Grow Your New Blog Day 2

Alright, Day 2 of Growing A New Blog.  Today I did something that I haven't ever done before, but know will make a big difference.  I bought a domain.  Yes, me... I did it.  I have always put this off till I'm too far down the road and don't want to take the chance of messing things up.  Good thing I did it early too, because all my reader's comments dissapeard!  What?...  I was so sad, I loved those comments.  Hopefully they will come back after the domain finishes registering.  Note* Don't buy a domain while having a giveaway dependent on comments!

Setting up the domain was easy.  Its under Settings-Publish-Custom Domain.  All the advice I've read and been given somehow at some point usually encourages bloggers to lose the .blogspot.com and switch to just .com or something.  It helps with building a reader friendly blog that they can easily remember and makes your blog just easier to find during searches in general.  You can see what a tight-wad I am, talking about buying a domain, when I haven't even bought one for my Blogger Chix Designs blog.  I want to but I also want to change the name to something more relative to my current blogging subject but haven't decided yet.  We'll see I guess.

The next step I took was setting up my Chic Chick Media Ad and Widget.  I've had great success with this advertising program and didn't want to waste any time setting it up. 

These are two big steps for me to take so early in a blog's developement.  I usually waste time putting it off waiting for...I don't know what.  Maybe to see how things will go or something like that.  It depends on how you feel about your blog I guess. 

I plan on continuing linking up to all the blog parties throughout the week.  So far so good.

Now, time for Talk About It Tuesday!  What are you up to? (Family Friendly Please, Thanks :-)

Bloggy Conferences for Us Stuck @ Home.

Talk About It Tuesday.

There are so many blogging conferences going on. I really want to go! The thing about all of these though, is that you basically have to go on your summer vacation to get to one. Take off time from work, possibly leave your family alone for a few days, buy tickets for travel, the conference, hotels, eating out and so many expenses. Oy. I'm just not going to make it. Why do they all have to be on-location only? Isn't the reason we all love blogging is because we can connect with so many other people on the web?

I think I'm just going to plan my own bloggy conference. One that all those stuck "at home" (can't leave daily life) like me can go to. We won't have to make it such a huge expensive event that you go broke. And you can participate right from home. We'll get in on the party too!

So, I'm open to any suggestions you may have.

• What classes you would like to have.
• Things you would like to learn.
• People you would like to meet.
• Reasonable Prices (to cover everything).
• Anything else you want to add.

This all started from the growing envy I was trying to avoid while reading about all the things the other conferences were having.  I would almost start to drool it sounded like so much fun and learning.  I don't like being left out because of one thing or another, so I just make my own plans and fun.  And I totally want to invite you!  So let's get planning!

Living On Less - TAIT

Welcome to Talk About It Tuesday!  As part of my Work @ Home series, I'm adding thoughts on how to Live on Less and learn how much is enough.

I have really been reviewing where my family's hard earned income goes. Who exactly is it that has our money since it always seems that we don't...  My first 2 thoughts were of course:

Cell Phone

Car Expenses:

• GAS
• Insurance
• Registration
• Maintenance
• Parking Permit

We have already paid off our car for the time being, which we are very thankful for.  Even without a car payment, after adding all the numbers up for just my cell phone and our family's use of our one car- I discovered that I work at my 4-day a week job for over a month and 1/2 straight every year just to pay for these expenses!  I spend a month and 1/2 at my job when I'd rather be spending time with my son.  I was totally shocked at the numbers!  What in the world is going on here?!

Then I started to consider what would it take to live without these things.  I'm serious.  Do I HAVE to have a cell phone and a car to survive and be happy?  Have I just been brainwashed into thinking that these conviences are now necessities required to live a pleasant and productive life?  The answer:  I don't know.  I have never even considered the idea.  My family always had a car and my cell phone offered the ease and convenience of on-the-go plan changing and being able to make calls to anyone at anytime.  Is it possible to function in today's society without them?

I thought of the people I knew without cars.  They bike or take the bus when they have to go to work or go shopping.  They don't seem any worse for it.  In fact, they seem to have more because of it.  What about the holidays when we have to go visit family in the next town over?  Rent a car or get a ride.  Maybe they can come see us instead if they want to.  And when it comes to the cell phone, our land line is included in our rent.  I'm already paying for a phone, why pay for two?  It doesn't make sense besides the convenience.

