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Need help Blogging... any experts out there?? :o)
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How about any giveaways, links to your book, blogroll of your favorite blogs, many subscription options, and countdown to upcoming books? This is all just generic stuff :)Other than, people usually put blog tour links or anything funky or interesting to the blogger.
:o) Those are great ideas, thank you. I guess I just need a blogging for dummies book. Lol. I have only really figured out how to add a post and a theme. How would I add a link to my book on Amazon? I was able to add my book's facebook page. Yay. I am normally really good with computers, etc. but wordpress has me overwhelmed I think. Lol. Mandi
I have no clue what some of these widgets are for. Ex: a meebo or akismet?
Thank you Desi. :o) I only chose wordpress because I was told it was found easier in search engines but it is sooo confusing. I am just mainly wanting to promote my books but I do photography as well so I am not sure if I should throw some of that in too or not?? Lol. I am a blogging basket case. ha ha
I think you can definitely add photography in a different tab! I know meebo is for chats. You know, a reader can chat with you. Never heard about the other one. Sorry I can't help you much, I'm on blogspot
Lol. :) Thanks for trying though. I will get this eventually I hope.
Wordpress is worth the effort, Mandi :)Askimet is a great spam filter.
Nice looking blog. Do you want to add a link to your book in the sidebar?
Hi MaryPat. Thank you, glad you like my blog even though I have no clue on what I'm doing. Lol. I am guessing I would want to put it in the sidebar yea. Thank you for checking out my blog. I am hoping to be able to share my son's birth story with the world one day through my writing. Not sure if you read the poem on there or not but that is why I am pursuing my dream of writing now and I never have before. I've always loved to write but now I have a reason to. :)Mandi
Thanks Anagha! I think I'm going to definately need luck. Lol. :)Mandi
Hahaha. I remember the day I started like it was yesterday :) it WILL be intimidating in the beginning, especially when you think yours is just one out of thousands (that's not helping, is it?) but when you start building followers and whatnot, you'll see why you bothered in the first place - it really is a rewarding experience.
:) thanks. Hopefully I'll get some followers. Lol. I have 3 already - poor things, they don't know it's the blind leading the blind. Lol.
Here's how to do it.Upload the cover first. To do that, click on your dashboard, then media and add new. Select a file from your computer. When that uploads, you see a box with Title, Alternate Text, Caption, etc. Right click and copy the File URL.
Now, in widgets on your dashboard, drag a blank text box over to your sidebar. Click on it to open it and use the following html coding:
[image error]
Paste the URL you copied for the book cover where the X is.
To add a hyperlink to say Amazon, where you book is available, copy the URL for the Amazon page then put it in this html coding (where the X is):
Name of book here
Oh wow! Thank you MaryPat. :) I really appreciate you taking the time to share that with me. That doesn't seem too hard. It just getting around that dashboard. Lol
I did it. :o) Thank you again! I appreciate the help. Mandi
Love your blog. So cute and creative. :)
As I don't have kids, or small relatives nearby, I'm not exactly a connoisseur of children's books, but I really like your blog Mandi!I've seen so many that are chock full of widgets, pictures, banners that my little laptop can't load or scroll the page properly - the KISS theory is definitely the one to follow :)
Aww, thanks Kat. Thanks for sharing that. :o) So glad you like it, it makes me feel a little better for being blog-illiterate. ha ha ha. I want to find some good things to blog on that others would be interested in but I have been writing so much lately, my blog has been put on the back burner. :o)Mandi
Mandi wrote: "Aww, thanks Kat. Thanks for sharing that. :o) So glad you like it, it makes me feel a little better for being blog-illiterate. ha ha ha. I want to find some good things to blog on that others would..."Mandi wrote: "Aww, thanks Kat. Thanks for sharing that. :o) So glad you like it, it makes me feel a little better for being blog-illiterate. ha ha ha. I want to find some good things to blog on that others would..."
Mandi wrote: ":o) Those are great ideas, thank you. I guess I just need a blogging for dummies book. Lol. I have only really figured out how to add a post and a theme. How would I add a link to my book on Amazon..."
Mandi wrote: ":o) Those are great ideas, thank you. I guess I just need a blogging for dummies book. Lol. I have only really figured out how to add a post and a theme. How would I add a link to my book on Amazon..."
