Since I've been having serious pain issues with my right hand — which has been making it increasingly more and more difficult to type or use photoshop (I'm seeing a surgeon for a consultation tomorrow), and am also trying to put together my holiday magazine, I am going to put the Better Blogging series on hold for a while.  If you are new to the series I hope you will enjoy reading the articles already shared.  And if you've been visiting for a while, thank you for all the fun...and I'll see you here again in this space sometime soon.  xo Ez

1. Limiting the number of blogs I actually do read.  This isn't because I don't like other blogs...but because I personally want to know that the content I'm coming up with is my own and wasn't inadvertently influenced by another blogger.  Not that finding inspiration in another blogger is bad either, but for my own sanity and peace of mind I like to know that I am being true to myself on a real level and not allowing myself to be fully formed by what is going on around me.  I guess you could say I'm choosy.
2. And keeping a notebook for jotting down little ideas, inspirations and such that I can revisit whenever I want to.  This can be anything as simple as key words and sketches, to full post text and more.  It's my little space to be as random and dream as much as I want to, and since it is always there I can rest easy every day knowing that I'm not forgetting something important.  If you don't already have a little notebook to jot down your thoughts, I highly recommend picking one up.  It doesn't need to be fancy...I actually prefer something that isn't, so I'm not worried about messing it up.

I hope that you will find my little tips helpful as you continue on your blogging journey and navigate the almost always wonderful blog world.  Do you have any special tips for keeping your sanity as a blogger?  I'd love for you to share any advice and thoughts you might have in the comment section bellow.  xo Ez

Thoughts for bloggers:

• Always link back...always!  No doubt you have likely experienced what it feels like to find content that you shared posted on another blog with no crediting link.  Of course it is also wise to note that there is a possibility that that other blogger simultaneously discovered the same content (this has personally happened to me and was really upsetting when out of the blue someone came after me with accusations of content theft - I was able to show them that I hadn't stolen the post content, but it was still rattling).  The main point here is not to police the blog world, but rather to do your part to give credit where it is due.  It seems that some bloggers think that it looks bad if they don't find all the content for their site on their own so they intentionally leave crediting links out of their posts.  Maybe some readers are put off when a blogger finds content elsewhere...but I personally have a higher respect for bloggers who make a habit of crediting their sources, regardless of where they found it.  Community and sharing is what blogging is all about (in my opinion)...and link sharing is a positive and vital way to grow your network of blog relationships. 
• It is usually in bad form to recycle full posts/images from another blog.  Since blogs rely upon incoming links for growth you are only hurting the other blogger by copy/pasting complete posts (your readers will have no reason to visit the original blog - even if you do provide a link), not to mention you will be profiting from their hard work (they had to find the content, write about it and assemble the post images).  Instead, give your readers a teaser image or two and let them know why you like the post...then direct them over for the full post content with a link to the source blog.  Additionally, freebies, downloads, PDF files, etc. should remain on the original blog that created them.  It is great to spread the news about a freebie you love, but it isn't nice to take the download and offer it from your own site.  Doing so eliminates any need for your readers to visit the original source blog...not good.
• Copyright.  This is a huge (scary) topic and one that I will be sure to address more thoroughly in the future.  But the main thing I have to note on this topic right now is to be sure to honor the artist/designer/blogger's posted wishes regarding their work.  If they ask for you to obtain written consent before posting...then that's what you have to do.  If they say they don't want their work blogged, then it is best to just walk away.  There are millions of those out there who are happy to have their work shared with the world...so go to it.
• Be proactive, not reactive.  From time to time you may come across someone in blogland (on your or another blog/social networking sites/or by email who has only hurtful or mean-spirited things to say.  Some blogs thrive on this sort of environment, but if you are not a blogger who enjoys this sort of atmosphere then it is wise to sort out exactly how you will respond to these kinds of individuals.  I have personally adopted the "kill them with kindness" philosophy and find that it is best to say nothing at all when possible, or address such individuals with a calm and understanding tone.  I think it takes a strong person to just walk away and not try to get the last word in...but I believe that it really is worth the effort.  If all else fails, ask a trusted friend in the blogging community for their advice and hang in there.  If you refuse to give them kindling for their fire, eventually they will have to burn out.