These are just some of the things I went over, considering the possibility of freeing myself from these financial burdens.  Thus freeing up money and time to spend with my quickly growing son. 

My husband of course was just shocked at the idea.  One of the points he made that did cause me concern was getting around when winter hit.  A possible solution - make use of my free bus pass.  As students we recieve a free bus pass for our city's bus system to go wherever we want for free.  No charge, just go to the parking building and get your free student sticker.  I went over so many things from making menus and planning shopping trips better to make my trips more efficient.  There are lots of things involved, but is it possible or not - that's what I really want to know.

So, I want to slowly start to make the transition until I can completely experiment on the idea of living without a cell and a car.  I really want to see if its possible.  If its worth the money saved on gas and all those other expenses.  I may find at some point before totally making the transition that it is not reasonable, which at that point I will go back to the drawing board.  But, until then, it seems to me that a month and 1/2 is time wasted if it's not spent with my family.

What are you up to today.  Link up and share with us!

TAIT - It's Ok to Accept Help

Welcome to Talk About it Tuesday!

For me today, I've been thinking about help. What kind of help can you find to help your blog grow?

I think this all started when I was talking to someone who has decided to give birth to her second child that's on the way naturally with no help from drugs and pain relievers.  I was so amazed at her courage to do so; she was willing to go the extra step to use midwife and give birth at their clinic, just to avoid the temptation of having an epidural.  This made me think about my own child bearing experience.

I have to tell you, when I had my son, I never had a better friend than when the epidural and I were friends.  I had to be induced, so I was hooked up to IV's and monitors and they wouldn't let me move, or they would come rushing in and put the monitors back on.  When the contractions really started coming, I wanted to move, walk around, anything!  I decided, if I have to sit here so they can monitor me, then yes, I want the epidural.

I had previously thought about how is might be unfair and selfish to all the women of the past who had to bare children without the help of the great medicines and technologies of today for me to take the easy way out (easy.. haha, is there anything easy about it?...)  That maybe I wasn't as strong as they were.  Even after I had my son, I think I still felt a little guilty about it.

Then I realized, I totally had the wrong frame of mind about the whole thing.  Instead of feeling guilty I should be feeling grateful.  People have been working for hundreds of years to make childbearing more bearable.  Its ok if I choose to accept the help they offer.  Its also ok for those who choose to go naturally.  This does not make us any weaker than our foremothers.  I believe that they would encourage us to take advantage of anything available to assist us if we choose to do so.

Later I started thinking about blogging.  How you are only one person and its a competitive world out there.  Your going to need some help.  And you shouldn't feel guilty or weak because of it.  Growing your blog is a huge, and possibly time consuming task.  A way to recieve help is to take advantage of all the great blogs out there to help your own blog grow.  There are a lot of good blogs that put out regular fabulous content.  I can put this to my own use.  Get involved in their activities, send them an e-mail if you have an idea of your own you would like them to get involved in, and buy my blog and ad spot on their's.  Doing everything by myself all the time can be overwhelming.  I'm not afraid to talk to others.  I used to be intimidated by huge blogs and renowned bloggers.  Then I realized, they are writers, just like me.  Human and approachable.

So, what are you talking about today?  Link up and let others find your blog!  Don't forget to add the TAIT button found on the side bar to the right.

Brand Your Blog For More Success!

I'm currently reading a marketing book that teaches about using the power of emotion.  Its really interesting.  And can really apply to you on your blog to win and keep loyal readers who may eventually turn into customers.

For those of you who would eventually like to make money from your blog, perhaps through advertising spots or selling a handmade item, think about your blog as a product.  There is something that you need to do.  Look at this excerpt from the book to help me explain:

"Arm and Hammer baking soda outsells all the other brands combined even though baking soda is a simple chemical.  The brand conveys trust and authority.  The generic brands seem almost naked and impersonal on their shelf next to the Arm and Hammer product.  Perhaps we saw Arm and Hammer product in our refrigerator so often that it made a permanent dent in our neural synapses.  Ask consumers what they think about Johnson and Johnson products (Baind Aids, Baby Lotion, and others), and they'll tell you that Johnson and Johnson cares about you.  It's a simple premise, but it's enormously powerful and profitable.  That's why the company can offer line extension after line extension and know that the product will be tried."

