I have the honor of speaking at Blogalicious 8 in my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. I have done this workshop a few times around the conference space at WordCamps and FLBlogCon but I was excited to present a lengthier version to the ladies of Blogalicious. Blogalicious, for those of you who have never heard of it, is a fantastic blogging conference that is dedicated to bringing together the community. Stacey Ferguson and Jazzy Jones have done a wonderful job of making women of color the forefront of their conference audience and allowing our voices to be heard. As you already know, I co-host Heart + Hustle Podcast with the same goal in mind for the creative entrepreneur podcast space. In this presentation, I’m going in depth about the psychology behind generating content, how easy it is, and putting in some practical steps to creating quality content, consistently. If you’re in the room with me, thank you so much for coming and be sure to sign up for the exclusive Blogalicious newsletter.

The post #Blogalicious8 – Content Strategies for WordPress appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Happy Thursday! I’m spending time to stop in before a beach weekend in St. Augustine to share that I will be speaking next month at WordCamp Orlando. After attending last year’s WordCamp nine months pregnant, I fell in love with this group and the attendees. There is so much fun happening over the three days including workshops and panels, after parties, and just hanging out with people who blog, design, and develop. I’m really excited for the opportunity to be on a panel on content production and I will be speaking on how to use WordPress for you. David is also giving a talk and will be on a UX panel so if you want more in-depth knowledge, you have options. Feel free to join us before tickets sell out! Have a great weekend and look out for some major announcements next week!

The post Join me at WordCamp Orlando appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Better late than never? It’s time for a new blogging roundup post! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to put one of these together. Between my schedule and lack of tips, it hasn’t been easy but I’m so excited to share one for this month!

6 Steps to Thinking Bigger with Your Blog – Jenny Purr

Jenny shared some great tips on thinking bigger for your blog. I think we all reach a point with our blogs where we wonder what else is there to do? We find inspiration in our peers but ultimately, it’s about sitting and working out what’s best for you. I really enjoy changing this space to where I am in my life and career and I think Jenny’s tips will help you think big for your blog space.

5 Simple Steps to Start Your Blog – Elembee

I was chatting with a friend yesterday about projects that seem to never launch. When working with clients who are starting up, more than often, they never really follow through with their ideas. Lisa shared some great tips about starting your blog. Starting a blog is so simple and it only becomes complicated when you let your head get in the way. There are so many resources to help you start off right so take advantage of them and get started.

How to Avoid Blogger Burnout – Blog Society

Blogger burnout is real! I think we’ve all opened up our blog editor at one time or another and just felt defeated. This article is by a licensed acupuncturist who shares some tips in applying the principles of acupuncture to your blog life.

3 Quick Links for SEO – Zoe Rooney

SEO is a necessary evil that we have to stay on top of. Zoe shared three recent links that are discussing some important things about SEO. I enjoyed reading about the e-commerce SEO aspect as I’m currently in the process of setting up shop here on the site!

Product Photography Tips for Your Blog – SITS Girls

It wasn’t until I opened a paper shop that I really had to think about styling and shooting products for myself. The rule of 3 tip in this post makes me re-evaluate everything I’ve been doing (which is wrong!). I need to take some time and re-shoot all of my products and I cannot wait to use these tips!

The Blogging Comparison Trap – Lovely Indeed

When you’re in a publicly visible field, it’s so easy to compare yourself to others who do what you do. Bloggers are doing amazing things. They are influential and prosperous. This is definitely the time to be a blogger but not all bloggers are created equal. I love how real Chelsea is about comparing yourself to others and how she reminds herself to not fall into the comparison trap.

Why I Chose Squarespace over WordPress – Jess Creatives

I am always Team WordPress for myself but we are so lucky to have different CMS and blogging solutions that meet everyone’s needs. Jess shares her thoughts on Squarespace and why it’s the best choice for her!

5 WordPress Tools to Enhance Work-Life Balance – Jamie Leigh

There are some things that can make your life easier and I love when I learn about them! Jamie’s list of WordPress tools to help boost work-life balance is just wonderful. I had never heard if iThemes Sync and it’s something that I need to look into ASAP!

