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Blogging Guides

Managing File Permissions in WordPress

April 11th, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen10 Comments »

If you install, move, add WordPress Themes, Plugins, or just rearrange things on your server, you are going to run into the challenges associated with file permissions with WordPress. If you are concerned about security, protection from hackers, viruses, and other evil, get familiar with file permissions in WordPress.

In general, file permissions are variables set on server files to control access and usage of the file for individuals, browsers, code, and programs. Consider them the firewalls to your WordPress website, dictating who can do what with each file and folder.

All these folder and files permissions can be confusing in WordPress. Recently, I had a site offline for three hours, going through a variety of tests to figure out what was causing the problem. It boiled down to a single folder being set to the wrong permissions. I had to go through every file and folder to figure out which one was set wrong, so take care when changing file permissions. Read more…

Are You Afraid to Blog?

March 21st, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen2 Comments »

Darren Rowse of has a fascinating new article on “Overcoming Blogger Fright.”

“I don’t think I have what it takes to put myself ‘out there’ every day.”
“Who would want to read what I have to say?”
“Do you ever get used to the fact that strangers are reading what you write?”
“I don’t think I have enough ego to do this!”

These statements—and others like them—are pretty typical sentiments that I hear from many new bloggers whose main barrier to blogging comes down to self-doubt, shyness or … Blogger Fright.

I remember having similar feelings myself. The thought of writing something and having complete strangers read and comment upon it was something that took me a little time to come to grips with, particularly as a relatively shy and private person.

He offers tips on how to “get over it,” how to find your voice on the web and embrace blogging. While this seems like an insignificant issue, having taught people around the world how to blog, I face this constantly in my own work, as do many in the blogging and social web industry. Read more…

Craft Month: Podcasts for the Knitter, Crocheter, Quilter, Woodworker, Beader, Jeweler…

March 3rd, 2011 by WordCast Team1 Comment »

WordCast Craft MonthIn working on my new ebook, Social Media for Crafters, I spent months searching for crafting podcasts. There are a lot of craft podcasts. While only a few last past the first year, there are some treasures to be found in their valuable archives.

The ones that last, some getting close to their 200th episode soon, are delightful and often have huge communities of fans. Their enthusiasm explodes across the audio and video waves as they share their passion for their craft.

CraftyPod with Sister Diane, aka Diane Gilleland, just released episode 126, Planning Your Holiday Season, with My Mom!. The Savvy Girls Knitting Podcast with knitting sisters Melanie and Deborah is delightful and entertaining. Their latest is By Force of Habit. The Knitmore Girls Podcast is up to episode 141 with Cardboard cutout. Read more…

Craft Month: Putting the Design in the Hands of the Customer

February 22nd, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen1 Comment »

WordCast Craft MonthIs it the wave of the future or just a cool gimmick? Would you want to design your own jewelry online?

Dave Sloan, CEO of Treehouse Logic, wrote an article with examples of how to design your own jewelry online, using modern, interactive web designs.

Examples included GemKitty and Blue Nile, both fine jewelers.

As part of Craft Blogging Month on WordCast, let’s look at how such customer driving interactivity might apply to your craft blog.

Putting the Design in the Hands of the Customer

Part of the joy in buying a handcrafted item as a gift is giving someone something that is personal and handmade – implying its original or at least artistic. We know this isn’t completely true. Few crafters can make money making one-of-a-kind products. Most find a pattern and set up a system for creating many, certainly not thousands, but at least dozens.

Ecommerce research has shown that online retailers get greater loyalty and fewer returns when the customer feels like they are controlling their shopping experience. While you might not be able to afford the web design costs associated with these high level custom design offerings, there are many ways you can help your customers feel more like they are in control of their purchase and product. Read more…

Craft Month: How NOT to Blog on Your Craft or Art Blog

February 21st, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen4 Comments »

WordCast Craft MonthWords are like paint strokes on a canvas. They can have bold flourishes of expression, or soft tones of concern or regret. We can pound the table with our verbal fists to make a point, or whisper onto the white page in dulcet, hushed tones.

If words can have such visual impact, why do people blog with jackhammers instead of paint brushes?

Without a visual flourish beyond a bold or italic, we have read books that have changed the world with their words. Yet, when a blogger hits the web, especially a craft or artist blogger, the words become VisUaL violence on the eyes.

Here are some tips on how NOT to blog words for crafters and artists.

There Are No Rules, Only Guidelines

it’s your blog. you can do with it what you will. if you want to emulate e. e. cummings, then write with no capital letters. we’ll know you are really honoring his ground breaking style when you do.

IF YOU WISH TO WRITE IN ALL CAPS TO MAKE YOUR POINT YOU CAN. DON’T EXPECT PEOPLE TO READ IT QUICKLY, OR MAYBE AT ALL AS IT IS HARD TO READ. THAT DOESN’T MATTER AS IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO SCREAM AT YOUR READER TO MAKE YOUR POINT.

CENTERING THE TEXT
DOESN’T CHANGE ITS
IMPORTANCE EITHER.
JUST MAKES IT HARD TO READ.

