NEW!!!! Newsletter Maintenance Program for SU Demos!

I am so excited to launch this new maintenance program for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. Not only can your blog  be updated automatically every month, now, so can your newsletters!   Each month your newsletter will be updated automatically with the following: Banner area. Latest 3 Promotions from Stampin' Up! (whatever is featured on the DBWS) Featured Catalog (could be current MDS downloads at times) Featured Product Featured Pattern Featured Project Footer area. Each newsletter also has Social Networking buttons at the bottom of the footer to link to your accounts: FB, Twitter, YouTube, and Blog Feed. I CAN also add "sections/blocks" to your newsletter where you write your own introduction, upcoming events or other desired areas. You are responsible for updating those.  Many of my customers like Mojo Monday sketches. So I can add that as well to your newsletters where the sketch will change every month. Please note there are months that Stampin' Up! does NOT have three promotions running or featured in the DBWS Promotions page, so at those times you will only see two top featured promotions in your newsletters. All you have to do is... go into your newsletter program each month (newsletter will be ready by the 5th of each month) and make a COPY of the NEWSLETTER TEMPLATE (I create for you that contains the Newsletter Maintenance). You do NOT have to modify anything if you don't want to. Simply schedule or send immediately! It will all be updated with the current information!  Yes, it's that easy!!!!!       You have lots of options to choose from! Click here for a sample with blog banner installed. Click here for a sample with my newsletter maintenance banner which changes automatically each month as well! Click here to view a snippet of a custom newsletter template design with sidebars and other custom editing. Click here to view a sample with the blog banner installed and additional sections added for you to write each month - opening introduction, upcoming events. You just would have to let me know how many blocks you want to add. Again, you'd be responsible for write them every month. Now there is no reason for you not to have a newsletter! Your customers are waiting! Have your newsletter ready in SECONDS each month and loaded with beautiful graphics!   $9.95 a month Click here to Sign Up Now!!!!

 

Important Note:  The $9.95/month is separate and in addition to any fees related with your newsletter/email marketing provider (Constant Contact, Aweber, iContact, Vertical Response, etc.)

Blogging from iPad2!

My husband gave me the new iPad for my birthday! What a great surprise! So I figured I would try blogging with it!

• It's only allowing me to compose this post with HTML code only. Don't know HTML? No worries! I will be holding a HTML for Bloggers webinar in the Fall! NOTE:Due to family matters I couldn't start them until this Fall. Thanks for waiting! You won't be disappointed!
• Has a great online spell checker! Very cool feature!
• Allows the insertion of pictures but you must upload them to a file manager or free image storage application like Photobucket so you can get and copy the image URL and required HTML code!

To show you can insert images, here is the current animated promotional button I created for US and CAN Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. Right click to save it to your computer and then upload to your blog and link it to you personal DBWS site!



Happy Blogging from my iPad!

P.S. In Typepad, so far I am just having trouble with the preview on the iPad so I can't see what this will look like before publishing it! I still have to test blogging with Blogger and WordPress.com.

You will notice a new category named "HOW TO: iPad" which will contain articles on how to blog with your iPad!

Heather Wright-Porto
Www.BlogsByHeather.com

For SU Demos: New Buttons

I don't often write posts specifically for Stampin' Up! (SU) demonstrators but July is a big month as the new catalogs are released. So I quickly wanted to share some new buttons.  

Not a SU Demo…but do you need animated buttons for a promo you're running or a new product you are releasing? I can help you too!

For SU Demos:

• Simply right-click on them and save the images to your computer.
• Then link them in your blog using this tutorial but then link to the corresponding SU website page instead of a page or post on your blog.

For US Demonstrators

For Canadian Demonstrators

------------------------------------------------------------------


For US or Canadian Demos

------------------------------------------------------------------

For US Demonstrators

For Canadian Demonstrators

------------------------------------------------------------------

For Australian Demonstrators

Are you a SU Demonstrator?  If so, check out my SU Blog Setup special and Maintenance Program. Never have to worry about updating your blog again :D

 

Up Next...

