Blogs By Heather

FYI: June 1st - BIG Day for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and Blogs By Heather

2012-05-31T17:21:08-07:00

As with the beginning of every month, Blogs By Heather performs "blog maintenance" for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. However, JUNE 1st, is a BIG day as Stampin' Up! releases the new Idea Book & Catalog.

It is a massive update of catalogs, promotional buttons, product buttons, featured projects. And I have customers in the US, CAN, UK and AUS. So please be patient as all changes are made throughout the day. They will all get done - all images and links updated.

Around the 5th of the month the newsletter maintenance is done - which creates the new images and links for your newsletters (again for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators).

Between the 1st and the 5th, I assist SUN Newsletter customers of Debbie McNeill's in helping them send out their promotional newsletters.

So the next 5-7 days will be very, very, very busy here at Blogs By Heather, but fun too as I am also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator :D

However, I will also be working on many other things as well, so that's why the 1st week of every month is just "insane" (LOL):

Developing new services.
Blog Setups for Tracy C., Laura M. and Joey H. (and I know there are numerous emails to still go through for new blog setups, these 3 I just know of as I have spoken to all of them in the last few days).
Various blog tweak/updates for some of my customers (Gloria, Michele, Carol B., Ronnel, Sandy).
Banner drafts and installations (Joyce P., Joyce S, Sylvia, Julia, Jane) and more to come.

Thanks for your patience this coming week! :D

Google Webmaster Tools for WordPress.com

2012-05-22T08:39:42-07:00

In WordPress.com (free site), you cannot install Google Analytics due to the JavaScript and security restrictions in the free version. But you CAN still TRACK TRAFFIC using Google Webmaster Tools. And that you CAN install!

Google Webmaster Tools is another great free tool whose purpose is to help you improve your site’s ranking in search results. It also offers detailed reports on your blog page’s visibility on Google. I discuss the various types of reports in my Creative Blogging book - such as the number of search queries that returned your site in search results over the last 30 days and how many clicks it received, or a list of external sites linking to yours, or a list of the most significant keywords found on your site.

In this tutorial I discuss it for WordPress.com sites, but it can be installed on Blogger and TypePad as well as explained and detailed in my book. However, the key difference is in the verification step and the method used, all other instructions are pretty much the same.

Set Up and Install Google Webmaster Tools for WordPress.com

Visit www.google.com/webmasters/tools.
You will need to login with a Google Account. You may already have a Google account if you use services like Feedburner, GMail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Blogger. Otherwise, you can create one.

if you need to create one, click the red "Sign Up" button in the upper right area of the Google Webmaster Tools screen.

When at the Google Webmaster Tools main page, click the Add Site (red button).
- If you have not setup a site yet, your screen will not yet shown your domain like mine snapshot below. Continue to Add Site.
- If you have a site listed (maybe you tried setting it up in the past or already knows your google account site) and it is not verified, you will see it listed like below but have a black/white tag on the picture "Not Verified" and you will see a blue text link "Verify This Site". Skip the Add Site and go to the next step of verification.

Then enter in your site's URL and click Continue.
Then you will come to a verification type of page shown below. Since it's a free WordPress site (and even those using Blogger or TypePad) you don't have access to your site's "server", so you need to click on Alternate Methods.
Select the first option (Add a Meta Tag to your site's home page) even though you wil not be adding HTML code. Instead, select the characters in the content='.....' area, you will see where I have blurred mine below. Select those characters and Copy.
Next, you need to go into your WordPress.com account, Dashboard, Tools.
In Tools, you will see a box for Google WebMaster Tools.
You will paste in the characters in that text box (highlighted area above).
Click Save Changes.
Then go back to Google Webmaster Tools and click on the red Verify button.
After the site is verified, you will be brought to the Dashboard.
You will see graphs that will begin to populate. Don't worry...they will begin to populate. You just installed the tool...give it some time but be sure to come back in soon to check out your stats.

On the left is a menu, that is where you can gather more information. I would highly suggest you go to Traffic and Optimization and learn what people are searching on your site, the clicks, and how to improve your site.
For more information on Webmaster Tools and how to use it for your site, purchase my book, Creative Blogging. Enjoy!

Remember you can always go back or login here: www.google.com/webmasters/tools. That would be the main screen (Home). Then you would click on your site's name to open t the Dashboard for that site and continue to analyze your data.

Click here to learn more with Google Webmaster Tools.
Clich here to go to the Traffic help directly.
Click here to go to the Optimization help area.

In addition to Google Analytics

It is an additional tool and different from Google Analytics and can be installed in addition to. However, WordPress.com users cannot use Google Analytics and the reason for this special tutorial.

