This weeks Question:
Confess your blogger sins! Is there anything as a newbie blogger that you’ve done, that as you gained more experience you were like — oops?
Well I AM a newbie blogger, so I'm pretty sure I'm doing some things that are really wrong. I have been following others for a long time so I've gotten a chance to see what I like and don't like about other people's blogs. I know I hate Captcha when commenting, so removing that requirement was the first thing I figured out. I hope I did it right, if not, please feel free to mention it in the comments. I know my blog design is pretty generic, but I don't have the html skills to make it look prettier. At some point after I've been doing this a while, I'll probably hire someone to make it look pretty for me. As far as ideas and graphics, I don't think I've taken anything I shouldn't. For memes I usually use the standard one for that meme. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong, and it always refers back to the person hosting the meme. Other than that, I'm using Microsoft Clipart, which I'm pretty sure is in the public domain. I also think book covers from Goodreads are o.k.. Once again if I'm wrong about any of this let me know in the comments. I'm sure if I'm successful with the blog, I will look back on these first few months and cringe, but for now, I'm just hoping I'm getting it right.
I do have other blog related questions I need to do research on. Such as, not commenting on the comments left on my blog. I always read the comments and visit anyone who leaves a link to their blog and I make comments on their posts, I just don't respond to those left on this blog. Is that wrong?
Girl, it seems you are doing everything right! and besides we are humans so it's ok to make a mistake from time to time.
ReplyDeletewhen I started I didn't know a thing about html. I asked other bloggers for help and there are a few that post tips to design and all.
Good luck with your blog :)
I'm not participating in this week F&F but you can visit my blog anyway :)
RUTY@Reading...Dreaming
I'm pretty new here too (a little more than a month in) and I am worrying about all of the same things!! I'm can officially say I am a blog stalker, just to make sure I'm doing the right things and hopefully for some more inspiration. We'll figure it out though :)
ReplyDeleteChristyn @ The Book Cafe
Sounds like you're doing great to me! Html came slowly or me too. One person you might want to refer to is Parajunkee (parajunkee.com). She does helpful posts for bloggers including html tips. I always find her blogging advice very helpful. I think she does new posts on Thursdays, but I'm sure she has an archive you can scroll through. You seem to be on track. Welcome and good luck! (And thanks for visiting my blog today. :D Following back via GFC.)
ReplyDeleteI used to comment on comments on my blog, but then I realized that that person isn't likely to come back to see it, so what's the point? So, I think you're totally right in not responding to comments on your blog! I still don't get html (I plan on learning it though!) and I did hire someone to design my blog. If/when you do decide to get someone to design yours, I suggest checking out Design by the Reading Fish because Ishita is super awesome and affordable in her her designing! I think your blog's pretty cute now, though :) I think you're doing everything right for right now! New follower!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my FF post!
Thank you for following me.Just followed back.My blog is pretty simple too,but I like it that way and I created the blog for books,so I don't mind.:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are doing everything right...this coming from someone doing the same things as you. Ha! So if you're wrong, I'm wrong with ya! As for commenting, I used to comment back on my site as well but then realized the same thing. So instead I go back to their site to comment.
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer is a personal fave blogger of mine and she too posts tips and tricks.
New follower via GFC.
Holly @ Words Fueled by Love
Yeah, I have no html skills whatsoever! Another blogger was kind enough to make a button for me! I basically only use the tools blogger gives me.
ReplyDeleteIt took me awhile to remove my captcha because I was under the delusion that it would prevent spam and all that. Now that I have removed it, sometime last year, I realized that it was pointless. I get the random odd comment that is likely spam but that's all!
Here's my Follow Friday
Have a GREAT weekend!
Old Follower :)
oh catpcha thing drives me bananas.
ReplyDeletetrish - my follow friday
Hi! Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you're doing fine. I've seen blogs with hundreds of followers that have been up for years and look like they were made by a kid in Paint.
Yours is simple and pleasant to the eye, and that's the most important thing.
I'm following via GFC
I'm new to blogging as well and trying to figure out what works best and what LOOKS best. I'm busy scouring down tutorials today on how to take images such as blog buttons and put them in a neat little flip/scrolling thing.
ReplyDeleteNew follower via GFC
My FF
HTML is the devil. It's so tricky, no matter how easy others try to make it sound. I still fail at it.
ReplyDeleteFollowing back :)
Sounds like your doing great. I didn't like my header, hired someone to do it, hated it, and then did my own. So at least you're saving yourself the trouble until you're more experienced and know what you want. I honestly know nothing or next to nothing about coding so sorry I can't help you there.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing with my comments. I usually don't anyone reads my replies if they're on my blog so I just reply on theirs. Plus everyone loves comments right?
Everyone handles commenting back differently, there's no particular right or wrong way, whatever works the best for you. Looks to me like you're doing just fine :)
ReplyDeleteAnd taking off captcha early is already a HUGE plus for you in the way of encouraging more people to feel welcome commenting :)
Hey :) Thanks for stopping by my place.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it wrong to not respond to some comments on your blog, like some of them don't seem to invite further discussion just let you know their opinion of things.
But some comments do invite further discussion, and I answer to those. I think it's important to show your readers and commenters that you're giving their thoughts as much care as they gave yours :)
New follower, wishing you a great weekend.
Sounds like you have it down. You really did it right paying attention to other blogs before you started.
ReplyDeleteCaptcha is really annoying. It's good advice to remove it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
I agree, captcha is aggravating! But I think you're doing everything right :) Great answer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. I'm a new follower
Welcome to the community! I don't reply to comments directly in the blog, unless the commenter doesn't have a blog I can visit and a 'non-reply' email, I figure I don't have a choice then.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, I'm a follower :)
Google searches has been my best friend in creating my blog and copying and pasting HTML codes!
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
~Ashley
Nook of Book Reviews
You seem to be going great girl! Definitely not a pro at html either but if I really want to try something I tend to just Google how to do it :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog earlier & following ♥
Old follower.
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows