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Create a preventive maintenance schedule for your home this spring! A home maintenance checklist will help you keep your home safe and improve its value. Thank you First Alert for sponsoring this post. Help protect your home and family with voice and location alarms from First Alert! When I built my home three years ago, I thought moving into a… Read More
Hey there busy mom! Whether you’re at work, at home or you work at home, Trello’s flexible design will skyrocket your productivity. I’m sharing the basics of getting started with Trello. Did you miss my love letter to Trello last week? PEOPLE. Trello is truly a magical thing. You can pop over to my original post, where I shared why… Read More
Have you tried every planner on the planet in an effort to organize? It’s time to stop wasting money and organize your entire life with Trello – the productivity tool, for planning your dreams. I am a sucker for a pretty paper planner. For several years I ordered a planner from Emily Ley’s pretty collection, before adopting this super basic,… Read More
Learn how to get the most out of a blogger conference and make more money, with 20 great actionable tips. Snap Conference is right around the corner and I am busy with last minute prep. For the first time in years, I am planning to participate as an attendee just as much as the organizer. As I make my plans,… Read More
No matter how well crafted your pitch is, it will get nowhere if you send it to the wrong person. Learn how to connect with brands on Twitter. One of the big “debates” among bloggers in the creative lifestyle niche is wether or not maintaining a Twitter presence is necessary. Despite the changes to Twitter’s relevance in the blogosphere, I maintain… Read More
Learn how to use emojis on a Mac keyboard. When I have something to say and only a phone to say it, my fingers can really fly. And when I say fly, I mean I can text about half as fast as I can type. #fatfingers I spend a fair amount of my work day scrolling Instagram, checking Twitter, popping in… Read More
Blogger burnout. It’s a thing (it’s even been covered by the New York Times). And, while the phrase is bandied about by people both in and out of the industry, no one really talks about overcoming blogger burnout. Left unchecked burnout is a very serious problem, which can result in even the most dedicated, successful bloggers shuttering a perfectly fine business. Bloggers work hard…. Read More
Today I am going to share a quick tutorial on how to embed an Instagram post on a blog or web post. I love having the ability to tie all of my publishing platforms together. It makes for a more cohesive conversation. While it’s easy to simply text link from account to account, the story is so much more clear when you… Read More
“So, tell me a little bit about yourself.” It’s an oft-used phrase that strikes fear into the heart of the bravest of souls. However, the 30 seconds following the invitation to share are powerful and can open multiple doors. I learned a lot in my 15+ years working in PR, but quite possibly the best take away was mastering the… Read More
There’s a misperception that the best brand works comes to those who wait. Well, it doesn’t. The best brand work comes to those who hustle. If you don’t create great opportunities for yourself, it’s pretty unlikely that magic is going to come knocking on your door. I know that it’s a little scary. Maybe you’re afraid you’re not quite good… Read More
Selecting a web host is confusing. There are literally hundreds of hosts – from small mom-and-pop shops like Orange Geek to national operations like GoDaddy, HostGator and BlueHost. (For the record? Bigger IS NOT always better.) These hosts offer an array of hosting plans that can range in price from $3-300 a month. With so many options how does a creative… Read More
I signed up for my personal Instagram account nearly six years ago, immediately following the first annual Snap Conference. About a year later, I started the Snap account. While a tool called Fotogramme and a variety of scheduling tools have helped me to manage the two accounts I own, along with several client accounts, it’s been rough. I was thrilled to learn that Instagram… Read More
Each January the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) hosts a tradeshow for industry buyers. The show features the latest and greatest in craft products, typically before they show up in stores. If you’re following me on Facebook or Instagram, you might have seen a preview of some of the fun items I came across last week at the 2016 show. Today… Read More
Each year trend setters in the design industry eagerly await Pantone’s Color of the Year announcement. In the recent past bright, bold hues have taken center stage… Pantone Color of the Year This year, Pantone has taken a far different direction with far lighter, more muted colors. It’s also the first time the company is focusing on not one, but two… Read More
Whether your interest in color is based in simple inspiration or a desire to track trends, we’ve rounded up eight online color resources to help you out. Eight Online Color Resources Pantone. Pantone is nearly synonymous with color. For more than 50 years, Pantone has provided color matching services and color intelligence reports. Each year, the company causes a stir in the creative… Read More
It’s no secret that music can change your mood, recharge your spirit and motivate you to go and do. Here are 10 great girl power songs to get you on your way in 2016! Girl Power Playlist Listen to the full playlist on YouTube | Spotify Alicia Keys – Girl on Fire Rachel Platten – Fight Song Sara Bareilles –… Read More
This time of year the sound of the delivery truck has me heading for the door faster than a kid running out after the ice cream truck on a hot day… Hi. My name is Tauni. I am addicted to online shopping. I mean, hello. Shopping AT HOME, in my PJS, HOT CHOCOLATE in hand? Amazing. As you can imagine,… Read More
There are few conversations among bloggers and small business owners more heated than those about Facebook engagement, like generation and reach. Frequent changes to “like” generation, giveaway rules, engagement and the algorithm have chased some entrepreneurs away entirely and few are still focused on an increase Facebook Page likes. Despite all that I have remained and continue to invest in my… Read More
