Monday, March 12, 2012

Blog Housekeeping


Maybe it's the whiff of spring, the longer days, looming daylight savings time...I don't know but I suddenly feel energized and want to pump some life into my blog again.  I wouldn't say I have neglected it, but I have felt a bit uninspired this winter and my blog has shown the signs.  Truth be told I think I have had a case of SAD for a while now - I spend a lot of my time thinking about sitting in the sun which tells me I need a big shot of VitD.  And some UV rays.  I long for days without socks.

This week I am making some changes to my blog to prepare for more writing and posting!

I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that my logo and blog banner were designed for me, paid for by me and property of...me.  Please refrain from using them except when speaking about me and linking back to my blog.  I was told someone is using my logo as their Facebook picture and that is just not cool. I have spent 3 years building my brand, reputation and image in the social media world and I do not appreciate it being compromised by someone who lacks the imagination to come up with their own logo.

I took my blogroll off and moved every blog I read into Google Reader.  It took a bit of getting used to but I now like being able to quickly scroll through posts, skipping the ones that have no interest for me and commenting on the ones that do.


I have been making a concerted effort to leave a lot more comments on other blogs.  I have noticed readers don't comment like they used to...one of my posts has more than 1000 views and 9 comments.  Considering I have over 500 followers it makes me wonder why 98% of them aren't leaving comments.  Even a simple 'Have a great day!' let's a blogger know you are reading.  I had a conversation with someone on Twitter and we suspect people being able to tweet their comments means they wont leave them on a blog.  So, I am taking a little Twitter break.  I will still pop in on a daily basis but I would prefer you leave comments here.  I love being able to go back years later and read what everyone said about posts...that just isn't possible with Twitter.  When the Little Prince is all grown up I want to be able to show him my blog and let him read what the world thought of it!

Less time spent tweeting means more time to spend writing blog posts and coming up with some fresh ideas for The Life of a Suburban Princess!

To all of you who do leave comments...thank you!  I look forward to reading them every day and if you have a blog I am not commenting on, please give me the link so I can follow you!


While we are talking about leaving comments....I really wish blogs didn't have word verification, especially now that blogger has made the 'word' even more complicated.  You might not even be aware your blog requires readers to jump through hoops so please take a moment to check.  Go to your blog settings, click on comments and scroll down to this setting.  Change it to 'No' and your readers will be able to comment without proving themselves human.


I always appreciate when I click to comment on a post and the comment box is a popup.  This means I don't have to click back over and over to get to the main list of blog posts.  To have your comments in a popup box simply click on settings, then comments and scroll down to this option.


You may have noticed I also have my links set up to open in a new window.  When you create a link on a word, click the little box and this will ensure your readers stay on YOUR page and don't have to click back a dozen times to find you again.



I have added some buttons at the bottom of each post...this will make it easy for you to share information.  When something strikes your fancy please take a second and share it through one of the buttons!

My Facebook page is updated every time I post.  Do you know if you don't interact when someone posts Facebook will stop showing you their posts?  Please take one second and 'like' updates when you see them in your news feed.  Also, in your news feed you have the option to view items by popularity or chronologically.  Just below the status update box is the word 'Sort'.  Click on the little down arrow to choose 'Most Recent' and you will see all of the items in your news feed instead of just the ones others have deemed important.

I am still in deep smit with Pinterest.  Like so many others,  I get a lot of ideas from there and love being able to gather everything in one spot!   Every day I look for new ideas, recipes, outfits to pin so if you are on there please add me!  I have created a board on Pinterest just for my blog so I am busy pinning pictures that link back to here.

Basically I have spent the last week making sure it is easy for you to keep up, follow along and leave comments!  Hopefully more bloggers will do the same so we can get back to supporting each other the way we did a couple of years ago.


Have a fabulous day!

PS...dont miss my Luxe Box giveaway! Enter for yourself or a friend!

24 comments:

Highland Fashionista said...

Fabulous as ever! And yes, there is definitely something in your SAD theory. This time of the year everyone seems to be on tenterhooks. Its funny, really (funny strange, not funny ha ha) because in MArch, we are ALMOST THERE....it's almost spring. Just hang in there. But it is when the spectre of spring is over the horizon that everyone seems to decide they've had enough.

Anyway, kudos for sticking-up for your artwork too. How hard is it these days to create something online? sheesh.

Karen said...

I wonder if the # of comments has decreased is because of the increased usage of blog readers like Google Reader and Feedly. I used Google Reader until their latest update when I switched to Feedly and love it. Therefore, when I read the over 700+ blogs I subscribe too I actually never see the actual blog website. It could be the best designed blog and have the cutest logo and tons of comments but I never see that in Feedly/Google Reader. I personally don't usually comment because that takes extra work; not a lot but it is extra work nevertheless. I have to leave by blog reader software and go to the physical site to leave a comment. I've also started unsubscribing to the blog that don't have their entire posts/ with photos feed over to blog readers such as Google Reader/Feedly. I don't take the time to read a few sentences and then have to click over to the site to read the rest of it. That annoys me so I just stop reading period. Not sure if my reading habits are an indication of others but just wanted to throw these thoughts out there.

