Top Ten {Tuesday}: How To Make A Blogger Happy
Posted by oh amanda on March 16th, 2010 . Filed under: blogging, top ten tuesday .
The other week I had this great idea that I would learn how to a screencast and do a “welcome to my blog” screencast to show new visitors what my blog was about and maybe even show newbies how blogs in general work. Wouldn’t that be fun? At this exact same time I read a post by Problogger called “Welcome to Problogger” and besides not being a screencast, it was the exact idea I had. (Yes. I really am comparing myself to Problogger.) So, this is kinda sorta a little bit going to be one of those posts. These are the
Top Ten Things You Can Do To Make a Blogger Happy
1. Subscribe
Do you see that bright purple button on my sidebar? It’s a subscription button. You can click it and subscribe to my blog via a feedreader. Which is basically like a big inbox for your favorite blogs. Here’s a screenshot of my Google Reader:
If you’ve just been bookmarking all your favorite sites or clicking on them eleventybillion times a day to see if they’ve updated then YOU NEED A FEEDREADER. It will make you happy AND it makes bloggers happy to have subscribers! (I mean how cool do you feel if someone loves you enough to know the second you update your blog?!) Of course, there is another option—subscribing via email. You can get an email every time the blog updates and read the post right in your inbox. I love that idea except for the fact that I get like 100 emails a day. And adding another one to the mix would be horrendous.
2. Comment
Comment is like crack to bloggers. It is why we do it. If we didn’t want comments, we would keep the thing private or write in a journal.
When I first started reading blogs, I would see the blogger ask a question and see all the people that left comments and I always thought, “Am I allowed to do that? I know she just asked a question, but certainly she doesn’t really want ME to answer it.” YEAH. SHE DOES. If you answer the question, leave your own similar experience or just say, “I read every word.” you will absolutely make someone’s day. And on top of that, you will probably make a friend. Every one of my best bloggy friends started with a comment.
If you are still unsure, Ill walk you thorugh it. Do you see that little purple box at the bottom of this post? IT says, “Got something to say?” and then a clickable “5 comments”? Click that. Then fill in the fields–name, email, website (it can be your blog, facebook, twitter or just leave it blank). Then type to your heart’s content.
3. Facebook Fan
I know you’re on Facebook. If you’re not. Well, just crawl out from under your rock and skip to #4. If you are and you think of it as just a place to snoop on your High School boyfriend, think again! Facebook is fast becoming a place to connect with companies, organizations and other like-minded people.
I know you’ve probably become a fan of “Texting Someone While In The Same Room” and “People Who Have Mullets” but how ’bout being a fan of Impress Your Kids, Once A Month Mom and Silly Eagle Books so you can see blog updates and fun links on your status updates? I also love being fans of companies and local businesses because they always give coupons!
Another tiny little facebook-love tip is to share a post on Facebook or LIKE the status of a blog. That will enable your friends see it and hopefully they’ll click, it too!
4. Stumble
Ah, Stumbleupon! This is my new favorite site. When you read a really great post (after leaving a comment) why don’t you click the StumbleUpon button below the post? (See it? It’s that round one at the end.)
When you do, it sends StumbleUpon a message that says, “THIS POST IS AWESOME.” Then when other people search around StumbleUpon for a cool post to read, they’ll find your first! It’s like a search engine of GOOD posts! And it can bring BOOKOOS of traffic to a blogger’s site. Some nice person stumbled my How To Wrap and Detangle Christmas Lights and I STILL get hits on that every week. (Who still has their Christmas lights up?!)
Christine has a great StumbleUpon tutorial for those of you who are interested.
5. Tweet. If you are twittering (and who isn’t? our town has a tweetstream!) bloggers love a nice tweet or re-tweet. Does all this sound like it’s for the birds? (Couldn’t resist.) Well, what’s great about twitter is the large amount of people you can reach quickly. I have about 3000 followers on twitter. So, if I send out a link on twitter there are potentially 3000 people who might read it! 3000 people who didn’t know about the link until I sent it!
You might not have 3000 followers, but you probably have followers that I do not. So, if you read a fun post, tweet about it!
