My blog has moved, come check out the new site!

You should be automatically redirected in 4 seconds. If not, visit
http://KellysLuckyYou.com
and please update your bookmarks.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Build A Beautiful Blog Week - 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Blog

On the other side of 10 Easy Extras to Add Value to Your Blog, here are 5 Mistakes To Avoid on Your Blog! Do you have any more things that drive you batty on a blog? Comment, please!

1. Music
I like seeing other people's playlists, but have the settings so that the reader has to click to start the music. Automatic music is pretty much a universal "makes-me-crazy". Especially if you've ever been at work, clicked on a blog, only to have your co-workers all jump to hear Englebert Humberdink singing "Feelings" blaring from your speakers. What other embarrassing songs can you think of?

2. Captcha
Even worse than the usual captcha (that I have so much trouble reading, grrrr), are the double click captchas. You hit enter, think your comment has gone through. Nope! There's a captcha request that you have to do before comment will be registered. Grrr!

3. Obnoxious ads, roll-over ads, pop-ups
Have you ever gone to a blog that just slaps you in the face with ad after ad after ad? One of the new things I've seen in the last few weeks are a pop up that comes up as soon as you go to a blog asking you to subscribe. Not a fave of mine!

4. Slow Down! You are commenting too quickly!
"17 entries for taking a breath" but warning, it will take you days to put in the comments because you can only do one an hour. Okay, okay, I'm exaggerating, but isn't it irritating to see that "Slow Down!"

5. Flashing backgrounds or crazy color schemes
Can it be called "assault"? Is it a felony for you?

What else have you seen on a blog and said "what were you thinking?"

Build A Beautiful Blog Week - Get Organized! Use GMail! Guest Post

This is a guest post from Lynette at My Wee View:
"Gmail is a simple way to help organized your email. Here are a few simple reasons that Gmail makes my life and review blogging easier.

Each time someone enters a giveaway, I get a new email into my inbox. Gmail bulks all these emails together so I get one email for each giveaway up until I receive 61 comments. Some giveaways have had over 5000 entires, this would mean over 5000 emails for one giveaway alone, thanks to Gmail, it is broken down into just over 80 emails.

I also use the coloured stars and check marks to organize my reviews. I use the red explanation mark for a sponsor that is going to send a product for review, and a green check mark when it comes in the mail. This way, I can follow up with the sponsor to let them know the product was received, or ask the sponsor to check on shipping. I can also filter through all my emails to just show those that are starred. All it takes to make these emails "special" is a simple click on the little white star. It's easy and very effective.

You can also organize your email by folders. For example, I could put all my winners into one folder and then verify with my spreadsheet to make sure they have all contacted me so there is no need for a redraw. Or, I could put all my comments in a comments folder so my inbox isn't overflowing with comments. I could also put all the review requests into a review folder. There are really unlimited possibilities when it comes to folders, you can be as detailed and organized as you like.

Another feature that I like with Gmail is Tasks. Many times I get emails from people that I am unable to complete at the time, such as picking out a product for review. I will put that item in my task list to be completed later and then can cross it off when it's complete. It has made things way easier for me. I hate having to remember things in my brain - because they often get forgotten. With the tasks option, I never forget. I also use the tasks option if I have asked someone to do something for me and may be waiting for a reply.

I also like the possibility of adding other email addresses to your Gmail account. If you have more than 1 email address, you can add them to your Gmail account and all your email can be read and replied to in one spot. You can also choose which email address you want your message to be sent from with the drop down menu. This is truly a simple feature that has made emailing much more enjoyable. I remember at one time in my life I had a number of different email addresses, for school, personal use and then just a few junk email accounts. Now, I can have all those emails in one spot and only need to check one email address to get all my messages.

Gmail chat is also an excellent tool. I have used the chat feature to talk with sponsors if I have a quick question, it's easier than sending out an email and I can always see who is online.

I am sure that Gmail has many more features that I have yet to learn, but for the most part, these are thing simple things that have helped to keep me organized with emails - because we all know, there can be a lot of messages coming in everyday and I don't want to miss anything important. "

What's your favorite tip from Lynette's post?
Do you use similar tools in Yahoo Mail or HotMail?
Do you have any more ideas to keep from drowning in email?