• Weekly Q&A. i got some great questions this week regarding dropdown menu code, HTML errors and more!
• The last post in the Reorganize Your Blog Series - cleaning up your blog with a dropdown nav bar.
• More on the Blogging Success Summit coverage - Turbo-Boosting Your Blog Traffic With Facebook - INSTRUCTOR: Mari Smith

Thanks for your patience while I helped out my fellow SU Demonstrators :D

More blogging articles up next :D

New Year Resolutions...Start blogging!

Happy New Year from
Blogs By Heather!

This post will stay at the top of my blog for this week as a Featured Post. Scroll down to see new posts and tutorials!

Each year many of us create a list of New Year Resolutions.  I hope that this is the year that you create a new blog or continue building your existing blog.

My motto is "Blogging should be fun, let me help you!" 
I would love to assist you with

• setting up your blog;
• transferring your blog form one platform to another;
• help maintain your blog month to month;
• set up a blog or online store using PayPal, Google Checkout, Cartville, Mals-Ecommerce (and other online shopping and payment methods);
• or create a newsletter for your business!

New Year Special - 25% OFF!

To help you get you started,
I'm offering a New Year's Special.
Save 25% on services listed above,
with the exception of blog maintenance. 

The Blog Maintenance special (for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators) is a savings of $25 if you purchase maintenance for one year up front, in one lump sum ($125 USD).

This special will run for a week and I will return your email as quickly as I can.  And on that note, my New Year's resolutions are (in regards to business):

• To keep up with email.
• Develop and deliver new services, such as my new What You Need To Know webinar series (click here for details and survey), and upcoming Newsletter Maintenance Program (details to come soon)!
• Continue to improve existing programs, such as the new animated Catalogs button I have for Blog Maintenance (Stampin' Up!) customers.

Also keep a look out for:

• New ventures and partnerships (can't wait to tell you about this)!
• A referral/affiliate program!
• New posting format and featured guest authors!
• Another book on blogging to be published in the Spring 2011, and much more!

Restructuring Service Packages and Discounts
Coming This Month

There will be a restructuring of all my services and pages (currently listed on the upper, left side of my blog). A new dropdown menu will be installed as well to help you find what you need quickly and easily! Discounts will be applied and built-in to new pre-set packages! There will also be a new, full ala carte system so you can purchase just those services you need and when you need them!

So...if you need a blog setup, now is the time to sign up and
SAVE 25%!

Email me: Heather@BlogsByHeather.com!

 

I am so excited and looking forward to working with you this year, bringing you new services, free tutorials in my posts and special tutorials for newsletter subscribers,  and to continue to share my passion for blogging and finding new ways to help you.

Thank you for following me!

Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com

P.S. Don't forget to check out my partner's Blog Design Pre-Made Sale - Michelle Laycock, Laycock Designs!!!!

 

They will NOT last! Start shopping at
MIDNIGHT, CENTRAL TIME on New Year's Eve!
Click here to shop!

 

I'm writing for Papers & Pixels online magazine!

 

Good morning bloggers!

Today, I am happy to be part of the December 2010 edition of the Papers & Pixels online magainze.  Be sure to check it out...lots of great Photoshop tips, digital crafting as well as paper crafting with featured artists and great pals of mine, Sandi Maciver and Monica Weaver.

 

www.PapersAndPixels.com

FREE PDF TUTORIAL - Inserting an Image Link

 

If you've wanted to know....

• how to insert your picture into your sidebar and have it link to a page you've created;  
• how to place a picture of your upcoming class and link it the corresponding post;
• how to place an image of a card kit or tutorial you are selling, and link it to a post or page you've created with the details

then this tutorial is for you!

Click to download my free tutorial

Includes instructions for Blogger, Typepad and WordPress.

Have a great day and keep blogging!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com

Cyber Monday Sale EXTENDED through Tuesday....