Why Your Blog Needs A Plan – Nora Conrad

It’s almost guaranteed that having a plan for something makes it easier to do. Why do we approach blogging so often without one? Nora shared some reasons why having a blog plan is crucial and how to create one of your own. No two blogs are created equal and planning may not work for you but there are some things that Nora shared that I believe everyone can benefit from.

Should You Rebrand Your Blog – Decor8

I’ve rebranded and I’m in the process of a redesign so I am relating so much to this article! I loved reading about Mel’s in-depth rebrand and redesign process. It’s not easy to decide to take the plunge and it’s a lot of work but it’s so worth it in the end!

Share your blogging tips below!

The post Blogging 101: April Tips Roundup appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

I know it’s Friday and we should be preparing for another Links I Love post but I’m so late on this month’s blogging tips roundup. There were so many great posts to share that I needed to get this on the blog this month. I also have been recovering from the busiest past two weeks I’ve had this year so excuse my absence!

How to Control & Remove WordPress Spam – Noor Alqahanti

When users start out their WordPress sites, they usually don’t know how to control spam on their posts. Noor shared some quick tips to help control spam on your WordPress blog. Spam can really be overwhelming so if you’re having a spam problem, be sure to take a look at this post.

My #1 Tip for Writing Better Blog Posts – Nectar Collective

We often get caught up on how to provide better content for our readers. I know I often have rearranged my take on content just because I feel it can be terrible. I’ve really enjoyed seeing how Melyssa has grown from an expat blogger to a strong blogger who has helped guide her audience to making genuine connections. What Melyssa’s offers in this post is all you need to write better blog posts.

How to Make a Favicon of Your Logo – Clementine Creative

Favicons are an important way to help your brand stand out. If you have no idea what a favicon is, it’s the small icon that shows up in your browser window when you visit a site. Customizing my favicon is my favorite part of designing a site. It’s like adding the bow on top of a present. So if you have no idea how to make a favicon, you no longer have an excuse.

What’s in My Productivity Tool Box? – The Fresh Exchange

While these tools are all about Megan’s business, a lot of these can be used to manage your blog. I love seeing what other bloggers use to help make things happen for them and I use four out of five of these tools myself. If you’re looking for ways to be more productive with your blog, be sure to check out this list.

The Changing Business of a Blog – Oh Joy

I’ve been enjoying when older bloggers talk about the changes in blogging because I’ve been blogging for so long. I was happy that Joy shared some thoughts about the changes that have occurred on her blog. Blogging is still here and we are all learning to adjust to the way that our audiences interact with us.

Why Should I Blog – Jess Creatives

Are you sold on blogging yet? Jess shared some ideas on why you should blog and the benefits of blogging for your business. Of course, blogging isn’t for everyone but I always encourage people to give it a try. Jess’s post sums up pretty much everything I agree with on starting a blog which is why it’s on this list.

A Blogger’s Guide to Crediting Photos – Blog Society

In 2014, there isn’t really any reason for not allowing for proper crediting to happen in photos we’re using on our blogs. Jaclyn of the Blog Society shares Catherine’s thoughts on proper crediting on your blog. If you have no idea how to credit photos or aren’t quite sure if you’re doing it right, this post is for you.

Creating a Loyal Audience – Elle & Co

Once you have a blog set up, creating a loyal audience is the next thing to tackle. Lauren is such a sweetheart and I love this post from her. It offers great insights on what she’s found helpful and offers tips that everyone can benefit from. Of course not everything works for each person but this post is pretty great and one of my favorites on this roundup.

How to Overcome Procrastination as a Blogger – Shanice Cameron

Continuing to blog consistently is pretty hard! Shanice offers some great tips on overcoming blog procrastination. I don’t want to spend too much time trying to describe it but if you have problems procrastinating while blogging, you need this post in your life.