Build A Beautiful Blog Week - 10 Easy Extras To Add Value To Your Blog

These are just some of the features that you can add to your blog, if you have other favorite cool features, please leave a comment below!


1. Email Subscription

If you don't have a way for readers to subscribe by email, then please consider signing up for a Feedburner account. Its completely free and great for your readers who don't always log on their Google Reader each day. This is my preferred subscription method which is why I am putting it as the top feature to add! I will subscribe by email so that I won't miss out on any posts or giveaways. There is also an option from Google Friend Connect for an email newsletter subscription. Has anyone tried that?


2. Add This

This feature will be attached to the bottom of every post and will allow your readers to share your posts with their friends on various social networks including Facebook and Twitter. I like getting the stats report once a week to see what posts were shared the most and using what network. Twitter is definitely the number one network for sharing! If you have giveaways where you ask people to tweet, then this feature will make it a little easier for them.


3. Who's.Amung.Us and Feedjit

Whos.Amung.Us is a nifty little feature will show you how many people are visiting your blog in real time. You can also see what posts they are looking at and where they are from. Plus, it will show you what words and pictures were copied off your blog. Feedjit is another visitor live feed that will show you what city and country they are from and what page they were looking at. It's fun to see all the different countries that visit!


4. Page Rank Checker

Displays your Google Page Rank on your blog for all to see. Page Rank is a numerical assignment to the importance of a website, determined by an algorithm calculation run by Google. It uses links as "votes".


5. Facebook Badge or Fan Box

If you have a Facebook Page for your blog, make it easy for your readers to join by having your Facebook Badge displayed on your blog's sidebar. Go to your Facebook Page and click on Edit Page and then click Get Your Badge. You can see the various widgets available and decide which style you want to have.


6. Search This Blog and LinkWithin

Give readers a way to find posts for topics that interest them by adding a "Search This Blog" gadget to your sidebar. In Blogger, just click on Customize, Add A Gadget, and Search Box. Another way to help readers find specific topics on your blog is to use LinkWithin. I've been meaning to add it for weeks now and just haven't done it. When I added this post to my scheduled list, I knew it was time! It was so easy!! Under each new post, LinkWithin will add thumbnails of related posts. It keeps readers engaged and gets more exposure for your past posts without having to add links in your text.


7. Twitter Buttons and Widgets

Put a one click feature on your sidebar that readers can use to find you on twitter. On any twitter page, at the bottom, you'll see "Goodies". That will take you to a ton of choices for twitter buttons and widgets. Widgets let you display twitter updates on your blog. Buttons lead people to your twitter page. Choose the style you want, copy the code and the use Customize, Add A Gadget, HTML/JavaScript to add to your blog.


8. Amazon Associates

If you do book reviews, you may want to put the Amazon widget with each one. This makes it easy for the reader to check out the book on Amazon and read the reviews there. You will make a little bit of money if anyone buys a book or other product from Amazon that they saw on your blog.


9. Google Friend Connect

If you would like to participate in a follow-meme or just want people to be able to follow your blog, add a Google Friend Connect gadget. In Blogger, to add the standard gadget, just click Customize, Add A Gadget, Followers. If you want to change the size or color of your gadget, you can go to the site for Google Friend Connect. I've notice some people don't want the number of followers to show, so they change the font color to match their background.


10. Contact Me

This one is pretty simple and straightforward. Make it easy for your readers to contact you by leaving your email in a visible spot on your blog.


Do you have any more favorites? Share with everyone in the comments!


Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Angela Vinez Designs

From the portfolio of Angela Vinez Designs
About Angela Vinez:
"Hi, I'm Angie, and I'm the mom of 5 Vinez Monkeys. In case you were wondering, our last name is actually pronounced "Vinnie." And, no. No one ever gets that right. But, it's ok. I'll answer to almost anything. Well, first and foremost, I am a Christian. I am married to my best friend. I am also blessed to be a stay at home mom to my 5 children. Ashley is 12, Zander is 6, Jace is 5, Lucy is 3, and Parker is almost 18 months. I homeschool the 4 oldest, and Parker is eager to learn as well. This is our second year as a homeschooling family, and we absolutely love it."

