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Blogging Bric-à-Brac

Maggie
Image Courtesy of Pixabay

Day 329

Last night I spent some time tweaking some settings in WordPress. At some point I will move my blog to my own domain, but for now, some adjustments were needed. This made me think perhaps it was time to share some of my own blogging tips and some tools I use to make my blogging life easier.

Who Are You?

  • Create or update your Gravatar using your WordPress login. Link your blog or other online platforms or social media pages you wish to share.
  • Invest some time in an ‘about me’ page. Readers like to know a little about you.
  • Be consistent in your writing and be earnest and authentic in what you write.

Learn Your Blogging Platform (I will focus on WordPress here)

  • Don’t be afraid to ask. The WordPress blogging community is made up of generous people.
  • Search YouTube or bookmark sites like WPBeginner. There is a ton of information there.
  • If you are not using the WPAdmin dashboard, you are missing access to a great deal of functionality.
  • Experiment with settings. Learn how to handle comments, adjust sharing parameters, check your spam folder and alter the appearance of your blog.
  • Learn how to add media, and adjust settings for alignment, captions, and slideshows.
  • Learn how to reblog or create links to other blogs or to your own older posts.

Be Part of the Community

  • Read other blogs.
  • Leave thoughtful comments.
  • If you leave a comment that says “follow my blog” most likely the reader will not.
  • If you choose to monetize your blog, understand it may affect your readership.
  • Respond to the comments others leave on your posts.
  • Be respectful.
  • Do not plagiarize.
  • Link to blogs outside of WP Reader. It helps reveal the personality and creativity of the writer.

Useful Tools

  • We all love Wikipedia, but if you use their photos, attribute them properly. I frequently use this link: Wikipedia Attribution Generator.
  • There are many free suppliers of stock photos. Be kind and attribute when requested to do so.
  • Find a photo editing app for your computer or mobile device. They make it easy to add copyright or captions to your photos and allow you to merge photos together. I use the free version of Over to create banners or create memes or photo quotes. There are a lot of free options out there. Find one that works for you.

Moving On

Yesterday was hubby’s mom’s birthday. It was the first since her passing. Different members of the family react differently to her active social media accounts. To some they bring comfort and to some despair. Have you thought how you want your social media footprint to be handled?

  • Most social media companies have policies about the handling of accounts when the owner passes. WordPress has a policy but just who do you want to act in your behalf once you pass?
  • Here is a recent article out of Canada discussing other social media policies around handling of accounts posthumously: The Walrus.

I hope this has been helpful. As much as we might like to complain from time to time, we are fortunate to have such a robust platform at our disposal.

Do you have tips to share? Feel free to share in the comments.

18 thoughts on “Blogging Bric-à-Brac”

  1. All good advice, Maggie. As you know, I have posted many times giving tips and advice, especially to new followers.
    I had a friend set up to do a post if and when I died. He was younger than me, so I guessed he would be around. He was also a good writer, so I knew he would write something appropriate to let people know I was gone. I gave him my login details, the password, and instructions on how to compose a draft, then publish it. Following that, I asked him to check in on the post, and to answer any relevant comments it generated.

    But then he contracted bone cancer, and sadly died too soon.

    Until I read your post today, I had all but forgotten about what happens if I die still in ‘blogging harness’. I will now do something about that soon.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That is sad news about your friend.

      It was interesting how many people were estranged from family and did not want them making decisions about their online presence.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I agree with all that you said here and am especially pleased that you included a category for commenting elsewhere. The biggest mistake I see with new bloggers is that they don’t get involved in any community, then whine that no one pays attention to them. Well, to have friends you gotta be a friend…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree, Ally. I have connected with amazing people and the exchange of ideas and even caring support means so much. You cannot have either without being open to the experience.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I think it’s important to discover why you are keeping a blog. I think about that from time to time and it has helped me know what to write about.

    Liked by 1 person

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