WordPress for Beginner Bloggers: General Settings & Branding

Another great post for new WordPress bloggers, Jenn offers some great tips on how to get your blog’s settings to where they need to be and how that helps your brand. There are a lot of options in WordPress that can be a little overwhelming at first but I love the way Jenn breaks everything down.

Also, if you’re interested, Adam Soucie wrote an amazing roundup of Tuesday’s WordPress Orlando meetup where I spoke on Blogging for Longevity. I’ll be writing a roundup myself next week on what it was like to present for the first time and what I would change for the better.

Have a lovely weekend!

The post Blogging 101: August Tips Roundup appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Hello! It’s a bit late but this month’s blogging tips roundup is a necessity. There are quite a few awesome tips that are out of the norm which is great because sometimes these tips become redundant. Let’s get started.

Fine-Tune Your Columns – Fernaly

Celestine shares some great tips about thinking over your blog columns and fine-tuning them to be their very best. Sometimes we get tons of ideas for new blog features but narrowing it down to be the best they could be is important. I love that Celestine discusses thinking of the actual purpose of a blog column prior to putting them out there. It’s a great post and it’s a good time to re-think your blog features now that summer is on the way.

Small Tips for A Successful Blog – Cocorinna

Corina’s thoughts on blogging are always welcomed here. She shared some really small, easy tips to help improve your blog and bring it up to its maximum potential. From having a user friendly blog layout to taking care of the details, the tips in this post are fantastic.

Twitter Tips for Bloggers – Ciera Design

Twitter is one of my favorite social networks to connect with other bloggers. It’s been essential for me and my blog but using it correctly is vital. Ciera posted some really great tips for being a blogger on Twitter. All in all it’s about having fun and you can really get some great connections through 140 characters.

7 Actions That Are Sabotaging Your Blog – Shanice Cameron Design

Sometimes you can get a bit distracted and do things that aren’t probably the best for your blog. Shanice shared some things that could be hurting your blog more than helping it. Have you been comparing your blog to others lately? It’s probably causing you to lose traction on your blog and Shanice talks about how.

Follow Your Blogging Bliss – XO Sarah

Sometimes we can over think doing what’s good for our blogs. Sarah wrote a great post about doing what is good for you and not worrying too much about anything else.

WordPress Tips & Tricks – Lovely Indeed

I know a lot of bloggers are switching over to self-hosted WordPress and it’s always a bit weird to change your blogging platform. Chelsea’s quick tips and tricks for using WordPress are perfect for the WordPress novice. She talks about updating WordPress, the different post editors, and what’s going on in the dashboard. It’s a great post for WordPress beginners!

When To Promote Your Blog – Elembee

Promotion is a part of blogging that we often look over. If you’re feeling your blog is ready to share with the world, I’d definitely read Lisa’s post as she covers some things to think about before starting the blog promo.

5 Steps to the Perfect Blogging Break – Diaries of an Essex Girl

As someone who just finished a blogging break, it’s important to take the right steps to make sure your blog doesn’t just fizz out. I loved Kate’s steps to the perfect blogging break which is helpful when summer is calling you away from your blog life.

On Copyrights & Alternative to Stealing – Love Grows Design

The biggest misconception with online media is that it’s all free to use. However, there are plenty of copyright laws to acknowledge before utilizing media created by someone else. Bethany goes into great detail about what to do instead of stealing content and some resources to find copyrights from!

What were your favorite blogging tips from May?

The post Blogging 101: May Tips Roundup appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

It’s the first blogging tips roundup of the month. Lots of this month’s blogging tips  are chatting about new starts, how to plan for the future, and other amazing tips to get your blog to its best this month. Let’s get started.

Spruce Up Your Blog for the New Year – She Makes A Home

How often do you go in and make sure things are working properly on your blog? I love these quick tips by Ashley of She Makes A Home which could translate into a monthly checklist! Review your sidebar, check your links, and just general maintenance are all great ways to bring your blog up to speed in 2014.