I am extending the Cyber Monday sale as I have many customers around the world in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. I want to be sure they all have an equal opportunity to participate in the special.  So it will run all day Tuesday as well!

Spread the word, tell your friends.

Great savings on many popular services!

Thanks again for your patronage and for following me!

Using Linky Tools On Your Blog

Do you have your own Design Team? Or simply want a place where you can have blog readers upload their samples to your blog, whether it be for a contest or simply to participate in an event?  Do you want to have a Blog Hop and want to have all the lists/links to all participants on your blog easily accessible?

The answer is Linky Tools (and it's free).

Have no idea what I'm talking about? LOL.  Well then maybe you've "seen" it in action or even particpated? You may have gone to one of your favorite blogs and notice this type of entry at the bottom of the post.  This is the Mr. Linky tool in action, and we'll be talking about this type of Thumbnail Linky List.

This entry will be at the top of the Linky List allowing you to "click here to enter" which means to click to upload your sample (photo).

This is a finished or closed Linky which appears at the bottom of the post where you can see samples uploaded.  This is taken from the new Stamp-a-holics Design Team Challenge Blog. They run Design Challenges every week (Friday to Friday) and showcase beautiful artwork from their Design Team.

So when it says the list is closed, that just means the Challenge is over (again since for the Stamp-a-holics, it runs every week, so a Linky closes and they open a new one every week).

Let's Get Started on Creating Your New Linky!

1. Go to www.LinkyTools.com.
2. Click Sign Up!
3. Then enter the word verification where it says Type Code Here, then click Validate.
4. Next enter your Email Address, First Name and Last Name.
5. Click Next.
6. Enter your blog address.
7. Select Time Zone.
8. Click Next.
9. Enter a password.
10. Re-enter to Confirm Password.
11. Click on Click Here to Finish Signing Up.
12. You will then get a message “Your account has been created, please log in…”
13. Login using your username and password (previously created).
14. Click Go (to sign in).
15. Now you are at the Linky Tools Dashboard.
    
    
    *Click to see full size image
    
    
16. On the right, click Create a New Linky (you can click Help if you need a description of each type). Thumbnail is one of the most popular and the one we'll be reviewing today.
    
    

*Click here to enlarge image.

1. For the Design Team, choose Thumbnail.
2. Click Go.
   
   
   *Click here to enlarge image.
   
   
3. Enter the List Title (called Design Team Challenge, for example).
4. Select a size for the Thumbnail (now if you selected a different List Type, the options would be different here).
5. I chose 80px.
6. Enter the Length of Entry (should be equivalent to the size of the Thumbnail, see their suggestions. 25 is the length to use for 80px thumbnail, where I forgot to update mine before taking the screen shot.)
7. Then select a start date and stop date (how long to allow entries on your blog for this particular Mr. Linky list).
8. Click here to continue to and get your code from the Dashboard.
9. You will see your new list added to the Dashboard and a link to Get Code.
10. There are TWO boxes.
11. For Blogger and Typepad users, you will copy the code in the TOP box. Then go to yorur blog, edit the post you are working on, switch to Edit HTML view (of the post), scroll down to the very bottom and type "Play along with us!" (without the quotes), and paste the code.
12. For WordPress, you will copy and paste the code in the BOTTOM box at the bottom of your post (after switching to Source view, where you see the HTML Source code).
13. Publish your post.
14. Then you're done.

Creating a Template

If you are going to be running this type of event weekly or on some set schedule, you may want to use a Template so you can just “get code” in one step w/o having to go thru the process of creating  a new list each time.

1. Under 1-Click Templates, click Manage Your Lists.
2. Then click on Create a New Template.
   
   
   *Click here to enlarge image.
   