Why Blog for Good? I am crazy loyal to companies who do good. All things being equal I will always do business with a company that stands for something beyond profits. How about you? Recently I learned that Hefty trash bags support Box Tops for Education. Hefty is the only trash bag that supports Box Tops for Education and when… Read More
This post contains affiliate links. Just the other day I was ruminating about blogging’s place in the world and mentioned that a new blog is created every second of every day…The truth of the matter is that some blogs end as quickly as they begin, BUT for those that stay connected? There is influence. Real influence. Every day bloggers are… Read More
A new blog is created every second of every day. Now I am no mathematician, but even with my rudimentary skills I can tell you that’s a heck of a lot of sites. At the same time, prominent bloggers like Young House Love and mom blog royalty, Dooce, are are leaving the industry. It’s no surprise one of the most common questions… Read More
Every once in a while an account shutdown occurs that sends ripples throughout the online community. You’ve probably heard horror stories – a Blogger site is deleted, a Facebook Page disappears, an AdSense account is closed with no warning. The truly scary thing is, these corporations are so large there is often a “zero tolerance” policy in place and gleaning… Read More
This post contains affiliate links. The Amazon Associate Program was the very first tool I used to monetize my blog. I am glad I started early. I’ve had years to populate my site with affiliate links. Some of those links didn’t necessarily convert well early on, but as my blog has grown and as older posts have gone viral those… Read More
Being a blogger is hard work…I mean, who else has to face the judgement of neighbors shaking their head over “Funkins” on the porch in August and a Christmas tree deliveries in early October. Seriously. It’s rough. Fortunately a blogging break is right around the corner. Wait. What?! You haven’t scheduled a blog break in December? Well, the good news… Read More
About a year ago, I was locked out of my Facebook account. I couldn’t log in to loose time scrolling through the hundreds of posts shared by friends and co-workers. I couldn’t schedule sponsored posts. In fact, my entire page disappeared for a day. It was likely more awful than you can imagine. The horror was caused by a hacker,… Read More
I have a hand in managing more than 10 Instagram accounts. Yeah…It can get a bit hectic. One of the most difficult things about managing so many accounts is the time it takes to sign in and out so that I can leave comments and/or respond with the right handle. Fortunately, there’s an app for that. Let me tell you… Read More
I started blogging in 2007. Over the last eight years, I’ve amassed a ridiculous number of photos. I am constantly snapping quick pics on my iPhone, shooting images for a blog post and, more recently, I’ve added a pretty hefty catalog of videos saved from my daily chats on Periscope. The problem? Photos everywhere – they were saved on my computer,… Read More
Oh man. Before I dive into why you should attend a conference, let’s address the elephant in the room here…I own Snap – a conference for craft and DIY bloggers and creative entrepreneurs. In fact tickets for our 2016 event go on sale in two and a half weeks! Wowzers. You might wonder how I can reasonably address this topic… Read More
While I believe real-time posting on Instagram is best, I couldn’t make it through the week without the help of a scheduling tool. Scheduling posts ensures that I never “miss” an important deadline or post due to internet access and activity. It keeps me active and it forces me to be more deliberate about what I post. I currently schedule… Read More
Hi everyone! My name is Kim Byers of The Celebration Shoppe and I’m so thrilled to be here to share my 2015 “WORD” of the year! Let’s start with a bit about who I am. In addition to being a writer, craft and food stylist, creative director of a party and craft supplies line (coming soon!) and photographer, I’m also… Read More
I’m Carolina Moore, the creative mind behind the sites 30 Minute Crafts and Always Expect Moore. I live in Las Vegas with my husband and two little boys, and am known for fast crafts, fun quilts, and working too much. It didn’t take me long to decide what my 2015 word of the year was going to be. One word… Read More
Hello! I’m liZ evans, one of the two Elizabeth Evans that blog together over at Simple Simon and Company. We are two girls who married brothers and ended up with the exact same name. Aside from sharing a name we also are the same age, have the same number of children, and are both former school teachers. We both love… Read More
Hello everyone! My name’s Rebecca and I blog over at Simple as That. I’m super excited to be a part of this #onewordchallenge that Tauni has put together and to pop in and share my 2015 word with you all! I love choosing a word to center my thoughts, goals and hopes around for the year ahead. This year I… Read More
Well, hello! I’m Jordan, from FunCheapOrFree.com. I’m a wife, mom, and advocate of kitchen dance parties. FCF is a lifestyle, parenting, and frugal living blog that is probably more fun than it should be. I am so excited to be part of this one word challenge. I’m a huge believer in having a defined vision for your life. If you… Read More
Hi! I’m Holly from Paisley Petal Events and I’m excited to share my one little word for 2015. I’ll be honest and let you know that I’ve never had a word for the year like many others have, mostly because I’m not very good at making resolutions and actually sticking with them and I wasn’t sure choosing a word would… Read More
Hi, Snap friends! My name is Emily and I’m the woman behind is this REALLY my life? where I share my favorite recipes (mostly of the sweet kind like these cookie dough pretzel bites) with local happenings, product reviews and some humor thrown in for good measure. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my One Word Goal with… Read More
My name is Wendy Hyde, I am a Utah interior designer and I blog about interior design, decor and DIY at The Shabby Nest. I have been writing The Shabby Nest since 2008. In 2011, it was chosen by Country Living Magazine as the best design blog of the year in their Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards. My first book, Decorating… Read More
Hi there! I’m Amy from the blogs Mod Podge Rocks and DIY Candy – and pleased to be here to share my “One Word” with you today. I love this challenge . . . seriously. It makes you think. It’s actually difficult, at least for me, to reflect on the past year and think about what I want for 2015…. Read More