I already wrote the tutorial on How to Install Google Analytics with Blogger. And this tutorial was for WordPress.com users. So I'm still working on the Google Analytics for TypePad users :D

Happy Blogging,

Heather :D

Hiding Blogger Pages For an Online Club or for "Members Only"

2012-05-19T09:20:44-07:00

You may have recently received my newsletter on "Thinking about starting a membership site or online club?" and how you may be able to use your existing tools to accomplish that (depending of course on what your goals are and how many pages you will need, how many clubs you offering, etc.). It was an exclusive article for newsletter subscribers only.

Blogger Pages Setup for Online Club (or simply how to hide Pages)

However, a question came in regards to Blogger pages. So I also thought it was a good question for everyone using Blogger and wanting to learn how to "hide" pages for whatever reason (such as starting an online club or sharing specific information with your newsletter subscribers, etc.).

Using "Hidden" Pages in Blogger

Blogger has a Pages Gadget. When you create a page and Publish, it asks you where you want to add the Pages gadget - List (sidebar), Tabs (NavBar) or No Gadget.

You can continue to use the Pages gadget (Tabs is the most popular view), but you will need to Edit it (in Design->Page Elements if using Old Blogger Interface, or Layout if using the new Blogger Interface) and "uncheck" or "hide" certain pages for your online club.

Notice in my above example I am "hiding" certain pages (no member-only pages in my example. This is strictly to show you the Edit screen and how to uncheck pages); those that are NOT checked are hidden from the public and will not appear on the Pages gadget. The pages exist, you are simply setting not to show them in the Pages gadget. Instead, you will notify members of your Club content.

Sharing Your Online Club Material with Members Only

If you need to email or use the page link in a newsletter, then be sure you View Page (with the links to your Club PDFs or YouTube videos or embedded YouTube video, etc.) to get the page's URL. That is the link you can then to copy and paste later into a newsletter or email or however you plan on letting your "members" know about this new page that has all the club materials.

Advance Option: You can add password protected code to the page, but then have to remember to inform your members of that password.

Manage and Know Your Limits in Blogger

Please keep in mind when building your Online Club and overall Blogger site, that you only have a max of 10 pages to use.

So you may currently have a page about Join My Team, About Me, so say 2 pages for your regular, main blog.
Then you may create a public page to advertise your Club and all the information members can receive and include a PayPal button for people to pay for your Club. So that's 3 pages now in total.
Then you may create another page, that is "hidden", that will contain your "members only" content. So now that's 4 pages or the 10 you have. This is plenty for many of you.

But the more "clubs" you have the more pages you'll use. So with this type of 1-1 layout (one page for main club page and one page for "member only" content) and the 10 page max, and using 2 pages for non-club information (such as a Join My Team or About Me), you can have 3 Clubs max.

2 public pages, such as Join My Team and About Me
2 "member only" pages (hidden) for Club 1
2 "member only" pages (hidden) for Club 2
2 "member only" pages (hidden) for Club 3
2 pages (hidden) for other needs such as making a generic "Thank you for joining my Club" page or a "Thank you for signing up for my newsletter" page.

This is just a sample concept. Your Club layout may be different where you use many pages per Club if that's how you choose to set it up. So just continue to be mindful that you only have 10 pages to work with per Blogger blog.

if you have any questions, feel free to share them here with everyone in a comment :D

Happy Blogging!

Heather :D
www.BlogsByHeather.com

Related Links

A "MUST" READ: Read all my articles on Membership Sites!
You can also always build your own Nav Bar using this tutorial to create your own Nav Bar in HTML code.
Purchase a domain for your club!
How to create a page in Blogger.
Learn more about Pages and how they work.

TypePad HELP: Trouble Inserting Images (Blogs By Heather SOLUTION)

2012-05-16T09:12:10-07:00

Many of my customers are TypePad users and were struggling with inserting images. The solution that worked for me and worked for customers experiencing that problem was this:

Begin a post and write content as you normally would.
Set the Status to Draft.
Then click Save.
After the post has been "saved", you can then now insert an image without any problems (hopefully).

That's a solution that has now worked for many, many customers having a problem inserting images into TypePad.

Hope that helps you :D
Heather

P.S. If you are interested in learning about the new Image Editing Tool by Typepad, click here for my step by step tutorial!

Yes!!! Constant Contact Now Has Auto-Responders!

2012-05-12T05:00:00-07:00

Constant Contact is a superb email marketing software program and one of the easiest to use! They even give you TWO MONTHS, yes that is 60 days to try it for FREE!

One feature it was lacking and why many turned to other email marketing/newsletter systems like Aweber, was the auto-responder feature. Well...it now has it!!!

