Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Blogging: 20 Top Tips for being a better blogger From " A Fresh Start on a Budget"

Click the Link: via : A Fresh Start on a Budget
 
Easy and doable Tips to make you a better blogger
1. List posts always do really well
2. include at least one  photo in every post if not more
3. include the tags for your post as you post. I do that now but didn’t start till I had so many posts that I had to go back through. 
4. join Face book groups, it’s a great way to share your blog with new people and find other great blogs.
5. Comment on other blogs as much as possible. It makes people feel good to get comments and it introduces them to your blog. 
6.  Blog often, How often is up to you. I usually do 3-5 posts a week but it’s what works for you. 
7. Just don’t disappear from your blog for a long time with no warning. Your followers might not come back when you do. 
8.  Get to know your followers. Ask questions, pay attention to what they like and comment on. 
9. My personal preference is having a self hosted WordPress blog. I’ve used Blogger and it was fine but I love Word Press. 
10. Use social media to grow exposure to your blog.
11. It can become overwhelming so just try to focus on a couple networks and grow them, then try others. It’s nearly impossible to give your all to 10 networks at once and blog. 
12. To help with Social media I use Buffer, I have the upgraded account which is $10 a month and so worth it. I can just add stuff to buffer as I find it and one a week I will go through and really fill up my Que with posts for the week. That way I don’t have to be constantly posting everywhere.
13. Start collecting email addresses. I have a newsletter and email out blog updates. I don’t have a big list but it’s growing slowly. 
14. To improve my photos I use Pic Monkey and to create graphics I love Canva. They are both user friendly and inexpensive. 
15.  Give a lot to receive more. Blogging is a lot about community. So pin, tweet share comment and like other bloggers posts. It will come back to help you. 
16. Track your traffic. At the beginning of each month I update a excel spreadsheet with my number of followers on (FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+) That way I can see if I’m growing and where. 
17. I also love exploring Google analytics to see where people are finding my blog from and what pages are getting viewed the most. 
18. Have a clean and simple Blog design (not too busy is easier to read)
19. Use the same colors, fonts, picture throughout all of your online presence to establish your brand
20. Write for your ideal follower and not just what you think people who are already following you want to read but for the followers you want to attract as well. 
Via www.afreshstartonabudget.com pay a visit!
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Monday, July 20, 2015

Suzy Homefaker: Wax dipped Flowers

http://suzyhomefaker.blogspot.com/2014/07/wax-dipped-flowers.html

  Great idea!


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Back to School Organization Five Week series

Link: http://afreshstartonabudget.com/back-school-organization-five-week-series/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email




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Handmade Lace Covered Basket - Reader Feature

http://thegraphicsfairy.com/handmade-lace-covered-basket-reader-feature/


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P i g t o w n * D e s i g n: Sunflowers

http://pigtown-design.blogspot.com/2015/07/sunflowers.html

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Sunday, July 19, 2015

The perfect little trunk on wheels for your next coffee fix

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2015/07/the-perfect-little-trunk-on-wheels-for-your-next-coffee-fix.html


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Monday, July 13, 2015

3 Ingredient Easy, Simply Moist Litehouse Jalapeno Ranch with Tilapia from Target

Needing to go grocery shopping, my fridge was a little depleted. Slim picken's is a more accurate depiction. I had 2 frozen Tilapia fillets purchased at Target. I just recently moved right across the street from Target. That could be good or bad,right? 

My easy peasy recipe calls for  just 3 ingredients. 

Tilapia Fillets 
Lite House Jalapeno Ranch
Pepper 


Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees
Pour ample Jalapeno Ranch over the fillets. Covering completely, then sprinkle pepper as desired. 

With frozen fillets I let bake for 40 minutes. . . 

The results were moist tilapia with a hint of spice. It was delicious! 





Target Chalkboard $3



The moment  you realize you used a permanent marker on a new display. The horror of being a crafter. The struggle is real people. My $3 chalkboard has my entire last week schedule. Sad face. Still unpacking from a recent move , I know I have chalkboard paint somewhere! 




Monday, July 6, 2015

Wildtree Shrimp Scampi & Dill Dip


What's for dinner? 
I was craving Shrimp Scampi and Dill Dip. Odd combo right? Living right across the street from the local Target helps curb all such cravings. 
Purchased a bag of raw shrimp and sour cream . My pantry already consisted of Wildtrees Dill Dip Blend and Scampi Blend. Pretty easy and tasty! 
Here are some pics !

 
 





What's for dinner at your house?