"At Angela Vinez Designs, the most popular items are custom made buttons and banners. They are some of the most affordable that you will find anywhere on the net."

Another example of a design by Angela Vinez Designs:

Angela is offering one winner a Professional Blog Design. Not only will you get a new layout for your blog, but you'll also get a custom header, 10 istock credits to help pick the perfect images for your header, and a matching 125x125 button (that will be inserted into a "grab my button" section). The retail value of this prize is $75.

Main entry:
***** This entry open to Blogger only*****
1. Go to Angela Vinez Designs and tell us something you learned about Angie or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 7, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winners will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Button Connection by Tree

From the portfolio of Button Connection by Tree:
When we asked her to describe herself and her work, Tree told us, "I love, love, love to design! I'm not an expert by any means, but I think that the majority of my customers are happy with their final product. I am a self-taught Designer and have been doing this for several years now for free message board forums. I'm hoping to actually pursue a degree in Website and Graphic Design. However, now that I've been "bitten" with the blogging bug, I have decided to branch out and learn Blog Design as well. I'm a perfectionist and will sit for hours (sometimes days) to make sure I have something just right.

Here are more samples from Button Connection by Tree. She has an extensive portfolio - go take a look!


Tree is giving away SIX prizes! Grand Prize: Blog Design-includes Banner, Button, Sidebar Text/Buttons (does not include scrap kit) Two winners: Custom Banners (photo or graphic, your choice) and Three winners: Blog "Snag" Buttons

Main entry:
*****Blogger entries only*****
1. Go to Button Connection by Tree and tell us something you learned about Tree or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 7, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winner will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Paradise Blog Design


Deb at Paradise Blog Design offers two options for the Blogger user looking for a new design: Pre-Made Designs and Custom Designs.

Blog in a Bottle: Deb has posted several design templates that you can purchase pre-made "as-is". They are only sold to one buyer, so the one you choose will be yours alone. Read more about these and see the current offerings here.

Custom Designs: Click on "Custom Pricing" and you can see the available choices of packages and individual elements.
Paradise Blog Design is hosting a graphics giveaway to celebrate
Build A Beautiful Blog Week.
Go enter here and tell her that we sent you!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Blue Yonder Design

Introducing Jen, from Blue Yonder Design:

"My name is Jen Shepherd and I love blog and website design.

For the last ten years I have worked with web design and customization. I work with HTML, XML, PHP, Java Script, and Flash and typically use Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop to create my images and designs.

In my designs I use my own hand drawn illustrations, modified istock pictures and illustrations, as well as my own photography. I have a digital SLR (Nikon D50) and photography is one of my hobbies. My husband and I love to travel and so I am lucky enough to have pictures from all over the world to choose from.

I am very familiar and work extensively with ecommerce development platforms such as OS Commerce, Zen Cart and Freeway. I have developed blog sites on Blogger, Blogger Beta, WordPress, and TypePad. I have also used Wordpress.org to develop and manage non-blog sites.

I also LOVE working with my clients. It is the highlight of my day when I am able to work with a client to produce a design that is truly them."

From the gallery at Blue Yonder Design:

If you're like me, you wonder about how people find the interesting names for their businesses. “Why Blue Yonder Design?”

Jen answers that question in her "About" page. "Well, my husband and I love aviation and even own a small flight school. I also design clothing for women and children involved in aviation (Blue Yonder Girl). The term “Blue Yonder” refers to the “Wild Blue Yonder”… the sky. It is what we love and where we feel comfortable :) "

Win this prize: One lucky reader will receive a free blog button to match their current (or new) design from Blue Yonder Design. The button can be used on any platform (value $30).