   
3. Enter Default Linky Name (Weekly Design Team Challenge, for example).
4. Default Duration (in Days).
5. Enter Default Weekday (or leave that it will be the day you start the Linky).
6. Default Start Time.
7. Type of Linky (Thumbnail).
8. Click Create Template.
9. Now it appears under Your Recurring Linky’s.
10. Click Your Dashboard (link at the top) to go back.
11. Now from now on when you login, you can go to the right under 1-Click Templates.
12. Choose your template (“Weekly Design Team Challenge”).
13. Click Go.
14. Wait a second for the screen to refresh.
15. Then you will see Weekly Design Challenge with the date range specified.
16. Then click Get Code.
17. For Blogger and Typepad users, you will copy the code in the TOP box. Then go to yorur blog, edit the post you are working on, switch to Edit HTML view (of the post), scroll down to the very bottom and type "Play along with us!" (without the quotes), and paste the code.
18. For WordPress, you will copy and paste the code in the BOTTOM box at the bottom of your post (after switching to Source view, where you see the HTML Source code).
19. Publish your post.
20. And you’re done.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep in mind that after you paste the code in the Edit HTML/Source Code area of your post and switch to Compose/Rich Text view, you will NOT see the Linky Tools/Mr. Linky until the post is actually Published (goes live).

Have fun with this one!

Enjoy,

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com

Blogs By Heather "What You Need to Know" Webinars!Coming Soon 2011!

Since forming my Blogs By Heather blog, many customers have asked for some Photoshop or Photoshop Elements lessons or lessons on HTML or CSS, and more.

I'm listening and delivering! I will soon be starting my "What you need to know" series of seminars focused on blogging. Coming soon, 2011 will be here before you know it!

 A little about me and my expertise:

I have a Master's in Computer Information Systems, started my own business, Premier Computer Solutions, in 1995, which was focused on Database Development, VBA programming, web development and computer training. I have worked at NYU for over 8 years as a Database Programmer, Web Developer, and Applications Trainer. I taught  individuals regularly on MS Office, VBA Programming, and the Destop Publishing/Graphic Design applications like Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. I want to use this experience and bring my training and computer expertise to you via the web!

A little about this exciting new venture:

• These courses are being designed specifically for the Blogger in mind, whether you use Typepad, Blogger or WordPress.
• They are not full-blown courses on a particular subject, such as Photoshop, but an emphesis on certain functions and concepts:
  • Example, the Photoshop for Bloggers course.  It is not about learning all aspects of Photoshop, but more specific to what you need to know in regards to getting your images edited (such as adding filters, borders, color and level adjustments or adding a watermark) before uploading to your blog.  In addition, how to create images for your blog and more importantly how to then install them on your blog or how to change them later on (such as animated buttons, post signatures, banners, post headers and footers, sidebar headers and more). 

My "What you need to know" seminars are not like any other type of courses you'll find online or in-house training institutions as they combine applications and are focused around blogging and what a blogger needs to know.

Many more details will be coming soon, however

• they will be delivered in one or two hour modules (TBD).
• will be recorded so you can listen at your leisure!
• once per week.
• for many weeks (I will try to keep them to 4-5 wks).
• for all bloggers (Blogger, Typepad, and WordPress).

These webinars are different from Stamping Business Boot Camps that you may be familiar with, haven taken, or currently part of.

• They are NOT about how to run or build a stamping business.
• They are NOT just for Stampin' Up! demonstrators (although all are welcome!)...anyone in any profession are welcome to take these webinars.
• They ARE how-to courses focused around blogging and blog-related concepts, provide step-by-step instruction, and based on my personal and professional experience in the computer field (going on 20 years).

I am excited to bring these new webinars to you and trying best to serve as many of you as possible!  I know you are from all over the world and I want to try and accomodate as many time zones as possible. Your input is welcomed and much appreciated.

Please post a comment or click to take this survey:

- What courses you'd like most (to start with)?

- What time slots are best for you?

