R-n-R Reviews

Blogging: Adding Feed to Facebook

2009-07-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

Log into your account, under Settings at the top, select Application Settings

Select Notes, then click Import a blog

That will take you to a page where you can enter your web address or site's feed address.

Finally, your data will load. DON'T FORGET TO CONFIRM at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to Blog Spot Tutorial

Showing HTML Code in your Blog Post

2009-07-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

With my previous post, you can see I displayed what code to use to create meta tags. Now, usually if you try and cut and paste HTML code into a post, it won't show up. However, I found a site that makes it really easy.

All you have to do is take the code you want to use and paste in the top box here, hit "enter" and it will give you what you need to paste into your post.

Adding Meta Tags to Blogger Blog

2009-07-02T22:20:00.000-05:00

Meta tags are what's going to help people find your blog on search engines like Google, and Yahoo, Swagbucks, etc.

You're going to want to follow these steps:

Sign in to your blogger dashboard & click the 'layout' button
Click on the 'Edit html' tab
Look for: <b:include data='blog' name='all-head-content'/>
Under it, add the following:

<meta content='DESCRIPTION HERE' name='description'/>
<meta content='KEYWORDS HERE' name='keywords'/>
<meta content='AUTHOR NAME HERE' name='author'/>

DESCRIPTION HERE: Write your blog's description
KEYWORDS: Write the keywords that help identify your blog
AUTHOR NAME: Write the your screen name

Save and there you go. It should be as simple as that.

Choosing a Template, Layouts, Screenshots, and more!

2009-01-29T23:00:00.000-06:00

I'm looking for a new template for one of my other blogs, On My Lists (below). I thought I'd share my resources as I come across them.

When choosing a template, you should consider if you want 2 or 3 columns, things like that. I like 3. You can always add another column and make changes of that sort yourself later. I've done that before, but it's just easier to find what you want already "laid out" for you.

Do try and get something simple enough that you can make changes to the header and background, etc. if you want to. This is the mistake I made with my current layout, it's too complex for me to make changes.

You don't need to care about the pictures used in the layout chosen. If you are somewhat savvy on the computer, you can change that stuff easily. Instead, you should focus on the layout, or arrangement. There are all kinds of little quirky things that can make a template special. That's what matters.

That, and the design should make sense for the subject. Currently, RNR Reviews is a magazine style template. I did the header, the colors, but liked that the 2 columns on the side with space below for ads, etc.

With On My Lists, I'm obviously wanting something that looks listy. Yeah, I think that says it all. Seriously though, I'm thinking paper, pad, something like that. Nothing too complex this time because I dread having to change the template. It can be very easy, but I have a lot of widgets and stuff that I have to make sure all transfer correctly. I'll probably have to do a new header and re-arrange things. It can be a time-consuming pain, to say the least.

Here is a list of places I am looking at for possible templates:

I like BTemplates alot. They have a ridiculously large selection. I'm thinking I may find something there.

Createblog has some original stuff I've been seeing pop up here and there on other people's blogs. I really like some of the layouts myself, but they're not right for what I'm looking for.

eBlog Templates has a lot of choices. I don't love the way the site is set up though.

Final Sense is pretty repetitive aka all the designs are very similar.

Our Blogger Templates has a good assortment of ones I've never seen before.

Pyzam has a lot of different backgrounds but the layouts are all too similar for me.

Suck My Lolly has some cute stuff, pretty simple, but cute. Much like Gisele Jaquenod. Her designs are super cute. Too cute, in fact, because you want to keep it the way it is. The problem with that is then it's too recognizable. That is also one of the problems with my blog I'm trying to change. I see tons of people with that same template and it sucks.

Wishafriend is "cute" and would be totally awesome ...if I was 16. Go to Pimp-my-profile if you're 18.

BloggerBuster has a great resource list of sites to get cool templates that I often refer to.

I should mention that if you want to create screenshots like the ones shown in this post, go here for the easiest instructions ever!

Getting Traffic to your Blog

2008-05-19T11:32:00.012-05:00

A few weeks ago, I posted about a great site I found to increase traffic to your blog called Blog Explosion. You can read it here if you missed it. Since then, I've had quite a few people sign up via my site and I want to thank them for that.

Just so you know, Blog Explosion can take a little while to approve your blog but you can earn credit surfing others blogs while you wait. That way, you'll have credit to assign to your blog when it is approved.