Thoughts for blog readers/businesses:

• Remember that bloggers are only human.  There are so many facets that make up a blogger's world (and everyone is different) so it is easy for some things to fall through the cracks.  Believe me...any kind comments, sweet emails, etc that you might want to share with a blogger can mean the world (they do to me at least).
• Newsletter no-no.  If you own or work for a business...never sign a blogger up for your newsletter without their permission.  This is something that happens to me all the time and I make it a general rule to unsubscribe immediately.  This practice leaves such a bad taste in my mouth that it makes it hard to want to feature the company's products after this has happened.

The best rule for blogging etiquette really has more to do with the Golden Rule than anything else.  "Treat others as you would like ot be treated."  As long as I remind myself of this then it seems like everything moves along exactly as it should.  I hope my little tips will be of help to you in your blogging journey.  Feel free to ask any questions you'd like in the comment section below...I'm happy to answer them.  xo Ez

MY FAVORITE TIP for organizing potential post content + saving crediting links:

For far too long the method I used to save post content involved thousands of folders on my desktop...many of which would become so buried by other folders that I'd lose them until it was too late to use the content in them.  All this changed with one free online site: Wishpot.  While technically a site for creating gift giving/receiving wish lists, its ability to create lists, add tags, etc. makes it the ideal tool for busy bloggers.

Here's a little video I put together to show the simple process I use to save content and links via Wishpot.  Note: There are a few times in the video where there is an odd static noise - sorry about that.

The best part about wishpot for me is the visual element.  It is incredibly handy to have a thumbnail image to view while trying to put posts together, and the fact that I can also add tags to help me organize my picks by subject is invaluable.  I also like to recommend Wishpot to friends and bloggers because it is free - which means anyone can use it!

Other methods of organization take the more standard route and are probably things that you currently use or have tried in the past.  A few that I use on a regular basis are:

• Weekly Planner - used to organize advertising info and post schedules.
• Spiral-bound notebook - used to jot down ideas, doodles, or pre-write post content (specifically for these Better Blogging posts).
• Google calendars - occasionally used to keep track of scheduling (I've kind of fazed this one out recently).

You might also consider:

Downloading an App for your phone or iPod that is designed to keep you organized.  I have one called Chores for my iPod and use it to keep track of thoughts and ideas that I have when I'm away from my computer as well as create checklists for tasks I need to complete or want to complete over a long-term time frame.  I also use the calendar setting on my iPod quite regularly...so if you have one at your disposal, then these two methods can be a great way to stay on top of things.

These are the specific methods I use to keep myself organized.  The next phase with any organization plan involves putting it all together in a system that works for you and with your available time.

One of the questions I've received on more than one occasion (and is something I've struggled with over the years) is: How do I stay on top of blog comments, emails and submissions?

Again the answer to this will vary for each individual.  For me what works best is scheduling a portion of each day that is devoted specifically to correspondence.  I'm not perfect at staying on top of things by any means, but when I keep myself to a set schedule I find that I can actually manage my inbox instead of fear it.  I highly recommend picking a time of day that allows you as much uninterrupted time as possible.  For me this is generally the evening.  None of us have infinite time or patience for correspondence, so experiment around with the time you can devote to the task until you find the amount that works for you.

Remember that you are just one person and unless you have superhuman powers (please send some my way if you do) you can't possibly reply to every comment, email, submission you receive every day.  As your blog becomes more successful correspondence will only become more challenging, so setting yourself to an impossible standard of perfection will ultimately just cause frustration and stress in your life.  I recommend establishing a system for yourself that loosely categorizes your correspondence tasks by importance/urgency.  Tackle these items first during the time you've scheduled.  If you find that you have time remaining, take on the second and third tier correspondence tasks.  Again you will be the best judge of which items need immediate attention or not.  Trust yourself and know that you are doing the best you can.  

MY FAVORITE TIP for staying on top of emails:

Canned responses (available through Gmail accounts).  I know it sounds horrible and impersonal (and seems like one of those things that I probably shouldn't be telling the world), but once you start using canned responses you will see how easy they are to customize to each individual email.  I have a long list of responses that I've written that address the main topics for which I receive emails (advertising inquiries, product submissions, blogging advice, etc).  After inserting the canned response that fits the email I've received I can then begin to add the customizations I want.  The content ends up being exactly what I would have written out anyhow...and ultimately saves a huge amount of time.

I hope you will find some of these tips to be helpful.  Next week I'll be addressing the topic of blogging etiquette.  If you have any questions or comments on the subject I'd love to hear them.  See you then.  xo Ez

Giveaways: hosting or offering products for giveaway.

