Tag Archives: how to blog

Day 175: How To Blog Series: Bloopers!

24 Jun

The best part….

Before I return tomorrow, LIVE, I want to share my best bloopers with you! In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my flubs, mistakes, mess-ups and crack-ups.

Why: Because nobody is perfect and there’s nothing better than a good laugh.

If nothing else: I hope you enjoyed the sights around Martha’s Vineyard this week.

Resources and Inspiration:
After this last week I hope you are ready to blog, or take your blog to the next level. If you would like a quick read and a comprehensive handbook on the subject, or are just ready to get down to business, check out this book:
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

You may also want to follow:
Chris Brogan
Tim Ferris
BlogHer
The Daily Love

Like numbers?  here’s the Top 100 Blogs

Thank you again: to Justin for helping me film this series… (couldn’t have done it without you!)

Enjoy: The quick blooper tour around the island! See you tomorrow…

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 174: How To Blog Series: Everything Is Content

23 Jun

What should I write about?

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my thoughts on how to come up with content. The good news is… content is everywhere!

What I wish I would have said in this video:  Expect the unexpected. In life, in love and in blogs! Stuff happens all around us everyday and you can turn this into CONTENT!

Whenever something goes wrong or unexpected in my life I now just shrug my shoulders and say, “That will make a great blog post!”  It’s a good way to get over a bad day, it’s also a great view on the world.

A final word: If you are looking for it, you will find it. Great content is all around you.

See if you can spot: The rocky pier in Menemsha.

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 173: How To Blog Series: Stay Creative

22 Jun

How do I stay creative and get out of a writing rut?

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my thoughts on how to stay creative. Let’s face it, we all hit a writing wall. It happens. So here are my go-to, best ideas on getting out the rut.

See if you can spot: how many times I say the word “groove”

What I wish I would have said: I use music to center myself before I write. My favorite tunes? Pandora Radio, Coffeehouse Channel.

True Fact: I wrote a letter to my car once. Seriously.

Resources and Inspiration: Allison Shaw

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 172: How To Blog Series: Be Honest

21 Jun

How much should I share on my blog?

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I tackle the big question of how much to share of yourself and personal life on your blog.

Bottom line: In general, I believe if your blog is purely professional it’s not ideal to share your personal life details. You can, of course, find appropriate ways to weave in personal stories — as long it relates to your theme and enhances what you stand for.

What I wish I would have said in this video:  There were so many amazing and wonderful things that happened to me in my first year of blogging — but, I could not share all of it publicly. Some were too sacred and special to my heart to make public.  But, I did share as much as possible, and I truly believe that is how I found my authentic writing voice.

Note: I share many photos on my blog of friends, events and daily life, but I do not share photos of my friend’s children unless I have their parental consent. I think it’s a good honest rule to live by.

Can you count: how many children’s voices are in the background?

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 171: How To Blog Series: Comments

20 Jun

A comment on comments.

In today’s How To Blog Video series I address how to handle comments. Ironically, I am in the Grand Canyon right now and can’t reply to this post.  C’est la vie!

Squint! See if you can spot the Gingerbread Houses.

What I wish I would have said in this video:  I try to respond to everyone who comments on my blog. It is not always possible but I do think it is important.

No matter what you decide to do, just remember a blog is an interactive production, sort of like a party — and you are the hostess with the mostess.  So, be sure to check in with your guests and make sure they have enough coffee, chocolate and know where the bathrooms are located.

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 170: How To Blog Series: Perfect

19 Jun

But, what if I make a mistake?

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my thoughts on giving up the idea that your writing has to be perfect in order to publish.

What I wish I would have said in this video:  Because, I publish everyday I am on a timeline. One that has forced me to give up being perfect. Believe me, spelling errors and grammar mistakes drive me nuts — but, I don’t have an editor and I made a promise to post every single day — so I had to give up on the idea of being perfect.

Here’s what I really think:  Getting over perfect is a form of self-love — seeing the bigger goal, the higher purpose in sharing your gifts.