For anyone who hasn't signed up yet, you can click this link below to do so now if you'd like. It really has helped my traffic "explode". It's free to join and there are no gimmicks. Just browse or "surf" others blogs to get credits to apply toward getting traffic to your blog. It's as simple as that.

I also wanted to tell you guys about a new site I found that is very similar to Blog Explosion, called Blog Soldiers. I only just joined myself but it looks promising.

Another site I found that has it's own spin on things is called RoyalSurf. It has a medieval theme to it with games you can play amongst surfing other sites. Personally though, I didn't care for it. While the other sites mentioned are blogs only, RoyalSurf is all kinds of sites and it ends up being a bunch of sites just trying to get you to sign up or buy something. I don't think I'll be spending any time there myself. I can see, however, how some might like the games there. They're more role playing, Dungeons and Dragons type games.

Hope this helps.

Adding feed to Labels & clickable pictures to your blog

2008-05-08T12:52:00.008-05:00

I've been making some changes to my blog's appearance and I thought I'd share how I did it.

ADDING FEED TO YOUR LABELS:

Thanks to Purple Moggy who helped me add feed to my individual labels. Now, if you click on the to the side of my labels, you can subscribe to the feed for that particular category.

This came in handy for me because I wanted to add my movie reviews to my other blog, On My Lists. It also is helpful to those who have blogs about many different topics so that if a reader is only interested in one particular topic, they can subscribe specifically to that.

You can do this too. All you have to do is go to Layout -> Edit HTML. Download Full Template so that you have a backup copy just in case. This is important to do no matter what changes you are making on your blog. Then you want to follow the instructions on given here.

ADDING CLICKABLE PICTURES:

To add my clickable pictures like my name "Call Me Kelly" above, I used Blogger Buster's cheat guide you can get here. Everything you need to know is on page 39, but the whole guide is really helpful. I highly recommend it for those wanting to make their blogs their own. Wanting to skip the whole guide and just want clear cut directions on how to make your pictures clickable links, BlogU has what you need here.

Increase blog traffic via Blog Explosion

2008-04-28T07:45:00.008-05:00

I have found myself spending a lot of time over at blogexplosion.com. It is a great way to get traffic to your blog and there are several fun ways to do it.

You can surf others blogs, each time earning traffic to your own blog. So, the more you surf the more you will be exposed to other surfers. You can also play games. I personally like Blog Tycoon. Blog Tycoon is very much like regular blog surfing except that there are levels. In these levels you could potentially earn a great deal of credits but you also run the risk of being detected during the levels and losing any credits you've earned while playing the game. I like to play this while I'm feeding my baby. I can surf easily with one hand and a click of my mouse.

They also have scratch off tickets you can "buy" for only 1 credit each, but I haven't had any luck with them.

My favorite of all the "games" is Battle of the Blogs where you can compete against other blogs for credits. If you were to check out the site, I'd hope you'd vote for my blogs. My username is Callmekelly. I actually have a few blogs you can check out if you'd like. They're listed here.

If you're competing on Battle of the Blogs and would like a vote, let me know. Or who knows, maybe we'll battle. It's all in good fun really. I mean it's just credits, not money. I, personally, find it motivating to try and make my blogs as nice as possible. I know that when I'm voting on other blogs, I tend to be drawn toward the more visually stunning rather than content. Content is important but when you may only be looking for a short time, it's the visual statement that seems to leave an impression. I'm still working on mine. Let me know what you think so far. I'd appreciate it.

Checking out the Blogosphere

2008-04-23T19:47:00.000-05:00

I've spent the past could days checking out the blogosphere or others blogs, the blogging community, whatever you want to call it. I find it to be really helpful in getting me more focused. I realize I need a clearer vision with my blogs.

So, I have been trying to go back through old posts:

Adding more content and pictures
Making the content count. If it's a book, I name the title and the author; if it's a singer, I post song titles, etc. Basically, mentioning anything people might be searching for in regard to my subject.
If I've written about something similar on other blogs, I link to that post
Asking the reader questions to try and get them engaged
Trying to find other relevant resources
Trying to get my blog looking sharp

If anyone has any other tips, I'd love to hear them. I'll keep you posted on any new tips I come across.

Feed via Feedburner

2008-04-22T18:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I signed up at Feedburner.com. Honestly, feed is a whole area that I get when I read about it but I'm not going to pretend to understand it enough to try and explain it to anyone else. Google has a Feed 101 article that I suggest reading. It helped me.

