If you want to read more of my BlogHer12 Experiences you can read my previous recaps here.
Tuesday, August 28
BlogHer12 Afterthoughts
If I hear "Amazeballs" One More Time...
BlogHer12 Afterthoughts
If I hear "Amazeballs" One More Time...
Hey guys! As promised I have one final BlogHer related post to share with you guys before I bury the subject and (thankfully) move on! This one, I think, you will find the MOST valuable. Today - I want to share with you the best tips and tricks I learned while at the conference. I will try to source as much as possible, but some things are a blur! I also can't promise I won't jump around a bit topically. I hope you learn something fantastic that you can use going forward!!
Your VOICE is Uniquely Yours! Don't lose it! - And at the same time, be TRUE to it. Of course - first you may need to find your voice. I loved this reminder that was first given by Martha Stewart at her keynote, and then echoed through most every panel I attended. You have a voice - and maybe you're not sure of it just yet, but over time, you should be able to separate yourself and your voice from the voices around you. So, instead of seeing others doing great things and then mimicking or following along with their ideas, you'll begin to utilize your own creativity, talking style, etc.
Let me give you an example of how to NOT use your own voice...in blogging someone will come up with a slang word or term, and then it will become viral in posts. I'm going to state the example of "Amazeballs" because, well, I HATE this term and its EVERYwhere. Do you say Amazeballs in public? While chatting with friends? While conversing with your family? If you do, then that would be a part of your true voice. If not - than you are not being true to your own voice. Be YOU on your blog.
SEO Matters. I know, I know, it's been said a million times. And there are literally millions of articles out there on how to do it, how to trick the system, etc. Let me caution you though, Google is constantly improving its search engine algorithm and you have to be wise about staying up to speed with how you code. I could do a whole post on this, but I just want to leave you with a couple of SEO tips from the conference:
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret - the people who made Google, also made Google+. And they kinda love themselves, so um, Google+ is KIND OF A BIG DEAL when it comes to SEO. This means, for one, LEARN everything you can about how to optimize your presence on Google+. Then, +1 your posts, add a +1 button to your blog, give +1's to other people's articles you are trying to promote, etc. Google likes to keep the love in the Google family, so DON'T disregard Google+.
You would be wise to learn a little bit about "H" Tags. These different levels of "headers" draw the attention of Google's algorithm, and can be the perfect place to put your key words. H2 tags, so HOT right now, so hot! Read these great SEO articles here, here and here to get up to speed. Also make sure to use your keyword tool and learn where to place them for optimum SEO.
Then DO IT! Don't lose the heart of writing. Write from your heart. The biggest take-away I got from BlogHer 12 is the source of where I'll be going from here on out - and it is this: don't let the BUSINESS of blogging steal your purpose for blogging. If you started like me, dreaming of developing and mastering a writing talent - then don't lose sight of that. Define your goals for your blog, whether its making it a business, a book platform, a creative outlet - and then just GO FOR IT!
If you want to read more of my BlogHer12 Experiences you can read my previous recaps here.
If you want to read more of my BlogHer12 Experiences you can read my previous recaps here.
"Dirty Diapers, Cheerios & Heart-Meltingly Sloppy Kisses"
Meet Miranda & Jamie of The Pinterest Project + Giveaway
"Dirty Diapers, Cheerios & Heart-Meltingly Sloppy Kisses"
Meet Miranda & Jamie of The Pinterest Project + Giveaway
We are two friends who found ourselves experiencing stay at home motherhood for the first time within a few months of each other and knew we had to find a way to keep ourselves sane through all the sleepless nights, dirty diapers, cheerios and heart meltingly sloppy kisses. We both live in Charlotte, NC.
Tell us about your families ...
{Miranda} married to Todd, lead pastor and consultant. I have 2 boys, Logan who is almost 12 and Beckett who is 15 months. I also have 2 stepsons, Justin & Jonathan.
Tell us about your blog ...
Our blog was born out of our slight (or giant, but who's judging?) addiction to Pinterest. We spent so much time pinning and emailing pins to each other that we decided to use the pins we loved as motivation to cook for our families, decorate our homes, make fun accessories or clothing and just about anything else that caught our eye.
We tackle a new pin four times a week and then blog about its success (or sometimes big fat fails... ahem). We have a blast doing it (success or fail) and it's such a fun way to put Pinterest to use and get to know other amazing bloggers while we do it.