Hi Snap readers! I’m Jen and from Tatertots & Jello, where I share DIY decor ideas and projects every day. I’m excited to be part of the Every year I choose a word to help me grow, and this year I’ve chosen the word “HAPPY.” I chose “happy” to help me live in the moment and to find joy in… Read More
Hi there SNAP fans, my name is Melissa Mortenson and I’m the girl behind the Polka Dot Chair Blog. I’m excited to be sharing my One Word with you today. Mostly because there is a level of accountability that comes from sharing this kind of thing with the world. Two years ago my word was DO, and I shared about… Read More
Hello there! And welcome to 2015! My name is Beckie and I blog over at Infarrantly Creative. I am a wife and mom to two little people and just moved in late August to Columbus, Ohio. I am really excited about this ONE WORD CHALLENGE. Like Tauni, I am incredibly goal-oriented and I love evaluating in order to bring about… Read More
Oh goodness. It’s been so much fun to read all of the amazing posts that have been shared as part of our One Word Challenge! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate both the participation of all the ladies who’ve been sharing the words they’ve selected as a part of this series. They have been very generous with their… Read More
Hello! I’m Becky one of the Crafting Chicks! We love to craft and create things that will help us with everyday life. From free printables and home decor, to kids crafts and recipes, we seem to have it all. I’m so happy to be here on Snap telling you all about my One Word for 2015. I love this idea… Read More
Hello Snap readers! My name is Laura and I blog over at Laura’s Crafty Life. There you will find craft tutorials, DIY projects and tips on getting your home and life organized. I am so happy to be here sharing my one word goal for 2015! My word for 2015 is ‘Create’. This may seem like a strange word to… Read More
Hi Everyone – I’m Mandy and I blog at Sugar Bee Crafts and I absolutely LOVE the SNAP Conference and SNAP Creativity – I’m excited to be part of this One Word Goal Series. I love hearing about what other people are focusing on, and gaining new insight and ideas and motivation for myself. I feel like my life has… Read More
Hi! I’m Angel with FleeceFun.com. My website features free sewing patterns and fun DIY tutorials. I love the idea of having a word as guiding point or compass for the year. 2014 was a good year for me (I took control of my health and lost 30 pounds) and I can’t wait to see what 2015 will bring! My word… Read More
Hi Snap readers! I’m Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage and I’m uber excited to be here on the Snap blog! I love the Snap Conference, and as a two time speaker, I can tell you it’s one of the best experiences you can have as a blogger. It’s fun and loving and totally my vibe, so when Tauni asked… Read More
Hello friends! My name is Cheryl and I live over at That’s What Che Said. As you can see from my photo above, I am a mom of THREE BOYS! My oldest is 8, my second is 4 and my newest addition, who I refer to as Spangenbaby, joined us in July of 2014. I am honored to be here… Read More
Hello! My name is Heidi and I blog at Honeybear Lane. I usually blog about DIY, crafts, and other things like that but today I want to take a minute to talk a little bit about myself. I’m not gonna lie, 2014 was one of my most challenging years. We built a new house, my husband got a new, incredibly… Read More
Good morning!! My name is Sarah, and I blog over at Bombshell Bling. I blog about all things colorful, crafty, sinfully tasty, and, of course, BLINGY! Occasionally I also get overly personal, which I suspect I am about to do here . . . 😉 I am so pumped that Tauni asked me to be a part of her One… Read More
My name is Stacy and I blog over at Not Just A Housewife. I have given it a lot of thought and I have finally decided that my word of the year is going to to be Perspective. I love this because it has multiple meanings to me. I don’t naturally keep the “big picture” in mind all the time…. Read More
Hi all! Katie here from Sweet Rose Studio and I am so honored to be asked by Tauni to share my one word that I’ll use as my compass this year. In 2015, I chose to embrace the word Joy. I’ve found in the past few years that it’s so easy to get wrapped in the negativity and mundane tasks… Read More
My name is Amy Smart and I love to sew in general, but I’m especially partial to designing and sewing quilts. You can visit me at Diary of a Quilter – and if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to learn to make a quilt, then I can help you! I don’t know if you ever feel this way,… Read More
Hi. I’m kimbo! I blog at a girl and a glue gun. AND daily craft vinyl. AND a mom to three. AND a house cleaner. AND a cook. AND a chauffeur. AND a maid. AND a wife. AND a churchgoer. AND a sister. AND a friend. AND I could go on. and on and on. That’s why I chose BALANCE… Read More
Hey Snap readers! Nat here, half of the crazy sister duo at My Sister’s Suitcase. I’m excited to share my word for the new year and how I plan to incorporate it into my daily life. The word I have chosen for 2015 is very simple. Today. This year I am trying to focus on what’s most important and what… Read More
Hi! I’m Mindy from Creative Juice. I’m a cookbook author, blogger, party stylist and Macaron fanatic. My word for this challenge is HOPE. I have chosen the word hope because this year I will embrace it. In all of its messy glory. As much as this word inspires, there is also an undertone of uncertainty and frailty that accompanies this… Read More
Hi! I’m Ruthie from Cooking with Ruthie.com I’m a mom to 3 kids and 2 dogs, a food lover, a gardener, and an occasional DIY/crafter. I grew up in the kitchen cooking with my Mom and Gram, I developed my love of cooking from them. I’m excited to be apart of the One Word Goal Challenge 2015. I shared some… Read More
Hi! I am Donna, from Funky Junk Interiors. I was asked by Tauni to come up with one word I could live by for 2014. My word… always the first word… that comes to mind, is most definitely BELIEVE. For a reason. I worked in a day job for 22 years that I fell out of love with. Things just… Read More
Hi Snap readers! I’m Melissa from A Prudent Life and I’m so thrilled to be here sharing my One Word with you! Although most of my projects revolve around my home in the form of decor and organizing, my full tagline is “Inspirations for Home & Life.” I love sharing things I’ve found that make my life easier and more… Read More
