DIY Blogger Tips

So, you want to be a DIY Blogger?  Welcome to the club!  My blog started as a place to share stories about the twins growing up, and has since morphed into more.  I share recipes, scrapbooking tutorials, card making tutorials, and several other things.  Don’t be too caught up in what your “niche” is– and let your blog take you where it wants to go.  And, if that direction happens to be in the do-it-yourself blogging arena… here are some tips, tricks, and other info that I have learned along the way.

This past September, I had the opportunity to by a DIY Bloggy Squad leader at Bloggy Con ’13.  The group I had was amazing – they came up with so many ideas and tips – some I hadn’t even thought of!  So, first, I want to thank (in no particular order): DeDe @ Designed Decor, Karen @ Karen the Mommy, Tammy @ Yours and Mine Are Ours, Kara @ Happy Go Lucky, Kirsten @ One Tough Mother, Kimberly @ A Mom’s Point of View, Amy @ One Artsy Mama, Erin @ A Bird and A Bean, Heather @ The Homesteading Hippy, Beckah @ Becka Krahula, Sarah @ Sarahndipitous, Katrina @ The Virtual Helper, Jessica @ Handmade Cre8ivity, Amanda & Jenni @ Best of Bloggers, Amanda @ It’s A Fabulous Life, and Janet @ Gray Cardigan.

Tips for DIY Bloggers

• Keep it simple – don’t make your descriptions and directions too wordy or long-winded
• Dumb it down – someone who might not be crafty or handy could be making the project
• Keywords and categories are important – what would you search for?
• Include all supplies that is needed – even the obvious, like scissors, tape, etc
• Number the steps in your instructions
• Be consistent in your format
• Think outside the box for project ideas – reuse, repurpose, create
• Ask your readers what they would like to know how to do
• Link to experts – but don’t steal their content
• Try sponsored posts
• Consider blog hops (a few are listed below)
• Pictures.  Pictures.  Pictures. – And, make sure you watermark them!
• Share on Pinterest
• Do a series of tutorials – i.e. earrings, bracelet, necklace set
• Include share buttons, especially a PIN IT button
• Create pinnable pictures – put the post title, blog name, web address on the picture
• Consider a dedicated menu link for crafts/DIY/recipes, etc
• Make sure your “alt” tags on your pictures contain your keywords
• Be aware of Angel Policies and copyrights
• Create vertical pictures, not horizontal ones
• Check into “real world” publications
• Pay-It-Forward with designers
• Be credible
• Don’t compete with other’s
• Ask for help

DIY Blog Hops

• Craft-O-Maniac Monday at http://www.craft-o-maniac.com
• Inspire Me Monday at http://www.create-with-joy.com
• Melt in Your Mouth Monday at http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/
• Made by You Mondays at http://www.skiptomylou.org/
• The PINcentive Blog Hop at http://www.croppedstories.blogspot.com (Tuesdays)
• Pin It! Tuesday at http://www.powerfulmothering.com
• Tasteful Tuesday at http://www.nap-timecreations.com/
• Time to Sparkle at http://therecipecritic.com/ (Tuesday)
• Tuesday Talent Shop at http://www.chef-in-training.com/
• Tasty Tuesday at http://www.anyonitanibbles.blogspot.com/
• Wow Me Wednesday at http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com
• What’s Cooking Wednesday at http:/www.bunsinmyoven.com
• What I’m Loving Wednesday at http://www.littledaisymay.blogspot.com
• The Weekly Creative Link Party at http://www.thegirlcreative.com
• Showcase Your Talent Thursday at http://whatscookinglove.com
• Craftionary Friday Link Party at http://www.craftionary.net/
• Get Crafty Fridays at http://www.thestitchinmommy.com
• Foodtastic Friday and Friends at http://www.notyourordinaryrecipes.com/
• Foodie Friday at http://www.simplelivingeating.com
• Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday at http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/
• Shine on Fridays at http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/

Sharing buttons for both Blogger and WordPress can be found at http://www.sharethis.com.

You can create watermarks and “pinnable” pictures without PhotoShop using Pixler (also available on mobile devices!)

Google+ Community for DIY Bloggers: http://www.gplus.to/DIYBloggySquad

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Julia is the divorced mom of twins, a blogger, a sometimes crafter, crazy snailmailer, and a corporate bean counter. In her "spare" time, she scrapbooks, travels, makes cards, blogs, designs jewelry, searches for missing cleats and pom poms, enjoys good dark chocolate, and sneaks naps.