Positives:

• Giveaways provide immediate targeted clicks for the prize provider as well as a click-through spike for the blog hosting the contest.
• Potentially bring in a new audience through online buzz about the giveaway.

Negatives:

• There can be extra work involved in hosting giveaways (tracking comments, selecting the winner, correspondence with the company providing the prize, etc).
• If you offer advertising on your site, giveaways may deter possible advertisers from purchasing an ad spot.  They may instead look to receive "free advertising" on your site via a targeted giveaway.  This in not a complete loss, but you may receive some very low prize value offers that you might want to pass on in the interest of maintaining the integrity of your site. Because of this it is best to have some guidelines in place for those interested in potential giveaways (a prize value requirement, etc).
• There is no promised interest level.  Just because a product is awesome does not necessarily mean that the interest in it will be huge.  As long a both bloggers and businesses are aware of this from the beginning, there shouldn't be any issues.

How to become a giveaway host or approach blogs for a giveaway of your product(s):

It is hard for me to remember how/when I first began offering giveaways on my blog.  I do know it was not something that I sought out, but was something that companies/artisans approached me about.  Initially (when my readership was smaller and I was not using social networking to help spread the word) response in giveaways was pretty small.  In fact there were a few times very early on when I felt pretty low about how little interest was shown (I felt bad for the businesses who had invested their product with me).  So I think it's important to be realistic about the sort of crowd you can expect (both as a blogger and as a business).  As your readership grows the value for both your blog as well as businesses interested in sponsoring giveaways will increase.

If you are a blogger interested in offering a giveaway for the first time, you can:

• Approach shops that you feel have products in-line with what your readers love.  Communicate an interest in their work and ask if they might like to offer a product for giveaway on your site.  Share your stats and demographics with them and let them know the value of product you are seeking.  Be professional and hang in there.  At first there may be limited interest, but once you've broken the ice by hosting your first giveaway things will become easier.
• Get the word out.  Blog, tweet, facebook about your interest in taking on giveaway sponsors.  Be prepared to share details about your site as well as provide guidelines for submissions (i.e. price value, who is in charge of shipping the prize to the winner, whether anyone can enter or if there are country specific requirements, etc.)

If you are a business interested in offering an item for giveaway on a blog, you can:

• Compile a list of your top choice blogs.  These sites should feature content that is relevant to your product(s)...not just have high traffic rankings.  Be sure to read the fine print on these blogs before sending any emails (some blogs do not host giveaways, so contacting them for that purpose will go nowhere).
• Contact your very top choice blog first and let them know what you have to offer.  Bloggers look for exclusive and original content, so be sure to let them know that you are contacting them first.  If you don't hear anything back within a week it is fair to go ahead and contact the next blogs on your list.
• Offer a product that clearly reflects what your business is all about.  If you have a shop that carries multiple categories of items you might like to think about offering a gift certificate as the prize.
• Generally the more valuable or more exciting the prize, the better the response is going to be.  Ask yourself how much the potential press is worth to you and try to offer a product of a comparable value.

Guest Posts

I'd venture to say that unless you've already established some sort of positive relationship with a blogger, this method won't likely work for you.  That being said, if you are on familiar or friendly terms with your favorite bloggers a great way to bring increased interest in your own blog or website is to offer to write a guest post for them from time to time.  It can be a little bit awkward to just pop out and offer writing services, so here are a few ideas on how to best go about it:

• Pre-write the post and have your post images all ready to go.  Make sure they are sized appropriately for the blog you are interested in working with.
• Contact the blogger you would like to work with in a friendly and courteous way and let them know that you have written a post that you feel might work really well on their site - attach the post images that you've created for them to sample.  Let them know that you would be happy to give the content to them if they are interested.  Be sure to let them know whether or not the content will be exclusive to their site or not (this is really important).
• Posts that work really well for guest posting (at least for my site) are DIY projects and tutorials.  Try to fill a niche that you see the blogger is building on.
• Be patient and remember that not all bloggers are interested in guest posts.  If you get a thumbs down, be sure to thank the blogger for their time and let them know that if they ever have interest in the future you are more than happy to work with them at that time (you never know - they may go on vacation, etc. and need someone to help fill in for them).