Happy New Year! It’s me, McKenzie from Girl Loves Glam here and I am really happy to share my word for 2015! I am always inspired by other blogger when they share their goals each year and I truly hope that I can help light the fire within you to strive to be your very best self. The word that I… Read More
Ahhh. January 1. It’s that time of year again. New Year’s Resolutions, big goals, coupled with big expectations… I feel so inspired and determined when setting goals, but feel frustrated and defeated when they are challenged and/or not met. Anyone with me? A couple of years ago, my friend Lara invited me to create a one word goal for the year. Selecting a central… Read More
Friends, let’s chat for a minute. I know many of you are disheartened with Facebook. You’re frustrated with what you are seeing, and even more importantly, what you are not seeing. Some of you are threatening to leave…Will you hang in there with me for a bit longer? Facebook Interest Lists If you’ve “Liked” a fan page, but you notice… Read More
The cool air, the peppermint and pumpkin products galore; wrapping paper and décor line the store shelves. Do you know what that means? The holiday season is upon us. And of course coming in a close second to the holidays is a SNAP! Chat Twitter Party. And you aren’t going to want to miss our Share The Joy Twitter Party… Read More
Facebook is a powerful tool for connecting with friends, family and even at times strangers, but did you know that 600,000 Facebook accounts are hacked every day?! While that’s a relatively small percentage of overall users, odds are, it could happen to you. One of the best ways you can prevent a hack or possibly even catch a stalker is… Read More
It’s that special time of year. Leaves are starting to change colors. There is a slight chill in the air. And sweaters are on all the store shelves. You know what that means??? It’s TAILGATING season. That is why we are so excited to team up with our friends at Homes.com and ForRent.com to host the tailgating #HomeChat Twitter… Read More
Typically when I hop onto Facebook, I am actually after something specific for work. I don’t often have time to leisurely scroll through my newsfeed…If something interesting catches my eye, I’ve found it’s far more effective to “save for later,” than stop to read the entire piece. Today I am going to show you how simple it is to save… Read More
Do you love fonts like me?? Today I am going to show you how to download fonts onto your computer. This is a pretty basic but I get several questions about it so I thought a tutorial was in order! I have a huge collection of fonts and they are so fun to use in all of my designing projects!… Read More
I am experiencing a bit of a lifestyle overhaul…I wish I could say the changes were part of a self-imposed refocus, but that would be a lie. It’s a bit more forced than that. Currently, I am on a doctor-ordered elimination diet to help determine which foods I may have an intolerance to. What does that mean? I don’t get… Read More
Now that we are officially knee deep in summer, most bloggers aren’t going to want to be trapped behind their laptops all day long. You likely have kids home on summer break, or weddings and reunions to attend, or maybe you just want to spend more time in the sunshine than on your couch. Unfortunately, the workload doesn’t disappear when… Read More
Hi ladies! Kendra from Key Lime Digital Designs here to share another fun blogging tip with you! Have you ever wondered what people are actually pinning from your blog? Today I’m going to show you how to see what images are being pinned the most from your posts! You can find out whats being pinned plus lots of information about your pins… Read More
It’s nearly summer and with that comes a bright, sunny, and fresh view of the world. Why not make your furniture match your cheery summer disposition? Exactly…why not??? That is why we are so excited our SNAP! Conference sponsor DecoArt is joining us for this weeks #ChalkyFinish Twitter party where we will be chatting about furniture and home decor updates and makeovers. You don’t have… Read More
I came home from my first SNAP! Conference with so much information to digest and evaluate. One of the sessions that really hit a chord for me was the storytelling session led by Karianne of Thistlewood Farms, Vanessa of At the Picket Fence, and Vivienne of The V Spot. The session was a reminder to me that, while I am… Read More
Can you believe it will be summer next month? The kids will be starting to get out of school…which means its all vacations and endless pool days, right? Or it means that we have a lot more hours in the day to get things done and to stay entertained. Hopefully it’s a glorious mixture of both. Now is the perfect… Read More
Hi Blogger users! Today I am going to show you how to offer a free printable with your blog readers. If you are using wordpress you’re gonna want to check out this post. Free printables are a great way to give something back to your readers! It can be printable wall art, party decor, gifts, cards or holiday decor! The possibilities are… Read More
In the quest to get the perfect photos, a lot of people stress over backgrounds. I see why- but I am going to let a big, huge secret out of the bag. I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to my backgrounds. In fact, most of the backgrounds I use for blog photography are objects around my house- my… Read More
Keeping an up to date blog is a lot of work. It takes a lot of planning. Staying organized is important and can help you reach your monthly blogging goals. I have to admit that blog planning not one of my strong points. I hope that these weekly and monthly blog planner printables will help motivate me to update my… Read More
A writer for one of my favorite TV shows, Parks and Recreation, coined a new term last year: “humble brag.” Have you heard it? A person is humble bragging when he or she tempers an obviously boastful sentiment with false modesty. Here’s a perfect example from Joe Jonas: “”Totally walked down the wrong escalator at the airport from the flashes… Read More
Who doesn’t love a splash of color? It’s the perfect way to brighten up a dreary room, revitalize your outdoor space, or just bring a smile to your face. That is why we are teaming up with SNAP! Conference sponsor Rust-Oleum for our #ForTheLoveOfColor Twitter party. We are going to chat about all the transformations you can make with color. The Sponsor… Read More
