Bloggers are celebrated at Hot Blog Stars! Check to see who has a birthday by looking at our 
Our July birthday winner selected at random is: Bri from Unwellness! Don't stop celebrating, Ms. Bri! Your prize is on the way!
Get on the Grand Birthday List, especially if you are an August Birthday Baby, because one of you will win a $10 Amazon gift card and a copy of 5 Ways to {Blank} Your Blog! It's easy to add your name and special day!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Improving Your Blog Content at BlogHer 09
BlogHer'09 was a fantastic celebration of blogging in all of its incarnations! I feel very lucky to have gone, and to meet so many Hot Blog Stars! I received an amazing amount of feedback about this site and how it can serve bloggers, and about 5 Ways to {blank} Your Blog
,which was so gratifying and a lot of fun for me.
Thanks so much to Breakpoint Books for selling the book for me in their bookstore. It did very well and I'm more than pleased at the kind response, especially of some of the people I used as examples in the book! Some reviews are coming down the pike, and I've been booked on a few interviews, so I'll keep you in the loop. It's a pleasure to share the word with the world that online blog publishing is thriving, and despite what some news sources write, blogging is truly about a wide diversity of content, all of which is valid and has an audience. That's what I emphasize in the book, and it seems to be a very welcome message.
Content in all of its forms was clearly the winner at the conference, with a lot of buzz surrounding the Humor session I was lucky to moderate, the Storytelling session, and the International BlogHer Scholarship session. I would highly recommend reviewing the liveblogs of these sessions, as well as many others, at the BlogHer site. Don't miss viewing the Community Keynotes, too! I was crying from shared pain and from laughter; all were amazing. You will find really incredible stories and devotion to the craft of sharing your thoughts, words, ideas, and experiences, regardless of your goal.
You may see yourself as a review blogger, mommyblogger, lifeblogger, special topic blogger, humor blogger, citizen journalist, digital documentarian, vlogger, photo-blogger, or some distinct category all your own. It's all wonderful, and all rooted in content. There were places at BlogHer to celebrate all types of approaches.
It's not to early to start saving or planning to support a trip next year. They've already announced that BlogHer 2010 will be in NYC. And/or many other wonderful conferences are cooking....TypeA Mom in is GORGEOUS North Carolina in September, Blissdom is in January (I met Allison Worthington and she is a lovely bouquet of wonderful) and Mom 2.0 Summit is in Houston in late February, just to name a few that appeal to content bloggers. Viva la conference!
,which was so gratifying and a lot of fun for me.Thanks so much to Breakpoint Books for selling the book for me in their bookstore. It did very well and I'm more than pleased at the kind response, especially of some of the people I used as examples in the book! Some reviews are coming down the pike, and I've been booked on a few interviews, so I'll keep you in the loop. It's a pleasure to share the word with the world that online blog publishing is thriving, and despite what some news sources write, blogging is truly about a wide diversity of content, all of which is valid and has an audience. That's what I emphasize in the book, and it seems to be a very welcome message.
Content in all of its forms was clearly the winner at the conference, with a lot of buzz surrounding the Humor session I was lucky to moderate, the Storytelling session, and the International BlogHer Scholarship session. I would highly recommend reviewing the liveblogs of these sessions, as well as many others, at the BlogHer site. Don't miss viewing the Community Keynotes, too! I was crying from shared pain and from laughter; all were amazing. You will find really incredible stories and devotion to the craft of sharing your thoughts, words, ideas, and experiences, regardless of your goal.
You may see yourself as a review blogger, mommyblogger, lifeblogger, special topic blogger, humor blogger, citizen journalist, digital documentarian, vlogger, photo-blogger, or some distinct category all your own. It's all wonderful, and all rooted in content. There were places at BlogHer to celebrate all types of approaches.
It's not to early to start saving or planning to support a trip next year. They've already announced that BlogHer 2010 will be in NYC. And/or many other wonderful conferences are cooking....TypeA Mom in is GORGEOUS North Carolina in September, Blissdom is in January (I met Allison Worthington and she is a lovely bouquet of wonderful) and Mom 2.0 Summit is in Houston in late February, just to name a few that appeal to content bloggers. Viva la conference!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
5 Ways to {Blank} Your Blog
Lookey! Did you know I love blogging so much I wrote it a love letter? Pretty much. My book is out on Amazon! It is a love-letter to blogging, and a bit of blog culture wrapped up with tips and oddities and lots of ideas on who to read and why. Each idea is captured in a list of 5, kind of like this.