Code Your Own Tweet This Link – Zoe  Rooney

I’ve noticed the tweet this links becoming more popular on blogs again. Zoe shared this fantastic tutorial on how to code your own tweet this link to allow for your visitors to easily share things you post on your blog.

Writing A Blog Plan for 2014 – The Well

Have you got your blog plan together for the new year? Don’t fret! The ladies over at The Well have you covered with tips on how to come up with an amazing blog plan to jumpstart your blog in 2014.

Questions to Asks Before Offering Sponsorships – Chimerikal

Blog sponsorships are everywhere; however, there are few guides on what you may need them for or how you will maintain them. Erika wrote this great article about her experience with sponsorships, what you should think of prior to offering them, and make the most of your blog sponsorship.

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org – And Yes To Joy

Amber wrote a great comparison post on the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Which blogging platform works for you when your budget is low? How do you know what freedoms you have? I often post these types of articles in these roundups because a lot of new readers are new bloggers who enjoy these tips. So please bare with me but also support the bloggers who put in the time to make these choices easier!

The Key To Building an Engaged Audience Plus 30 Ideas For Fresh Content – Nubby Twiglet

Often, I get asked from bloggers where to find new ideas to post about or how I find ideas. I love that Shauna put together this detailed list of thirty different ideas to jumpstart your blogging efforts this year. Creating fresh content is a great way to engage new readers so if you’re a little burned out, read this post for sure.

Why I Changed My Business and Blog Name (And How to Name Yours) – Shanice Cameron

I will be having a lot of Shanice love on the blog this week. Just to give you a taste of what she’s up to, she chatted about changing her blog name and how to help you do so. It’s a new year so don’t let an old brand define what you want to accomplish!

How Bloggers Make Money – Neon Fresh

Before I get started, Roo of Neon Fresh is one of my favorite bloggers. She is hilarious, upfront, and just everything I would inspire to be as a lifestyle blogger. I life vicariously through Roo. I wasn’t a bit surprised that she shared a fantastic list of ways bloggers make money. Often, I get told by blogger friends, that it’s very difficult to discuss how blogging is a serious source of income. If you have this problem or want to know how to monetize your blog, I would encourage you to read through this post. It’s definitely my favorite on this month’s roundup (but I love them all).

Blogging Game Changers – Joelle Charming

Bloggers being honest is a trend I’m loving this year, and I really appreciate Joelle’s honesty in what she did to make her blog work. We often become afraid to share our ideas or things that have worked. However, Joelle gets right into the upgrades she’s made and how her blog has flourished from them.

Have a very fantastic Monday! If you have any tips or posts that have helped you this month, feel free to share them below!

The post Blogging 101: January Tips Roundup appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

TGIF! I haven’t been feeling well lately so I’m happy to get this post out of the way. This month has been full of blogging articles so I had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few. There is a lot to cover so let’s get started.

Building Your Online Presence – LeSha of The Lovely Photog

Once you have established your blog, the best way to build your audience is establishing your online presence. LeSha wrote a list of quick tips to help you build your online presence, not only for your blog but for your business.

10 Things That Shouldn’t Be on Your Blog – Sarah of Silly Grrl 

Sarah wrote up some great tips of items to avoid having on your blog. The most important thing she states is about removing generic text from plugins, contact forms, etc. It’s important to personalize your blog, especially when you’re using tools to attract new visitors. Think about what you want to say and don’t be afraid to use your own voice.

Domain Name Tips & Tricks – Tanea

We all talk about blogging but we rarely discuss the important of a domain name. This is one of my favorite posts from the roundup as Tanea goes into great detail about the do’s and don’t of domain name buying. She talks about everything from how to find discounts to buying short URLs which is something I’ve been thinking of doing myself. I encourage everyone to take a look at this article because it’s really important!

Merging Blogs from Blogger to WordPress – Hatton of Fresh Mom

I think most bloggers fear changing blog platforms because it sounds difficult. I don’t think any blogger should be afraid of changing something about their blog, especially if it makes blogging easier. Hatton wrote a quick and easy guide to move your blog from Blogger to WordPress. If you’re thinking of moving to WordPress, I encourage you to do so! It’ll make your life easier.

