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Thursday, April 26, 2012

baby blogger

Good Morning! It is my 6 month blogging anniversary, and yesterday I hit 150 followers!
Thanks y'all! (At the bottom is my "THANK YOU" giveaway!)

When I started Here&Now at the end of October 2011, I knew NOTHING about how to blog. Sure, I had read hundreds of blogs, and had a healthy habit of reading amazing fashion blogs daily, but had never considered how to actually go about the DOING and the behind the scenes work required to run a "blog". I dove right into starting my blog because I had a passion for fashion, and was so inspired by the Glamourais,  Jessica Quirks, Anna Janes, and Leandras of the internets. I didn't know anything about HTML, comment moderation, blog-link ups, or SEO friendly words (to name a few). I didn't own my own domain name, have a fancy camera, or stacks of money in the bank to use towards clothes. I was naïve.

I still have a long ways to go, but have learned so much over the past 6 months. One of the motivations for starting Here&Now was to have a creative outlet that would allow me to learn and refine new skills... this definitely is that and more, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. 

While I am no expert, I would like to share with you some of the resources that have helped me sustain and grow my blog (content, design, you name it) so far. I hope you can learn something new, and if there is a resource that has been beneficial for you, I do hope you will share it with me (I sure could use it!)

{The Basics}
1. How to get noticed (by Google, and readers)
Google/search words

2. Social Media
- On increasing traffic
- Making Pinterest work for you
- Displaying Instagram photos on your blog, and Instagram tips

{ find me here on Pinterest }
3. How to make money (if you are ready & want to)
- Getting referral commission (Reward Style)
- Making a Media Kit (& here)
- Attracting companies (& here)
- IFB tools (<-- if you are a fashion blogger, this is a MUST join site!)

Find more IFB tools here

4. So I just bought this fancy camera... what button do I push first?
Digital Photography School

 {Content}
5. I have a blog, now what do I write about?

6. Get inspiration
- Online magazines (Matchbook)
- other beautifully curated sites (Kirtsy)

7. Give credit
Link with love

8. Follow what you love, not the "rules"
- Sustainable Blogging

{Design}
9. On making things pretty
{ Seriously, this site is AMAZING }
10. Making a boring template yours
here, here, here, here (to list a few)

{Everything Else}
11. Networking
- Conferences (Alt Summit, Blissdom)
- people who went to conferences (1, 2, 3)
- local "meet-ups" (but haven't found a good one close to Nashville yet...)
- link up (Friday's Fancies via {long distance loving})

12. How to make it a business
Listen to the advice of others who have successfully made the transition to a full time business venture

13. Getting is ALL done
- Productivity

I want to seriously thank each and everyone of you for supporting my blogging efforts over the past 6 months (can't believe it has already been half a year!). 
I do this blog for me, but I couldn't be doing it without you!

I hope to bring you new and exciting content, and bring about some fun changes to my little spot on the internet. If there is any constructive criticism, or suggestions you have please leave them in the comments for me!

And now as a huge THANK YOU, I have a small token of my appreciation in the form of another giveaway. This time from the lovely Etsy shop that is Diament Designs.
For a chance to win, please let me know how you follow Here&Now
Bloglovin'
Twitter
Google Friend Connect (left side bar)
and your email address in the comments

A winner of a $25 gift card to Diament Designs' Etsy Shop Will be announced next Friday (May 4th) at 9am (entries will be counted through May 3rd at midnight)
In the mean time, the wonderful Libby has graciously provided Here&Now readers 15% off everything in her shop with the code HELLO (get to shopping!)

These are my favorite picks (from 100s!) from her shop, most of them being $10-14 (which means you could certainly get 2 fabulous pieces with your gift card)
I definitely picked up the "Gigi" bracelet
(so what if it is weird that I am the one perpetuating my self given nickname!)
What would you use the gift card for if you won!?

60 comments:

  1. Great list and resources, thanks!  I'm a new blogger myself (almost 4 months now) and am sometimes overwhelmed with the amount of "to do's" I still have on my list - these resources will really help me get on top of those!  And congrats on your 6 month anniversary and 150 followers (I'm one of them, but I follow on Google Reader!) :)  Email addy is laura12 at gmail dot com.

