Archive for » November, 2009 «

Nov

bwab screeshot Dot over at Deeper Issues and I must be blogging sisters as we both enjoy looking at, experimenting with and/or changing our themes.

In the beginning days of blogging, I changed the theme to this blog quite regularly, but now use my test site to play with new themes so I don’t confuse all of you by making too many changes here.

On my next project, which is STILL under construction, I’m not only getting posts written for the unveiling, but am redesigning the theme. I’ve changed colors, added widgets, created and recreated the header a half dozen times, and played with so many fonts I’ve lost count all in an attempt to get it “just right”.

Today’s Lesson

Just as they say the first impression is a lasting one, the theme we use can say a lot about us and our blog.

Some choose colorful ones with photos, whereas other bloggers are sporting lots of white space.

Some have sidebars filled with ads, photos, badges and widgets. Others prefer things much more simple.

With so many blog themes to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Add to that the fact changing the code can result in an original creation, bloggers can customize their sites and make their theme a representation of who they are.

When I land on blogs, I wonder why the author chose the theme they did. Was it the color that attracted them, or the layout? Did they customize the header or did they choose to only display the name of the blog and its tag line? Does the theme represent what I’ll find in the articles? And is it a true representation of the author?

For me, I chose this theme because I can change the header image with just a few clicks. It has a “custom header” feature which allows me to download a different photo if I so desire.

Because I wanted this blog to showcase those who comment, older posts and interviews, advertisements took a back seat. (I have some in the footer).

What I’ve done may not work for others, but for this blog I feel it fits.

What about you?

Today’s Assignment

Why did you choose the theme you use?

Does it fit your personality or is it time for a change?

Raise you hand and share how your blog theme was born.

P.S. The photo at the top of the post is a screenshot of this blog prior to April 2009

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Themes 94 Comments

Nov

Blog Yourself To A Smaller World

Barbara Swafford

small world image Anyone who has been blogging for any length of time soon finds out blogging can become addictive.

So addictive, it can begin to rule our life.

Some bloggers stop socializing with their real life friends. Others spend so much time in front of their computer, their health begins to suffer.

Weight gain can result, as well as other unhealthy habits.

With all of the benefits blogging has, it’s sad to think the down side can be so huge.

Today’s Lesson

Blogging has a way of slowly drawing us in.

In the beginning it’s very subtle. We may find we’re spending more time on our blogs and stealing minutes from our sleep time to blog and/or communicate with our online acquaintances. Soon, those minutes can turn into hours.

If left unchecked, we can find ourselves sucked in to blogosphere and feeling quite overwhelmed.

In Davina’s situation, she realized she was blogging so much, her real life was slipping away. She so eloquently put it when she said,

My circle grew in the sense that I had more connections, but yet my life grew smaller. The blogging cycle became a merry go round that was spinning at a dizzying speed.

In my personal experience, it became harder to be creative and come up with new ideas to write about — because I didn’t have a life outside of blogging.

I think that’s why so many bloggers find other bloggers are writing about the same things. The fun and creativity is lost or smothered by self-imposed pressures of obligation. The inner critic has a wonderful time with this, distracting you, knocking around your ASSteroid Belt.

Blogging shouldn’t be that way. Blogging should be fun and not feel like an obligation.

Even though a blog can provide personal and financial gain, it’s meant to help us grow as a person; not to take over our life.

Today’s Assignment

Has blogging affected your life in a negative way?

If so, how are you handling it?

If you’ve found balance, what advice would you give to a blogger who is struggling with juggling their real life and blogging?

Raise your hand, share your thoughts and together we can help each other.

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Life 81 Comments

Nov

Let Your Blog Work For You – 25 Ways

Barbara Swafford

The topic of how to make money with a blog gets beat to death.

You’ve read it. I’ve read it. We’ve all read it.

Truth be told, not all that many bloggers are making money WITH their blogs.

What’s happening instead is people are making money BECAUSE they have a blog.

Today’s Lesson

Placing ads on a blog may generate a small income, however, those who claim to have become “six figure bloggers” by doing this, appear to be the exception, not the norm. Their success comes from having HUGH amounts of traffic landing on their blog(s) and clicking on their ads (plus other factors).

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that kind of traffic and the wait to get it might be a long one.

What’s happening in the meantime is many bloggers are using their blogs to generate income in other ways; in ways where their blog is a stepping stone to greater gains as well as financial increase.

Below is a list of twenty five innovative ways bloggers can and are making a difference and/or are making money BECAUSE they have a blog.