Top 10 Display Serif Google Web Fonts – Jenn of Hello Brio

Most bloggers know about the power of Google Webfonts. If you’ve been blogging with any blog platform, most basic Google Webfonts have been integrated into basic theme choices. While there are hundreds of “best webfont” lists that I could have posted here today, Jenn’s post showcases the actual web rendering of the webfonts which is important! A webfont may look great in Photoshop or on images, but the way it’s rendered for web is usually drastically different. Also, I think bloggers should give serifs more chances and I’m glad Jenn shared some of her favorite choices.

On Blogging & Small Signs of Success – Katie M Anderson

If you’ve blogging for a while, it may get discouraging to see some blogs getting major publicity while your blog is getting a few comments every now and again. Blog success comes and goes — which is one of the hardest truths to accept about blogging. Katie offers some great tips on how to measure your own personal blog success. You may not have a book deal but a twitter mention on an article you wrote is also amazing! As bloggers, it’s easy to compare and compare often. Blogging becomes so much easier when you learn to love what your blog is and who your blog audience is.

Camera Essentials for Bloggers – Mike of The Fresh Exchange

As a blogger, buying cameras and photography equipment can be pretty intimidating. How much do you need? What should you get? What type of lens works best? Mike wrote a fantastic post about the equipment he uses over at The Fresh Exchange. Upon the first glance of The Fresh Exchange, you’ll quickly release that the Gilgers know a thing or two about photography for bloggers. My husband is the photography guru in the house but I can’t wait to take some time to learn more about our new lens and what he’s learned about photography in the past month.

The Future of Blogging – Victoria of The Well

I love when I come across a post about blogging that challenges my way of thinking. The Well is the blog portion of The B Bar which has become one of my favorite blogs in the past month. Victoria wrote a great post discussing the current trends of blogging and challenging us to think of where blogging will go. With so many things like micro-blogging platforms and social media, we never know where blogging is going. What trends do you see for the future of blogging?

Starting A Blog – Breanna Rose

I don’t think there could ever be too many resources about starting a blog. New bloggers need to know how to make it easy for themselves and how to avoid mistakes of bloggers’ pasts. I also think veteran bloggers each have their own tips which are great to share with any blogger. Breanna shares some valuable advice on working with SqaureSpace or WordPress. Now that SquareSpace has been around for a while, it’s interesting to see how many new bloggers are choosing this platform which is a little easier to utilize.

Scheduling Your Work Week – Latrina of Of Trees and Hues

Latrina wrote a fantastic piece about how she’s learned to schedule her work week. Blogging, especially with a full time, can be very time consuming without the proper scheduling. Most people work best when their week has been a bit more structured. Take some time to check out some of the comments in the post from bloggers who have discovered what works best for them. For me, I cannot have a structured schedule or else I will feel constrained. As long as I write a proper to-do list and keep my calendar organized, I’m able to fit blogging in most days. Fridays will always be hard for me no matter what I do but it’s what works for me.

Optimize Your Photos for the Web – Laicie of 1000 Threads

Laicie’s blog is also one of my new favorites in the past month. This week she chatted about the importance of optimizing your photos for the web, which is an important step that I think bloggers may or may not know about. It’s crazy how one option in Photoshop can make all the difference with the images you post online!

Blogging 101 – Designing A Blog

Last month, I wrote a post with some quick tips to designing a blog. I cover everything from content layout to type choices. If you’re not sure where to go with your blog design, I encourage you to take some time and check it out!

Thank you for all of your support this week! As I divulge into my final week of blogging here at Static-Romance, I’m feeling extra nostalgic but excited for changes! There’s so many things to be done and so little time! Have a great weekend.

The post Blogging 101: September Tips Roundup appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

I’m so sorry I didn’t get to do a Blog Tips Roundup last month but this month makes up for it. I’ve included some of the links from the previous month but they are all too helpful not to share. I won’t talk too much so let’s get started.

