I somewhat hate rainy Sundays actually...as if it weren't hard enough for me to get out of bed when I need to as is. But today I managed, even if it was 15 minutes before I had to leave for church. I got up and I got there on time, and all was well.
So anywho, I've decided I'm blog-retarded. I suppose, especially with my education and career, I really should stay away from that word. (My coworkers always say that we're the only ones allowed to use that word, because of what we do haha) But really, I am. I've had this thing for over a year and a half and have never really explored blogging. I just click on new post and type. And I've recently stumbled across and started following some blogs that are incredible...and I don't know how they do it.
How do you make it so you have different tabs and links going across the top of your page, right beneath the picture? I've seen it on many a blog, and want it, bad. How do you change the template aside from what blogger gives you? And how do you become blog-popular? I don't really care how many people are following me, but I just think it's so cool how people from all over who have never met can connect and be best friends...how do you do that? The one blog I started following is just a normal girl my age doing everyday things, and she started out like me. And now she has like 4,000 followers. How do you sponsor each other? Has anyone tried the google adsense thing? Is it worth it? I've seen blogs where your average girl has gotten to model for a company, and does give-aways and makes money...can I do that? I would love to do something like that on the side, doing something I enjoy. Is it one of those things where you become blog-popular first and receive a lot of hits, and Blogger notices and offers you stuff? And everytime these people blog, about 50 people comment on it...I think that's what I'm most jealous of haha. I enjoy doing this, even if no one reads it, I really do. But I think it would be nice to feel the support and friendship of people who appreciate what you say and/or are going through similar things.
And, my most important question...when someone does comment and you want to respond to what they said, where the heck do you do it? On the same blog post...will they ever see it? Or do you go to their website and say something? That's the most annoying thing to me, I'm so used to facebook where you can comment on anything and people get a notification about it.
Ugh, I am most definitely blog-retarded. I'm pretty sure I have lots more questions and can't remember any others right now. I hope I figure it out and one day have an insanely successful blog like those people, because I think I would love it. Who knows...maybe I'll change my mind. Whether or not I make money from my blog and get to sponsor people and model clothes, I at least would like to connect with people. That's the most important thing to me.
Can anyone help me out with any of the above questions?
P.S. Whoever can tell me what movie this is from, I'll give you a prize, like my undying love or something. (Which you probably already have):
"I can go through this door, alone. You'll never see me or the people chasing us again. Or you can come with me, and I don't know what's on the other side, but I'd know you'd be next to me. And that's all I wanted from the minute I met you."Hint: It's new, it makes you think, has a great love story, and discusses the importance of our agency to choose. And I loved it. If you don't know, figure it out and rent it. ;)
Oh I just saw that movie a few weeks ago... something about chasing through doors & government... no... angels & heaven... AAAhhhh!!! This is going to bug me! So my answers about bl@gs don't count, because I don't love people to find mine. In fact, if I write out the word, it will be searchable when people google my name & the b word, so I try to avoid it in my comments. =) It's not fool proof, but I don't want to go private, so... Adjustment Bureau! Matt Damon - we really love him. =)
ReplyDeleteI know some of these! Hooray!
ReplyDelete1.) There's nothing wrong with just clicking on a post and typing. Blogs are great ways to inspire writing, thought processing, reading, sharing, etc.
2.) Those top-o'-the-page links are found under pages. Click "New post" and right beside "New post," and "edit post" you'll see "edit pages." Click that, and you should be all set to start adding pages.
3.) Many of the mega-blogs have been around for YEARS. It's part luck, part style, and part blog design. A killer layout is one of the best ways to make people stick around for longer. Don't ask me how you get a killer layout without paying for one, as evidenced by The Loaded Handbag's slap-on-the-page design.
4.) You can't do a damn thing with adsense until you have, like, a kajillion page hits. You'll make a penny per month, if that, and you can't cash out until you have a balance of like $10 or something. "Monetizing your blog" is like the golden apple of the blogging world. You're better off with starting a blog store if you're looking to make $$ blogging-- blogging is a much better source of advertising, street cred in your field, or showing off a skill set than it is a source of income.
5.) The giveaways and approaches don't come until you're a BFD (big freaking deal) in the blogosphere, unfortunatamente. You can hold your own giveaways, though!
6.) Ah, comments. That's a really freaking hard question. Generally, it's good blogging etiquette to answer comments within the post. Lets people know that you appreciate their comment, and on the plus side-- it gives YOU more comments. If people see that you're a blogger who does that, they'll return to the page, check the response, and read your latest stuff. However...ya gotta establish the principle first before people know that. You can even customize your "Post comment" message to say something like "I always respond to comments, so check back" or something, y'know, less cheesy.
There are also blog plug-ins like CommentLuv that make it MUCH easier to do this, but I've seen them screw up enough blogs to make me hesitant to recommend them. It's something to think about. I REALLY wish Blogger would get on the social media train and add "tagging" a la Facebook or Twitter and give you notifications....but alas, Blogger is like the old dinosaur of the internet.
It looks like the comment above me has already answered these questions but I figured I'd throw in my two cents as well :)!
ReplyDelete--How do you change the template aside from what blogger gives you?
You can either pay someone to do it for you or google around for tutorials so you can do it yourself. I've paid people and done it myself and both ways are great. Obviously, doing it on your own is a lot more work. Especially if you're like me and know almost nothing about writing html/css code. It's really rewarding though and you can end up with a finished product that looks exactly like you envisioned!
--And how do you become blog-popular?
Hard work, time, quality content, and good visuals. Really the most important part is having good content. No matter how pretty your blog is, be sure to put forth the best content you have. Advertising or sponsoring other blogs also helps. Another great way to get involved is to comment on other blogs and support the community in general!
--How do you sponsor each other?
If a blog that offers sponsorships doesn't have a page on their blog with information about their rates/stats, just email them! I'm posting about my tips for sponsorship later this week so check my blog :)
--Has anyone tried the google adsense thing? Is it worth it?
Tried it, hated it. You have to have a pretty substantial following for it to be effective and even then there are no guarantees.
--I've seen blogs where your average girl has gotten to model for a company, and does give-aways and makes money...can I do that?
Companies love when bloggers with large following flaunt their products because it is a much more effective marketing tool than any traditional method. Generally bloggers have pretty passionate followers and trust that the product is something they would like so they go buy it. If you're looking to model clothing/accessories, you should have a style blog. If you want companies to send you free craft supplies, you should be a DIY lady. Basically companies send these free products to bloggers that they think have a large and devoted following that would benefit their product.
--And everytime these people blog, about 50 people comment on it...I think that's what I'm most jealous of haha.
Every blogger handles comments differently. The biggest blogs just get comments because they're all blog famous lol. But smaller blogs get comments any number of ways. I like to ask questions to spark a conversation in my comments (lots of bloggers seem to do this). I also try to reply to every comment my readers leave for me. I think it's a great way to interact with my readers and to show that their comments are appreciated!
I still have a lot to learn about blogging, but hopefully what I have learned can be helpful for you!! Also, thanks for being a follower of my blog :). I'm happy to have you.
Yay Melanie for knowing the Adjustment Bureau! And Nicki, Malori, you guys are wonderful thank you. =) I feel a little more in-the-know now.
ReplyDelete