So for those who have asked..."NO you now do NOT have to move over to Aweber to have an autoresponder ability!" Constant Contact is much, much easier to use than Aweber (even with Aweber's new drag-and-drop broadcast editor), has many great, customizable templates to choose from and more! Yes, I am a very proud Constant Contact affiliate, but do use MailChimp and Aweber too. But now that I don't need to have Aweber for its auto-responder, I'm moving those lists (for Blogs by Heather AM program which keeps you updated DAILY on the latest social networking, blogging, small business tips and trends) to my Constant Contact account - so cool!

I am super excited! Here's how to get started with Constant Contact's Autoresponder feature!

Login to Constant Contact
Go to Email
Then click Autoresponders
Then click to Watch the Video - it is loaded with how to create and use autoresponders to establish an ongoing relationship with you list and members!

The standard welcome email is sent when someone joins your mailing list through the Join My Mailing List form. This is in addition to your Autoresponder emails. (Constant Contact)

Want to sign up for Constant Contact, click here to get started today!

Reminder and Update from Blogs By Heather

2012-05-11T10:15:38-07:00

Thinking about starting an online club or membership site?

Remember to sign up for my newsletter to get a big, full featured article on online memberships and how you can use what you have, but also to learn what other options are available!

Click to read more here - Sign Up for FREE! To go out tomorrow!

What are you waiting for! Sign up NOW! Spread the word. Schedule for tomorrow - Saturday delivery!

Sign up here or at the TOP of the RIGHT sidebar ======>>>>>>>>>>

For Email Marketing you can trust

Getting Ready to Launch

Remember I'm MIA while working on THREE new services to launch next month! Read more here and my active to-do list while MIA (LOL).

I'm going through TONS of email (thanks so much for contacting me for your blogging needs) and will get through it all. Expect an email soon!

Have a great weekend!

Heather :D

The Power of Pinterest: Ultimate Guide to Pinterest!

2012-05-08T07:39:17-07:00

As a subscriber, I hope you have enjoyed my many articles on Pinterest under HOW TO: Pinterest and I still have more to write. Then today, I came across this great opportunity from BlogWorld. THEY have created a 100-page Pinterest guide. It's FREE. All you have to do is simply tweet about it. 1-2-3 and it's done and a great, ultimate Pinterest resource! Just wanted to share.....have a great day!

FREE Pinterest Gift from BlogWorld

Over the past few months, the BlogWorld team has been hard at work on an extra-special secret project. They are finally ready to share it with the world—and I received this from BlogWorld as a loyal subscriber to their events newsletter.

Introducing:

The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Your Blog, Podcast, or Videos with Pinterest

Pinterest is the hottest social networking tool out there right now, so BlogWorld, a respected and well known blog and social media resource, has created a 100-page eBook on Pinterest. Their Pinterest guide will get your started and teach you the best secrets and tips to maximizing your time on Pinterest. (BlogWorld, email dated May 8, 2012).

BlogWorld is giving this eBook away for free.

That’s right—it’s completely free! In order to get The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Your Blog, Podcast, or Videos with Pinterest, you only need to tweet about it.

Simply follow this link, click the tweet button, and download your copy for free. It’s their way of saying, “Thank you!” It is a FREE 100-page guide to Pinterest! What are you waiting for? Tweet and Download now and spread the love of BlogWorld and Pinterest!

Happy pinning and blogging!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsbyHeather.com

Thinking of setting up a Virtual Club, Online Class or Membership Site?

2012-05-05T06:16:20-07:00

Good morning!

It is that time where I am getting a lot of email about Demonstrators wanting to form a Virtual Club, Online Class, or some type of Membership Site.

Many are those with Blogger blogs and inquiring about WordPress transfers or whether they can use Blogger, do they have to move, what are their options.

Sooooooo.......I am going to write up a huge article on this, an expansion on my previously published articles on SERIES: Membership Sites.

It is NOT just for Blogger bloggers but for anyone looking for information on setting up a virtual club, online class, or membership site:

what you need to know,
what are your options,
what is the difference between all of them,
what is the best for YOU, your business, your goals, your skill level, your budget!

MUST READ: Wanting to Start a Membership Site?

I highly recommend you read these articles first on Membership Sites and all the various options. Most importantly, what you need to consider BEFORE starting one. Click here to read all my articles on this subject - Membership Sites. Keep in mind, WordPress and the Wishlist plugin (WordPress plugin only) is not your only option.

Sign Up for an Exclusive Featured Article on Membership Sites

Sign up for my mailing list. This NEW, indepth explanation of membership sites and how to use your existing blog is going to be exclusive for my newsletter subscribers. It will also discuss other options and how to transfer if that route is something that you prefer after reading all there is to know about "Thinking of Setting Up a Membership Site".