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  2. Wow, this is an awesome post, I don't have time fully digest it but I.will.be.back. Thank you. Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting.  I'm so new to this but, it was something I wanted to do as a creative outlet. I will be following you on bloglovin'  and would love to be included in your anniversary giveaway.  Congrats!

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  3. Jessica, this was a GREAT post!  I am bookmarking it!  I just started blogging in December 2011 and there is soooo much to learn.  It can be overwhelming.  Great giveaway!  Hope I win again!  Of course I am a follower on GFC and Bloglovin.  I am doing a giveaway too!  Make sure to enter!!
     

    Giveaway
    @ Because Shanna Said So

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  4. thank you SO much for the Friday's Fancies shout-out! I can't thank you enough :) xoxo {av}

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  5. WOW! This is a lot of great information, Jessica! Thank you so much for sharing. 

    I follow using google friend connect because I find it easiest with blogger and I can instantly see the updates of all my favorite blogs while doing things on my own blog. 

    Love keeping up with your blog and thank you for the giveaway!

    Amanda
    It's an Easy LifeAmandaClaireRaborn@gmail.com 

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  6. WOW! What an awesome post with lots of grew information! Thank you so much for sharing, Jessica! I follow through google just because I find it easier to use with blogger to read the updates of all my favorite blogs. Thanks so much for the giveaway! Love keeping up with your blog and happy 6 months :) 

    Amanda
    It's an Easy LifeAmandaClaireRaborn@gmail.com 

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  7. Thank you fro being one of the sweetest bloggers I know! 
    ademko10@gmail.com and I follow you through Google Friends Connect...   You are also in my following  'blogs'  
    http://happymedley.blogspot.com/

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  8. Thank you! This is really what I've been needing, although I have been blogging for a bit longer than a year. I never really got the how to and like you simply started blogging because I want to.
    I've bookmarked this post and I will go through it step by step to set up my blog, because I really wanna see it develope further :D
    Love Lois xxxhttp://lisforlois.blogspot.com/

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  9. i can't pick my favorite!!! so many cute things! I love the sailor note ring or the vintage name bracelet or the initial ring!

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  10. congrats on 6 months of blogging!  I started my blog about 6 months ago too!  I can definitely benefit from reading some of your tips too!!  I am following you via gfc now. (katiejvale@yahoo.com)

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  11. I follow on BlogLovin', GFC and Twitter! :) Great tips, thanks so much for this post!

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  12. Yay! Baby Bloggers together! I love your site, and am so happy to have a fellow blogging grad school friend!
    xx

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  13. Thanks AJ! I think it is so wonderful we met through my sister on Instagram and are now blogging friends! Such a small world
    xx

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  14. Thank you so much Millie, I am so glad we have reconnected in the world of blogging!
    xx

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  15. I hope you learned something new. I feel like I learn completely new and wonderful things everyday, one of the reasons I love blogging so much! And meeting all of you fabulous people :)
    xx

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  16. Thanks! So happy I found your blog too :)
    xx

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  17. Thank you so much dear. That really means a lot to me!
    xx

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  18. congrats on hitting 150! very impressive for a new blogger! i am your follower! yay!

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  19. Heather @GurleeGirrlOctober 30, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    Congratulations!!!  I follow you via email (Google Reader)  and Twitter (@GurleeGirrl).

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  20. Great post and congrats on 6 months! Love this giveaway too :) headtotoechic@gmail.com

    xo,
    Angela
    headtotoechic.blogspot.com

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  21. this is such a wonderful resource! thank you! so happy to have found your blog and excited to follow along!
    job well done! xx

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  22. Girls in the Green BootsOctober 30, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    congrats to you on your anniversary!! this is such a great tool ..so glad you posted! thanks. xo

    kristina+sarah

    http://girlsinthegreenboots.blogspot.com/

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  23. Okay, these tips are EXACTLY what I need! I'm still clueless about fully utilizing my blog, and I've gotten by alright up till now, but I've been really wanting to step it up lately.
    Thanks for sharing these! Your blog will definitely go far, I'm sure of it :)
    Following you now!