What is the key here?  Brand and Trust.  Think of your blog as a generic product that you want to turn into a trustworthy brand name product.  If people have a question on the subject you write, they know that you're the best one to go to for an answer.  For the most up to date of fun activities, you're blog is the hot spot.  This is going to help increase your sales of whatever appropriate item it may be because you are going to be the customers prefferred choice over your competitors.  They come to you first.  Make your brand the brand they want to buy.  Of course there are more ways how go about doing this that we can cover, but this is our starting point. 

So, Talk About it Tuesday is here!  What are you guys up to?  (This is also another way to get your blog up where others can find it, By the Way ;-)



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Sault Ste Marie web design

What to Meet Some Blogging Partners?

Welcome to Talk About it Tuesday! 

I've been getting a lot of questions about how to find blogging partners for you and your blog.  To be honest, it took me quite a while to find my partners.  And lots of time and effort. 

Just to refresh your memory, my definition of blogging partners are a small group of 4 or 5 blogs that all agree to help promote each other.  They swap buttons and put their partners' buttons on their blog, near the top in one of the first three spots.  This is beneficial for all involved - you  get a free, good advertising spot on someone's blog and in return you do the same for them. 

So, I've decided to try and give you a hand in finding some partners of your own.  It will be much easier than the way I did it.

*Just send me an e-mail at pocketbookpearls@gmail.com letting me know your interested in finding some blog buddies.

*Include what type of blog you write
-How many partners you're intersted in grouping with
-Are there specific types of blogs you would like to partner up with?  Similar to yours, completely different, ect.

When your spot opens up, I'll let you know and tada, you've got your own network!

My blogging partners and I use smaller buttons so they fit more nicely into the sidebar.  If you don't have a button, or would like some help with one, just let me know.  I'll do the best I can I only ask you a favor of grabbing my blog button in return and adding it to your lovely blog.

So, that's it!  I'll help you set things up and get things going.  The sooner you let me know, the sooner we will hopefully be able to get things set up;  this is a great way to start getting your name out there, and giving people a chance to find your blog.

Now, time for link up party!  What have you been up to?  We'd love to hear!

Don't forget your excuse button!





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Talk About It Tuesday

Welcome to another TAIT!  Today, when I can talk about anything I want (its allowed...because the button says so!) I want to discuss ...

The unexpected impact a Thesaurus has had on my writing.  I become wearied of using the same old humdrum (yes, that really is a word in there) words.  Its an advantageous asset for every blogger to have. 

Ok, that's enough word stimulation for this post.  But, seriously, I love my Thesaurus!  It is so useful to have when I'm looking for just the right word to create just the right impact I want my writing to have.  It helps me enhance my posts and is great when your trying to come up with a name for your blog.  When most of the common terms are used up, a thesaurus can help you build a great title.

Wording is everything!  From the title of you blog to a simple Closing on a letter, words will either help your relationships with others grow or not.  Do you know you have a good post with valuable information but it just seems so blah?  Spice it up by going through and choosing a few words.  Look them up and see if there is a better one you could use to make things more attactive.  I love cleverly worded writing (I would love to be one of those people who can pull it off all the time with what seems like no effort at all).  Plus, superior wording will make you seem more intellectual.  That in effect, will cause readers to to consider you more of an authority or expert on your topic than others.  That will begin to build trust and readership, which will help you blog grow. 

So, from my point of view, My Thesaurus Helps My Blog Grow!
(I found mine at a second hand store along with a matching dictionary - my very nerdy christmas present to myself last year; and I was excited about it!).

What wonderful musings do you have to share today?  Link up, check out others, and leave them comments.  A great way to meet new bloggers and for them to meet you.

And don't forget your blogging excuse (even if you don't need one :-)



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TAIT

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Hey Everybody.  Totally got a new bike: Pawn Shop style...

Its the Purple and Silver Version of this:
West Coast Woman's Cruiser

And now I'm totally cool like Farrah Facet.  And since I'm a mom and got it at a killer deal, I totally look like this when I'm riding it:

How to Find a Cruiser Bike For an Awsome Deal:

1.  Rule: Always call around before you waste your gas looking for a bike (wasting gas to find a bike to save on gas... is that redundant or what?)

