Wordpress, Blogger, whatever you use to jot down your "stuff", it's all the same. Show some love to the other bloggers out there. Why? Here are a couple reasons.

1. Shows that you are user-friendly: We typically aren't drawn to the bloggers who are negative, don't want to help others out, who tend to lean towards the more dramatic side of life, and well just aren't friendly. Everyone loves to find someone who is friendly - either in real life or in what I call "blog land".  The friendlier you are to your readers and potential readers, the farther it will get you. 
2. We're doing this together: You'll find ALOT of bloggers who are new, intimidated, and not sure where to begin with the whole blogging thing. I know when I first started, I had a couple who were so encouraging to me, kept giving me awesome tips, and thats what turned me into enjoying blogging and writing more than just once or twice a week (which was what I was doing before). It's not a competition (even though SO many tend to think it is), we're in this together. So, why not help someone out, give words of wisdom, encouragement, and let them know you're here to help them with anything they need? If we all did this more, the bloggo-sphere might be a little less dramatic. 

 So, now you might ask, "How do I spread the love of someone else's blog?" It's easy!

1. Use your social networks to their fullest: Thats what they are there for- to help spread the word, to get to know people. Don't have a Facebook or Twitter account and then not use it. Tweet about these folks you've discovered or products you believe in. Link up to them on Facebook as well. Other good social networking resources are: LinkedIn, BlogFrog, CafeMom, etc. 
2. Comment on their posts: Like something you read? Well, comment and let the blogger know! Build a relationship. I've gotten to know awesome bloggers by using this method alone. Everyone LOVES to hear encouragement from others. So, start by making a goal - comment on 3-5 posts a day from various writers. Do it because you love to, but also watch how your "comments" on your own blog start to increase!
3. Offer some sort of incintive for them on your personal blog: Participate in giveaways and reviews with businesses and companies you love and want to support. This is a great way to help spread the word about their "awesome-ness" (that really needs to be a word) :)

So, make sure to "show the love" and get to know your readers or other bloggers you have things in common with. It definitely will go a long way!

What a great way to network. Almost everyone has a Facebook account and using the "Like" box on your blog is a great way to spread the word about your site. So, wanna add it? It's easy!

Go to your "page" on Facebook. Here is mine


Then click "get code".

You'll want to grab the code and copy it. (the iframe code)


Once you have copied it, place it where you'd like it in your blog. (you'll have to create an html widget for this if using blogger).

Was this tutorial helpful to you? Do you have a tutorial or topic you'd like to see featured? Let me know!

When people join the blogging world they feel overwhelmed. I know I did for sure. I wish I had a list at the time of a handful of items that were important in getting my blog started. I didn't, but now thought it was time to use what I think is helpful and important when starting a blog. 

Definitely one of the newest and most fun trends on Blogger and Twitter! With that being said, you must get "in the know" on how to add your blog posts to Twitter, automatically! No more keying in your post or your link to your post when Blogger & Twitter will do it for you!

You can use TweetMeme or Google Feedburner. I use TweetMeme but have just learned how to use Google Feedburner and wanted to share how easy it is.

1. Sign into Google Feedburner and then click on "Publicize".

2. Click on the "socialize" button.

3. Add your twitter handle/account and customize it to your liking.

THATS IT! See, I told you that it would be easy! Enjoy!

Was this tutorial helpful to you? If so, let me know! What other blog tutorials would you like to see featured here?

Want one of those adorable, fancy - shmancy signatures that attaches to each post in blogger? Look no further! Here is an easy tutorial for you!


1. You can create your image/signature using Photoshop or an online signature generator.


2. Save the image to your computer.


3. Upload the signature image to blogger. Once it's uploaded, hit "preview" and copy the image location (jot down the url of this image).


4. Next, go to Layout -->Edit HTML --> and Expand Your Widget Templates.


5. Find this in your html template:

<div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'>

or this:

<p class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-1'>

6. Then paste this below the code you found (just take out the spaces):


< img src='IMAGE URL' style='border: none; background: transparent;' /> 


7. Save the template and your signature should show up!


See! I told you you could do it! ☺

I'm always out to find new ways and fun ideas to gain blog traffic. It's a good feeling to know people like what you're writing and to hear from them or see them "following" your blog or tweets.

So, I've compiled a list of my favorite ways to gain blog traffic...here we go.

1. Make lists. I, by nature am a list maker. I make lists for groceries, "to do's", apps I want to download for my phone, etc. Why not use it on my blog? Make a list...people will be drawn to it.

I've been asked over the past few weeks where I got my cute social icon buttons. For those who are wondering what a social icon button is, it's the icons to the right of this post. On my blog you'll see, "F", "T", "B" and then the feed icon. If you click on the "F", you'll be directed to my Facebook. If you click on the "T", you'll be redirected to my Twitter account. If you click on the "B", you'll be directed to the homepage of this blog. If you click on the feed button, that is where you can subscribe to this blog. They look like this:



Why use social media icons? They are a great tool for networking with your readers, subscribers, friends, family, and co-workers. Helps them navigate to other "pages" easier and faster.

So, how do you add these buttons to your blog or website? It's so easy!

If you're looking for custom made ones, you can get a designer to make them for you for FREE at My Great Retreat The designer by the username of "Phatsheep" did mine and I get compliments on them daily! All you have to do is sign up at MGR, post an intro and head to the Design Center. Post a request for the "look" your going for and ask for Phatsheep to create them. She's awesome!

If you want ones that are already made and on the web. All you have to do is....

1. Google: "Free Social Media Icons". There are TONS out there! Find a set that you really like. Make sure they are .png or .jpg and download them to your computer.

2. Then you need to unzip the zip file. Click on the zip files and follow the prompts. You then will have a folder with the buttons.

3. Next, you'll go to www.photobucket.com or www.tinypic.com and upload them to your account.

4. Last, use the code given to you for each image in whatever area you want.

You're done! See, that wasn't so bad!

Here are some cute icons I've found. Again, there are TONS so you may need to refine your search a bit more to make it not so vague. Like, "wooden free social media icons" or "grungy free social media icons", etc.