    Trendy Teal

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  24. Hi Jessica! Just found your blog and love it! This is such a great posts for all bloggers...thanks for posting! :)

    www.20goingon80.com

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  25. Happy Blog Anniversary! These are some great tips, I especially think the joining ifb tip is very important, ifb is soooo helpful. This is also a really cool giveaway. I am now following with gfc :)
    joyfuloutfits@gmail.com

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  26. Congrats on your first 6 months!  I think you have such a great blog, and as I've said before, I love your pug!  This is such an insightful post, so thank you!!!

    :)Allisonafashionfiles.blogspot.com

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  27. Hey Jess!! Congrats on 6 months! I love reading every day!! Makes the daily workday so much better!!

    I also am entering! I follow on bloglovin', subscribe by email, twitter, friend connect and follow your instagram and pintrest!! :)
    millienewell@gmail.com

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  28. Congrats! Also thanks for your comment on my blog. I will be following you...!

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  29. This is a fantastic collection of resources! Good job you. I had no idea
    you'd only been blogging for 6mos. I'm a newbie myself so I'm
    definitely bookmarking all of this.



    And as it so happens I follow using Google Connect :) Keep up the awesome work girlie!
     

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  30. This is a fantastic collection of resources! Good job you. I had no idea you'd only been blogging for 6mos. I'm a newbie myself so I'm definitely bookmarking all of this.

    And as it so happens I follow using Google Connect :) Keep up the awesome work girlie!

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  31. Jessica, thanks so much for this post - what an incredible amount of helpful info about blogging in one place! I've bookmarked this to study this weekend.  I'm a "baby blogger" too ... started last February, and to say that I'm totally clueless would be quite the understatement. ;)  I'm following you GFC and via Bloglovin' ... those wishbone earrings are adorable!

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  32. would love to win this! following via GFC!
    elallzs(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. This is so perfect! I started a blog a week ago today (laurielizsmith.blogspot.com) & neeed all of this info! Great timing!

    I follow your blog with google friend connect & twitter & would love me those pink earrings :)

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  34. These are some great tips for bloggers! Congrats on 6 wonderful months of blogging!

    I follow you on GFC and my email is: thetinyheart@gmail.com

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
     

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  35. Wahoo! Congrats! Lovin all your fashion tips. I read your blog through Goolge Reader :

    -Mandy L

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  36. Thank you! And I hope it helps, even of just a little :)
    xx

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  37. Agreed - I definitely learn something new everyday, one of the reasons I enjoy blogging so much! xx

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  38. You are too sweet! Thanks lady... Hope to see you at bunco soon :)
    xx

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  39. Jessica these are really great tips! And congrats on 6 months of impressive blogging! I've just recently decided to "market" my blog. Before it was just a place for me to let out some creativity but I'm enjoying it so much I'm hoping others might, too. I had never heard of Phonto before, thank you for the helpful links. xo

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  40. LOVE your blog, Jess!  Congrats on your anniversary - here's to many, many more!  Follow you on Twitter, btw.

    xxN

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  41. I love this! I'm new to the blogging world too and have no idea how to do any of that so thank you for this post! And thank you for the sweet comment on my post today :)
    Brooke @ what2wear, monikabrooke.blogspot.com

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  42. Congrats on 6 months of blogging! Love your blog, very inspiring :)

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  43. Congrats! This was a really helpful post, thanks for linking to all these great resources :).

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  44. Such great tips, I've been doing this for about a year & 1/2 and feel like I'm learning something new everyday.

    xo erica

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  45. Congrats Jessica!
    I follow on Google friend connect and on twitter @sarahctweets
    Thanks!

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  46. Congrats, I recently starting following via twitter! Love the blog and this post is great with all the pointers!

    Count me in for the contest sheila.villegas@gmail.com
     

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  47. I follow you on GFC! I just started blogging and there's so much I don't know! Thanks for the tips and congrats on your milestone!
    --TS

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  48. This is such a great post, congrats on 6 months and 150 followers. I've been blogging for about a month now and still only have 10 haha. 

    ~xx camomeetscouture.blogspot.com

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  49. Congrats on your blogging anniversary! I follow through bloglovin and twitter (@emmyanng)...my email is eagriffi21@gmail.com

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Thank you for your comments, they make my day!!
xx