For those who don't care to go read a long article, I will say this. The short of it is that by having your site's feed available to others, it allows them to subscribe to your blog. That means that they can get updates and information from your blog without having to go back and check your blog everyday. Instead, they can get your new posts through their email, "mobile devices" or they can post it on their site. So, it's a good thing to provide for others because you want subscribers. What good is a blog if no one reads it?

Blogger does provide you with your feed but Feedburner gives you some bonus features including data showing you "how many subscribers you have, where they're coming from and what they like best".

It is super easy. You just set up an account with Feedburner and then put in your blog's url address. They give you your feed address that you then put in your blog "settings" under "site feed". You'll see "Post Feed Redirect URL" and that's where you put the new feed address.

Once you've done that, you should create a "chicklet", universal feed icon (the orange square by "Subscribe in a reader" to the side). They'll put the icon right on the blog for you.

While I was there I also signed up for the email subscription so that subscribers can get my blog via their email. Feedburner simply gives you the code that you can stick anywhere on your blog and it produces a subscription box like the one to the side. It's as easy as that.

If you do have any problems, please let me know and I'll try my best to help. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my blog if you find it helpful.

Adding a Label Cloud to your Blog

2008-04-21T07:56:00.002-05:00

I actually added a label cloud (like the one below) to my first blog, Green Alert, using this article on how it's done.

It turned out to be super easy, but I've since changed my whole layout. Still, thought I better post this in case I want to re-do it and forget how. Hope it helps anyone wanting to give it a try.

Getting Traffic to your Blog & Adding Social Bookmark Links

2008-04-20T08:59:00.001-05:00

So, I'm trying to get more traffic to come to my blogs now that they are up and running. ProBlogger sent me to Technorati, which led me to blogged.com and zimbio.com. I signed up for whatever I could, which probably isn't the most efficient way to go about things, but it's what I'm trying at this point.

I'll keep you updated on whether or not these prove to be helpful. please let me know if you found my blog from one of these sites.

As you may have noticed, I have also added links for Digg, Technorati, and del.icio.us at the bottom of each of my postings. The way that I understand it, this is a way for you to share information with others that you have found helpful. So, for instance, if you find this particular posting helpful or interesting in any way, hit one of the links mentioned (Digg, Technorati, and del.icio.us) and this post will be added for others to hopefully see and share in.

So, this could potentially be a good way to help drive traffic to your blog while helping people in general to find quality information.

Before you add the links to your blog, you should set up accounts with whichever social sites you'd like. I know there are more out there, including Stumble and Reddit. Then, to add these links I simply followed the directions given by Amanda at her site, Blogger Buster. To thank her for her help, I hit the Digg this, Stumble It! and Add to del.icio.us links she provided at the bottom of her posting.

My Blogging Journey : Affiliate programs

2008-04-18T16:05:00.000-05:00

Affiliate programs create a partnership between the blogger and a business. On my blog, On My Lists, I have teamed up with Amazon for instance. So if you look over in my shopping area, you will see my "Amazon Store". When someone buys something from my Amazon store or from the links on my blog, I get a percentage of that sale. There are certain affiliate programs that pay you per click, or everytime someone clicks on the link you've provided on your blog.

Basically, all of the banners and ads that you see advertised on people's sites are affiliate programs that can potentially earn the blogger money. Commission Junction is a site where you can sign up for affiliate programs with relevant merchandise for your blog. I signed up there after it was referred to me by a trustworthy source.

My Blogging Journey : Templates

2008-04-18T09:05:00.003-05:00

I have made my career working on the Internet for many years but I have only recently started blogging. I decided I should document my journey on trying to make a successful blog. Whether successful means that I make money at it or that I just have a following, I don't know yet. I just know that I am enjoying doing it and feel this is something that I will continue to do. So, if I can help others learn to blog while I'm learning myself, then that's great!

First thing I do after I start a new blog is to pick a new template. There is a plethora of free blogger templates out there. I've used templates from Blogcrowds.com before. They seem to have as good of a selection as anyone.

Then, I usually try and customize the template to make it my own. If you check back, you will see the changes I'm talking about. Now, I'm okay at HTML but there are still things I need help with. In those cases, I Google what I'm trying to do and hope someone has a tutorial.

Blogger Buster has a free ebook that has been very helpful to me. In fact I've been using it to play around with this blog. I think I've made some nice changes as a result.

Some of the stuff I already knew but it's nice to be able to have directions just in case you forget, which I do alot. I highly recommend taking a look. It is super easy to follow and can help you do some neat things to make your blog your own.

I would love to hear where you get your free templates.