Advice about Starting & Promoting a Fashion Blog - See Post #1 for Thread Rules

[verymoni]

verymoni - are you using the Classic template in Blogger?

yes

 

[Hebden]

yes

I think that may be the issue...I know that I changed from the Classic template because there were some things that you couldn't do with it.

 

[verymoni]

ok, thanks, I'll think about it

 

[seanutbutter]

i'd also like more reader participation...ideas?

You need to incorporate your readers into the posts. Ask them questions, or bring up an issue that may trigger debate. If you end the post by saying something like, "How do you all feel about this topic?", you're likely to get some response from people who want to share their opinion. Though, I'm still waiting for that tip to work on wonders on my blog.

 

[libertygirl]

Hey Dreamecho!

I've been trying to add the Digg links for ages and it was on to do list for this week. I followed yr instructions and it took me a couple of minutes tops. Genius. (I cldn't find the code you said to search for, but I just searched for a couple of the words, and bingo!)

Thank you so much sweetheart LLGxx

 

[libertygirl]

Regarding an earlier post about copyright, I advise all bloggers to use a Creative Commons Licence, giving you copyright over your content. You can choose different types of coverage here http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

I'm a fashion editor & writer in the real world, and I know how people can lift stuff/ rty to avoid correct attribution so cover yr backs and get a licence - they're free! LLG xx

 

[punky]

does anyone have tips for KEEPING readers?

my hits nearly doubled this past month, so how do i keep that up? i'd also like more reader participation...ideas?

I use polls to get readers involved and to ask opinion's.

http://quibblo.com is a good site to use because you can make your poll colors match your website colors.

 

[dreamecho]

you are most welcome, libertygirl!

thank you for the tip on the creative commons license! i have been thinking about that myself lately. you linked to the most restrictive version, but there are six options! ultimately the choice is up to the individual, but do you have any tips or advice on how to select?

 

[seanutbutter]

I think that may be the issue...I know that I changed from the Classic template because there were some things that you couldn't do with it.

I wasn't able to add the Digg feature to my blog because of this issue as well. However, last night I decided to change from the Classic template, so now I've got a shiny new Digg button. (Plus, I changed the entire look of my blog!)

 

[glamandtonic]

The digg it code didn't work for me at first, but now I finally got it right and added it to my blog Nice!

 

[satin chic]

Me too! And I've already got dugg. Wonderful little feature it is!

 

[Nemova]

verymoni, I took a look at your page source code and saw that yours was a little different. Try searching for this line:

<div class='post-footer-line post-footer-line-3'>

Try putting in the new code right before this line. Let me know if this works for you!

I'm not using the classic template and still I can't find that code line. But thanks for giving us such a helpful tip anyway.

 

[libertygirl]

Creative Commons Licence

you are most welcome, libertygirl!

thank you for the tip on the creative commons license! i have been thinking about that myself lately. you linked to the most restrictive version, but there are six options! ultimately the choice is up to the individual, but do you have any tips or advice on how to select?

Well, I feel very strongly that if people are going to reproduce my work I want to be paid for it. Of course, there are always exceptions and to those I wld glady let them repro for free. By choosing the particular licence I linked to, I can retain that decision.

I shld point out that I am a fashion editor & writer in the real world, so I'm not looking for my blog to open new doors/make me money/make me famous as a writer/get me published! (Altho obv I'm wahey-wide open to offers!) If someone's desire is just to get their blog out there to a wider readership, then they might want to consider a more free ranging Licence. (The Creative Commons site is very clear & user friendly.)

Speaking of which, I had an IMMENSE sense of humour failure with a blog syndication company who contacted me, with lots of flattery & flannel, wanting me to agree to syndicate my content through them. AT first I was dead chuffed - until I read the contract. A) they don't pay. b) they retain the right to edit/rewrite yr copy in any way they see fit, so long as they don't change the original sense. I object MOST strongly to this company being paid for my content and not paying me, plus I don't want my (blog)name floating around attached to copy I may not have actually written.

Obviously I accept that some people wld like this deal as it drives traffic, and therefore increases revenue, but I am not willing to sup with the devil!

Anyway, I blogged about Blog-spolitation, as Drusilla named it for me, here
http://libertylondongirl.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-exploitation.html

LLG xx

 

[libertygirl]

http://creativecommons.org/about/licenses

HERE IS the link to the main licence page of Creative Commons which lets you choose the most suitable licence for your purposes.

 

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

My blog is up and running at http://fashionably-insane.blogspot.com/

It's been going well so far, I would love for their to be new visitors though.

 

[writergal28]

http://creativecommons.org/about/licenses

HERE IS the link to the main licence page of Creative Commons which lets you choose the most suitable licence for your purposes.

How would this apply to a blog with several different freelance writers?

 

[dreamecho]

Nemova, did you try the original code I posted here? I'm guessing you did, but I just wanted to make sure before I tried to think of anything else.

 

[dreamecho]

Well, I feel very strongly that if people are going to reproduce my work I want to be paid for it. Of course, there are always exceptions and to those I wld glady let them repro for free. By choosing the particular licence I linked to, I can retain that decision.

I shld point out that I am a fashion editor & writer in the real world, so I'm not looking for my blog to open new doors/make me money/make me famous as a writer/get me published! (Altho obv I'm wahey-wide open to offers!) If someone's desire is just to get their blog out there to a wider readership, then they might want to consider a more free ranging Licence. (The Creative Commons site is very clear & user friendly.)

Speaking of which, I had an IMMENSE sense of humour failure with a blog syndication company who contacted me, with lots of flattery & flannel, wanting me to agree to syndicate my content through them. AT first I was dead chuffed - until I read the contract. A) they don't pay. b) they retain the right to edit/rewrite yr copy in any way they see fit, so long as they don't change the original sense. I object MOST strongly to this company being paid for my content and not paying me, plus I don't want my (blog)name floating around attached to copy I may not have actually written.

Obviously I accept that some people wld like this deal as it drives traffic, and therefore increases revenue, but I am not willing to sup with the devil!

Anyway, I blogged about Blog-spolitation, as Drusilla named it for me, here
http://libertylondongirl.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-exploitation.html

LLG xx

Your advice helped me so much! Ever since you posted the link, I've been thinking about which license I should get. Eventually I narrowed it down to the second or third most restrictive, and finally I decided to go with the former. Your words reassure me that I'm making the right choice.

I do remember the Blog-sploitation post! (And that Drusilla coined the term ) I found out about it when Jennine reposted it on the Independent Fashion Bloggers page. Good job with that! I totally agree with and back your reasons for and decision to give that network the boot.

 

[Nemova]

^^I did and it didn't work as well.

 

[Raych]

I can figure out how to do the HTML stuff, but what exactly is the purpose of the Digg It! and Stumble Upon links at the bottom of each post? Does it submit it to the website and does it give more hits?