I started this blog one year ago today. The past year went by fast....and slow. Fast when I had lots of project and writing ideas, slow when I had writer's block. In the beginning, I tried to blog every day and would write about anything. I just wanted to write something....like frying sweet tea. LOL!
In the early days, I didn't tell anyone in my family that I had a blog. I just wanted to see if I could do it. For the first few weeks, the only person who read my blog was my friend, Mindy of Rindy Mae. As us southerners would say, "bless her heart!" She was a great source of encouragement for me. Thanks, Mindy!
I was also determined to learn everything I could about blogging. I wanted to design my own blog so I read tons of blogs and websites to find out how to do it. To celebrate my "blogiversary", I want to share some of that information with you. If you are a "newbie" blogger, this is for you.
Most of the things that I learned how to do at the beginning of my blogging journey came from Sneaky Momma Blog Design.
This is a well written and easy to understand source of diy blog design. It is written for blogs that use Blogger as a host. There are tons of blog design tips categorized by levels of ability....beginner, intermediate and advanced. I keep this blog's button on my sidebar because I refer back to it frequently. In fact, the BEST blogging tip that I ever read came from Sneaky Momma Blog Design:
Create a Practice Blog!
A practice, or test, blog is a place where you can try out new blog design things before you apply them to your "real" blog. I often use my practice blog when I learn something new and want to see what it will look like before I place it on this blog. My practice blog is not public...only I can see it. To learn how to create your own practice blog, click here.
Here is a list of some other blogs/websites that I also find very useful:
1. Blogger HELP - don't overlook this great source of information!
2. Something Swanky - diy blog design tips
3. The Background Fairy - source for free blog design elements (this is where my blog design came from)
4. Photobucket - image host; gives HTML code and direct link (image URL) for any images....very useful for blog buttons or website logos
5. "Grab My Button" Code Gernerator - gives you the HTML code for a blog button and the "grab my button" box underneath it (very easy to use!)
6. PicMonkey - online photo editer
7. iPiccy - online photo editer
8. LinkWithin - places other/related blog posts at the bottom of the (post body) page.
9. HTML Code Tutorial - great site to learn basic HTML code + tips and tricks.
I wrote a few blogging tips along the way:
I recently started to help manage LinkyHere.com, a link party directory. Bloggers often use link parties, of all types, to meet other bloggers and share their projects, creations, ideas and blog posts. LinkyHere is a wonderful place to find various link parties that are happening in blogland. I wrote a post on the LinkyHere blog that shows how to use the directory. It can be found here.
Don't forget about social media. It's important to start and grow your blog's social media sites too! Social media is a big part of blogging these days and will become even more important in the future. If you don't want to start/learn lots of social media sites (facebook, twitter, google+, pinterest, etc.) all at once. Start with one, learn it and grow it before you start another one. There are lots of social media blog hops going on around blogland these days so gaining followers is the easy part. Learning how to interact and communicate with them is crucial to growing your site and blog.
As I stated in my previous post, I want to use my blog to help other bloggers. I will continue to write about things that I discover and use to help grow my blog (and yours). If you have any questions for me, just ask. If I don't know the answer, I will help you find one :)
~Shasta~
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! you have grown so much in just 1 year and i love all of the tools you offer to help others. you are truly magnificent and i am thankful i get to interact with you each day!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Shasta!! what a success story!
ReplyDeleteI was just looking back at my first few months as a blogger and how I never had any comments left back then... Now I have so many bloggy friends I always get comments, it's so sweet. I didn't realize back then how important the other bloggers would become in my life, but those relationships are the best part of blogging.
So happy we connected! xox
Happy Blogiversary!! A year goes by fast when you're a blogger doesnt it? I just had mine in August. I really appreciate all the tips you gave us here. I need to tweak my blog so other people can follow not just by GFC.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Congratulations Shasta! Happy one year blog anniversary! Where does the time go? I'm so glad I've gotten to know you. You are always so sweet and willing to help. And I'm so glad to be co-hosting the ASBP with you!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Holly
Happy Anniversary! I have found your tips to be very helpful along the way! Thank you for sharing them again!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations dear for completing one year and you shared very useful information for people who want to create their own blog, I appreciate this efforts!
ReplyDeleteThank You.
website design (las vegas)
Hello Shasta, happy anniversary! How exciting. Mine will be coming up in January. I am sure that you are like me in the fact that I have found blogging to be so much more than I had anticipated. I have made so many wonderful friends through this media of sharing ideas and thoughts. Thank you for following my blog . . . I was so excited when I saw that I had a new follower . . . it always gives my heart a little thrill. I am your newest follower and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better and in reading your delightful and informative posts. Here's wishing you an even better second year of blogging. Your new blogging sister, Connie :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Shasta! I can't believe you've only been blogging for a year... you're such a pro and I guess I just always assumed you'd been doing this for a long time :) Thanks for all your blogging tips and for sharing what you've learned with us who are still learning and growing. Enjoy your blogiversary and here's to an amazing year ahead for you and your blog!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! What a great post sharing all that good stuff in one place :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BLOGVERSARY!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow!!!! Has it seriously been a year already!??! I can't hardly believe it. I'm glad I can say I've literally been around since day one. It's pretty cool to watch how quickly it's growing. I'm so glad you found an outlet for yourself. I know life as a SAHM can be monotonous and stressful. Especially when you're also a full-time care giver. I'm happy it has become something you love to do. That's what we all strive to find, isn't it? Congratulations. I'm thinkin' you should get a gourmet meal out of the deal. Or a least a night off from dishes. :)
ReplyDeleteCongradulations on your one year blogiversary. Thank you for hosting every week.
ReplyDeleteDebi @ Adorned From Above
Happy Blogiversary....I'm shocked to hear it's only one year, you're blog is so polished. Proud to be one of your faithful followers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first year!
ReplyDeletefrom, your Blog Angel
Congratulations on one year!!! You have an amazing blog, and you are such a valuable source of info for bloggers. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your research. Since I don't have time to research myself, I am so thankful for all I've learned from your hard work. HUGE HUGS
ReplyDeleteCongrats on one year! You always have such great info! I know you have helped me time and time again!!
ReplyDeleteHi Shasta,
ReplyDeleteI've been traveling, so this is the first chance to tell you that I featured this post on my Friday Favorite Blog Links for the Week. Congratulations on your on one year.
Debi @ Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/10/peach-sangria-for-fridays-happy-hour.html