6. Click Their Ads. Did you know that I can make money if YOU buy new shoes on Amazon? It’s a small percentage, but who doesn’t like getting money in the mail? In the mommy-blogging circle, lots of ads on sidebars are to other small mom-owned companies. When you click (and buy) through a sidebar ad, you could be helping out more than one mama! I’m not suggesting you buy stuff just to buy it–let’s be reasonable! But if you are going to buy Signing Time or Robeez- anyway, or were already planning on shopping via Amazonclick through my a blogger’s site first!
7. Gravatar. (Hmmm…sounds like a movie I once saw…)
This is the globally-recognized-avatar. And all it means is when you leave a comment, you’ll see your own little picture next to your comment! Why do bloggers like this? Well, it helps them recognize YOU. And it makes their blog feel more like a community. I love seeing you smiling face smiling down below my post!
(Gravatar has the best tutorial on setting up your own picture.) I also love Gravatar because you can set up different pictures for every email you own, or put the same one on each!
8. Paypal. Then you can always send them money. KIDDING. (But I do think Once A Month Mom should have a donation button on her menu posts. She’s like having a personal grocery assistant!)
9. Comment. Did I mention comments are like crack?
10. Get Involved. The highest compliment you can pay a blogger is by getting involved. Every blogger loves to see people become a part of their community. So start considering your favorite blogger a friend. Show them you care by making them apart of your online world and who knows, you may get a new best friend!
Are you a blogger? What makes your day?
Next week’s Top Ten list: How To Make Your READERS Happy
:: :: ::
Speaking of getting involved I’d LOVE to hear your Top Ten list! Please link up today! For official Top Ten info check out my Top Ten {Tuesday} page!
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March 16th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Aaah! My link is messed up! Can you delete mine so I can post the correct link?
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 10:01 am:
Yup. Doing it now!
a
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Twitter: DiaperDiaries
March 16th, 2010 at 10:03 am
How odd that you would have 2 unread posts of mine in your reader. I would think you would want to read such brilliance the minute you see it. Just sayin
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 12:32 pm:
I save yours all week so I can get drunk on your brilliance!
a
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Twitter: itscome2this
March 16th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Jill- I saw the same thing (as I was looking for my feed in her reader – ha!).
Great list Amanda! I’m having major issues with gravatar though:( I had it at one point but now it’s not showing my pic anymore. Apparently I used a different pword & I’ve requested it no less than half a dozen times but it’s never sent!! *sigh*
mandi@itscome2this.com´s last blog ..Top ten kid-friendly places to eat
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 12:33 pm:
Mandi, your feed is under IRL…you cannot even imagine how many folders I have in that feed reader…
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March 16th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Great list. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll go tweet and stumble this now…
amber´s last blog ..A Visit With A Little Green Monster.
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 12:34 pm:
Woot! Thanks.
a
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March 16th, 2010 at 10:10 am
[...] more Top Ten Tuesday go to OhAmanda.com. She’s had some good lists linked up [...]
Twitter: amyjbennett
March 16th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Read every word
Loved it too, definitely would make me happy!
Amy´s last blog ..A Walk with God – In Hardback
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March 16th, 2010 at 10:24 am
I read EVERY WORD!
Need to work on the Gravatar…I have one on some blogs but not others…hmmm..one day I’ll look into it.
I’m stumbling this and linking it on Saturday Stumbles!
Christine´s last blog ..Do you know what your strengths are?
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March 16th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Great list! Definitely all things that make us all so happy!!
AmazingGreis´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday} – Random News
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March 16th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I like crack too, um, I mean, comments!
Deanne´s last blog ..Muerte
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March 16th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Oh do I suck at comments. I am a feed reader ho though – does that help?
Kat´s last blog ..top ten tuesday – beauty must haves
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Twitter: vanderbiltwife
March 16th, 2010 at 11:45 am
I read every word you’ve written for the last two years plus!! Love you SO much!
I am so embarrassed that I didn’t figure out Gravatar until a month ago. HUMILIATION! I’d like to add that for those of us with Blogger, PLEASE add a picture to your Blogger profile and make your e-mail public so we can see your pretty faces and respond to your comments!!
Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 12:36 pm:
Yes! GREAT TIPS. I forgot about the Blogger profiles!
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March 16th, 2010 at 11:47 am
WELL WRITTEN, and oh-so true. Keep up the good work and getting these messages out there.
Patti at Worth The Whisk´s last blog ..diag_stripe
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March 16th, 2010 at 11:56 am
THIS IS WHAT I NEED! This is what I was so hoping to find at Blissdom, but didn’t. “Blogging for Dummies”! I am the biggest “dummie” of all so I literally want to print off this post and check off each thing as I do them
Thank OH wise one, OH great one, OH queen of blogs, OH bestie
Staci Brown´s last blog ..Friday Favorites – Fonts
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 12:36 pm:
OH my lord. LOL. I just thought of #11. Have a great friend like Staci and then you’ll feel like an awesome blogger!
a
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March 16th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Comments make my day, without a doubt. I don’t get many, but weirdly, the posts that I expect to get the most comments never do and the ones I think are boring get the most.
Gina´s last blog ..Playing Favorites
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 12:37 pm:
You never can tell. If you just fish for them (ie. THIS POST) you apparently get a lot.
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Twitter: FrugalAlly
March 16th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I try to leave comments often….but I want them to be quality comments…but I stumble like it’s nobody’s business! Never thought to comment and say that I’ve read every word and loved it! But I did and I do.
Keep ‘em coming
Ally´s last blog ..Cheap Ways to Childproof Your House
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Twitter: notdiyheather
March 16th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Great post, Amanda! I definitely need to learn more about Stumble Upon. In fact, my post today is things I want to learn.
Heather @ Not a DIY Life´s last blog ..Mamavation Week #11
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Twitter: Alli_n_Son
March 16th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Subscribers, comments and emails from readers are my favorite things. I almost always comment on every post I’ve read. Let’s the blogger know that someone out there is listening.
Allison´s last blog ..Is This the End or the Beginning? (SAHM Series)
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March 16th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Excellent list! I never use Stumble Upon, but maybe I should!
Karen Sanders´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday! (Is it weird that almost every day of the week has a title?!)
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March 16th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Yes, yes, and YES! I’ve heard of stumbleupon but have never used it. I’ll have to check it out. When you’re an unknown blogger like me every little bit of advice helps. I”m still surprised I have 70 fans of my FB page! Granted, most of them are friends and family but I’ve gotten 3 people become a fan that I don’t know! So, seriously, I’m trying to learn Re-tweeting etiquette. I see it happen all the time. I’m not a huge retweeter but I’m getting better at it. I click the retweet button but see a lot of people do the whole RT @ someone thing. Is the RT thing better than just clicking “retweet”? and I what if their tweet is too long to put RT in front of? I’ve put “please RT” on my tweets before and they seldom get retweeted so that can get discouraging.
Anyway, great top ten as usual!
p.s Thanks for fixin’ my link!
Melissa@SimplyMel´s last blog ..Top Ten Favorite Children’s Shows
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 8:45 pm:
If someone tweets something you like just click the RETWEET button. It should automatically put RT for you. If their tweet is too long just edit to keep the idea. No one minds–they’d rather have the RT than the exact wording!
Some people don’t like to RT b/c think it looks messy. So they’ll just re-write the tweet and say (via @soandso) or (HT to @soandso).
And the “please RT?”…I’m too embarrassed, so I’ve never done it!
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Twitter: apichea
March 16th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Comments and RTs make my day!
I love knowing that somebody out there actually reads my stuff and thinks enough of it to let others know! It’s the ultimate high-five!
Ashley´s last blog ..Back to SCHOOL!!!
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March 16th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
I always wondered what Stumble was.. thanks! Going to make a gravatar! Neat-o
Naomi´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday: New Baby Tips
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March 16th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
[...] check out more Top Ten Tuesday at ohamanda.com! addthis_url = [...]
March 16th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
We’re new bloggers and love to see that people are VISITING our blog! haha The days we get more than 5 hits are really good days.
Katie´s last blog ..I don’t just steal from Amanda.
