Build a Better Blog

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Articles and Resources

Grit and Glamour articles and vlogs on smarter blogging:

The Secrets to Successful Fashion Blogging

A fabulous series by Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly

Photo via Pretty Shiny Sparkly

The Secrets to Successful Fashion Blogging
Everything you wanted to know about blogging but were afraid to ask…

  1. WordPress vs. Blogger
  2. Migrating to WordPress
  3. Comments
  4. FAQ
  5. Contact Forms
  6. Prettify Your Archives
  7. Reward Your Commenters
  8. Reward Your Best Posts
  9. Thank First-Timers
  10. Speed It Up
  11. Optimize, Optimize, Optimize
  12. Music
Secrets to Successful Fashion Blogging, Part Two
A deeper look at photography—cameras. lenses, the Golden Hour, sun flares, and more!

Additional Blogging Resources

Blogger to WordPress

Moving from Blogger to WordPress.org
(self-hosted)
Moving from Blogger to WordPress.com
(free hosting)
New To WordPress – Where to Start WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
WordPress.org Web Hosting Introduction to WordPress.com
Beautifully Invisible’sBlogger-to-WordPress Tutorials:

The New Ultimate Guide to Migrating from Blogger to WordPress Blogger vs. WordPress.com Comparison Chart – 2010
First Steps With WordPress Domain Mapping
Working with WordPress Writing and Editing
Administration Panels Custom CSS
Using Themes (see links to themes below) Themes
Managing Comments Manage Comments

Themes and Tech Stuff

Themes Little Helpers
Thesis by DIY Themes The Complete List Of Thesis Fonts In Action
Thesis + Themes (Skins) Thesis Theme Blog
Elegant Themes Firebug for Mozilla Firefox (Add-on that allows you to see code)
Woo Themes Font Finder for Mozilla Firefox (Add-on that identifies any font on the Web)

Hardware

Technology Device/Apps
PC/Laptop ASUS K601J
Digital SLR + lens Canon EOS Rebel Xsi (12.2 mpx) + Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens
Memory card 8 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory
Smartphone Apple iPhone 4s
Smartphone apps related to blogging
  • Bloglovin’ (button on home screen to mobile site)
  • Facebook
  • G&G (button on home screen)
  • Google
  • Hootsuite
  • iMovie
  • Instagram
  • Mail
  • Safari (for light blog editing and viewing)
  • Twitter
Tablet Apple iPad 2,16GB, Wi-Fi
Tablet/iPad apps related to blogging
  • Adobe Photoshop Express
  • Bloglovin’ (button on home screen to mobile site)
  • Friendly for Facebook
  • G&G (button on home screen)
  • Google
  • Handwriting
  • Hootsuite
  • iMovie
  • Mail
  • Safari (for light blog editing and viewing)
  • Twitter
  • WordPress
Video recorder iPhone 4s and iPad 2

Software

Function Application
Browser Mozilla Firefox
Blog platform/application WordPress.org
Blog template Thesis by DIY Themes
Blog/WordPress plugins
  • Article Templates
  • Comment Luv
  • Digg Digg
  • MCE Table Buttons
  • Post & Page Notes
  • Smart Archives
  • WP Touch
Domain registration and hosting Bluehost
Photo editing
Questions Formspring
Reader Bloglovin’
RSS Feedburner
Screen capture PicPick
Stats and analytics
Video hosting You Tube

Social Media and Blog Promotion

Connections/Communities Promotion
Blog Catalog Creative Commons (copyright/licensing)
Blog Trends Chat Facebook
BonBon Rose Girls Network Hootsuite
Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Google Group Indie Style Media Ad Exchange & Marketplace
Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) Manage Flitter
Networked Blogs Moo Mini Business Cards
Wikifashion Tumblr
Twitter

Sharing is good

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{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }

Anika

October 19, 2010

this is absolutely amazing, thank you so much for doing all this! You must have been working at this for hours! Really appreaciate it, and will really take my time reading this to see where to take my blog next. Well done Vahni!

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V

October 19, 2010

Thank you Anika! It was a bit of work, but well worth it!

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Fajr | Stylish Thought

October 19, 2010

This is amazing and extremely useful! Great work and thanks for all the hard work and research that went into this V!

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V

October 19, 2010

Thank you Fajr! I appreciate that!

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Katy

October 19, 2010

V – Wow! I feel like I have my reading for the next month completely planned out with this. A little discouraging to see there is so much more I still need to learn. But hey! It’s all here for the taking. Thanks for make this so user friendly!
- Katy

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V

October 19, 2010

No problem…thanks Katy!

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MJ

October 21, 2010

Hey Girl, I tried the code you sent me but it still isn’t showing up on my sidebar. Am I missing something?

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V

October 23, 2010

MJ, I’m not sure…maybe just copy the image and upload to your image gallery, then link to me? I’m a newbie at this!

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MJ

October 25, 2010

That sounds like a good idea! I’m gonna try it! Thanks V!

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Sarah {Raving Fashionista} October 22, 2010

Thanks for this! Great tips and advice

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V

October 23, 2010

No worries…thanks for your comment, Sarah!

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JTwisdom

October 30, 2010

V
Thanks for the advice I am a newbie at this WordPress stuff. Right now I am trying to add the Friend Friday button to my blog.

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V

October 31, 2010

Thanks JT, and you are welcome! Hope this helps you!

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Purdey Singleton November 19, 2010

Thank you for doing all this it’s been so helpful! x

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V

November 20, 2010

Thank you Purdey…glad to hear that!

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Katy Wein December 2, 2010

The topic Build a Better Blog is absolutely new for me, but it´s very interesting. I have to read more about this topic and make me my own opinion. Thanks, Katy Wein

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V

December 2, 2010

Thanks for your comment Katy…hope this page helps you learn more!