I think Mandi's idea of a blogging for dummies is a good idea. I wonder if anyone has published one. Probably. I don't know how to blog. I just started adding quotes and poems and some letters from my books that I thought were interesting. I've been trying to promote my book so much, my writing has been on back burner. I'm also researching it because I write Historical Fiction, so I need a lot of research before I actually write. My problem is I don't know the computer well enough to add widgets (what are they anyway?) Help! You make me feel so inadequate. Joyce Shaughnessy
Joyce wrote: "I think Mandi's idea of a blogging for dummies is a good idea. I wonder if anyone has published one. Probably. I don't know how to blog. I just started adding quotes and poems and some letters f..."Aww Joyce! I'm using blogspot for mine because I'm so NOT a techie, and the templates make it easier.
Widgets are like gadgets....but some fancy web designer obviously decided that he needed a special name for them!
I've been building websites and blogs for on about 15 years (and constantly maintain a half dozen myself), so I've seen them come and go. I prefer WordPress.com. Also, one or two gadgets may not be bad but loading too many of them up makes everything look "junkie."
Kevin wrote: "I've been building websites and blogs for on about 15 years (and constantly maintain a half dozen myself), so I've seen them come and go. I prefer WordPress.com. Also, one or two gadgets may not be..."I agree Kevin - if I'm looking at a blog that won't flow on my netbook because its too crammed with gagdets, I'm always so frustrated I often just close the browser window!
Thanks for the input. :) I will definately be keeping it simple. LolMandi
I'm not really an expert, but I've learned a bit in the time I've been blogging. And as I visit other blogs, I agree -- keeping it simple is very nice, and leaves more room for the enjoyment of the blog's content. A few widgets are good, I think, but not so many that the blog loses focus.
Check out my blog if you'd like, and let me know what you think: http://www.wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com
Check out my blog if you'd like, and let me know what you think: http://www.wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com
When you do a blog post, don't forget to tweet it...Yes, Twitter is another piece of software to get used to, but it's easy to use - I doubt that you could find anything simpler. Just add some hashtags eg #selfpublishing, #amwriting, #wordcount. You'll pick up followers. I did!
Here's a sample:
Is your writing all at sea? @jamesmarinero had a first recently when sailing in the Tyrrhenian Sea http://bit.ly/sAb6HZ #amwriting
The http://bit.ly reference is just an abbreviated form of the full reference of your blog post's url. Just go to http://bit.ly and it will give you a unique reference. I kick myself that I didn't start doing this years ago.
Great blog Alexandra!Fantastic tip James - Twitter can be really overwhelming when you first start, but once you get into it, it's really addictive - and fun!
Mandi, I'm new here and by no means a blogger, just a blog follower. I was really touched by your story on your blog. Your son has overcome incredible odds and you are using your experiences to help others with your books. You are doing something really great, so own that with your blog banner. Your blog is by no means, "just another wordpress.com site". It is so much more.This may have already been mentioned, but I wanted to follow your blog without having to sign up for email. Most blogs have the google-connect button which connects through my twitter account. Hopefully somebody here will be able to tell you how to do that, because it will increase your followers.
Aww, thank you so much Lynne. :) I made a promise to God that if he'd save my baby that i'd spread my miracle to as many people I could and I am most definately going to keep my promise. :) I have always liked to write and draw but I had never even considered trying to publish my stories and back then I had coulnt draw people so illustrating wasn't an option. It wasn't until recently I sat down and decided to try and draw. I was actually surprised that I could do it! After finishing each page I would say, "I have no clue how to do the next page." ha ha. Another crazy thing is way back when I first wrote Mortimer's Sweet Retreat, I actually had an old sketch of Mortimer before I gave up drawing people (Mortimer actually favors my son but without the red hair, lol) I have written a second in the series but I haven't begun the illustrations yet but I may give Mortimer blue glasses like my son. :) also, Adding a button like what u mentioned would be great! Thank u for pointing that out to me. :) I am not sure how to do that but I'll check into it. So glad that others are able to get something out of my miracle. I am self published which makes it very hard to get the word out but I am VERY determined and I am not going to stop for anything. I owe it to God and my kids. Please, if you can, spread the word to others. You have no clue how much I'd appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Mandi
I know I'm going to sound like a shill for this, but one of the nice advantages to a Wordpress.com blog site is social networking. Not only can you add the ability to log in and comment from multiple social networks, you can also set it to automatically post to your Twitter, Facebook, and other accounts. If you don't what these are, you *need* to know about them to help increase your visibility.JamesMarinero wrote: "When you do a blog post, don't forget to tweet it...
Hi Kevin, how can I set it up so people don't have to subscribe by email but the can still follow me? Thx so much!
I tried and it just showed the html I had typed in???