Today I am going to show you my new favorite plugin! The plugin is called AddThis Smart Layers and its main job is to help increase your blog pageview and engagement! We like pageviews right? (wink!) The plugin is called AddThis Smart Layers. This plugin has several different options including share buttons, follow buttons, and my favorite the “What’s Next”… Read More
The #1 question of all time I get when talking about DSLR’s is “I am going to xyz place…. what lenses should I bring?”. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to haul around a camera bag larger than a suitcase when on vacation. Especially if you are at a conference where you will be shaking hands, grabbing swag, eating… Read More
The flowers are blooming and you know what that means…it’s springtime. With springs brings all sorts of amazing project ideas and opportunities. Now you can come share your projects, ideas, and get inspired during our #SpringCrafts Twitter party with our friends at Scotch (R) Brand. The Sponsor You know Scotch(R) Brand for their amazing products for crafting, office, and home (and let’s be honest much… Read More
One of the biggest frustrations bloggers and photographers face is lighting. It can be tricky to get the subject of a photograph to look radiant, have their colors stand out and shine, and illuminate details effortlessly in front of a camera’s lens. Luckily, I have a fabulous quick, free trick to brighter photos – all you have to do… Read More
Even seasoned writers go through creative droughts and bouts of writer’s block. It’s understandable that bloggers who are churning out content day after day will need to replenish their idea wells now and again. Creative bloggers have it doubly bad. If we are out of projects and we can’t think of anything to write about, it can be especially discouraging…. Read More
Spring is in the air and that can only mean one thing for many of you…time to spruce up the house. Maybe you are going to paint the coffee table. Apply a decorative finish to your kitchen wall. Or maybe you are going to completely renovate a room. Whatever your project, it’s the perfect time of year to get started. That… Read More
Hi there! Earlier in January I wrote a post How to Embed a Pinterest Board on Your Blog. At the time the post was specifically for WordPress Users (and Genesis Theme users). But today I am happy to share that the Pinterest Widget Builder page has changed and now ALL Blogger and WordPress Users can easily (we are talking copy and… Read More
Branding your blog is exciting and scary all at the same time. You need to do some intense introspection to decide what it is that your blog is about — what YOU are about. Every aspect of your blog should be influenced by the characteristics of your brand: your projects, your photos, your blog design, and your writing. Clear branding… Read More
Hi there girls! Okay today’s tutorial seems a little silly because it is so straightforward but because it is so simple I think it gets overlooked by bloggers. Today we are talking about having text links on your blog open in a new window/tab. When someone is reading your blog and they click on a link they are being taken… Read More
I LOVE my 50mm lens. It allows me to photograph things in low light, it creates a wonderful, softly blurred background that is perfect for craft and food shots, and it was really inexpensive (as far as lenses go). The only negative thing I hear constantly from bloggers using a fixed point lens like a 50mm is that they… Read More
In the age of Pinterest and Facebook, gorgeous photography and attention-grabbing graphics pull more new visitors to your blog than ever before. Unfortunately, too many of those opportunities become one and done visits, instead of translating into long-term readership. While visuals are an invaluable way to get your foot in the door, well-crafted writing can get you invited inside for… Read More
Hi there friends! Ready for a fun and easy tutorial today! Today I am going to show you how to Embed a Pinterest Board on your WordPress blog. Fun right!? You can embed a board to a post or into the sidebar. If you want to see a live example you can see one on my blog. I have several… Read More
Do you ever wonder how to get great images on your camera where the background is blurry? Want to take a photo indoors but the light is too low? Then you need to learn all about aperture for bloggers! Aperture is the opening size that your camera’s lens lets light in with. What is Aperture? This post will help you… Read More
Hi WordPress users! Today I am going to show you how to offer a free printable on WordPress with your blog readers. As a blogger a great way to gain traffic and give back to your readers is with a free printable! It could be a free printable party decor, holiday tag, invitations, wall art, game, kids coloring page, etc……. Read More
Hello friends. Have you decked the halls yet for Christmas? I am almost finished. Today I am sharing my DIY Nutcracker Silhouette Wall Art with you. I made these for my son since he begs every year for a new nutcracker. I’m not a huge fan of the traditional nutcrackers, so this was my compromise. I love how they turned… Read More
Editor’s note: I am so excited to introduce you to Courtney, from Sweet C’s Designs, who’s joining me here at Snap as a regular contributor. Courtney’s site is full of amazing crafts and DIY projects and recipes, but around here she will be sharing her AMAZING photography skills! Please show her your love. xoxo Tauni Hi everyone! I’m Courtney, from Sweet C’s… Read More
Looking to start a new blog? Let’s talk about how to pick the perfect blog name. Selecting a domain name and URL is often an overwhelming, frustrating and exhausting experience. Your name is the one thing that will shape branding, first impressions and the tone of your site for years to come and you want it to be perfect. Do… Read More
In the last year as my websites and SNAP! Conference has grown, I have blown out of my regular office space. And, when I say “blown out,” I mean I’ve got a disaster on my hands. I am the most effective in my space, when things are simplified, organized and where I need them so the disorganization is seriously affecting… Read More
I think it is a pretty safe bet to say that almost all bloggers use social media networks to engage with their readers, which is why it is good to have a set of social media icons on your blog. Typically, social media icons are near the very top of a site either in the header or at the top… Read More
