How to Make a Blog Button

Before I do anything today, I just wanted to tell you
to go and check out my

INTERCHANGEABLE Pennant Banner Tutorial
over at Shindig today. I’m going to be making a monthly appearance over there, and I’m so glad Amanda from Shindig will be doing the same here. It’s gonna be FUN!

Today I thought I would do some tutorials to help
with all y’alls BLOGS.

I get emails all the time asking how to make buttons, how to get advertisers, how to get their blog bigger… the list goes on.

I really don’t consider myself an expert in any of these areas, but I have learned A LOT in the last year and I want to share with you some of those things I learned…

HOW TO MAKE A BLOG BUTTON

(One that links to your site, and one with text underneath it for others to copy & paste)

1. Begin by making the image/logo you want. You can make yours in Paint, Photoshop… whatever you have. I have Paintshop Pro that I bought for $20 and I LOVE it!!

2. Open a PHOTOBUCKET account. If you want to do more blogging and need to make buttons, you will need this. In Photobucket, you will be able to UPLOAD your images.

3. Upload the images you want for you button(s) and re-size to what you need. When advertising, most people like a 125×125 pixel button, but you may want one bigger for your sidebar.

4. Be sure to take note of all the CODES that will be under your picture in Photobucket…

5. Add the button to your blog by going to your Dashboard – Add a Gadget – HTML/JavaScript

6. To figure out your html, use the following CODE and change the highlighted sections for whichever kind of button you are trying to make…

Blog Button Help

Above you will see that there are instructions for two kinds of buttons. One that is simply a picture of your logo/button that links to your site and One that is a picture of your logo/button with text the html code in a box underneath it for others to copy and paste like this:

7. For whichever kind of button you need, copy and Paste your new code into the HTML/JavaScript Gadget in the CONTENT section and SAVE. (You can also copy and paste this code directly into the EDIT HTML section of your post).

Voila! It may seem like jibberish to you, but trust me… it gets easier every time you do it.

GETTING MORE TRAFFIC

There are SOO many things that one can do to get more traffic, but I’ve realized there are some simple and easy things one can do without getting super technical with the SEO and Analytics of a blog.

1. Link up to Link Parties

There are SOOO many link parties out there right now, and linking up will help others to see what you’ve done and come check it out if they like it.

2. Email the Bloggers directly

Most bloggers get their features because someone emailed them and asked them to feature it. If that blogger likes what you’ve done, they’ll feature you BUT don’t feel bad if they don’t. Some bloggers have a certain style and they really want to stick with it. Sometimes, they may not feature because it doesn’t fit into the schedule they have prepared that week. Bottom line is IT DOESN’T HURT TO ASK…

3. Create a Facebook Page

A HUGE majority of my traffic comes from Facebook. I post on my page what I have on the blog for the day, and if someone is interested they can just click on my FB post and it will take them directly to my Blog post. I don’t expect ANYONE to check to my blog every day but I know a LOT of people check Facebook every day. If they see something they like that I’ve posted, they may just hop on over to the blog to check it out.

ADVERTISING

How can YOU make money by blogging?

I recently signed up with Social Spark.
I have HAD a GREAT experience with them so far, and LOVE working with them on Advertising Campaigns.

What Social Spark does is connects bloggers with companies who are trying to advertise their products (keep in mind that your blog has to be approved and has to fit the SS standards). Companies who like your site or think that your blog audience fits with their products will contact you via Social Spark and offer you a “lead.” Each lead requirements are different and offer a different amount of money. You are then given the opportunity to accept or decline the offer.
It really is that easy!

Social Spark also has several incentive programs. Right now they are even offering a trip to Paris for their new referral challenge going on. I’m thinking I wouldn’t mind being in Paris right about now…

Any who, if you have questions, just let me know, but I highly recommend checking out Social Spark and all it has to offer.
To sign up go HERE.

Hope this info helps. Let me know if any questions!

LINKING UP TO:

Craft-o-Maniac ♥ Sumo’s Sweet Stuff ♥ Singing Three Little Birds ♥ C.R.A.F.T. ♥ Skip to My Lou ♥

Making the World Cuter ♥ Mad in Crafts ♥ Keeping It Simple ♥ The Girl Creative ♥ Sew Can Do ♥

Today’s Creative Blog ♥ Hoosier Homemade ♥ Tip Junkie ♥ Saturday Morning ♥ All Thingz Realted ♥ Sugar Bee Craft Edition ♥ Reasons to Skip the Housework ♥ Someday Crafts ♥ Women Who Do It All ♥ Blue Cricket Design ♥ Night Owl Crafting ♥ Seven Thirty Three ♥ Fireflies & Jellybeans ♥

House of Hepworths ♥ Katie’s Nesting Spot ♥ Somewhat Simple ♥ Fingerprints on the Fridge ♥

Tidy Mom ♥ It’s a Hodgepodge Life ♥ Sassy Sites ♥ 504 Main ♥ Tatertots and Jello ♥ Creative Crate ♥ Lolly Jane ♥ Be Different, Act Normal♥ I Heart Naptime

Discussion

1

Sassy Sites!
June 28, 2011 at 2:39 pm

Thanks for the info. I just signed up, although I don't know what the heck I'm doin' with it! haha!!XOXO!!

2

Melanie
June 28, 2011 at 4:15 pm

Such good info..thanks for sharing. I've been signed up with Social Spark for months now, and although I have had a few leads that I've clicked…I've never had any actual takers. I also don't get many leads at all. Guess I'm still too small to have it be noticed! Smiles,MelanieReasons To Skip The Housework {The Blog}Tinker B Boutique {The Shop}{The Email}

3

Amy
June 28, 2011 at 4:25 pm

I too love Paintshop Pro, but it is a bummer that there are so many photoshop resources out there that don't work with PSP. Have you found any good sources for brushes, etc, for PSP?

4

Natalie
June 29, 2011 at 1:15 am

Thanks for the info! I just signed up with them off your link! Quick question, it asked how many points I wanted per post? I just kept it at the default (I think it was 500 points), but what should I have entered? Thanks!

5

JC's Loft
June 29, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Awesome advice! Thanks for passing it along to us : )Paula

6

Amanda
June 29, 2011 at 8:11 pm

Thanks for this info. Some things I just can't get my curly haired head round! I tried doing a FB page and could never get the page to link up and now I'm trying to figure out how to make buttons smaller, gah, where's the Blogger for Dummies book! Anyhoo, thanks for sharing these tips.

7

Connie @ Measured by the Heart
June 30, 2011 at 6:56 pm

great info. Thanks for sharing. I am happy to be your newest follower. Please stop by for book club if you're interested–connie,measuredbytheheart.com

8

Molly Gray
July 1, 2011 at 8:42 pm

For the Facebook page, did yuo just create a group, page or a unique account for your blog? I am wondering because I feel that if I just create a page with my personal account the only people who will ever "like" it are already my friends and get to my blog from my personal account anyway…and I don't want to be double posting. Maybe it's just something that I'll need to try myself and figure out the best medium between the two.

9

SheSaid
July 3, 2011 at 4:38 am

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this!! Our blog is little & we are hoping to grow and I've been wanting to create buttons so this is PERFECT!!Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.