Another type of post sharing:

One additional method for post sharing would be to contact a top blog and let them know about a special post you have coming up on your blog.  Attach images and let them know exactly what the post is about, when you will be posting it on your site, and why you feel it is relevant to their readership as well.  If you want to increase your odds even further you can attach images that are pre-sized to work on their site (let them know that you have done so, and that they are free to use the images).  Once again, be sure to let the blogger know whether or not you are contacting them exclusively or not.  If a blogger feels that you are simply trying to get on as many blogs as possible they are quite likely to ignore your offer.  If you receive no reply or they are not interested in promoting your post, you can then approach a few additional blogs and follow the same process.

Free Downloads

I really enjoy providing free content for my readers and have noticed since implementing freebies on my site, that they are also a great way to bring in a steady flow of readers (a happy bonus to discover).  One reason for this is that they are highly searchable - meaning that they are easy for the average non blog reader to discover via web searches.  Another great bonus is that they are always relevant (unless the download is a calendar).  Once you create them, they live on your blog for as long as you want and will continue to bring readers in as time goes on.  Of course not all blog readers are interested in free downloads, so whether you add free downloads to your site or not will be dictated by your actual site and readers.

I hope these tips will be useful to you.  Next week I'll be talking about organization for bloggers + some sources to help you keep all your ducks in a row.  See you then!  xo Ez

USING SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES FOR BLOG GROWTH:

A clear method for bringing growth to your blog is with the use of social networking sites.  I have a Facebook account but don't use it much, so I won't be covering that option (although it can be a great tool for those who enjoy using it).  The two that I'd like to focus on today are Twitter and Flickr.  I'm relatively new to Twitter but have been a Flickr member for years.  For example, these two sites have produced 455 direct hits to my blog in the past week.  Yes, objectively that number might not be very large, but I think it's important to look at social networking as having a value that is not only about numbers.

BENEFITS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING:

• Social networking gives a more personal "face" to your blog.
• Interacting with readers on a one-on-one level builds relationships and trust.  You can learn a lot from your connections via sites like Twitter, facebook, etc.
• Sites such a Twitter make the sharing of info and links incredibly fast.  i.e. I can post about a great necklace I love and immediately everyone who follows me has the opportunity to click-through to see it AND share that link with a "retweet" to all their subscribers.  It's like a little wildfire of link love.
• Networking sites provide tools that make mini updates possible (perfect for when you don't want to write a full post).
• Less expectation for regular updates (although, regularity is a plus).
• It's free (there are pro accounts available through Flickr, but they are not required)!

POTENTIAL NEGATIVES OF SOCIAL NETWORKING:

• You don't want to spread yourself too thin.  If you aren't able keep it up or spend at least a small amount of time building your connections via these sites I would hold off.
• Social networking can be a lot of fun...and therefore can be a major time-evaporator if you are not careful.
• Remember that what you put out there is public.  Think twice before sharing private content or airing grievances so that you don't have to spend any time regretting it later.

THOUGHTS ON USING SOCIAL NETWORKING "PROPERLY":

There really isn't a right or a wrong way to go about networking, and it will of course vary for each individual.  But some of the general guidelines that I like to keep in mind are:

• Don't spam your friends.  If you have something exciting to share, then by all means do it.  But tweeting daily about random product promos that have nothing to do with you or your blog/brand will likely be off-putting to most.
• I would caution against going overboard with self-promotion.  Share great content from your site along with other great things that you like.  Chances are if you like them your friends will too.  But if you're always talking about your own site and nothing else, I would venture to guess that after a while your updates will not pique people's interest as much (this applies especially to Twitter).
• Sites like flickr build a visual presence for you and/or your site and gives you the ability to interact with other visually minded friends, etc.
• Always be sure to include a link back to your site in your profile.  Uploading a profile picture is also great way to show your personable side or reflect your brand identity.

Other sites from which I also receive a fair amount of traffic are Bloglovin and Stumbleupon (stumbleupon is one of my top referrer every week).  These don't require as much time and can be a nice addition to your social networking circle.

PLUS - USING BLOG INTERACTION FOR GROWTH:

Another great way to bring furthered growth to your blog is through interactions with others in blogland.  The most notable method is commenting on your favorite blogger's posts.  I have a few thoughts on how to make this most effective:

1. Do not promote your own work/site in a blog comment, but be sure that your URL is linked with your name (this usually happens when you sign in to comment).
2. Comment in a credible and relevant way.  Your comments don't need to be lengthy, but they should be genuine.
3. Think of blog comments no differently than a real world conversation.  Which example is more likely to promote friendship and interest? "Oh my! I love those shoes so much.  They look like something I could happily wear all day long.  Thanks for sharing."  OR  "Nice. By the way I'm having a giveaway for a coffee maker over on my blog.  Come over to my site and maybe you can win."  While the later is not objectively wrong, it is not relevant, is clearly a comment intended solely as self promotion and may leave many with a sour impression.