Course Survey

• Photoshop for Bloggers
• Photoshop Elements for Bloggers
• HTML Basics for Bloggers
• CSS Basics for Bloggers
• Beginning Google Blogger (designed around my book)
• Beginning Typepad (same outline as my book on Blogger but for Typepad users)
• Constant Contact Newsletter Template Design
• Facebook and Twitter Integration
• All About Blogging (designed around my 2nd book to be published in Spring 2011, this book is broad and covers all concepts of blogging and includes working with images, videos, blog stores, and more, as well as for Blogger, Typepad and WordPress bloggers).

Time Slot Survey

• Wednesday night, 10 PM EST
• Wednesday night, 9 PM EST
• Tuesday afternoon, 3:30 PM EST
• Tuesday mid-day, 12 Noon EST
• Saturday morning, 10 AM EST
• Sunday night, 8 pm EST

Please note: When I use the word "Bloggers" in Photoshop for Bloggers or HTML for Bloggers topics, that this means all people who blog (bloggers), not just those that use Blogger (Google Blogger) as their blogging platform.

As I continue developing the courses, I can then provide you with course descriptions, outline, more details, schedule and pricing (which will be very affordable).  For now I just wanted to do a survey to see what you, my followers, friends and customers are most interested in.

Remember, you can click here to take an online survey that has additional questions as well.

Thank you for your feedback!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com

Clickable Banners in Constant Contact, MailChimp....in your Newsletters!

I don't know why I had never tried this before, but when doing Catherine Pooler's newsletter recently, I saw the banner on her blog, www.catherinepooler.com, and absolutely loved it and wanted to make it work in her newsletter.

And it worked!!!! I'm very excited to bring this new feature to you!  Have a banner and just want to make it "clickable", that's okay!  Creating clickable banners is just $25.

Need an entire newsletter designed, click here for more details.

Here's a snapshot of Catherine's newsletter template which coordinates beautifully with her blog design (there is even a floral background, but MS Outlook doesn't display it):

Inserting a YouTube Video into your posts

Whether you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator or not, you still may like to know how to insert YouTube into your blog posts.  It is now even easier than in the past!

Find your video or a video you would like to feature (from YouTube), like the one I have below where it is featuring Stampin' Up!'s new Letterpress Plates.  Tomorrow is October 1st and new updates will be coming, and I wanted to share with fellow demonstrators who may wish to have this video posted on their blogs.

In this example, I went to www.YouTube.com/stampinupvideo and then from the right, selected (clicked) the Big Shot Letterpress Plates.  That video is then loaded into the center, view and begins to play.

How to Insert/Embed YouTube Video

• RIGHT-CLICK on the video and select "Copy Embed HTML".
• Go to your blog and compose a new post.
• Write what you would like, and when you're ready to insert the video, swith to HTML or Edit HTML view. Scroll to your last sentence (for example for placement), and paste.
• You will see something like this:
  
  
  Please note for BLOGGER users, you have to add the </embed> (which is called a close tag) before the </object> in order for it to work (at least I had to)!
  
  

Adjusting the Width

As you may notice that my blog has a thinner middle (main posting area) than most, so many of my images have to be resized to fit. Anyway, you can adjust the size of this video to better fit your posting area.  NOTE: 400px wide is a good standard and will fit most blogs.

• At this point, you've pasted in the HTML code from YouTube as shown in the image above. Notice the width is 640. 
• I manually changed the 640 to 400 (in both places). 
• So how to you determine how to shrink the height proportionally?  I divided 640/400 and got 1.6.  Then I divided 390 by 1.6 and resulted in 243.75 (which I rounded to 244). So, my YouTube video is now 400(W) x 244(H) and fits nicely in my blog.
• Then you can switch back to Compose or Rich Text view and continue your post. 
• You will NOT see the video running or may not see anything in Preview. This is OK.  It will appear once posted and live.
• When finished, publish your post and you're done!

 

NOTE: Stampin' Up! Demonstrators!

It's the first of the month and time for your updates. If you haven't already, then you should sign up for my monthly maintenance program where it is all done for you - swapping out the old promotions, catalogs, and such and replacing them with current information.

Keep your sidebars up to date for just $12.50 a month!

Happy Blogging!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com