It is FREE!

It is HUGE!

Don't miss this GREAT opportunity to learn so much BEFORE purchasing a bunch of tools you may not need.

Again, be sure your read these informative artilces on Membership Sites NOW: My articles on what to consider BEFORE starting a Membership Site and many options available. Keep in mind, WordPress and the Wishlist plugin (WordPress plugin only) is not your only option, although a viable option for some. Again, I will be discussing so much and what is best for you.

This new exclusive newsletter, featured article is going to be quite lengthy and have tons of information including even MORE options for you, not previously discussed.

Don't Miss This FREE Information on "Thinking of Setting Up a Membership Site"

What are you waiting for! Sign up NOW! Spread the word. I will be developing this article and posting it by the end of next week, right before Mother's Day!

Sign up here or at the TOP of the RIGHT sidebar ======>>>>>>>>>>

For Email Marketing you can trust

SU Demos: Customizable Starter Kit Promo Buttons

2012-05-04T07:52:23-07:00

Good morning! This post is directed to my customers that are Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. All prices updated, images replaced, ready to go!

Stampin' Up! Demonstrators

As many of you know the 1st week of every month is crazy busy for me as I love to create SU buttons for all my blog maintenance and newsletter customers. So if you've recently emailed me, I am still going through all my email and will contact you shortly! Thanks for your patienece :D

For those of you part of my Blog Maintenance program, then you already have these buttons! But for those who aren't and want to add a little fun to their sidebar this month for Stampin' Up! Customizable Starter Kit promotion, these buttons are for you!

This first one is for AUSTRALIAN Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. You can right-click on this image and save it to your computer, upload to your blog and link to the corresponding SU promotion page: http://www3.stampinup.com/au/ena/9099.asp

Or you can create a gadget in your sidebar (Add a Gadget in BLOGGER, add Text Widget in WORDPRESS and Embed Your Own HTML in TYPEPAD (design->content view)). Click here to get the HTML code.

This one is for my UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrators out there. You can right-click on this image and save it to your computer, upload to your blog and link to the corresponding SU promotion page: http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/eng/8067.asp

Or you can create a gadget in your sidebar (Add a Gadget in BLOGGER, add Text Widget in WORDPRESS and Embed Your Own HTML in TYPEPAD (design->content view)). Click here to get the HTML code.

This one is for all my US Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. You can right-click on this image and save it to your computer, upload to your blog and link to the corresponding SU promotion page: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/joining_stampin_up.asp

Or you can create a gadget in your sidebar (Add a Gadget in BLOGGER, add Text Widget in WORDPRESS and Embed Your Own HTML in TYPEPAD (design->content view)). Click here to get the HTML code.

This one is for our CANADIAN Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. You can right-click on this image and save it to your computer, upload to your blog and link to the corresponding SU promotion page: http://www.stampinup.com/ca/enc/become_a_demonstrator.asp

Or you can create a gadget in your sidebar (Add a Gadget in BLOGGER, add Text Widget in WORDPRESS and Embed Your Own HTML in TYPEPAD (design->content view)). Click here to get the HTML code.

I hope you enjoy these goodies and have a wonderful weekend!

Happy blogging and stamping!
Heather :D

Related Services for Stampin' Up! demonstrators and for you too!

Blog Maintenance (SU Demos)

Blog Setup

Blog Design

Newsletter Design

Newsletter Maintenance (SU Demos)

Known Blogger Issues

2012-04-28T10:17:27-07:00

I've been receiving a few emails regarding recent Blogger issues. So I went searching for some answer for you and found this great site, Known Blogger Issues. So if you are a Blogger user, make sure to bookmark that site!

Another GREAT site to bookmark in finding info on Blogger issues is this group/forum, Google Groups - Blogger.

Unmigrated Legacy Accounts Message

The most recent problem is dated Friday, April 17th and about the "unmigrated legacy Google accounts" you may have. This has to do with a blog you haven't touched (logged into) since 2007!

Click here to read more about this issue (which may be a non-issue really) and other known blogger issues.

Trouble Posting

If you are having trouble posting, you ar probably using Internet Explorer 9.0. From the browser go to Tools -> Compatibility View and you should then be ok.

Scheduling Posts Not Posting Issue

This is a very current and big issue. I don't yet see a resolution to it. Here's a link to a ton of posts reporting the problem. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

My Blog is Completely Different

You are probably now looking at the New Blogger Interface.

Here is my tutorial on the new look.

Here is how to go back to the Old Blogger look.

Here is a video about the new blogger dashboard.

Happy to keep you updated,

Heather :D