Moodboard Guide – Corina of Cocorrina

So this may divulge into more of a design tip than a blogging tip. However, moodboards are becoming a huge part of not just design blogs but fashion, lifestyle, and photography blogs are well. Corina did a great job in explaining some helpful tips in creating moodboards. Inspiration is a huge part of blogging and moodboards are a great way of creating inspiration.

Never Stop Tweaking Your Website – Zoe Rooney

What’s great about having a blog is that it’s yours for as long as you want it. I have never felt my blog was perfect and I’m glad I chose a CMS that allows me to easily make changes.  Zoe does a great job in explaining how to never stop making changes. Your blog is a reflection of what you’d like it to be so choose to be your own editor. Check out different user experience options, design options, SEO practices, and more. The web is always changing so don’t allow yourself to be stuck in the past.

Activity Breeds Activity – Shauna of Nubby Twiglet

One of the questions I get most from new bloggers is how to get comments and subscribers. In a world where thousands of blogs are being created everyday, how do you find an active audience? Shauna does a great job in explaining how being an active blog owner breeds activity on your own blog. To get more, you have to give. Trust me, from personal experience, it works.

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.Org – Noor AlQahanti

Another big WordPress question I get often is what is the difference between WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress at WordPress.Org. Noor has written up a great post explaining the benefits of both. She also provided helpful tips to help you decide which platform is best for you. I have been using self-hosted WordPress for the past six years and I have no regrets. If you’re thinking of switching from another blogging platform, be sure to take a look at Noor’s post.

6 Easy Ways to Make Your Blog Pretty – Shanice of Modern Mint Designs

So have you ever visited a blog and thought, “Wow, that person really has their stuff together!”? You can too! I know there are certain things that require HTML/CSS knowledge or even design knowledge; however, there are small organizational tips you can follow to make your blog stand out. Shanice offers some great, helpful tips on how to spruce your blog up a bit. If all else fails, hire a designer.

Bloggers You Don’t Want to Be – Katelyn of Katelyn Brooke Blog

We all have come across that blog of someone who just seems to enjoy doing everything wrong. I know that lately I have come across a few blogs with posts that make me cringe. Katelyn offers a few great examples of bloggers you probably don’t want to come across as. I know we all have flaws as bloggers but some things are  avoidable. Let your blog be a reflection of yourself.

Sourcing & Linking – Bethany of Love Grows Design

If you haven’t noticed, I am a huge advocate of sourcing and linking. I post images by different artists here all of the time and I am allowed that opportunity because of the way I link back.  Bethany wrote an amazing post on the importance of sourcing and linking. Wouldn’t it suck to have your content shard but have no credit given back? It happens to the best of us, especially with images floating around large social networks like Pinterest. Sometimes a reverse Google Image search makes the world of a difference in giving proper credit. I would encourage you, if you aren’t already, to always provide links for content that is not your own.

Designating a Blogging Space – Celestine of Java Avicionado 

I often feel as if my surroundings dictate the outcome of my blog posts.  I always try to blog in an area that offers the best inspiration and peace of mind. Celestine wrote a great post on the importance of designating a blogging space. While we don’t think our environment effects us often, I would encourage you to try to blog in a new place. Have you ever blogged outdoors? Try it! You never know what may happen.

Making Images SEO & Pinterest Friendly – Angie of This Muse is Taken

There are so many different ways to increase your traffic. One of the best ways is to make your blog more SEO friendly. Angie wrote a great short article on how to use your image’s alt  tags to create SEO friendly images. In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, take the time to check out this easy SEO guide. It’s extremely helpful and easy to follow.

Staying Motivated to Blog – Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky

So how do we continue to be motivated to blog? Elizabeth goes over quite a few tips that help her keep her blogging drive up. I like what she says about blogging for yourself. It’s nice to have readers and comments, but you are here because you want to be. I always keep that in the back of my mind as I construct my blog posts.

I hope these have helped a bit! Looking forward to next month’s roundup.

The post Blogging 101: May Blog Tips Roundup appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.