Hey there! Are you ready for a quick and easy tutorial that is going to make your site more pinable? Today I am going to show you how to add a Pinterest hover button in Blogger. Here is an live example >>> Okay here is what you need to do to add the Pinterst Hover Button in Blogger … #1…. Read More
Before SNAP!… Before I started blogging… Before I met Derek an the boys… I was a career girl. I didn’t just work any old job though, I worked in the ultimate pencil skirt and high heel wearing field – public relations. More specifically, I spent my years as a public relations executive working with politicians and sports super stars. At… Read More
Do you know the girls over at Paging Supermom? I love them. Not only that? I pretty much think they are straight-up genius… Recently, I was on the phone with Bettijo lamenting my annoyance with “Pin It” buttons. I love featuring other bloggers work, especially after catching posts they’ve linked up to Show & Tell Wednesday. The problem? Many of… Read More
Hi! Today I have something fun for you guys! A video tutorial! This was my first time making video tutorial, so don’t laugh when I mess up! But I hope this will be a fun new way to learn and hopefully be helpful for you visual learners. As always leave questions and comments in the comment box! How to Upload… Read More
When I was a little girl, I read the Anne of Green Gablesseries by L.M. Montgomery. It was my favorite. I formed an abiding love for Anne’s spirit and her desire to collect like-minded friends, kindred spirits. Though I have few similarities with Anne, outside of the red hair (and perhaps the occasional temper), I do share her love of… Read More
Its been a while since we’ve had a WordPress post! That’s my fault, things have been crazy ever since SNAP! (which by the way was a blast and I loved meeting so many of you!), but I’m back and ready to roll! For this post I wanted to go back to basics a little and talk about the difference between… Read More
I am already fondly referred to as “the paparazzi” at my house, but I ALWAYS feel like I can use more photos of the every day. So this summer, I decided to create some fun photo prompts that would give me a reason to shoot and the kids a reason to smile… The photo prompts I created document everything from the… Read More
Each time I run out of business cards, I hem and haw over the purchase of new ones until I’ve missed the deadline to order anything truly brilliant and am just doing my best to get something, anything, in hand. It’s a vicious cycle really, because I don’t want to order “too many” cards in hopes that the next ones… Read More
A couple of weeks ago, I asked what burning questions you still have about improving your photography. One question that came up multiple times was after you own a nice camera, what tools are most helpful. Today we’ve invited Emilie, one of our SNAP! instructors and owner of Photo by Emilie, to address your question. 5 Tools to Improve Your… Read More
Learning how to take great photos is one of the best thing you can do grow and improve your blog. Since your readers can see or touch your creations in person, great photos communicate a projects value and its most important details. During the next 30-days we will be featuring some fun photo tips and tricks, as well as hosting… Read More
Time for a Blogger tutorial! Who is ready?! Today I am going to walk you through adding horizontal thumbnails of your most recent blog posts. Here is an example :: See the 5 square images? Those link to the 5 most recent posts! And they update automatically! COOL huh?! To add this to your own blog you need to — 1. Go… Read More
Hi, friends! Today I am going to go over a few basics with you including the different parts of a blog. I have also rounded up all the blog “how to” posts for you! Parts of A Blog There are 4 general areas to a blog. The Header, Content Area, Sidebar, and Footer. You can see them below >>> Inside… Read More
UPDATE: An error occurred in the code below when this post was published, it should be correct now. Please leave any problems or questions in the comments. Thanks! So, have you ever been a little frustrated that there isn’t an easy way to change the text size or font when writing a WordPress post? Well, today I’m going to show… Read More
This week, I received a question regarding individual blog conference sponsorship: I read through the SNAP! guidelines for individual sponsorship. I think I understand the guidelines, but what can I offer a company that’s not an official sponsor in exchange for sponsoring me individually? It’s a great question and I thought I would share a few ideas on what bloggers… Read More
One of the most difficult things about being a blogger is providing quality content on a consistent basis. The challenge typically isn’t in coming up with great ideas, but maintaining quality when writing sponsored posts. Today’s guest Alissa is talking about how to maintain the balance by writing a great sponsored brand post. Writing an Authentic Sponsored Post Hi everyone,… Read More
Hi Friends! Today I am going to show you how to customize block quotes in Blogger. First let’s talk about a couple things… What is a block quote? Technically a block quote is used for quoting something or someone. You indent the paragraph when you are quoting a passage or citing. Do block quotes have another purpose? If you ask me, yes!… Read More
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that we would be starting a new blogger advice column. The series will run every Friday. This week, Vivienne from the V Spot is sharing how you can own your happiness (also called, how to prepare for a blog conference). I’m really getting excited for SNAP! Conference! I loved my experience… Read More
Happy Tuesday SNAP readers! I’m excited to start our 2013 WordPress posts talking about plugins. I thought I would change it up a little and do a video tutorial showing you how to install a plugin and specifically how to set up a Pinterest plugin that will showcase your most recent pins on your sidebar. But first, for those that… Read More
I love this time of year. It’s one of the few times where the world around me quiets down enough that I actually have time to sit and think. Reflect. It’s also a time to look forward and plan for the future. I am a list maker so a lot of my reflection and planning ends up in list form—perfect… Read More
Hey there! I hope everyone is enjoying this fresh start in 2013! I am sure many of you, like me, made a few resolutions for growing and improving your blog! If any of those resolutions include goals for your blog design or branding then you are going to love what I have in store today! A really simple way to… Read More