I personally have followed many a commenter to their blog after reading a great comment that they shared either on my blog or another blog I was visiting.  So I know from experience that this simple method can have great results.

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Next week I'll be talking about targeted growth strategies such as hosting or sponsoring giveaways and more.  Before I end today though, I'd like to say that you don't need to look at any form of network as strictly business ...in fact I'd caution against that level of formality.  Enjoy getting to know your readers and interacting in this awesome community.  In the end you may find (as I have) that the human connections you will make are far more valuable than any bump in number you may receive.  See you next week.  xo Ez

Hello everyone.  There were quite a few questions (understandably) after the last segment regarding the use of custom domains.  In fact it this is a subject that I wish I understood better myself.  I'm afraid my answers may not be very thorough, but the little that I do know I am happy to share with you.

• I'VE PURCHASED A CUSTOM DOMAIN...NOW WHAT?

You will want to begin directing traffic to your site through domain mapping.  "Domain mapping" is just the fancy title for a process that will essentially redirect any visits to your old URL (example: http://www.creaturecomforts.squarespace.com) seamlessly to your new URL (example: http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com).  Through your blog host or domain server you should be able to find details specific to your host(s) on how to set this up.  For reference you can take a look at the information on Domain Mapping that is made available through my blog host Squarespace for use with domains purchased through Nettica (my domain host).  Again this is just a reference point.  All hosts and servers will a have unique process for set-up so be sure to do a search with your hosts to see how to best map your domain.

• WILL I LOSE VISITORS IF I CHANGE MY URL?

As long as you are using domain mapping along with your URL you should experience no loss in visitors.  Basically all clicks on your old link will automatically open your site using your new domain.  Visitors might not ever even see the change happen unless they look at the URL at the top of the page.  Of course it is also a good idea to mention the change to readers once it has been successfully set up.  The more incoming links that direct to your custom URL the better.

So there you have it.  I should also note that while I still find anything technical to be mind-boggling, I did manage to accomplish tasks such as domain mapping on my own with persistence, some dedicated time and research on the subject.  Google search is my best friend.  So I know it is tricky, but hang in there.  If I can do it...you certainly can too!  xo Ez

Hello everyone!  Let me start today's article by saying that I don't actually know everything there is to know on this topic.  That probably sounds funny considering that I'm about to write an article on the subject, right?  I guess my point is that growing my own blog is something that I feel I am constantly working at, reevaluating and revising as needed.  There is no perfect science to follow (as far as I'm aware)..but there are definite things you can do to maximize your blogs' growth potential and so I'll touch on those here today.  Ready to dive in?

• CUSTOM DOMAIN NAME / URL

Firstly, if you don't already own/use a custom domain name/URL drop everything.  Do not pass Go...do not collect $200 dollars until you have secured one.  This is something that I wish I'd known in the very beginning.  By the time I caught on to the importance of having my own domain name a web squatter had already grabbed the URL I wanted and it took well over a year and a lot of stress for me to finally obtain it.  Why is a custom domain so important?

1. For one thing it is much easier for your visitors to remember...increasing the likelihood that they will be able to find you again.
2. It looks a lot cleaner and more more professional than a lengthy automated blog URL.
3. It is better for search engine/ranking purposes.

These three things ultimately add up to the strengthening of your blog and your 'brand' identity which in turn will bring growth to your blog.  Good right?!

There are many hosts for custom domain names, but the one I like the most and have found to be the most reliable is Nettica.  It can be intimidating to set up a custom domain (I find it to be very challenging even though I've done it several times), but most blog hosts give detailed instructions for you to follow along with.  If you're still stuck, try asking a friend or someone you trust online for their assistance.  And if all else fails you may want to look into hiring a web designer to edit this portion of your site.  For something so simple you should not have to spend much money at all.

A little side note: Please don't ever, ever, ever use an underscore character when naming your site.  When I first began blogging (knowing nothing about the field at all) I used one in my URL and ended up working on a blog for 1.5 years before realizing that that one "illegal" character alone was making it unreadable by countless servers around the world.  In order to fix the problem I literally had to scrap my entire blog and start over again.  So please learn from my mistake and keep clear of the pesky underscore.