Leigh Powell Hines said...

I can't believe someone would use your logo? How rude.

I do try to comment as much as possible. I'm behind a lot of days, but I do try to "catch up".

Leigh

Suburban Princess said...

Karen - keep in mind, all those blogs keeping you entertained...someone put a lot of work onto them so taking a few seconds out of your life to cheer them on is perhaps the least any reader can do.

Teena in Toronto said...

Wow! You've been busy!

I'm not much of a Tweeter ... it's too much work to keep up with.

Teena in Toronto said...

And I agree, Blogger's new word verification words are sooooo long and complicated!

Adrienne Shubin said...

Someone took your logo?? What the heck!

My blog could use a little makeover, too. I don't have captcha and I also do the pop-up comment thing. But I am not sure about my links opening up in a new window. I will have to investigate.

Have a great Monday!

highheeledlife said...

Great post! can't wait to see what you have instored ...for your blog housekeeping!! ... Great tips... wishing you a fabulous day! xo HHL

P.S. - hope the person using your logo.. will remove it! xo

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Great domestic blog cleaning you've actioned here SP!
Spring is the perfect time for this!

I dislike having to prove that "I am not robot" with those double word verification tasks so Bravo that we can leave comments in a quick and timely fashion.

JulesTX said...

Thanks for taking the time to share some useful blog housekeeping tips.

Have a good day!

jmmonroe said...

Maybe the person did not realize that they would cause you a problem using your pic-maybe it was the highest since of flattery copying you-I love your blog and look forward to all the updates! Don't get discouraged

Town and Country House said...

Great tips; I need to do some tidying up, too. Thanks!

preppyplayer said...

great tips! I always reciprocate comments. Like I tell my kids when they complain that they never receive mail, You have to give to get!
I like commenting and sharing my opinion, but have to say... if I have commented and visited someone's blog often and I NEVER see or hear from them?
I feel I have no obligation. I know many bloggers feel the same way.

Tammy B said...

Have a great day!

Debra said...

A Twitter Break??? I hope it's not for long - you always have great insight into my 'issues'!

Thanks for the tips- I need to do some housekeeping too. Just have to make time to sit down and do it.

I think you might be on to something about the comments & Twitter. It's just easier to comment on Twitter (for me) but I know that comments are important on the blog itself. I try to do both when I can. I don't get a lot of comments and appreciate each and everyone. I think I comment a lot and will always reciprocate but I don't think most people do, sadly.

I still haven't gotten into Pinterest yet. I fear what will happen!

Word verification drives me crazy!

Have a great evening and Thank you for your comments on my blog. :)

The Bitchy Crocker Project said...

Comments help a blog's ranking in Google searches as well. :) Another great reason to leave comments if you want to support the blogger.

:)

Beth Dunn said...

You know I hate word verification. I'm shocked someone would use your logo!
xoxo
SC

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* said...

I am so old school. No FB or Twitter but I think I have to at least do FB. I have Google+ but don't know to use that. One thing that has changed for me is that I read blogs on my iPad and the reader bar does no scroll down on the dashboard. I also cannot leave comments on some blogs when using the iPad. I only use my laptop now when working on post processing or using Live Writer but I do try to go back to comment on everyone that leaves a comment on mine. I know when people work full or part time it's tough to continue visiting on a computer when they've been on one all day. So many blogs lovely blogs to keep up with. :)

Wendy said...

Great tips! I completely agree, comments make a blogger's day.

Unknown said...

Keep pounding out those helpful blog hints! They are so appreciated and HELPFUL! You know I listened and had no idea what the heck was going. Trying to figure out why someone would use your logo. Seriously? Have a great day, SP!

About Last Weekend said...

I am going to read these tips again...I'm hopeless with technology but i always want to make it easier for people to comment. Non blogging friends say its tricky to comment, they can't seem to set up a google address that easily. Yes I have a couple of people who email me rather than leave a comment, not sure what that is about?

Anonymous said...

This is a good one, it obviously struck a chord. As Marilyn of the fabulous PinkMartiniandPearls noted, leaving comments via the iPad can be brutal, if not impossible. And it can also be difficult for those of us who use formats other than Blogger for our own blogs, Google can make it very tough for non-Blogger commenters.
Having said all that, I am a big fan, and always enjoy popping in and seeing what is happening, you do a stellar job!

Hope your little Prince is feeling better,
tp

SawyerSass said...

I am guilty of commenting via Twitter instead of on here. I'll make more of an effort to be a commentor because I am kind of lazy that way. I do enjoy your blog and I LOVE tweeting with you!

Shelley said...

I have had trouble with SAD off an on since moving to England - never had that difficulty in sunny Salt Lake or Oklahoma City! I'll have to check to see if my blog requires word verification - I can't remember what I did when I set it up! I do love when links pop up in a separate window and I try to remember to make that happen. I dare not take up Pinterest...I'd never get another useful thing done!