This post is late…nearly 24-hours late, but to be honest I simply couldn’t bring myself to finish it any earlier. Each time I sit down to type, my eyes feel with tears and I am at a complete loss for what to say about the horrible tragedy that occurred in Newton, CT., on Friday. I find myself repeating the thoughts of so… Read More
A few weeks ago Amy showed us a tutorial on How to Truncate Posts in WordPress. Today I want to show you how to do the same thing in Blogger. The process is very similar but I want to go over a few Blogger specific things with you. And if you are wondering what Truncating a Post is, take a look… Read More
Hello SNAP! readers! Are you ready for another fun WordPress tutorial? Today I’m going to show you how to create a navigation bar using WordPress menus and how to set up dropdowns for that navigation bar. On the left side of your dashboard hover over “Appearance” and choose the “Menus” option. Your screen will now look something like this: Enter… Read More
Today we are going to learn how to do something really fun! WordPress users have the options to install plugins and create featured images slides show on their blog. This is not a standard widget that is available as a Blogger user, BUT today I am going to show you how to make an image slider in Blogger. * The original code… Read More
If you stop by often you probably know that in addition to blogging and running SNAP! Conference, I work full-time in public relations and social media. As a result, I have to be extra efficient in terms of how I spend my time online. I rely heavily on applications that help me to schedule posts on various social networks. I… Read More
Hello SNAP readers! I’m excited to be back with another tutorial for WordPress. Today we are going to talk about how to truncate your posts in WordPress… What is Truncating? What does truncating mean? Basically it means to shorten something. So in our case, it would be to shorten a post. Most of the time this is on a home… Read More
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend Sewing Summit, a sewing conference in Salt Lake City, run by my friend Erin. I had such a lovely time, I neglected to take a single photo, but I thought I would share a few take aways, along with my presentation – Tips for a Successful Blog. I learn something at… Read More
I don’t know about you but occasionally I stumble across a new blog and then 20 mins later suddenly realize that I have somehow gotten lost in the bloggers archives, pouring over post after post…. all due to those amazing little ‘Related Post’ Thumbnails at the bottom of their posts. Related Post Thumbnails. They get me every time! Today I… Read More
One of the best things about WordPress is the opportunity it provides for fairly easy customization. Don’t believe me? Here’s the theme my site operates on in its standard form… Here’s my site: Big difference, right?! Amy obviously worked wonders with the framework (thank heaven for a great site designer), but much of the customization and preferences on individual pages… Read More
When I was a kid people used to say, “I tried and tried to call you, but I just couldn’t get through.” Times have changed a great deal, now we have call waiting and EVERYONE has voicemail. Today’s “I tried and tried,” is electronic. I sent you an email, I commented on your site or on Facebook, but you can’t… Read More
Last week I got an email from a blogger asking “What is a favicon? And how do I customize it?” What a perfect question! Today we are going to talk all about how to add a favicon to your blogger site. What is a Favicon? First of all, a favicon is the cute little picture next to your url in… Read More
Today I want to share a few design pointers with you, as well as some blog design resources! Hopefully you will find these tips helpful whether you are paying someone to professionaly design your blog or if you are doing a DIY design. It’s time to make the most out of your blog design! #1. Headers The header is… Read More
If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, you may have noticed that I’ve been doing a bit of speaking/traveling. Most recently, I attended Evo in Park City. While there, I was able to stay in the most fabulous Links Luxury Rentals Arrowhead Penthouse (if you’re traveling to Park City TOTALLY worth the stay)… Seriously friends, this was the view from… Read More
Many of you have asked how to add social icons in your sidebar. Today I am going to show you how! Let’s get started. Here is the example that I am going to use for the tutorial today. We are going to add social icons …. First you will need to make or find the actual images you would like… Read More
Summer, stop! I can hardly believe that we’re already nearing the end of June. Unfortunately, there is no pause button on life and I need to get ready for the weeks ahead… Preparing means doing a little deep thinking on working with brands. Next week I will be speaking about working with brands at both Haven Conference in Atlanta, followed… Read More
Want your blog to end with .com instead of .blogspot? All you need is 5 min., a credit card and you can officially own your own .com! It is really easy. Let me walk you through it… First, login to your blog and click “Settings.” Halfway down the basic settings page you will see an area that says “Publishing.” Click… Read More
A quick tutorial for you today on How To Add A Facebook “Like” Box to Your Blog Sidebar. It is SUPER easy and works for Blogger and WordPress! Yahoo! The first step is to GO to this URL: http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like-box/ Then enter the necessary information for your “like” box… You will need to enter your… Facebook URL The width and eight… Read More
[Instagram logo and paper clipped photos from the Instagram website] Instagram has gone wildly lately! Particularly after it was released for Android phones earlier this week. I love following friends on Instagram and if I had more than an old flip phone without internet I would be all about it! This tutorial is for you lucky ducks who get to… Read More
Hi There! Today I am going to show you how to add a custom signature to the bottom of your Blogger posts. It is really easy and is a fun way to add personality to your blog! First you need to create your signature. You can open up photoshop, paint, gimp, or any other image manipulation program. Create you signature… Read More