Also, we have a series that we call Hit or Miss Mondays, where we highlight what we think were the big hits or misses that week on Pinterest. It's a way to get to know us and our sense of humor. (We like to laugh...and poke fun at ridiculous things)
Connect with Jamie & Miranda:
Blog | Twitter | Jamie's Pinterest | Miranda's Pinterest | BlogLovin' | Facebook | Instagram | HelloCotton
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Before you go!
Jamie & Miranda are giving away:
a $25 Amazon Gift Card + 2 Months of Large Ad Space on The Pinterest Project!!
Monday, August 27
Late Summer Soiree
#Pinning with World Market
Late Summer Soiree
#Pinning with World Market
"Pinning!" is a Weekly Pinterest Link-Up
(Share pins, meet others who love "Pinning", get inspired!)
First Time? It's simple just follow these rules:
Please follow your hosts' blogs & Pinterest boards:
Courtney // Baxtron{Life} // 
Kimberly // A Night Owl //
And your Co-Hosts:
then
Link up your Pinterest Inspired Post & Profile below
and
Make sure you link back to the party!
Share the link-up:
***
This week I have a special collection of pins to share with you! For all of you lucky lovelies out there who live near a World Market - let me just say - this is one store NYC is definitely missing (sad-face!) I've been just loving what I've been seeing from their recent collections - especially the Venetian Bazaar collection! I created this following pinspiration board based on a late Summer picnic down by the Hudson River - within walking distance from where I live.
Doesn't this collection just make you want to plan a romantic Summer evening with your man? For more gorgeous World Market pin-spiration boards, check them out on Pinterest!!
Grand Prize package includes:
- A trip for two to to Santa Fe, New Mexico (5 Days including Airfare+Hotel)
- Hands on Southwestern Cooking class with Master Chef
- Personally signed glossy cookbook
- Multi-course dinner at the acclaimed Geronimo
- Southwestern Foodie Tour with a cultural kick
- A $1,000 World Market gift card
3 Runners-Up Will Receive:
- A $500 World Market Gift Card
The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes runs from August 18, 2012 until September 21, 2012. If you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.
Make sure you enter the contest!
***
THANK YOU to all who linked up last week!
Lizzy & Jane feel free to grab the button, and flaunt it!
Each week a winner is chosen to flaunt the title of "Winning at Pinning" for successfully wowing us with the best Pinterest find. The winner will be featured/announced in the following week's post!
WANT TO BE A GUEST JUDGE or HOST?
Are you "Pinning"?
Come on, everyone is doing it.
Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.
***
Link up your PINTEREST INSPIRED POST below:
***
Link up your PINTEREST PROFILE below:
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, I was compensated for my post - I really do love World Market - and all opinions are genuinely mine.
Thursday, August 23
"Knee Socks are so Fun"
Meet Paige | Eloping Stethoscope + Giveaway
"Knee Socks are so Fun"
Meet Paige | Eloping Stethoscope + Giveaway
Tell us about you >>>- My favorite bath and body works scent is Japanese Cherry Blossom. I started wearing it right before I met Cody and so whenever I use it now, it takes me back to when we first met.
- I grew up completely obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harry Potter. I could honestly tell you the title of any early episode of Buffy just based on a description. I do get fuzzy on the later seasons though. Harry Potter, is just Harry Potter. It was a great escape.
- My favorite foods are rotel and pot roast with carrots and potatoes. I could honestly eat it every single day of my life
- My favorite colors are green, purple and blue.
- Our wedding colors were green, black and white. I picked the green, Cody picked the black and we threw in the white so it didn't seem so dark.
- My favorite book is "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini and "Looking for Alaska" by John Green.
- My favorite tv shows are Sons of Anarchy, Weeds, Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, and American Dad. It's actually part of my bedtime routine to watch an episode of American Dad. Its such a great little funny cartoon.
- My favorite type of phone is android. I worked in an electronics store and it cured me of liking apple forever. I don't even use itunes on my computer anymore.
- My favorite outfit will involve a cardigan. I own so many, both long and short sleeve. They are such great additions to almost any outfit!
- My favorite type of shoes are boots that go to your knee. I don't even really see a point in wearing short boots. Makes no sense to me. (but hey, I never said I was fashionable!)
- This is more of a random fact, but I own a ton of knee socks. Even if I wear them under jeans and you can't see them, I think knee socks are so fun and just wearing them puts me in a good mood!
Tell us about your family >>>
The first thing that you should know about me is that I'm 100% committed to having a lasting, loving relationship with my husband, Cody. Unfortunately, in my family, not many have stayed married to the same person for their entire life and I'm determined to change that.