5 Ways to Get Traffic to Your Blog By Making Little Altars Everywhere
Many experts in many books, blogs and Twitter accounts created at midnight will tell you that they have the secret to Search Engine Optimization that will lead to traffic. They are wrong lying liars. Traffic is magic, and you must attract it through sorcery.
1. Set up an altar to BlogHer: avatars of Lisa Stone, Jory DeJardin and Elisa Camahort Page. Use periwinkle blue and lime green candles.
2. Set up an altar to Kirtsy: avatars of the Laura Mayes, Laurie Smithwick, Gabrielle Blair and Gwen Bell. Use navy blue, turquoise and green candles, plus an ochre one for luck.
3. Set up an altar to Google. Make a pact with the devil, paying in blood, sweat and tears in exchange for good SEO.
4. Set up a scrapbook shadowbox in honor of Blissfully Domestic. Photos of Allison Worthington. Use pink!
5. Set up an altar to Blog Nosh Magazine. Avatar of Megan Jordan. Decorate with fruit, gummy bears and apples. Light apples instead of candles.
So, yeah, I name names, but not the names you always see. Other topics include:
and, as they say, much, much more!
##
It's all happening! Bloggers, and blogging, you little scamps you, I just can't help myself: I love you long time!
5 Ways to Get Traffic to Your Blog By Making Little Altars Everywhere
Many experts in many books, blogs and Twitter accounts created at midnight will tell you that they have the secret to Search Engine Optimization that will lead to traffic. They are wrong lying liars. Traffic is magic, and you must attract it through sorcery.
1. Set up an altar to BlogHer: avatars of Lisa Stone, Jory DeJardin and Elisa Camahort Page. Use periwinkle blue and lime green candles.
2. Set up an altar to Kirtsy: avatars of the Laura Mayes, Laurie Smithwick, Gabrielle Blair and Gwen Bell. Use navy blue, turquoise and green candles, plus an ochre one for luck.
3. Set up an altar to Google. Make a pact with the devil, paying in blood, sweat and tears in exchange for good SEO.
4. Set up a scrapbook shadowbox in honor of Blissfully Domestic. Photos of Allison Worthington. Use pink!
5. Set up an altar to Blog Nosh Magazine. Avatar of Megan Jordan. Decorate with fruit, gummy bears and apples. Light apples instead of candles.
So, yeah, I name names, but not the names you always see. Other topics include:
- 5 Ways to Get More Poop in Your Blog
- 5 Ways to Deploy Inantimate Objects in Your Blog
- 5 Ways to Make Money with Your Blog
- 5 Ways to Pick Sides in the Mommyblogging Wars
- 5 Ways to Avoid the Grammar Police with Your Blog
- 5 Ways to Use Your Breasts in Your Blog
- 5 Ways to Avoid the Mommyblogging Tsumani
- 5 Ways to Blog It Forward Charitably with Your Blog
and, as they say, much, much more!
##
It's all happening! Bloggers, and blogging, you little scamps you, I just can't help myself: I love you long time!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
June Winner, July Contest!
Our June birthday winner selected at random is: Christina from A Mommy Story, whose birthday was June 21. Keep celebrating, Christina, 'cause a Starbucks card is heading your way!
Get on the Grand Birthday List--it's due to go live by the end of the month--especially if you are a July Birthday Baby, because one of you will win a $25 Starbucks card too.
Get on the Grand Birthday List--it's due to go live by the end of the month--especially if you are a July Birthday Baby, because one of you will win a $25 Starbucks card too.
July Horoscopes -- Energy Through the Roof!
July is going to define CRAY-TSE-TSE! The annual BlogHer conference fills the web (and this year Chicago) with insanity on its own, and the stars are adding all sorts of madness to the mix. Whether you are going or not, this year the universal energies are conspiring to ratchet up the intensity of July mega-fold.