For books and other “permanent” writing I advocate editing “by the book” as they say. But, because blogs are dynamic and can change, be edited, be updated on the fly, I believe it’s more important to share my thoughts — and publish — and then go back and change any glaring errors.

See if you can spot in this video: the Aquinnah lighthouse in the background.

Resources and Inspiration: 
I first learned to write fast — and be okay with it — in Nancy Slonim Aronie’s Chilmark Writing Workshop. It takes place on Martha’s Vineyard during the summer and I highly recommend it for aspiring writers (and long-time authors too).

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 169: How To Blog Series: Write From A Theme

18 Jun

How do you choose a theme to write around?

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my thoughts on how to stay focused around a theme, as in, a topic area (not referring to blog design) that you are passionate about.

Hint: pick a theme that has wide range, or can give you many topics to write around – (especially if you plan to post everyday on your blog).

Still stuck? Ask yourself, what do I want to stand for? What do I believe in? What do I want to share with the world?

In this video, see if you can spot: how many cars drive by me on the road.

I wish I would have said:  In my first year of blogging my goal was not to shop for 365 days (which I successfully did!) but my writing theme was to take care of my head, heart, body and soul.  This year, my writing theme is to love more and fear less (which, ironically I am diving into right now as I raft down the Colorado River — see below).

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 168: How To Blog Series: Photos and Videos

17 Jun

Do I need to use photos and videos in my blog?

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my thoughts on how simple it is to add photos and videos to your blog. (And, before I forget… Happy Father’s Day!)

In this video, see if you can spot: the Steamship Authority ferry!

I wish I would have said:  We filmed this entire video series on an iPhone. Yes, a phone. It’s that easy. Okay, so it’s not going to win an Emmy — but, that’s not the goal. You can point, click and shoot with almost any device these days, so pick one up, take a photo or video and upload to your blog.

(Plus, I bet you have a video recorder built right into your computer.)

Resources and Inspiration: 
I use Picasa to easily edit photos, and Aviary in Flickr is a great resource too. You can obviously use Adobe products like Photoshop and there are tons of great Apps for your phone to edit on the fly — my favorite is Photogene.

A note on video editing: I used iMovie to edit all of these videos together. Super. Simple. Easy.

Pin it! Pinterest is fast becoming a visual catalogue of the web and your work! Pin your photos from your blog into neatly organized categories. Sample: you can check out my pins here.

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 167: How To Blog Series: Frequency

16 Jun

How often should I blog?
Everyday? Once a week? Twice a month? I get this question from people often.

In today’s How To Blog Video Series, I share my thoughts on how often you should post to your blog.

In this video, see if you can spot: my flub!

I wish I would have said: there are many ways to schedule your blog posts ahead of time, including resources like Hootsuite and the calendar function in WordPress (which is what I used for this series).

Resources and Inspiration:  
Examples of …
Posts daily: Seth Godin and The Pioneer Woman
Posts multiple times a week: Michael Hyatt
Posts weekly: Debbie Phillips
Other goodies: Field Gallery

And, here is today’s video:

Link to the video on YouTube is below:

Why Am I Doing This?
I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing both the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

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Day 166: How To Blog Video Series

15 Jun

Welcome to the How To Blog Video Series!

I am somewhere in the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River right now… which means I have no access to computers or an internet connection.  

So, while I am taking a trip down the river, I want to take you on a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, sharing the sights I love on this little island and my favorite blogging tips. 

It’s all in an effort to keep my promise to blog everyday this year and learn to lovemore and fearless. Did I mention I am afraid of the water? And, I am in a raft right now in the Grand Canyon?

I am keeping a diary while riding the waves and will report back as soon as we hike out of the canyon.  

Until then, I attempt to answer the questions people ask me about how to blog in this video series.  It’s not perfect…but it is published! And, that’s the point.

Enjoy!
xo~
Jamie  

And, here is today’s video:

See if you can spot: a dog sitting in the car behind me –it’s Pup!

Link to the video on YouTube is below:


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