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Twitter: thevioletfig
March 16th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Ok- question for you- how do you get that little “share here and enjoy” part at the end of your post?
Becky´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday
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oh amanda
Twitter: oohamanda
reply on March 16th, 2010 8:49 pm:
It’s a wordpress plug-in called sociable. I’m sure there is a blogger equivalent. But I don’t know about it…
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March 16th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
You hit all the nails on the head! comments are like crack, that is for sure!
Qtpies7´s last blog ..The Perfect Night In
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March 16th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
This is AWESOME Amanda!! I love this!! And, well I’m a rebel. I only did 9. Couldn’t think of a tenth
Real Life Sarah´s last blog ..9 Readers Digest Headlines You Can’t Live Without
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March 16th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
[...] you leave a comment, go Check out OhAmanda’s Top Ten Tuesday! She has an awesome article on 10 Things You Can Do Make a Blogger … Tweet This [...]
Twitter: theothermama
March 16th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Every single word was fab-o. And I love you.
So sorry I didn’t link up this week. This is spring break for us and my children have sucked all my brain cells.
If you find something clogging up your vaccuum, it could be them.
Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..Mad Libs Wannabe
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March 16th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Thanks for linking to my Facebook Fan Page. I think I should hang my head in shame now since I didn’t get a Top Ten Tuesday up this week. I have next week’s almost written though!
Tricia (Once A Month Mom)´s last blog ..Sauteed Vegetable Medley
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March 17th, 2010 at 12:06 am
I love love love – pink puffy heart love comments oh and a subscribe will send me flying high! Thanks to those who do both!
Alyssa´s last blog ..Being Frugal Takes Some Creativity
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March 17th, 2010 at 1:28 am
And readers love humor and informative posts! This is one of them. Thanks Amanda!
Adventure Mom Janna´s last blog ..10 Habits of Successful Parents
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March 17th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Great post. Gonna link to it for my readers. Thanks!
jubilee´s last blog ..
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Twitter: AliciasTweeting
March 17th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Of course, after reading this, I had to comment.
And I think I’ll subscribe. I’m a new blogger, and just figuring out things like feeds, buttons, twitter, and so on. A new world.
Did I ever tell you that because I came across your site and clicked on a link to Home Sanctuary that my house is tons cleaner due to minimum maintenance? THANKS!
~Alicia
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March 17th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I am so late coming to this party, but this is fabulous! I need my hubby to read this to understand I’m not the only person who loves these things – especially the comments!
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March 17th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
You have such great ideas for blogging. I remember a previous post about commenting from Google reader. Go you!
Holly at Tropic of Mom´s last blog ..Dating my husband
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March 18th, 2010 at 3:52 am
I DID read every word – promise!
Just recently started following you – can’t remember how I found you.
Happy St Patrick’s Day (just one day late!) from N Ireland
Janmary, N Ireland´s last blog ..St Patricks Day Blogging Carnival 2010
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March 18th, 2010 at 10:21 am
read it all and will probably re-read…great tips!
Maria´s last blog ..Black and Gold to the Superbowl
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March 18th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
thanks for this!
Aly
http://www.alittlegreat.com
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March 19th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I love it!! Well put
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March 20th, 2010 at 12:41 am
[...] Top 10 ways to keep a Blogger Happy @ Oh Amanda– Mainly focuses on using social media. A great list and definitely worth a bookmark! [...]
March 20th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I read every word.
I so agree…comments are crack. Great list, thanks for writing….
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March 21st, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Yes; everything on this list is so true! I wish people would leave more comments on my blog. They read because they will tell me on Twitter or if I run into them on person, but I don’t really know that unless they read my blog.
Funkidivagirl´s last blog ..A Rant: Stop Texting And Look At Me When I’m Talking To You
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March 22nd, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Just wanted to be your crack provider today! Great post. I am still figuring out twitter but love google reader! Oh, and I always comment when there is a link love thingy with the comment.
Christy´s last blog ..Tightening the Belt
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March 23rd, 2010 at 8:59 am
[...] you so much for all the great response to How To Make A Blogger Happy last week! This week is Part [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Great. Now i can say thank you
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