Main entry:
***** This entry is open to bloggers on any platform *****
1. Go to Blue Yonder Design and tell us something you learned about Jen or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. "Like" Blue Yonder Design on Facebook

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 7, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winner will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Creativity Included

Creativity Included is a boutique design studio creating solutions for pixels + print, helping primarily small, woman-owned businesses create unique identities for themselves. We focus on partnering with businesses to create unique brand identities through brand surveys, tagline development, logo and stationery design. We also design and code both custom and commercial WordPress themes based on StudioPress’ Genesis framework.

Creativity Included and C:ford/run are giving away 10 Genesis/Family Tree theme packages for WordPress blogs. Family Tree is a child theme built by Creativity Included for the StudioPress Genesis Framework. This theme is perfect for someone who wants to install a theme with a more feminine touch. Featuring custom widgets, six layout options and Chris’s signature attention to detail, Family Tree is is the perfect way to build your WordPress-powered blogsite.
Main entry:
***** This entry open to WordPress blogs only*****
1. Go to Creativity Included and tell us something you learned about Genesis/Family Tree. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 7, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winners will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Day One Giveaways Are Ending

The first of the Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaways are ending tomorrow (May 31st) so don’t delay in entering on both my blog and on Simply Stacie.

Giveaways ending tomorrow are:

Win a $25 Target Gift Card - BABBW Twitter Contest

Easy as pie contest, just tweet or retweet this message! One lucky tweeter will win a $25 Target Gift Card. Ends June 7th at midnight. Unlimited entries.

"Need a blog makeover? Giveaways from 35 blog designers! http://tinyurl.com/25carfh #BABBW RT by 12PM 6/7 to win $25 Target GC"

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - La De Daa Designs

From the portfolio of La De Daa Designs:


La De Daa Designs, formally Bloggy Buttonz, was started in late 2008 by creator and designer Stefanie. With many happy clients and hundreds of orders filled already this year, La De Daa Designs has been the place many bloggers and business owners have turned to for fantastic quality and fast turn around orders! With many 'A la Carte' items and four packages to choose from, La De Daa Designs has something for everyone to fit any and every need. And the prices alone are worth stopping by for! Crazy low prices for high quality work!!! There's no going wrong with La De Daa!

Q: How did you get started doing design work?

I have been interested in graphic design since I was in high school. I went to college for graphic design but wasn't able to finish. When I started blogging almost 2 years ago, I got in to making buttons and opened up Bloggy Buttonz. After a while, I started offering more than buttons and opened up La De Daa Designs. I absolutely love what I do and do whatever I can to make sure that my clients are 100% happy with their completed order.

La De Daa Designs is giving away an Event Package (valued at $100), special just for Build A Beautiful Blog Week! Includes: a Header, Button, Background, Signature, 2 Sidebar Buttons, Favicon, Installation.

Main entry:
*****Blogger entries only*****
1. Go to La De Daa Designs and tell us something you learned about Stefanie or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community
11. Follow La De Daa Designs on Twitter
12. Become a fan of La De Daa Designs on Facebook


Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winner will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week - Blogalicious Designs

blog * a * li * cious (adj.)
1. The state of being, in which one finds joy in updating one's blog.
(ex. "I'm feeling particularly blogalicious today!)

For more fun definitions of the word, blogalicious, please click on over to Blogalicious Designs.

From their About Us page:
"Staci and Stephanie met in the fall of '93 at a youth group held by the church they attended and still serve at today, and it should not be surprising at all that they both served within the artistic arena.

As the years progressed they both got married and each had two beautiful children. They both took a liking to scrapbooking, but soon decided that it took way to much time and effort and found a form of scrapbooking on the web called "blogging". Blogging was an easy way to share their heart and life experiences with family friends and even the occasional stranger. Their hope was that their experiences could make others live, laugh, and love more fervently. They soon realized they were pretty good at making their blogs fit their own personal styles, so with Staci's creativity and Stephanie's business sense, they formed a blogalicious duo known as Blogalicious Designs."

From the portfolio of Blogalicious Designs:
I read this on their blog and got a little excited, because I am thinking of switching-
Got the urge to switch? .....to Wordpress, that is!

It's all the buzz in the blogging world, it seems. Is Blogger better? Should I switch to Wordpress? All my friends are doing it. Will I lose all of my information? HELP!!!!

