Live Writer, but they all sound useful!

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  6. ANY help will be appreciated! I blog because I like to blog, but I do want to be more interactive with my fellow bloggies. Also - blog etiquette? Example: When people do linky parties, everyone seems to link up differently. Some on that same post, some on an entire page they made for just that reason, etc... Is there a right way?

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  7. Great idea - I love learning new things about blogging! You can never have enough new tips!

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  8. Oh my gosh. I am SO excited you're gonna do this!! The few thoughts I had you've already got covered but if I think of anymore I'll let you know.

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  9. Love this. You introduced me to picnik and I don't know how I blogged without it!! I want to hear about every topic you listed. Seriously. I've been blogging for a little over a year and there is ALWAYS something to learn and improve upon. I don't know if I'm "qualified" but I'm definitely a baby blogger that has learned a bunch along the way. I'd love to help if you think I have any ideas to offer :)

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  10. I like that idea a lot! If your blog is a baby, then mine is like a preemie. =D Can't wait to read more of your tips for blogging!

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  11. I'd love this! I definitely think there needs to be some guidelines for us little blogs!

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  12. This is great!!! I started blogging just for myself and then to keep up with wedding plans and now newlywed life. I have been kind of surprised that people (strangers) read it from time to time. I would love to learn some more so that I can have a better blog that is definitely worth following.

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  13. Great idea! I think you should also include how to get featured. You've made the rounds at some of the biggies so it would be helpful to those who have room transformations that could benefit from exposure. Looking forward to it Michelle!

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  14. I love all the different topic ideas that you've come up with. I would love to learn about Windows Live Writer.

    Also, any tips on finding others to collaborate with, like linky parties and guest posting type stuff would be great too!

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  15. I continue to be puzzled by what readers are looking for... I write posts thinking "that's super interesting", but it's actually not (to anyone but me that is). Then I write posts thinking "meh" and everyone goes bonkers about them. It's not even down to photography, I'd understand if it was! If you have any insight, let me know!
    Maybe it's me. I laugh hard at things others don't find funny and remain mum when others are practically on the floor snorting ;-)

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  16. Fabulous idea! I need to learn about this Windows Live Writer. I'd love to help in any way. Holla at cha girl.

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  17. Thank you for doing this series! I am a brand spankin' new blogger and need some tutorials to jazz that puppy up!

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  18. Yes! Do it! I would eat up every word. I'm still pretty shocked that you find the time to post every single day, so I'd be interested to hear anything you have to say about keeping the post ideas coming.

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  19. Yes, yes, yes! I need help with social media - how to's. I really need to grow this baby blog and want to know the best ways. Looking forward to the series!

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  20. Love this. I can definitely see that your blog has grown from when I started reading just a few months ago. I'd love to read these type of posts from you as long as there are Ike photos involved sometimes ;)

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  21. This is so funny. I was just thinking about emailing you to get my blogging questions answered. Now I'll just ask my questions in public.
    After blogging for 8 months I still don't know the best way to get a fellow blogger to guest post on my blog or for me to guest post on theirs.
    I'm also having trouble knowing the best way to do giveaways. Do I approach vendors or just buy something myself and give it away
    I'm so confused. Please help

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  22. This is awesome! I like the "Blogging Mission" because that's so true! During my sabbatical, I found a lot of "how to make money" but not so much "how to have fun".

    And yes, Picnik is my friend. :)

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  23. I have a suggestion to make... have you tried BlogLovin? It is so easy to read the blogs of your choice with just a simple click! Discovered it myself just recently and I'm really glad I did! I'd be happy to help you out with comments or anything else I've learnt so far (and I've spent many many hours trying to sort things out all by myself, no help given!)
    Love, Olga

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  24. I really like this idea! Can't wait to hear what you have to say :)

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  25. Exiting! I like learning as much as I can about formatting =)

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  26. I'm always up for more great ideas...heaven knows I can certainly use them! Great idea for a series, girl!

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  27. I'd love to read a series like this. I'm good on Livewriter, graphic/web design, etc. What I'd like to know is how to find readers? How do they find me? And how do you entice them to comment? My new blog is like a ghost town, lol. My BFF and my mom read, a few of my FB friends read, and no one ever comments. I also think my writing is stiff and unnatural when I read it but I don't know how to change that. I have a kind of dry, sarcastic wit that usually makes people laugh in person but I don't think it translates well to my writing. How do I loosen up and let the words flow onto the screen like they would from my mouth? Is there a technique for this or does it just come from time and experience?
    Looking forward to reading your series! =)

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  28. I can't wait for this series!! All of the ideas you mentioned are ones I would love to read & learn more of!
    You are incredibly talented!!

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  29. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm a Google Reader lurker. Been lurking for some tome now. When I've tried to comment through my reader in the past the Earth's axis got slightly shifted and it didn't go through. Then I get frustrated and walk away from my DROIDX, pledging myself to Apple at my next upgrade. Sheesh.

    I have a Nikon D90 and have been forcing myself to shoot in "M" since I got it in August. I'm signing up for a local photography class through Vanderbilt on the 18th of this month. Hopefully they teach me what I can't figure out. I'm not a manual reader either. I prefer hands on learning. My husband, he's a super-fast speed reader and could read boring stuff like the dictionary.... borrrrrrringggggg!

    Flickr... yes, please! Let's do this!!

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  30. I would love this! Thinking about starting my own blog and would love any advice and tips:) Thanks!

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  31. I would Love that!!! Any help is welcome :)
    I've been dreaming about starting my own blog for years but -the fancy big girl bloggers- make it pretty intimidating...
    Hugs,
    Nathalie

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  32. I'd be ever so grateful for a series like this. I won my blog header in a give-away, but have no clue about changing it and doing the multi-photo look that is so popular. Thank you in advance, & I'll be watching.
    CAS

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  33. Yes! Please do this. I am new to blogging and would appreciate any advice!

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