For one thing, Mars and Venus are hanging out in Gemini, so that means that the month is marked by intense sexy fun that packs a punch. Feelings could get hurt, y'all, and people may change their minds on the spin of a dime. Neptune and Jupiter are big playas in July, too, and that means nothing can be taken for granted, and again, changed plans are to be expected. So go ahead, make a complicated BlogHer action plan for how to spend your time, but chances are you are going to change your mind at least three times.
This month we have two, two, two eclipses to keep our inner life on fire as Sister Moon eclipses twice this month which puts tons of focus on the tides of our emotions. And ON THE EVE OF BLOGHER the Sun eclipses in Cancer on the 22nd. It's expected to last 7 minutes, and we aren't going to have another one of this magnitude for over 100 years--and it coincides with a New Moon. The powerful eclipse in Cancer might mean a shakedown in insecurities , and a nudge (or shove!) to let go of old of the shell of protection we have outgrown and prepare to challenge ourselves stretch. Yikes! I think the Sheraton in Chicago will be Buzzing like a cheap hotel bed full of a roll of quarters!
What's it mean to you, baby?
Capricorn
Things are rattle-and-humming faster than you usually prefer, but this month's lunar eclipse sets you up for a sizzling, romantic month. Give in to the fire and your relationships can deepen. If you aren't at BlogHer, turn off your computer and shower your lucky partner with all of your attention. If you are in Chicago, yowsah!
Aquarius
You might be desperate for a break, but it ain't happening.Mars is going to make both finances and love high-stakes games for you this month, but the eclipse at the end of the month should be fantastic for you, getting you centered with clarity. You might be finally ready to give up some of those blogs and projects with a new understanding of your real mission on-line.
Pisces
Sweet Pisces, your are feeling so tender about your friends and family. You are smart--you'll want to pull in a little in the middle of the month because all of the BlogHer frenzy is killing your buzz, and then you'll be ready to make the most of the opportunities that will seek you out at the end of the month.
Aries
Wow, what are you cooking up? The Lunar-Solar eclipse line-up for Aries points to a lot of early limelight for you, so go ahead and brazenly pimp yourself out. Talk your talk, twitter your ideas, and remind everyone about just who you are. By the end of the month you might find yourself quieting down for some big private convos and relationships. Interesting.
Taurus
A bit of disarray going on for you sugar, so tell your peeps to go easy on you. Maybe deals feel tenuous or last-minute roommate or payment changes are messing with your BlogHer scene. You are probably worrying much too much about details, like about your clothes. You'll figure it out, but you might need to reign in your jealous or frustrated feelings in order to get your blog work or public image back on track whether you go to Chicago or not.
Gemini
Your big questions revolve around sharing--do you want to share your project ideas with partners, enter in a collaborative project, reconsider your BlogHer roommate situation? Give some real thought to these questions and don't just brush them off. If you aren't going to BlogHer you'll be able to focus on your romantic partnerships and writing. Can you share more of yourself? Hmmm...
Cancer
Okay, this month is full of competing big news announcements and proclamations. Your partner is going to need to be the most important and might more than a little jealous of your Blogher preoccupations and about what this online world has come to mean to you. Do your best to explain to get the support you crave.
Leo
Okay, this is weird, isn't it. All this Cancer stuff is shaking up your mojo, and for a rare few moments you really don't want to be the center of attention, which might confuse others as much as it confuses you. Try to enjoy this rare backseat feeling. You may end up coping by heading up or pitching in on a charitable blogging or BlogHer effort this month, which is a great solution.
Virgo
Virgo, you've are feeling the lurrve this month. You love everyone and everything, and you are bound and determined to tell this to everyone, to blog your love love love for your family or friends and the whole stinking blogosphere. Enjoy the lovefest, you've been working hard all spring, and so if you want to roll around in bloggity love right now you get to go for it. If you aren't at BlogHer , you're going to be missed big time, but try not to be sad. If you can be with the blogs you love, love the blog (and family) you're with.
Libra
That careful balance you've been striving for between home and career--forgetaboutit. This month is whacked. You are going to have to beg for mercy at home, because it's all blog world, all the time. You might want to slow down on the timesucks of Twitter or Facebook , though. Even without it you are on the cusp of some major highlights on YOU at the end of the month, and I'm not talking about your hair. Rock it like a rocket, blogstar.