No worries! If you've got the itch to switch, contact Blogalicious Designs! They can discuss your options and if you decide to make the switch, They can take care of it for you.

Blogalicious Designs is one of the ad sponsors of this event, please stop by their site and tell Staci and Stephanie that
Build A Beautiful Blog Week
sent you!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates

An example from Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts:

Q: Lena, would you describe yourself and your work?
My name is Lena Toews, I created Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts in 2007 to showcase all my FREE blogger templates. Looking out on the web, it was hard to find a high volume of quality blogger templates... so I started making my own templates in my free time. My simple goal is to create beautiful, stylish, and functional templates for those using the blogger platform. All the designs displayed on the Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts site are FREE! I have recently started selling inexpensive pre-made templates for those who want a makeover but cannot afford the cost associated with custom work. All the proceeds from the sales of Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts go to fund my adoption. You can find the collection of Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates pre-mades here.

Q: What do you like most about creating blog designs?
I love sharing my designs with others and giving others the look they want - that they would have been able to do themselves.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who is considering a blog makeover?
Determine a few things before just going and getting a cute design. Establish a theme and a goal for your blog (even though this may change over time). The blogs with a goal are the blogs that are most likely to go somewhere. Determine what you like, nothing inspires blogging more than a design you love and that portrays you. Hire someone with experience and a good reputation - they are the ones that take the time to get the look you want.

Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts is giving a lucky reader a Blogger Custom Template, valued at $120. Includes: Blog Header, Columns, Sidebars, and Background, Header Font and Blog Button (all images to create the blog are not included).

Main entry:
***** This entry open to Blogger format blogs only *****
1. Go to Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts and tell us something you learned about Lena or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community
11. Follow Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts with Google Friend Connect
12. "Like" Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts on Facebook
13. Follow Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts on Twitter

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winner will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Shabby Creations

From the portfolio of Shabby Creations:
From their website:
"Shabby Creations specializes, but is not limited to, styles and looks that represent a chic, vintage, Victorian and/or shabby touch. We specialize in CUSTOM designs that are individualized to fit your needs, personality, and style..."
Shabby Creations has an extensive portfolio - click here to see more!

Win a Mini Face-Lift Package ($80 value) for blogger blogs only. Included is: Custom Banner, Custom Background, Personalized Post Signature, Color Matching of Posts and Links, Your Choice of 2 or 3 columns and Installation of All Graphics!

Main entry:
*****Blogger entries only*****
1. Go to Shabby Creations and tell us something you learned about Michelle or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winner will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Build A Beautiful Blog Week - Blogger to Wordpress, is it for you?

iDesign
The following is a guest post by Jessica Benton, of iDesign.

In the blogosphere you are always seeing bloggers making the migration from Blogger to Wordpress. Many readers ask “why”. There are many reasons why you should move your blog from Blogger to Wordpress, especially if you are serious about blogging. If you are not and really don't mind if you were to lose your content, then the move may not be for you. Here are some advantages of using Wordpress and disadvantages.





Advantages of Wordpress
  • Database backup of content (posts and comments). You cannot do this is Blogger. You can download your template but not your content.
  • Better control over your categories and tags. Blogger does not have categories. Categories makes it easier for your visitors to find related content.
  • Comment management on the back-end. This speaks for itself. You can set up specific words that will aromatically go to spam along with comments from a certain commenter. There are tons of other options available to control your comments. Blogger makes it so complicated to leave comments and doesn't allow readers to follow comments so you never know if anyone responded.
  • Plugins that can take your blog to new heights. There is literally a plug in for anything you want to do with your blog. Even automatic tweet of a post after it is written.
  • When you have a self hosted Wordpress blog it belongs to ONLY you. When your blog is on Blogger with their free hosting, they own your blog and can take it down as they please. Imagine getting up one morning and your blog is gone with no way to get it back. This has happened to tons of people.
  • Endless themes and options.
  • Built-in SEO functions.
  • The support forums are phenomenal. I have never had to ask a question because the question and answer is already there.
  • Images are hosted by your server on your hosting. You will never lose an image again.