• ADOPT A REGULAR POSTING SCHEDULE

One thing I learned early on is that the more regular your posting schedule is the happier and more loyal your readers will be.  I think it is important to be honest with yourself about the time you want and are able to invest in your blog.  This amount of time may change in the future as your blog evolves, but it's a good idea to take a look at what you can manage right now.  You don't need to conquer the blog world overnight.  Blogger burnout is a very real thing and nobody wants to see it happen to you.  One thing I personally have to remind myself of regularly is that I cannot possibly post every amazing thing I see.  Yes, there will be many times when another blogger will get to a story before I do, someone who will write more content than I can, etc.  But at the end of the day I know that I put myself into my blog...and I can be okay with that.

• OFFER RELIABLE CONTENT

Again this is something that you will likely come into over time, but the general idea is to consistently deliver content that is within a general theme.  That theme can be broad or very fine-tuned...but whatever it is, make it you.  There is nothing quite so off-putting as frequenting a blog that you count on to deliver a certain type of inspiring content...clicking over one day and discovering that they've posted about something completely off-theme such as heating ducts or sports-cars.  Through a blog you build relationships and trust with your readers, and this trust is formed in large part by demonstrating that day after day you will be a reliable source for content they love. 

I'll be talking in depth about Finding Your Voice / Niche in an upcoming post, so stay tuned for that.

• BE ORIGINAL - BE YOU

There is a percentage of bloggers with the method of simply rehashing what has already been blogged by other bloggers.  Yes, you can build a somewhat successful blog by doing it this way, but I personally find it to be a rather tacky practice (especially when no credit is given to the original source).  It is true that the online world is not a vacuum.  We will come across content from other bloggers that we just have to share (with credit of course), will receive the same press releases from companies and artists and read the same publications as one another.  It's impossible to avoid.  What I'm trying to get at here has more to do with sharing your passion for a subject matter than anything else.  Find that thing or things that makes you tick and let the blog world know.  Shout it from the rooftops, parade it in the streets.  Passion is contagious and a steady following of loyal readers is sure to follow.

• LINK LOVE

One of the oldest "tricks" in the book for growing your blog is to share the blog link love.  It may seem counterintuitive to direct readers to other blogs, but I believe that doing so does a few things:

1. Linking to other blogs that you enjoy on a personal level aligns your site with theirs in a subtle but clear way.
2. Many times you will receive a link back to your site from someone you've linked to.  Link love at its best.
3. You are giving your readers options and showing that you are a "team player" in blogland.

For immediate results I also highly recommend the free service LinkWithin (you can see it at the bottom of each post here on my blog).  I had used the service in the past but forgot to bring it over with me when I relocated to Squarespace.  Since adding it just last week I've seen a huge spike in extra page views (10,700 in the past week to be more precise).

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Next week for Part 2 on this topic I will be talking about the use of social networking sites, targeted growth strategies (such as giveaways), and more.  I hope to see you then.  xo Ez

As always you can print this article using the 'print friendly' button found at the bottom of this post.  And please feel free to chime in and share any advice, thoughts or questions you may have regarding this topic in the comment section below!

Today I'll be addressing questions that are frequently asked by those looking to advertise their business via blogs (plus adding a few thoughts of mine into the mix for good measure).  I invite you to ask additional questions and share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below or in the Message Board.  Let's dive in, shall we!

"I'm new to advertising and don't even know where to start.  What sorts of blogs should I advertise on?"

Before diving into the world of advertising I highly recommend pinning down exactly who your customer is.  It is easy to assume that our customers are the same as ourselves, but often times this is not the case and you can spent a lot of frustration and money trying to market your products to the wrong people.  Save yourself the grief and think about asking yourself the following questions (I highly recommend writing your answers down in a notebook or binder that you will keep for your business thoughts).  If you don't know the answers for certain, take your best guess.

• Who is my customer (gender, age, economic standing, etc)?
• Why are they motivated to purchase from me (value for their money, unique products, superb craftsmanship, environmentally friendly, subversive, because I am part of the popular crowd, etc).
• What do I know about their personality?  Do they like casual informality or precision and formality?  Do they prefer vibrant colors or subtler hues?  Ask as many questions as you can.
• Knowing what I do about my customer, how do I present the product(s) that they are looking for?  What has worked well in the past and what hasn't?

