Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Sunday 19 November 2017

Blogger Tips on How to build a successful Blog

(Promised this ages ago, if looking for Beccy's challenge, et al. please scroll down, not far!)
 
I started blogging by accident in November 2010 (01.11.10), for my first post see here, I did eight months of blogging before jumping in so had some idea already. 
 Decide which format or platform you want to use, most crafters use Blogger and so I chose that over Wordpress, the other popular platform.
1. First of all -Name of blog.
Make it uniquely yours! Easily identified, see mine above .. it is easily identified, not generic name.
Also if possible have same URL as blog it’s very helpful!

this is mine, for Google search ease.
https://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.com.au/
If you change your mind later on blog name, it won’t be same URL, hinders google analytic searches.

2.  Search engine accessible.
 Travelling around blogland these days, a lot of folk don't make the best use of how search engines work!! Using this knowledge in post titles they publish.  
Key to being picked up in search engine searches is a good post title.
Look at this post title!
Blogger Tips on How to Build a Successful Blog
***First of all I do have a title. 
Some folks dont even realise they need a post title.
No post title means every single post you write on your blog will have the same URL.

This will be come a problem if you want to join challenges, link over somewhere or send a link to someone for specific post. 
**Give your post a GOOD title.
It is best not to use simply one word. eg birthday, it simply wont come up in any search, too generic.
THINK, ASK:  What might a search engine look for?

Or what might be put in a Google search? 
Tips for blog post title:
A. Name of technique used or explored. 
eg Wet and Dry Embossing on Christmas cards.
B. Name of key product used.
 eg Lawn Fawn Gleeful Gardens stamp set - in 3D style 
I think about what question I would put into a search engine when writing a blog title.

3. Blogging Etiquette - As much as able return visits, and if someone joins your blog don’t ignore them, welcome them and join theirs... if you can find who they are.
 If you join someone’s let them know so they don’t have to hunt for you too.
Simple Blogging courtesy is the key.

4. Images: Use good clear images with simple, clear explanations ...avoid waffle. I’m going to talk in another post about images, photography tips, because image size is relevant. 
(Am writing a post on how to take good photos so watch out for that one)

5. Blogger Tools - Do Use Them.
Use labels on your sidebar and key labels as top tabs in pages on layout.

As you'll see I've several top tabs. Home, Calligraphy, Christian, Tips Techniques,  etc. Labels are handy for quick searches. 
Mine actually need a good spring clean.
Use blogger Gadgets and Widgets (in layout on Blogger) to add a Search bar, Follow by Email etc.

6. Open any link on post in NEW tab... please, please don’t take folk away from your blog by not doing this simple thing, ie a link opens in a new tab, not on page you’re currently viewing.
Blog Post explaining this - see here!

  These are just a few helpful tips. There is much more could share as now been blogging for over seven years, but won’t take up any more time.

Just adding quickly to this ready post my challenge entry for Beccy's great blog sketch challenge. . here! My take on it below using one of Beccy's gorgeous nativity digital images, a pre-coloured one! 
Not quite happy with it, but one more made! Yay!
 Beccy's pre-coloured shepherd image, ink dusted the background did mask iamge but imperfect masking -> so hand cut another to over lay image, in my easy 3D style (see here), ta-dah! my take on her sketch, no altogether happy but it will do.
Enjoying beautiful weather down under .. a favourite beach north of here!

Thanks to all my wonderful encouragers on my blog, I feel very unworthy of all you kind folk who’ve joined and keep coming back even when I can’t visit as much as I have in past.
Do pray this post is a help,  will blog photo post soon, God willing. Promised someone these ages ago. 
Prayer Hugs, 
Shaz in Oz.x

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory..".. Ephesians 4:19, 20a


I would like to link these up to the following challenges: 

14 comments:

Hazel said...

Thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges with your lovely crafting - hope to see you again soon. x

sharon said...


Wonderful card, I think that I have nearly finished all of my Christmas cards.
Hope that your having a wonderful Sunday, we have rain :) which we are very grateful for.
Enjoy your week.
hugs
sharon :)

Beccy said...

Your card is lovely Shaz, I love the blue and silver colour scheme. The sentiment works perfectly with the image, and it's one of my favourite Christmas carols. Love the background you added, the masking worked perfectly and the inking is lovely and soft. Great job!
Cheers,
Beccy

aussie aNNie said...

Hi Shaz, thanks for your visit too. Love your card, with the beautiful image, great background. I am sure you will be also missed on the DT, I don't visit there often, no time.
Your blogging instructions will surely help out with some people.xxx

Hope you are feeling better.x[aNNie]🎄

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Very pretty card!

I like your tips. Do you know how to hunt down a person who followed a blog? I have only a few followers, so I did notice the other day when someone joined, but I cannot figure out who it was? Is there a list somewhere?

Darnell said...

What a great idea to help newbies, Shaz, and very well done!! Hugs, Darnell

Brenda said...

What great blogging tips Sharon! I don't know if I've followed them all when making my blog as at the time I had no clue as to what I was even doing. lol I wish this post had been around when I started blogging, but it is here now and it will be very helpful to a lot of people. Now onto this stunning card! I love it!! I love Christmas cards that really speak of the true meaning of Christmas, not that I don't love all Christmas cards, but these kinds just really speak to me because I feel it is so important to remember what Christmas is really all about. Love this one and how you have made it so serene feeling. Well done! Hugs, Brenda

Betsy said...

You gave everyone such wonderful tips for blogging today Sharon. I know I make lots of mistakes but I'm very blessed to have loyal readers like yourself who keep coming back anyway. :-) Your card is absolutely stunning. Although I love snowmen, etc., I really love the cards that tell of our Saviours birth. The colors in this card are beautiful. Thank you my sweet sister. I hope you are feeling much better and I keep you in my prayers daily.
Blessings,
Betsy

loz said...

Gorgeous card Shaz. |Great tips for bloggers..loz

Cara said...

A wonderful card, hope you're keeping well x

cotnob said...

A very informative post Shaz, thank you.
Your card is beautiful, lots of lovely details and a fabulous image.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Thanks for the blogging tips, Shaz. Your card is so beautiful, perfect image and lovely the design!

Crafty Little Miss K said...

Shaz, this has been so helpful! As a new(ish) blogger, I shall most definitely be taking notes from this to help me improve. Thank you for sharing this..... and thank you for the follow :)

Karen xx

Janet Christensen said...

Thanks for all the tips.

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