Disadvantages of Wordpress

  • If you don't maintain your blog and keep it and your plugins updated to the current version, you can get hacked. But it is no ones fault but your own.
  • You can and will get lots of spam. But Wordpress comes with a plugin that is installed for spam and those comments are filtered out. It is very simple.
  • A custom design may be a bit more expensive. The reason for this is that there are many more elements and files in Wordpress of your theme that need to be customized. But you get a more professional look overall.
Sound like a good idea yet? Are you interested in switching like Simply Stacie is? Let iDesign take care of the migration for you. Get all the answers to all your questions, support for an entire month after the switch, and a tutorial for using your new Wordpress blog.

Build A Beautiful Blog Week - How To Grow Your Blog With Link Parties

One excellent way to grow your blog and your readers is through NETWORKING because it really works! Even if you only do one of these memes you will see some improvement. It's a lot of work to do them all so a good plan is to try some of them out and see which ones you like the best or have the most success with. They all focus on different aspects of your blog so if you want to focus on Facebook one week, then do all the Facebook related parties.

If you know of any other link parties that help you network, please leave a comment so we can all check it out. Happy Hopping!

Facebook Like You Back

Hosted by Kelly's Lucky You, Coupon Mommy of 3 and Simply Stacie each Wednesday. Add your Facebook Page to the Linky and "like/fan" other Facebook Pages. This is an excellent way to build up your fan base! It really works!

Social Parade
Hosted by Smart and Trendy Moms every Wednesday and focuses on connecting with new people on your blog. Each week there will be a new way to get followers. For example, one week you will Follow through Google Friend Connect, the next week you will follow on Twitter, etc. You just need to do a short post on your blog about Social Parade and link up on Smart and Trendy Moms. Then blog hop and follow/fan/subscribe away!

Tag Tuesday

A game of Tag- bloggy style! Post your links to your Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc to the group spreadsheet and then go through the spreadsheet visiting the other sites and saying simply "Tag! You're it!". I always follow everyone on the list too. Its hosted by Adventures of a Military Family of 8 and held every Tuesday.

Tweet It Out Tuesday
This meme is hosted by Empowering Mommy. All you need to do is leave a comment to whatever you want to get the word out about like a giveaway, review, sale, blog post, etc. Empowering Mommy will tweet it and Facebook it out for you. Before you leave, choose someone else's tweet from the list and return the favour by tweeting it out to your followers or Facebook it your friends/fans. I choose the post right before mine and tweet it out. If you are feeling really generous, tweet them all out and let the person know you did. They will likely return the favor and follow you back too!

PR Friendly Mom Bloggers List
Join this hop hosted by Mommy PR and meet other mom bloggers! Add your blog to the list and visit other blogs and tell them you are stopping by from the hop.
Follow and that you are now a follower and make sure to leave your link! Many will return the favour. There's usually over 800 blogs participating. Don't feel like you need to follow them all. Just do what you can and you will see results!

6 Degrees of Blogging
Now held monthly by Work, Wife, Mom...Life! You know the concept of 6 Degrees of Separation...well this is a play on that. Start by clicking on a button on your blog. Then on that blog, you click on another blog button and so on and once you get to the sixth blog, you do a small feature on that particular blog and let them know that you found them through 6 Degrees of Blogging! It's really fun and you can leave a comment on each blog you hop or just the sixth one.

Twitter Hop Thursday
Hosted by Simply Stacie, The King's Court IV, and Little Yaya's and Blessed, Review Retreat, and Moms Wear Your Tees every Thursday. Add your Twitter to the linky and then follow other people on the list. Either DM (Direct message) or @ them to let them know you found them through Twitter Hop Thursday.

The Saturday Network
Hosted by Books at Midnight each Saturday. All you need to do is leave a comment with a brief description of your blog with your link. Visit the blog in the comment before yours and leave them a comment. I usually will follow them too and let them know. They often will return the favor.

New Friend Friday

Hosted by The Girl Creative, this is similar to the Friday Follow. You add your main blog link to the linky and then you comment on the blog before yours and follow and leave your blog link. You can comment and follow on as many blogs as you like.

