New blog! Any advice, tips, do's and don'ts etc?

[TheHeartspaceConnect]

Hi Guys!

Today I have created a new blog!

It's on blogspot..which although I had a brief encounter with it in 2009 it was short lived so I am still learning the ins and outs of it.
I have had tumblr blogs before but they are mainly for posting pictures of inspiration so this is a little different for me.

Any advice or feedback etc on my new blog would be greatly appreciated. I'm still unsure about the background but fiddled around so long with other pictures, layouts and stuff so if you see something I should change please let me know.

I also didn't know how to make my blog name sit in the middle of the page rather than on the right..?

Is there also a way to add a box that shows items from your etsy store or facebook page?

Clearly I need help! lol So many things to learn. Oh dear, wish me luck!


http://thegirlwiththepinkfringe.blogspot.com/



Feel free to post a link to your blogspot and I'll follow you or subscribe or whatever it is that you do on blogspot!

[Former_Member]

Hello and welcome back to the blogging world!! :)

Your blog looks like fun! I love the picture you posted, your doggies, Leo and Evie, are adorable!! I'm following your blog now, although I didn't see your followers on your blog, so I went to the 'Follow' key in the top Blogger Bar to follow you.

In order to get your Etsy items on your blog you need to add the HTML/JavaScript... You can put an 'Etsy Mini' on your blog by going to 'Etsy Mini' in the side column under 'Promote' in your Etsy and just pick what you'd like, then copy and paste the code to your blog. And/or you can go to CraftCult: http://www.craftcult.com/heartsitems.php ~ Type in your store name and then choose the Widget you would like, copy and paste that code. If you're not familiar with CraftCult there is a list of things to choose from (Widgets is one of them) right across the top of the page, beginning with HOME. Hope that helps, but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!! :)

Here's the link to my blog, I have both of those things on my blog, if you'd like to take a look: http://trinastrinketts.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year!
~Trina

[TheHeartspaceConnect]

Thank you Trina!
I had a look at your blog and am now following you, you have so much on there - I have a long way to go!

I'm about to head off to work but I will definately be trying this when I get home. Hopefully it works out, if not, I'll be back here lol

Thanks again,
Chels

[CariJaneHakesJewelry]

What a GREAT title! Love it. I would make your pictures bigger - say 500 pixels - that would make it even BETTER.

I'm on blogger over at http://hybridhandmade.blogspot.com/ if you fancy a peek.

Keep up the great work.

[gardenandsea]

Great blog title :) I agree with Cari-Jane that bigger photos would be nice. When I post to blogger I make them all x-large every time so it is consistent. You can see what the larger photo looks like at my blog http://gardenandsea.blogspot.com . But just "large" looks good too, I think a lot of bloggers use that size.

I would say that although blogger is really different from tumblr, there is an increased emphasis on photos these days, so even if I don't necessarily have a lot of photos, I try to include some relevant photo in my posts along with text, the way you did with your first post!

Good luck :)

[TheHeartspaceConnect]

I have just added the Etsy Mini to my blog!
Could only fit 1 column in otherwise it would spill over the side of the layout.

My facebook boxes look a bit weird too..? Might just be coming up like that on my computer but is all grey.

Thanks for the advice, I agree. I'll start putting bigger photos in future posts.

Have checked out all of your blogs, they look great! I'm now following you.

[Former_Member]

Laughing at your latest blog post, reminds me of some people I know....

Under the Design tab, be sure to check out all the gadgets you can add to your blog to make it easier for people to subscribe to your blog, etc, and to share your posts on twitter, FB, etc.

Here is a site where you can create a widget to sell items from your Etsy shop right on your blog: http://cr8tivity.com/

Cheers!

[Former_Member]

Congrats!! I would suggest reading articles on our team blog related to what works. www.etsyblogteam.com.

Also browse back through the discussion board here, there is soooo much great advice, and most of it is generally timeless, so you can still apply it to your new blog.

Best of luck

Mitch

[TheHeartspaceConnect]

Thanks so much.
Everyone is so helpful!