Ok, I may have gotten it?? Idk for sure. Lynne, if you get a chance to look let me know if that was what you were talking about. :o)
If you don't want them to have to subscribe, use a template that doesn't have that built in. They can always follow you via RSS, which is also built into WordPress. My suggestion is to allow both; people always like having a choice.
So how do I add rss? Is it a widget too? I added a google button I think. :)
WordPress will automatically appear in any good browser as an add-on, but I think you can add a widget as well. WordPress.com widgets include: recent posts, image, top rated, custom menu, rss lnks, meta, follow blog, gravatar, twitter, vodpod videos, meebo, links, pages, socialvibe, top clicks, author grid, box.net sharing, askimet, authors, calendars, flikr, and del.icio.us. Comments on pages and blog entires include guest login, WordPress login, twitter, and facebook.
Ok so I can't get friend connect to work at all. Please help. I copy and pasted the html code that was generated from the site into a text widget like I was told and it just shows up as a code, nothing more. Check it out. http://blogwithmandi.wordpress.com I need help big time. It is near the bottom
Sorry Mandi, I wish I could help but I don't have wordpress. I'm sure one of these lovely people can help though!
I hope so. I have even followed youtube tutorials step by step. idk
WordPress.com does have a few limitations; you can't throw just any code into it and expect it to work ("parse" is the industry term), especially third party widgets (usually comprised of Javascript) that might break the templates or otherwise ruin the functionality. This is true of many blogging systems, including Blogger and Live Journal. Your best bet is to stick with the built-in apps or just create a link to other things you use and share with.Mandi wrote: "Ok so I can't get friend connect to work at all. Please help. I copy and pasted the html code that was generated from the site into a text widget like I was told and it just shows up as a code, not..."
Rebecca wrote: "Hi everyone... and thanks, MaryPat. I successfully used your instructions to add a picture and links on my sidebar. Wordpress has been a challenge for me as well, but I really like it at the same t..."
Looks good, Rebecca! I haven't used Wordpress, so I can't really relate to the technical end, but from what I can see, you have a nice blog going. :) I like how you can connect to your books and see the cover.
Looks good, Rebecca! I haven't used Wordpress, so I can't really relate to the technical end, but from what I can see, you have a nice blog going. :) I like how you can connect to your books and see the cover.
If you'd like to see an example of my author/creator site and blog, take a look at http://ThinkingSkull.com.It's all WordPress.com (I use a custom domain name for $17 a year) using a Selectra template (set to the red-on-black theme) with custom sidebar and background images. I have my home page set to use my "Current Creations" (so you can see at a glance what I'm up to) while the sidebar has just three sections for author profiles, creation sites, and frequented networks.
The top header is a simple title and subheading (including my name in the text; very important for search engine optimization) and links to my bio pages, contact info, and my actual blog. The footer has widgets for site search, my latest tweet, and the imprint logo that I use on all my creator sites.
I've been told it's visually appealing and easy to navigate, both very important if you want anyone to stay for more than a heartbeat.
Any questions?
Hey, guys, I'm doing my first Giveaway, and I'd like some feedback to let me know what you think about it, if you don't mind.
Here's the link:
http://wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com/...
Here's the link:
http://wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com/...
Rebecca wrote: "Great idea Alexandra!"
Thanks! It's my first giveaway, so I'm glad that it nice. :)
I also just posted my blog button. What do you think?
Thanks! It's my first giveaway, so I'm glad that it nice. :)
I also just posted my blog button. What do you think?
Rebecca wrote: "What is this? I clicked on it but nothing seemed to happen other than I was moved back up to the top of the page. Unless I missed something? Sorry, I'm a Wordpress babe in the woods!"
Oh! A blog button is a button that you can pull off one blog and post on another (yours) to show that you like that blog. And then, if anyone clicks on it, it will take them to the blog it came from. :)
I guess it works, then!
Oh! A blog button is a button that you can pull off one blog and post on another (yours) to show that you like that blog. And then, if anyone clicks on it, it will take them to the blog it came from. :)
I guess it works, then!
Rebecca wrote: "Well, cool! I'm glad it works. I learn a tiny smidgen more about Wordpress all the time. I really like the way they look."
I don't have Wordpress, but they do seem like a good thing for bloggers. :)
I don't have Wordpress, but they do seem like a good thing for bloggers. :)
Rebecca wrote: "Well, duh. It's at blogspot! I really did go there and click on your button. Please forgive me. I had a senior moment (and I've been conversing on another Goodreads thread about Wordpress.) Silly, ..."
Ha ha. It's okay. Thanks for checking out my blog. :D
Ha ha. It's okay. Thanks for checking out my blog. :D
Mandi
http://blogwithmandi.wordpress.com/