Scorpio
Scorpio, you crazy stalker you. You are finally connecting with one of your major blogging idols. Go ahead, profess your love instead of brooding about it, it will be welcome. Money's looking good for you at the end of the month. Might be a good time to check our new affiliate ad programs or money streams. Ch-ching.
Sagittarius
Why does it always seem like it's your month? It's just plain old good to be a Sagittarius. Things line up nicely for your writing and creative world this month, and you are on the cusp of doing some of your best work. Others might be feeling jealous of your traction, so you might have to have some uncomfortable convos , but just be solid and transparent and things will work out for the best. Go ahead and sign those papers at the end of the month. The Solar eclipse is very very good for you.
Dude. We all better take our vitamins and eat our Wheaties and stay hydrated. Put on your Twitterbelts because July is ON!
(The Grand Birthday List is going live soon, so get on it Blogstar!)
For one thing, Mars and Venus are hanging out in Gemini, so that means that the month is marked by intense sexy fun that packs a punch. Feelings could get hurt, y'all, and people may change their minds on the spin of a dime. Neptune and Jupiter are big playas in July, too, and that means nothing can be taken for granted, and again, changed plans are to be expected. So go ahead, make a complicated BlogHer action plan for how to spend your time, but chances are you are going to change your mind at least three times.
This month we have two, two, two eclipses to keep our inner life on fire as Sister Moon eclipses twice this month which puts tons of focus on the tides of our emotions. And ON THE EVE OF BLOGHER the Sun eclipses in Cancer on the 22nd. It's expected to last 7 minutes, and we aren't going to have another one of this magnitude for over 100 years--and it coincides with a New Moon. The powerful eclipse in Cancer might mean a shakedown in insecurities , and a nudge (or shove!) to let go of old of the shell of protection we have outgrown and prepare to challenge ourselves stretch. Yikes! I think the Sheraton in Chicago will be Buzzing like a cheap hotel bed full of a roll of quarters!
What's it mean to you, baby?
Capricorn
Things are rattle-and-humming faster than you usually prefer, but this month's lunar eclipse sets you up for a sizzling, romantic month. Give in to the fire and your relationships can deepen. If you aren't at BlogHer, turn off your computer and shower your lucky partner with all of your attention. If you are in Chicago, yowsah!
Aquarius
You might be desperate for a break, but it ain't happening.Mars is going to make both finances and love high-stakes games for you this month, but the eclipse at the end of the month should be fantastic for you, getting you centered with clarity. You might be finally ready to give up some of those blogs and projects with a new understanding of your real mission on-line.
Pisces
Sweet Pisces, your are feeling so tender about your friends and family. You are smart--you'll want to pull in a little in the middle of the month because all of the BlogHer frenzy is killing your buzz, and then you'll be ready to make the most of the opportunities that will seek you out at the end of the month.
Aries
Wow, what are you cooking up? The Lunar-Solar eclipse line-up for Aries points to a lot of early limelight for you, so go ahead and brazenly pimp yourself out. Talk your talk, twitter your ideas, and remind everyone about just who you are. By the end of the month you might find yourself quieting down for some big private convos and relationships. Interesting.
Taurus
A bit of disarray going on for you sugar, so tell your peeps to go easy on you. Maybe deals feel tenuous or last-minute roommate or payment changes are messing with your BlogHer scene. You are probably worrying much too much about details, like about your clothes. You'll figure it out, but you might need to reign in your jealous or frustrated feelings in order to get your blog work or public image back on track whether you go to Chicago or not.
Gemini
Your big questions revolve around sharing--do you want to share your project ideas with partners, enter in a collaborative project, reconsider your BlogHer roommate situation? Give some real thought to these questions and don't just brush them off. If you aren't going to BlogHer you'll be able to focus on your romantic partnerships and writing. Can you share more of yourself? Hmmm...
Cancer
Okay, this month is full of competing big news announcements and proclamations. Your partner is going to need to be the most important and might more than a little jealous of your Blogher preoccupations and about what this online world has come to mean to you. Do your best to explain to get the support you crave.