The second is that I'm a nursing student. That means I spend more hours studying in a week than I do sleeping. It means I wake up before dawn to go to the hospital for clinical hours. It means that I truly love helping people. Since starting nursing school though, I've discovered that my passion is counseling and mentoring others so I'm currently working on a way to use my (future) degree toward that.
Other than those two things, I'm a pretty simple person. I like to laugh and once you know me, I can be pretty silly. I'm shy though, so it takes awhile for me to show that side of me to you.
I'm also really creative. I love having projects and making stuff with my bare hands. I get that part of myself from my dad. Some of my favorite memories of my childhood are when my dad and I worked on projects together.
Today, I mostly reserve those creative urges for the jewelry I make for my shop, Eloping Designs. However, I'm also really enjoying graphic design lately and I'm finding it really enjoyable and it's something that Cody and I can do together because it's a hobby that he shares. I designed my entire blog myself and I am so proud of it.
My blog is basically about what I'm about, which means it can be anything under the sun! Recently, I had a full two week series involving weddings because I just got back mine and Cody's wedding pictures! In August, I'm having a series about nursing school. I'm hoping that some new nursing students will read it and be encouraged/enlightened about the journey they are about to go on.
I am constantly using my blog to give my readers tips on blogging with my blogger tips series. There are so many things I've learned through blogging that I wish I knew from the getgo, so my goal is to reach those new bloggers!
I also run a blog hop on my blog the 2nd Wednesday of each month called "Blogworking Wednesday" It's been a huge hit and the most recent one had 125 links which is just amazing! The story behind blogworking is this:
"When I first started blogging, my favorite thing was finding new blogs that I just loved and girls that I connected with! So, the idea of "blogworking" which plays on the word "networking" came into play. Whenever my husband asked what I was doing when I was looking for new blogs, I'd tell him I was blog-working. Soon after, the idea of a blog hop popped into mind and you have what you see today."
***
Tell us about your shop >>>In my spare time, I run a shop called Eloping Designs where I sell jewelry. I started making jewelry a few years ago because I realized I need a creative outlet. When I went with nursing as my career, creativity kind of went out the window. I get my creative side from my dad and it's a big part of my heart. Jewelry was something I always had trouble finding because I have sensitive ears and small wrists, so I started making it for me and my friends.
Later, my great grandmother told me that she made jewelry when she was younger. She sent me all the supplies that she still had, as well as some pieces that she had made. She passed away recently so now my jewelry making time feels like I'm spending some quality time with my great grandmother which is a great feeling because I miss that quality time. It's also a huge reward for me to see my mom's face when I show her the jewelry I make out of my great grandmother's supplies.
I started selling it because I had a bunch of friends that were willing to pay for it and a few sent referrals to me from their friends. I also started doing custom orders for people, so I decided that it was time to open a shop.
Paige is GIVING AWAY a $15 Shop Credit to Eloping Designs!!
Social Media - Why You Should
& Introducing Link & Mingle
Social Media - Why You Should
& Introducing Link & Mingle
Starting today and going forward you can come link-up any and all of your social media platforms that you'd like to grow. Each week (starting next week) I will focus on one social media below and tell you my tips for optimizing it! Grab the button and spread the word! If you are interested in co-hosting in the future - definitely email Shaylee (email below). Can't wait to network with you!
Meet our weekly hosts!
Kim | Singledou[b]t
Kendra | Adventures of Brad & Kendra
Courtney | Thoughts From the Birdhouse
Britt | Yellow Umbrella
Courtney | Baxtron{Life}
April | Dimples and Delights
Kendra | Adventures of Brad & Kendra
Courtney | Thoughts From the Birdhouse
Britt | Yellow Umbrella
Courtney | Baxtron{Life}
April | Dimples and Delights
Thank you, ladies!
The rules are thus:
follow your hosts and co-hosts via GFC and all other social media sites that they have linked up,
visit/follow/like as many links as you can,
follow your hosts and co-hosts via GFC and all other social media sites that they have linked up,
visit/follow/like as many links as you can,
link up to as many social media sites that apply to you,
share, tweet, and blog about this link party if you so wish,
grab the button {below},
and have fun meeting new people!
If you would be interested in hosting this party permanently, or co-hosting it periodically, send an email to {shaylee.motheratheart@gmail.com}. Anyone is accepted - there's no limit to the hosts. :)
If you think of another site that you would like to see in this linkup, leave a comment and tell us!
Alright, ladies! Button-up, link-up, and meet-up! :)
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Come back next Thursday for another round of the Link & Mingle!!
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