With Spring in the air it is only natural for us to feel the need to clean out house, get rid of the winter dust and get everything organized! Have you ever thought about giving your blog a good spring cleaning? I highly recommend it! Schedule a few minutes to take a good look at your blog. Look over your… Read More
Remember when Tauni told us our blog is like a house? Some of us rent and some own, some have a big elegant house, others a cozy cottage. The common denominator between us all??? We all would like a nice home that reflects our style and is welcoming. Right? And don’t we want our blog to feel the same way… Read More
I have had such fun introducing you to our new contributing bloggers this week! Monday you met Holly, our party contributor. She shared the amazing Valentine’s Day Edible Topiary. Then on Tuesday, Kendra shared a great tutorial on how to add threaded comments to Blogger sites. Today I get to introduce you to another friend…I adore her and I think you… Read More
Yesterday new contributor Holly from Paisley Petal events knocked it out of the park with her Valentine’s Day edible topiary. Today, I am excited to introduce you to our second amazing regular contributor and I think you’re going to love her too! Meet Kendra! Kendra is a Hawaii-based digital designer. Her hard work stands as the background and design on… Read More
The other day reader Tiffany Silverberg, a marketing writer, asked on Twitter where I look to identify craft and DIY trends. Though I was able to answer her, 140-characters just didn’t seem adequate so I thought I would expand on the topic just a bit today. Trend spotting is used by professionals to fuel creative potential, identify trends and develop future business ideas…. Read More
Every creative and DIY blogger has their own unique style, right? I’d like to think so…And when it seems like they don’t? Perhaps some have just not found their sweet spot quite yet. When it comes to hot trends in the creative world, sometimes the line between a copy and inspiration can be a bit blurred. Everyone knows what a… Read More
Yesterday I talked a bit about some of my blogging goals for 2012. What I didn’t get into was the detail level. One of the tools I am implementing to help me meet my 2012 goals is an editorial calendar. Have you tried using one? What is an editorial calendar? In case you’re not sure, an editorial calendar is simply… Read More
The movie Field of Dreams came out while I was in junior high. I’ve never been much of a baseball fan, but the movie’s magic or perhaps its most inspirational line “if you build it, he will come,” spoke to me. via YouTube I know I am dating myself here and there will be some of you that have never seen… Read More
We are so excited to have your join our Twitter parties! Many of you are new to Twitter and some of you have never participated in a Twitter party before. Here are a few guidelines, tips and tricks to make this week’s chat totally painless and hopefully FUN! Twitter parties are one big fun (moderated) conversation. Think of it like… Read More
When I wrote about how blogging is like a home, it sparked a firestorm of questions and a bit of a debate behind the scenes about whether Blogger or WordPress was a better blogging platform. Here’s the controversial paragraph: “Remember even an ordinary apartment can look like a million-bucks with a little planning and some style. Though many bloggers have… Read More
Have you noticed that interaction on your Facebook page is down? I have. And then I noticed that I wasn’t receiving YOUR post updates. Initially I couldn’t figure out why and then I found the culprit…Networked Blogs. Let me show you: Beckie was the lucky blogger who’s post showed up today (since I’ve started watching this it’s typically been Heather).Take a… Read More
A couple weeks ago Tauni talked about how your blog is like a house and one of the reasons was the need to redecorate. Sometimes a color is wrong, and sometimes you just want to change the entire design. I definitely understand this feeling, as I just re-designed all of my blogs AND my sister’s blog, because I just couldn’t stand looking at them any… Read More
I’ve been thinking a lot about houses lately. Houses and blogs. And, how blogs are kind of like houses… Bear with me hear for a minute… Have you ever noticed that some spaces never feel right, no matter how they’ve been upgraded, rearranged or remodeled? I think everyone has spent at least a moment or two considering the elusive qualities… Read More
Today I am going to let you know how to figure out if it is time to upgrade your site host. A client recently contacted me because their site was loading REALLY slow and generating script errors. After a little digging it was clear that they were in serious need of a hosting upgrade. The client had no idea that… Read More
What’s creepier skeleton wreaths and spooky Halloween decor or Facebook changes? Well, I updated my Facebook profile to the new Facebook Timeline. I love it. I think. *Update. You will only be able to see Timeline on my page if you have already switched over yourself… Here’s a few reasons I think you might like it too… The layout is gorgeous…. Read More
Bloggers tend to concentrate on site traffic – it’s easy to quantify and report the number of visitors and page views received. However if you talk to the most successful bloggers, many will report that the interaction and loyal nature of their readers is far more important than traffic. Commenting is one of the number one ways bloggers can create… Read More
Last week Heather posed a reader generated question on Crafterminds about commenting. The post generated a fair amount of discussion and really got me thinking about how to encourage readers to comment. Perhaps you’ve noticed that commenting is down? I have. There are a myriad of reasons blog commenting may be down – everything from the growing amount of media… Read More
There is quite a bit of buzz going around about easy ways to increase likes on your Facebook fan page. While I’m not going to get into the more sinister methods, and those who use them, I AM going to tell you a great way to increase them on your own – add an incentive. Back story: I’ve had downloads… Read More
I don’t know about you, but when I first learned about Google Analytics, I sort of became obsessed with my numbers and statistics. I was checking Analytics daily if not more frequently. All of the frenetic checking made me anxious about my blog’s growth, but it also taught me how to get the most out of the free tool. Today,… Read More