Hoosier Homemade - Making Your House a Home

Liz, at Hoosier Homemade, has a list of link parties in her footer. Take a look if you'd like to explore more!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Designed by Lara

This is a recent blog header Designed by Lara:
Q: Lara, would you tell us a little about yourself and Designed by Lara?

"Hi! I am Lara, the founder and lead designer here at Designed by Lara. It is my goal that every client leave not just happy, but thrilled with their finished product. We have a long list of happy customers that keep coming back for more!" Click here to read what some of our happy clients had to say about our design services. I am a Homeschooling Mother of two and wife to my best friends. My hobbies ARE all things web design related. I love web design. I dream about it. LOL! Literally."

Designed by Lara offers a full array of web design services including:
  • Commercial/Business Web Design
  • Website Design
  • Ecom Designs
  • Blog Design (wordpress, blogger, and typepad)
  • Custom Signatures (static or animated)
  • Forum/Message Board Design
  • Logo Design
  • Header Design
  • Banner and Button Design
  • E-Book Cover Design
  • Newsletter Template Design
  • Splash Page Design
  • Image Resizing
  • CSS Adjustments
  • Premade Designs
  • Business Cards
  • Print Work
and much more!

Here is a logo design that Lara did for a national product:

Q: Do you have any advice for someone who is starting a new blog?

Cheapest is not always best. You get what you pay for. Make queries, see how fast you get a response, read testimonials, check out sites they have designed.

Lara is giving a Wordpress Blog Design to one lucky reader. (must be self-hosted, NOT hosted by Wordpress) Design comes with: 2 or 3 column cross browser, SEO friendly design, matching signature, matching favicon, 2 matching images (80x15, 125x125, 120x60 or 488x60), contact page, widget installation (up to 3), installation, matching Twitter page design.

Main entry:
***** This entry open to self-hosted Wordpress blogs only*****
1. Go to Designed by Lara and tell us something you learned about Lara or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winners will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!

Build A Beautiful Blog Week Giveaway - Sweet Faerie Designs

It was difficult to choose only two designs from the portfolio at Sweet Faerie Designs. Please click over and look at her beautiful work!

Sweet Faerie Designs offers a few different types of services, including Twitter Backgrounds, Business Cards and even eBook creation. If you are an Etsy shop owner, you can purchase an Etsy package for a very affordable price. Of course, if you want a unique blog design like her Posh Makeover, they can provide that for you and that's what Carrie, at Sweet Faerie Designs, is so generously giving away to one lucky reader.

In addition to complete blog makeover packages, you can also buy a la carte items. So if you are looking for just a button for an upcoming event or a signature for your blog posts you can easily do so.

Sweet Faerie Designs
currently only works on Blogger blogs. Carrie, the designer, will customize your blog to reflect your preferences and tastes.

Enter to win:
The Posh Makeover package, including Custom Header Design, Color Matching Template, Coordinating Button promoting your site, 2-4 Matching Sidebar Titles or Horizontal Menu Bar, Cute Custom Font for Titles, Favicon, Installation of Design (2 or 3 columns).

Main entry:
***** This entry open to Blogger format blogs only *****
1. Go to Sweet Faerie Designs and tell us something you learned about Carrie or her designs. Include in your comment a link to the blog you will be beautifying!
Additional entries:
2. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie with Google Friend Connect
3. Follow Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Twitter
4. "Like" Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie on Facebook
5. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 x per day)
7. Subscribe by email to Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie
8. Grab Kelly's Lucky You and Simply Stacie buttons
9. Grab the Build A Beautiful Blog Week button
10. Join the Simply Stacie Blog Frog community
11. Follow Sweet Faerie Designs with Google Friend Connect

Giveaway will be open for one week, ending on June 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries can be made on both blogs and the winner will be selected from entries on both blogs using random.org. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email if it is not on your profile so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

You can enter the giveaways on BOTH sites and get double the chances of winning. We are going to be picking a winner from the combined entries on both blogs at the end of each individual giveaway. So after you enter here, head on over to Simply Stacie and put your entries in there too!
Related Posts with Thumbnails