Leo
Okay, this is weird, isn't it. All this Cancer stuff is shaking up your mojo, and for a rare few moments you really don't want to be the center of attention, which might confuse others as much as it confuses you. Try to enjoy this rare backseat feeling. You may end up coping by heading up or pitching in on a charitable blogging or BlogHer effort this month, which is a great solution.
Virgo
Virgo, you've are feeling the lurrve this month. You love everyone and everything, and you are bound and determined to tell this to everyone, to blog your love love love for your family or friends and the whole stinking blogosphere. Enjoy the lovefest, you've been working hard all spring, and so if you want to roll around in bloggity love right now you get to go for it. If you aren't at BlogHer , you're going to be missed big time, but try not to be sad. If you can be with the blogs you love, love the blog (and family) you're with.
Libra
That careful balance you've been striving for between home and career--forgetaboutit. This month is whacked. You are going to have to beg for mercy at home, because it's all blog world, all the time. You might want to slow down on the timesucks of Twitter or Facebook , though. Even without it you are on the cusp of some major highlights on YOU at the end of the month, and I'm not talking about your hair. Rock it like a rocket, blogstar.
Scorpio
Scorpio, you crazy stalker you. You are finally connecting with one of your major blogging idols. Go ahead, profess your love instead of brooding about it, it will be welcome. Money's looking good for you at the end of the month. Might be a good time to check our new affiliate ad programs or money streams. Ch-ching.
Sagittarius
Why does it always seem like it's your month? It's just plain old good to be a Sagittarius. Things line up nicely for your writing and creative world this month, and you are on the cusp of doing some of your best work. Others might be feeling jealous of your traction, so you might have to have some uncomfortable convos , but just be solid and transparent and things will work out for the best. Go ahead and sign those papers at the end of the month. The Solar eclipse is very very good for you.
Dude. We all better take our vitamins and eat our Wheaties and stay hydrated. Put on your Twitterbelts because July is ON!
(The Grand Birthday List is going live soon, so get on it Blogstar!)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
June Birthday Giveaway -- Get on the List!
June is on like Donkey Kong! We've been so busy trying to tan our winter white skin on the beach (with good SPF, of course) that we are late reminding the June babies to be sure to get on the Grand Birthday List. One June blogger will be selected at random for a $25 Starbucks gift card, so don't wait.
Happy Birthday, Babies, and Happy Half-Birthday to your December kids! Go here to enroll through our birthday form. Every day is a party!
Happy Birthday, Babies, and Happy Half-Birthday to your December kids! Go here to enroll through our birthday form. Every day is a party!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The winner of the May giveaway...
The last sweet day of May is drawing to a close. May is a beautiful month, starting with May Day, host of Mother's Day, and full of flowers and the start of summer from end to end.
May has been a great month to launch this blog in celebration of blogging celebrities, and your support has made it a party that might never end! We're working of building the Grand Birthday List for everyone to use, so send your friends here to sign up!
The winner of our May raffle for a $20 Starbucks Card is.... Tired Mama! Tired Mama celebrated her b-day of May 23rd, and maybe this prize will help her have a few more birthday treats in the days ahead. Send us your address, Tired Mama. Happiest of bloggity birthdays!
We're having another giveaway in June for a randomly selected blogger on the list with a June birthday. If your travels in the blogosphere bring you someone celebrating their day, send them here.
Congratulations Tired Mama, and all of the May babies. You bring us so much early summer love! Happy Birthday!
May has been a great month to launch this blog in celebration of blogging celebrities, and your support has made it a party that might never end! We're working of building the Grand Birthday List for everyone to use, so send your friends here to sign up!
The winner of our May raffle for a $20 Starbucks Card is.... Tired Mama! Tired Mama celebrated her b-day of May 23rd, and maybe this prize will help her have a few more birthday treats in the days ahead. Send us your address, Tired Mama. Happiest of bloggity birthdays!
We're having another giveaway in June for a randomly selected blogger on the list with a June birthday. If your travels in the blogosphere bring you someone celebrating their day, send them here.
Congratulations Tired Mama, and all of the May babies. You bring us so much early summer love! Happy Birthday!
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