Once you've answered these questions it's time to look at potential blogs to advertise on.  Clearly your budget will play into your decision making process.  But to begin with I recommend requesting ad rates from as many of the blogs that you personally have interest in, as well as those that you believe your potential customer's are likely to frequent (it is likely that there will be a lot over overlap).  It's okay if they are currently outside of your budget.  The information you gather will be invaluable.  Once you've collected some blog rate sheets, take a look at their statistics and compare the clicks (or page impressions) to the number of visitors (if you are able) that they have.  The higher the clicks the better.  This means that the readers of that particular blog really enjoy the content that is being posted and are familiar with clicking on new content (good news for you as an advertiser).  In my personal opinion page views are much more important in advertising than the number of readers following a blog.

"Are blogs better to advertise on than magazines?"

As a blogger I may be a little bit biased, but I have seen first-hand how beneficial blog advertisement can be.  Magazines are wonderful, but the cost for advertising is exorbitant and the shelf life is pretty minimal.  Blog readers are interested in the online world.  They are already familiar with shopping online and by making it as simple as clicking a button to find your shop you are that much closer to connecting with potential customers.  There are additional benefits to advertising online that I will address further down in this post.

"What about offering products for giveaways or just getting featured on blogs instead?"

These are also great ways to draw attention to your business but unless you are constantly producing new products to give away or have featured you may wish to look into a more reliable long-term approach.  Bloggers are not likely to feature your line more than a few times per season unless they are very fond of something you are selling (or are related to you - wink).  Spread out your pitches and offers to various bloggers if this is the route you are planning to take.  Hitting everyone all at once every time is not likely to be the best approach.  Also be aware that giveaways and features may potentially bring in immediate sales and a boost to your incoming traffic, but that traffic will taper down rather quickly.  Part of advertising is creating brand familiarity...so this method may not be optimal as a long term strategy.

I'll be discussing optimal ways to submit your product/site to bloggers and get your brand recognized in an upcoming post.

I believe that if you are looking to grow your blog then it is important to reframe the way you see it.  Perhaps you are not offering a physical product for sale, but do you invest time and money into your blog?  Are you working hard to promote the work of artisans/designers, etc?  Then I would say regardless of whether you are currently making money on your blog...you are a business.  Once you look at your site in this way it may help to make the next steps more clear to you.  One benefit to advertising your blog on blogs within a similar niche as yours is that you are essentially aligning yourself with their blogs.  The apparent value of your site is elevated by association, and if your content has a similar appeal then their audience will be easily drawn to your site and you will very likely earn new followers.

I can only speak for myself (but this probably applies to many bloggers) when I say that we don't take our jobs as advertising hosts lightly.  I personally feel a huge level of pressure to make sure that there is always interesting content up here on Creature Comforts that will continue to grow the site and bring readers in contact with the ads I host.

Unfortunately, advertising as with most other things in life does not come with a guarantee.  I wish that I could promise scores of sales for my advertisers, but to do so would not be truthful and anyone who makes such a promise would be misleading you.  It is very possible that you may see an increase in direct sales (that would be the hope), but that is not the only factor to consider when it comes to blog advertising.

An ads impact should be weighed in more than just direct sales (though I do of course understand the importance of those).

• For example, there are magazine editors/writers and retail shop owners who read popular blogs (as well as other bloggers searching for content)...so an ad on one of these blogs puts your shop in their direct view.
• Blogs with a high level of traffic and search engine relevance will increase your website's importance and page ranking by being affiliated with them.  As far as setting your sights on a long-term goal, this is what you want.
• Beyond that there are other factors that will effect the performance of your ad that are outside of a bloggers control.  These are mainly things on your end, such as your product photography, your ad design, product pricing, etc.

Ultimately I am a strong believer in trusting your instinct.  If all the numbers look right, you've got the money to spend, but something doesn't feel quite right to you, listen.  You can always reevaluate and try again another day.  Maybe the timing is just off, or another opportunity will present itself to you.  At the end of the day you deserve to feel that you are making the right steps for your business.  Trust yourself and success will follow.

I hope these tidbits will be useful in the process of determining when and how to make advertising work for your business.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic and hope you'll feel free to share openly in the comment section below.  If you'd prefer to discuss something privately you are always welcome to email me: creaturecomfortsblog@gmail.com .  xo Ez