Fireside Chat

Wired Wednesday is goin back to the basics today. The bloggin' basics. No HTML, no Photoshop, just really basic questions and answers that you might be wondering about. (and too scared to ask)

Lots of people ask me different questions about my blog. And I thought it might be nice to answer one. But first you have to promise that you understand that I'm just as novice as the next guy. I can only share what I know. And if you know different....that's great!

Promise? Okay.

I've had several people ask me about how to get followers on your blog. Well, first it shouldn't be about that at all. But I understand wanting that. I like that too. The main thing I'd say is you gotta be a friend to get a friend!

I think sometimes we put our blog out there and then sit and think the magic blogging fairy will come down and tell all the world to come on over and bask in our genius. It just doesn't work that way! The magic blogging fairy is either just a myth...or she's really lazy....or I've ticked her off in some way. I've yet to benefit from her skills in the least.

How 'bout these things instead.....

• Comments! We love to get 'em...but do we take time to give 'em? It's so important to comment on things when you like them. And not just "that's cute." Or "good job". Take one more minute to say exactly what you think is cute. Or why you think they did a good job. Don't feel pressured to be funny, or original, or anything. Just be genuine....and it will come across. I was scared to death to leave a comment on a stranger's blog for the first time. I think it might have been at Tatertots & Jello. And she sent me the nicest little hello back. I was hooked after that!
  

• And Comments #2. And this is important....so I'm going to say it loud....

  PUT YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR BLOGGER PROFILE!

  I've seen bloggers plead over and over for their readers to please add their e-mail addresses. Why? It's because they want to get to know you. To thank you for stopping by. And there is nothing more frustrating than having someone ask you a question....and you can't send them an answer.

I anticipate 2 problems with this...
#1-you don't know how to add your e-mail.
#2-you don't feel comfortable having your e-mail be so public.

Let's address those issues!

#1-Sometimes I don't know how to do something basic, and it's embarrassing to ask. Don't be embarrassed! Let me help you!

• Go to the very top of a blogger page. (make sure you're logged in first) find the blogger logo and click on it. That should take you to your main blogger page. Click on "View Profile"

• Once you're there, click on edit profile. (here's how mine looks, just so you can see)
  

• Here's the spot where you add your e-mail address. Actually you probably already have it listed here. (from when you signed up) But you need to make sure "Show My E-Mail address" is checked. You can also change a lot of other info here too.
  

• Once your e-mail address is added. When you leave me a comment, I'll get something in my inbox showing me your comment and I can just push "reply" and blogger will e-mail you my response.

Now for issue #2....

#2-If you feel uncomfortable about having your e-mail there....I suggest setting up a new one. You can get a g-mail address free, and easy. This would be your "blogging address" and then your personal e-mail address won't be listed anywhere. I certainly understand privacy issues. I take mine very seriously. (except when my sister is visiting. We have the best talks while one of us is peeing! I'm sorry. We Do! I know, some people think that's weird. But it's true. And there you go!)

• If you have a crafting or foodie blog, joining regular "linky" parties will help get your name out there too.
• It's important to post regularly. Not everyday, per se, but regularly. Especially at first.
  
• And then there's all the stuff about whether you're listed in search engines.
  
• But honestly, being kind, being genuine. Following blogs you LOVE. (not because you feel obligated to) And then letting other bloggers feel your genuine admiration for their writing or work...that's the answer. Some of them will be super kind back. Some might not be. But who cares? You'll never know until you try. You might make some awesome new friends in the process!

Now go and add your e-mail to your profile! And since I titled this "fireside chat"....I think we need to break out the marshmallows and sing a round of "Seven Old Ladies Stuck in the Lavatory" right? Right?

(Nevermind.
I hate campfire smell.
There. I said it. I'm an indoor girl.
But it doesn't stop me from enjoying a roasted marshmallow every now and then....
I'm not too proud to admit to roasting them over an open stove.
That's right.)