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mom spark media: free opportunity for mom bloggers seeking support

By Nicole · Comments (0)

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

In my opinion, one of the best resources out there for mom bloggers is Mom Spark Media. I use it myself for review opportunities and to keep up with some great tutorial and classes from the experts.

So what is Mom Spark Media?

Its the brain child of Amy Bellgardt. Along with her amazing team, Amy brings bloggers information and opportunities from around the web. As a member of the Mom Spark Media community, you have access to blogging courses, a community of like minded bloggers, and opportunities to work with brands to post reviews and giveaways.

For a fee of $5/month or $40/year (only $3.33/month), you will have access to the Mom Spark Media group forum where you can collaborate, ask questions, and brainstorm topics regarding blogging, social media and more with experts to help.

Limited Offer:

Mom Spark Media is hosting a campaign to spread the word to new members. There is a limit and you have to be referred by a member, but from now until Thursday at 10:30 p.m. CST, you can sign up for a two week free trial using the promo code “THEPIXELBOUTIQUE” and have all the access of a paid member. This offer doesn’t come along very often, so if you’re at all curious and find yourself wanting and needing support for your blog, I’d highly recommend heading over and signing up. You can try it out and there’s no obligation.

Any questions? Let me know!

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How to Add a ‘Link To Me’ or ‘Grab My Button’ Badge

By Nicole · Comments (24)

Friday, July 31st, 2009

As a new blogger, I was overwhelmed by all the lingo; RSS, widgets, badges, blogroll, etc. and so on. Admit it, bloggers. We have our own language. (Note to Self: write a post entitled “Bloggy Definitions” very soon).

Anywho, if you’ve been scurrying around the blogosphere at all, you’ve come across blogs that display the code for their blog button, or badge. This is sometimes called a “link to me” or “grab my button” badge or button. Here, the code to add the button is displayed so people can copy it into their own sidebar. And adding this feature to your blog couldn’t be easier.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Hopefully you have a 125×125 pixel button created for your blog. This is the standard size that fits nicely in most sidebars. First, upload your button to your blog or photo hosting account (such as PhotoBucket). Take note of the photo URL (the address where your button “lives”. It will look something like this: http://www.yourblogname.com/2009/07/yourbuttonname.jpg). Here’s mine:
In your blog dashboard, be it TypePad, WordPress or BlogSpot, create a new text sidebar widget/gadget. You will be adding your own HTML code here.
Now, insert the following code in the text widget, inserting your information in place of the red text:Link to me:
<br /><br />
<img src=”http://www.yourblogorservername.com/2009/07/
yourbuttonname.jpg” />
<br /><br />
<textarea rows=”3″ cols=”20″>
<br>
<a href=”http://www.yourblogname.com“>
<img src=”http://www.yourblogorservername.com/2009/07/
yourbuttonname.jpg” />
</a>
<br>
</textarea>
And that’s it! Click save and view your handiwork. The one thing you may want to fiddle with is the “rows” and “cols” numbers. They are just what they sound like…the number of rows and columns of text in the code. So, if you want more horizontal rows, or lines, bump that number up. If your text/code area is expanding beyond the width of your sidebar, change the “cols” number to something less than 20 until it fits.

I hope this was helpful…and simple. Check back in the next couple of weeks for a tutorial on creating that blog button, if you dont already have one (or you can always contact me to create one for you!).

Comments (24)

Take A Stroll With Me

By Nicole · Comments (0)

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

You know that commercial for bing.com, where everyone is rambling on nonsensically from one unrelated topic to another, emulating what happens when you get on the net and search a word or phrase? Im sure all of us can relate to that in some fashion. Even with my own blogroll, Twitter groups and the ever-important, specific search for “What does a tick bite look like”, its just all too much to take in.

Thank goodness for tools like StumbleUpon, Kirtsy, Tweetdeck groups. I also love when a few of my favorite bloggers post their highlights and finds on the web. It just helps to have a recommendation sometimes, doesn’t it?

That’s why today I’m starting a new series called “Stroll Around the Blogosphere”. Its my attempt to bring you helpful and interesting information that I’ve compiled for you, my readers, from around the blogosphere (and the web). So why would you want to read my recommendations, you ask? Well, if any of the following categories interest you, you’ll want to check it out:

The Basics of Blogging – Tips for the new or “still-contemplating” blogger
Every Blogger Should Know – Tips and tricks to make you a better blogger
For The Working Mother – Topics and resources for working mothers
So You Say You’re Not Artsy - Everything from photography to decorating…for the artistically challenged
You Name It – Anything else I find interesting!

So join me on Wednesdays and see if you don’t just find something new and wonderful. And if you have a blog post or stumble on a great article that you would like to have considered for my “Stroll”, please email me. I’d be happy to take a look!

Happy strolling…

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Q & A Kickoff

By Nicole · Comments (0)

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

When I first started blogging I was O.Ver.Whelmed. There is just so much to learn, so many styles, so many choices to make. I’m still navigating my way around sometimes and don’t know that one can ever learn all there is to know about blogging because something new is always on the horizon.

Even with 15 years experience in the graphic and web design industry, there was still a learning curve that took place before I felt somewhat comfortable with it. And resources like ProBlogger, Blogging Basics 101 and my blogging mentor, Metropolitan Mama were a few of the many resources I went to to find the answers to my questions.

Therefore, one of the weekly features on this here new blog o’ mine will be a Q & A series every Thursday. And, yes, I fully realize I am posting this at 9:19 p.m. on the very first Thursday of the series. I’m a mom, ok? I have kids to nag chase nurture. And they will always come first.

So if you are new to blogging, or just have a burning question, please send them my way. Anytime. Not just on Thursdays. You can Twitter me too. I will pick one or two a week and feature them (and you) in a post and hopefully (*crossing fingers*) will be able to answer your question. And if I cant, I’ll make something up. Just kidding.

So ask away…anything goes (Well. you know…)