Blog Basics Archives - Page 22 of 26

Blogspot Blogs — If You Can’t See Yours

May 9, 2006 by Liz

With a Little Help from Our Friends

Thanks to Joe at Working at Home on the Internet, here’s what to do

If your page cannot be accessed by readers, you must go into Blogger and publish a post. Then republish your whole blog for it to take.

I know, because I just went through it with my Blogs on Blogger.

Thought you might like to know.

Joe

Thanks Joe!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

5 Type Turn-Offs that Are Exit Only

May 9, 2006 by Liz

I’m Only 1 Reader

Spend enough time as a publisher and when you read for fun, you can’t help seeing publishing things . . . if they’re great I comment on them. Reinforce good behavior is what I learned in teachers’ school. If they’re not good typography, I try to overlook them and keep reading. If I simply cannot, usually I just move on shaking my head. I go back to my own blog to make sure that I’m not doing the same thing.

YET when I see the same type issues happening from one blog to another, I think folks can’t see how the type looks and feels from this side of the computer. So I’ve started taking notes on what it’s like to be the reader. Of course, I’m only one reader, but I AM one reader. I’m one who will come back or I won’t. [Read more…]

Color and Font Codes

May 7, 2006 by Liz

HTML Color and Font Codes

When I first started blogging, I was anxious to do what I could do in print–add emphasis using color or maybe once on a rare occasion change the font for flavor. But I was new to HTML and the rules had me baffled. I recently found this simple tutorial that not only shows how, but also shows which fonts are those that usually work.

Great Find: Color in Your Text from Writing up.com
Type of article: HTML tutorial
Permalink: http://www.writingup.com/htmltutor/color_in_your_text_from_htmltutor
Target Audience: Folks who want to know more about HTML
Content: This tutorial starts out with the basic code for changing the font and the color of your text.

Then the tutorial offers two clicks further. The first click takes you to choosing type fonts. While you are there, you can see how each font looks and check whether it is available on your computer. The second click shows you a basic color chart and color words to allow a chance for experimentation.

This tutorial is great for new bloggers or for seasoned bloggers in a hurry looking for a color change in their typography.

Click this screenshot title to go there.

I’m adding this to the NEW BLOGGER PAGE in the side bar.

–ME “Liz Strauss

Spring Cleaning Your Blog

April 20, 2006 by Liz

Spring Comes Twice a Year

I highlighted this post last October, when it was spring in Australia. Still, I think the information is worth bringing forward now that it’s spring in North America. It’s an article by Duncan Riley from the Blog Herald called, Quick spring cleaning tips for your blog. Here’s what I take from Duncan’s article and pass on to you.

2. New header–If you haven’t noticed, new headers are sprouting like spring flowers.

3. Clean up your links–Sad to say some of those folks on your blogroll may no longer be blogging.

4. Edit old posts–Update old posts and add references so folks will go read them.

5. Take a walk around the blogs. Spring walks are always invigorating and inspiring.

Duncan also suggests signing up for an affliliate program. I don’t see any reason not to . . . It just didn’t feel very springy to me. 🙂

Got any to add to my list, since I already have the mop and bucket out?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Blog Review Checklist
Blog Archive Promotion To Do List
GAWKER Design: Curb Appeal as Customer-Centered Promotion
Blog Promotion: Checking Out Curb Appeal

Did You Drive My Blog Yet?

April 17, 2006 by Liz

Grab the Keys, Take a Spin

Yesterday I wrote a few words about the Path of Favors–how they multiply and come back in lovely, unexpected ways. I was lucky in that through a path of favors a problem I’d been thinking about had been mentioned in passing. That lighted a doorway where I was able to walk through and enlist some help to move toward solving it.

I did. I asked folks who were reading yesterday to take the driver’s seat. I threw out the keys to my blog. After a minute or so getting used to the steering, we had quite a dialogue. It was fast and furious and filled with ideas that every blogger should know. It’s still being added to.

Whoa! Am I learning a lot. It’s thrilling to hear what people really think.

Thanks Again

Here or there it doesn’t matter where you write if you have comments. What matters is that your ideas are important to me. If you don’t want to drive my blog now, that’s okay. Do read what’s there from those who did. There’s great advice all through those comments. This blog got better just by having them.

Thanks to everyone who did, or will, take the keys and drive my blog.

Brand you and me is made of two.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
Introducing Customer Think

20 Rules of Smart & Successful Web Development

March 23, 2006 by Liz

Sometimes you find a golden nugget . . .

Great Find: 20 Rules of Smart and Successful Web Development by Vitaly Friedman
Type of article: Online business basics and web development
Permalink: http://www.alvit.de/blog/article/20-rules-of-smart-and-successful-web-development-and-web-design
Target Audience: Any person who wants to do business on the Internet and every web developer or person who hires one

Content: Vitaly Friedman is a web developer who can write. He’s also a deep thinker who learns from what he does. I read this article not once. but twice–both times wishing I could say I wrote it, thinking he said what I’ve always wanted to say. From Respect your visitors. and Care about your content. to Learn to handle the Creative Block. and Be aware of the Power of the Web.I felt I was listening to a kindred spirit talking– one who said it so much better than I might have said it.

So I’ll leave you to him. Click the screenshot for the best article I’ve read on the subject in a very long time–maybe ever.

It’s always nice to find a new hero.

–Me “Liz” Strauss