Sell your photographs
Caroline Manrique is a perfect example of this. She used her photography skills and published a beautiful picture book which highlights some of her best work. She also sells individual prints on her blog. Caroline’s book is featured at the top of this post.
Write and sell books (ebooks or other).
This is what Lori Hoeck did. She wrote an ebook titled “Think Like A Black Belt” using her years of experience in martial arts to create a book chock full of life saving self defense techniques
Build a new business.
Tom Volkar, true life calling coach, used his blog and coaching business to launch his new business, “Big Link Rally”*. In the future he hopes to take the new business on the road.
Freelance Writing.
MomGrind’s author Vered used her blog as a stepping stone to become a freelance writer . She continues to blog, but most of the time she can be found creating content for her clients.
Specialize in tweaking blogging themes
Kim Woodbridge of Anti Social Development quit her day job to perform blog upgrades and template tweaks for her customers on a full time basis. Although she still blogs, her clientele comes first.
Sell your music
Jannie Funster, singer and songwriter, uses her blog to make us laugh plus bring more attention to her latest CD. Not only does she advertise the CD on her blog, but you can buy it there, as well.
Speaking engagements.
Some bloggers are being paid to speak about the topic in their niche. A blog is a great place to advertise your services as well as to showcase your knowledge.
Fee based work shops.
Use the information you share on your blog and offer work shops to local businesses in your area. The work shops will also give you an opportunity to promote your blog.
Sell crafts on a blog
If you have an artistic talent and aren’t having luck getting your creations sold locally, use your blog in conjunction with a site like eBay to market your wares. Twitter would compliment these efforts nicely, as well.
Create t-shirts or other items and sell them on sites like Zazzle or Cafe Press.
On both Zazzle and Cafe Press you can create custom products like t-shirts, cups, stationery plus a whole lot more and make a small commission while Zazzle or Cafe Press takes care of the rest. This works well for bloggers Betsy and Pete of Passing Thru who sell custom stamps. For detailed information on what works for them, see the series of posts Betsy and Dot of Deeper Issues published with regard to making money online.
Write paid posts.
Although some discourage using a blog for this activity, many are making money doing it. Setting up a separate blog for this purpose may help to avoid your main blog from becoming overly commercialized.
Webinars.
Instead of arranging a meeting of like minded people in the real world, some are setting up “pay to attend” webinars. Using this method of reaching others not only reduces costs, but can result in a larger number of attendees.
Offer specialty blogging products or services for a fee
John Hoff not only blogs, but offers premium web hosting, security and WordPress management on his website.
Product reviews.
Some bloggers love to write product reviews. Although they may not get paid to write a post, samples are often sent to them which they can keep. I’m still waiting for someone to send me a Mercedes and to review and keep.
Site re/design and/or premium themes
Eric Hamm of Motivate Thyself started a blog and then began to hire out his technological skills to do site re/design for others (including for this blog). He has since gone on to develop a premium WordPress theme*.
Become a corporate blogger.
The time you spend blogging becomes your online resume. Use it to your benefit and apply for jobs in the real world.
Be a ghost writer

Ghost Writer Dad dipped his toes into this arena. The last time I checked he’s doing quite well, plus has added other services to his list.

Teleconferences
Karl at Work Happy Now offers teleconferences to help improve the work culture in companies. He advertises this along with several other services on his blog.
Show off your funny side.
Cartoonists like Todd of Asciville are showing off their funny side as well as their artistic talents by using their blog to showcase their creations and to get their name out.
Create a membership site and sell your knowledge
Darren Rowse of Problogger has a fee based membership site as does Barbara Ling
Hire yourself out as an expert in (____fill in the blank___)
Davina is having great success with her proofreading and editing business and uses her blog to advertise, as well as to showcase her writing talents and her life coaching business.
Become a social media expert.
Use what you’ve learned from being on Twitter, Facebook and/or MySpace and contract to others and help them build an online presence
Build the clientele for an existing business.
If you currently operate a business, add a blog to your website to increase your reach and build your reputation. Write targeted posts in which you share tips and ideas with your current and future clients. The comment section is the perfect place to provide answers to questions. Kevin Sandridge’s site is a perfect example of this.
Teaching assignments
In a recent comment Dominique shared how because of her blog, she was offered a gig to teach a class at a writers conference.
Help a favorite charity
Although helping a charity won’t put money in your pocket, a blog can help to draw attention and raise money for a good cause.

Lance (Jungle of Life) and Joanna (Fitness and Spice) teamed up and published an ebook (Blog 4 Cause) with all proceeds going to fight breast cancer at the Susan G. Koman Foundation.

So, there you have it, twenty five ways in which a blog can be used to catapult you and your talents into the mainstream toward financial freedom and/or meeting your personal goals.

Today’s Assignment

How are you using your blog to advance your career, generate additional income and/or reach your personal goals?

If you’re not, do you foresee that happening in the future?

Raise your hand and share your thoughts. I’m all ears.

*Affiliate links