2. Call the bike shops in town - check prices and stock (expensive and scarce).

3. Check out the couple shops that may have something according to your phone calls.
(Includes finally dropping off your donation items to the thrift store, stopping by the drug store to pick your photos, realize you forgot to put on deorderant, and buy some while your there since your almost out anyway.  Also, pick up the Easter cards to put the pictures in and try to remember to send them out before its too late...)

4.  Find nothing, see a pawn shop, check out their bikes, find one for twice what you want to pay...

5. Go home, call all the pawn shops in your area, nobody has a cruiser - except one in the next city.

6.  Put baby down for nap, leave him with daddy, check out the last shot you have a cheap bike, and there it is.  Your future bike.  Tada.

7. Buy it.

Can't wait to read what you've been up to!

Talk About It Tuesday

Sorry you guys, I had scheduled this post, but it remained a draft, so after I got home from work today, I saw it wasn't up! Here it is now, a little late...





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I Love Ballet!

I didn't always think ballet was that great.  Then I saw Barbie presents Swan Lake (yes, I have seen that movie) and watched the extras and found the artistry Amazing!  Ballet is such a controlled, diciplined, beautiful, strong art form that sometimes the things they do are practically unbelievable.  For example

Incredible! That is flexibility. 

The costumes are so ornate.

This dancer has long, beautiful hair (I think its real...)  I like this picture because it reminds of my own long hair that I finally cut off.

If I could go to all the recitals in my area, I would love it.  I think the last one was the Nutcracker, two Decembers ago when I was about to burst, getting close to my son's due date.  Suprise, suprise, I don't think I've been to one since :-)

Can't wait to read what you guys are writing about!

Talk About it Tuesday

Happy to say I was able to sign up for my jewelry class at Joann's in April.  Yay!  And it was during coupon commotion week on Open House day, so 50% off the class and coupons for all the supplies.  That was great.  That makes crafty projects more affordable.  I have also been going through some project ideas that I'm excited to work on.  Super Easy laptop cover, re-usable grocery bags, and incorporating some cute cloth into my jewelry designs are a few of them. 

I hope you all have fun and look forward to reading what your up to and writing!


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Talk About it Tuesday

Have you ever just wanted to write about whatever you want?  Even if its out of the norm for your blog?  Well, now you can feel comfortable about it!  Sometimes I just want to write about whatever is on my mind, whether its:
 
What's going on in my life;
What I'm currently interested in and studying;
How I'm feeling;
Goals;
New ideas;
Future Plans;
Whatever!
 
And I want to encourage you to do the same!  So, go ahead.  Write a post about anything you feel like writing about and link it up here so I can read it and leave you a comment.  
 
Then read other participants posts and comment on theirs.  I bet they'll do the same for you!  
 
Don't forget to grab the Talk About it Tuesday button for your blog to support yourself and all Tuesday writers.


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Have fun writing and I look forward to reading your posts!
 
 
Talk About it Tuesday
 
Ok everybody.  I have a confession.  I really love to study etiquette!!!  Isn't that weird?  When I'm in my college English class and we switch into new groups for a discussion or something about our research papers, I'm always a little timid to talk about my subject.  I really don't want people to think I'm stuffy and uptight, because I thought that was how alot of people viewed proper etiquette.  As a bunch of bothersome "rules" that need not be bothered with.  I am continuously suprised every time I introduce my subject by the people who actually find it a great topic and that yes, we do need more of it. 
 
Can you believe it?  I almost couldn't myself.  Now, I won't pretend that I have perfect manners in any way whatsoever!  I am reading a rather suprisingly funny book about the subject called Miss Manners by Judith Martin and am continuously finding things to improve on for myself.  And Miss Manners has such an upfront and joking manner in how she answers her readers etiquette questions, that its turning out to be an enjoyable read.
 
For me, I really enjoy humor, especially when it doesn't involve lots and lots of crude jokes.  Sometimes that can just be a little much for my personal enjoyment.  Just good, clean, funny by Miss Manners is great!
 
One of my favorites:
 
Dear Miss Manners: If you had a single piece of advice to offer a couple who want to break into society, what would it be?
 
Gentle Reader: Don't bother.
 
Dear Miss Manners: What is the proper way to walk in high-heeled shoes?
 
Gentle Reader: Left, right, left, right, left, right.