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lauren nicole jordan

December 27, 2010

V, Your blog has to be my favorite.
1. perfect grammar
2. helpful tips
3. and topics worth discussing

ps, I love your theme. I’m not sure how to install it but I am going to keep reading to try and make my blog better.

thank you for such helpful advice for a newbie like me! Happy holidays!

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V

December 27, 2010

Thank you Lauren! I appreciate your kind comment!

The theme is the uber-popular Thesis WordPress Theme from DIYthemes. It’s not free, but it’s fantastic! It can only be used on a self-hosted blog (through WordPress.org, for example).

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Nnenna

January 7, 2011

Hi V,

Thank you so much for all of these awesome tips and tutorials! I have been reading over your articles for the past few days and compiling a list of all the ways I can improve my blog this year. I have a question for you- on this page you mention that you use Google Analytics for your stats and I am a signed up for an account, but I don’t understand it one bit and am not sure how I can use it to keep posting the content that people like/are interested in. Could you maybe explain the basics that you need to know when using this tool? Thanks so much for your time and help!

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V

January 9, 2011

Nnenna, so glad this page is helpful for you!

I agree that Google Analytics isn’t the easiest to decipher. Katy of Modly Chic actually wrote a post on this you might find helpful: http://modlychic.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-read-your-google-analytics.html.

You may also find the Google Analytics Help page useful: http://www.google.com/support/googleanalytics/?hl=en_US

For tracking blog traffic, my go-to counter is actualy Stat Counter: http://statcounter.com

It is important to have a Google Analytics account because it seems to be the standard reference in the industry, but for your own daily, high-level tracking, you will probably like Stat Counter better.

Thanks for your comment, and good luck!

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Nnenna

January 10, 2011

Thanks V, I’m off to go check out these articles right now!

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Marissa

January 14, 2011

V, you already know that I think you are a genius! But I just thought I’d let you know this page is incredible and I constantly refer to it whenever I have issues or questions!

Thanks darlin’.

XXXO
M
Marissa´s latest post: INTRODUCING- The Bloggerista Book ClubMy Profile

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V

January 14, 2011

And thank YOU, darlin’. So good to know that so many people find this page helpful. I’ve had so many struggles with the technological aspects of running a blog that I feel compelled to share when I find a solution!

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Becca

March 4, 2011

V you are a goddess – I’ve been looking high and low for a listing of thesis fonts – and the link was sitting right here the whole time. I came to scoop up your resources so I can switch Free Honey over to Wordpress and I end up finding something else I’ve been searching for for weeks!! <3
Becca´s latest post: Menswear InspirationMy Profile

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V

March 4, 2011

Superb, Becca! Thanks for your sweet comment!

Isn’t it nice when we discover those little shortcuts?

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Tyesha May 2, 2011

Just found this and what great information you have here and I’m sure it took you sometime to get together. This is very helpful and I’m also loving your blog btw and I have added you to my blogroll as well. Such inspiration :-)
Tyesha´s latest post: American Express- Membership Rewards ProgramMy Profile

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V

June 1, 2011

Thank you so much, doll!

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Silk

May 12, 2011

Hello, wonderful and so very helpful ! I was looking to make a decision to switch to WP and your information made it clear to me ! thank you so much ! I’m definately a follower and keep on doing that “shameless”promotion. I think it’s charming the way you do. xoxo Silk
Silk´s latest post: Mademoiselle EconomistMy Profile

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V

June 1, 2011

Hi Silk…so glad you found some helpful info. Thanks much for your comment and support!

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Metsy

June 15, 2011

You are a blogging powerhouse. Thank you for doing all this work!
Metsy´s latest post: Do you have Social Media KloutMy Profile

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V

June 17, 2011

Hey sweets, no worries!

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Aaqil Mahmood

September 24, 2011

Thanks for such huge collection of tips :) I am enjoying them. Before I never paid attention to blogging tips.
Aaqil Mahmood´s latest post: illusion "Lilac Chaser" [images]My Profile

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fotios September 25, 2011

έμπα στον υπολογιστη να μου ρυθμισεις της τεχνικες λεπτομερειες ενος Blogg που διαθετω…

Reply

fotios September 25, 2011

Να στο ξαναπω παλι!
Ελα στον υπολογιστη, μεσω της απομακρυσμενης βοηθειας, να μου ρυθμισεις τις τεχνικες λεπτομερειες ενος Blogg
διαθετω. στειλε οδηγιες εντω μεταξυ σε τι ενεργειες πρεπει να προβω για να επιτευχθει αυτο.
Μετα τιμης
fotios

Reply

Alex. O September 26, 2011

It is pretty good,please do keep up
Alex. O´s latest post: Are you always running in crisis mode?My Profile

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Infotainment Lounge October 13, 2011

Thanks for sharing your wonderful tips. I am a new blogger, hence these thoughts of wisdom helps me a lot during blogging.
Infotainment Lounge´s latest post: Cute Tattoo Designs for GirlsMy Profile

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V

October 14, 2011

Fantastic! Thanks for your comment!

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MissB October 14, 2011

I found this so helpful, thanks! :)

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V

October 14, 2011

Super, Miss B!

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Katha Strophe

October 25, 2011

This has been soooo incredibly helpful!
Thank you for sharing all of these great tips, I really love the way you write.
Katha Strophe´s latest post: Top 5 scarvesMy Profile

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V

October 25, 2011

Thank you, and you’re so welcome!

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Free Picture Album November 21, 2011

Nice tips for new bloggers to start a blog with quality contents!

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