Just remember, it’s your blog. It’s your virtual paintbrush on the web. It’s your resume. It’s your playground. It’s your gallery. If you want to spend time messing around with the fonts and LETTERS, it’s your time and energy, and your style. Go for it.

If you want to be read, to be truly understood, then the following guidelines will help you get your message across and tell your story better. Read more…

Craft Month: A Blog is a Journey Towards Inspiration, Motivation, Connection, and Me

February 17th, 2011 by Deirdra Doan5 Comments »

Deirdra DoanI’m delighted that WordCast has invited me to participate in their Craft Blogging Month. I hope my story will find hope and inspiration in you and help you take the first step towards building your own art blog.

Three and half years ago I was exposed to my first artist blog. I was at an art and crafts conference with daily workshops. People where handing me their cards with a blog address on them. I was captivated. From the comfort of my home, I could cruise artists studios all over the country – all over the world! I could get into their hearts’ desires and creative minds without even meeting them. Before I had to go to studio tours and gallery openings. Even then it didn’t have the power of a blog.

I quickly realized that I had to have one. I created my first blog post in my little RV camped out waiting for the next day of workshops and classes, and published it as soon as I got home. I, too, could offer other artists and fans a chance to get to know me, my heart’s desires and creative mind. While I still wanted to meet them in person, this was an opportunity to encourage that process and begin the conversation. What a magical world!

Now, as I think about the impact of taking that first step off the cliff into the unknown world of blogging, I see so many rewards. I found a new credibility in myself and around the artist community. I found inspiration and motivation unlike I’d ever felt before, touched by so many lives online. And I found a renewed sense of self-confidence through the supportive online community. I felt a part of something.

Let’s see if I can help you understand a little more about how a blog changed my artistic life – and life in general. Read more…

Craft Month:Twelve by Twelve – The International Art Quilt Challenge

February 12th, 2011 by Brenda Gael Smith2 Comments »

WordCast Craft MonthTwelve quilters are participating in an exciting international virtual collaboration. Each participant creates a 12×12 art quilt based on a particular theme or palette. While the idea of a challenge group is not new to online crafting, the Twelves are a special group because they are so diverse artistically, geographically, politically and chronologically.

Twelve by Twelve:The BOOK! The Twelves are also distinguished by their enthusiasm and commitment. The Theme Series was undertaken from September 2007-October 2009 and the group is mid-way through the Colorplay Challenge. The lushly illustrated new book Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge (Lark Books March 2011 – AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW!) showcases all 144 quilts from the first two year challenge and features 12 quilts in depth. The book also examines the dynamics of developing a vibrant cyberspace community of artists.

Brenda Gael Smith, one of the Australian Twelves, shares some insights into this inspiring project. Read more…

Check the Top Websites in the World Lately?

February 12th, 2011 by WordCast Team2 Comments »

What do you know about the world’s top websites? Do you know what they are?

Google’s DoubleClick’s Top 1000 sites lists sites you would take for granted for their presence at the top of the list: Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo, Live, Wikipedia, MSN, Microsoft, Bing, Twitter, Adobe, Ebay, Apple, Amazon, and international versions of these.

What is surprising about this list based upon the top unique visitors according to DoubleClick’s Ad Planner are a few surprises in the top 100.

Blogspot and are successful free blog hosting platforms. Their inclusion makes sense as each hosts millions of blogs and bloggers.

ImageShack is a popular online photo and video hosting service hosting billions of images and videos world-wide, making it one of the largest independent media hosts.

Surprisingly, orkut is gaining ground as an online community and social network. It focuses on sharing hobbies and interests as well as for dating, and while some use it for business, it tends to stay focused on true social interaction.

Softonic, a software hosting site offering free software downloads and reviews. Softonic was originally Shareware Intercom, created in 1997, and is based in Barcelona, Spain.

@nifty is one of the leading Internet service providers in Japan. It also provides a portal for news and entertainment as does 163.com‘s email service network and QQ.

Seesaa is a Japanese blog network offering a diverse network covering lifestyle, news, entertainment, business, etc. Read more…

Craft Month: Crafty Charity – The Giving Heart of the Craft Community

February 11th, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen4 Comments »

WordCast Craft MonthMany use the cliché, “it takes a village,” without truly understanding what that means in the online world. The events around a recent blog carnival became an example of an online village coming together to help save one.

Many craft bloggers offer competitions and contests, building community around them through exchange of artwork and crafts through giveaways and prizes. One World One Heart 2011 by A Whimsical Bohemian has had an heart-wrenching twist in its annual event.

Damage to home of melanie after fire destroyed everythingA participant in the event, Melanie, had her house burn down and she lost everything she owned, including her two cats, bringing outcries of grief and compassion from around the community.

One World One Heart 2011One World One Heart was the idea of Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian, a doll maker, painter, and textile artist in California. Now in its fifth and “final” event, the bloggers only event is an open house and showcase meets blog carnival:

Think of it as a GIGANTIC open house allowing you to travel without ever leaving your home……..going from blog to blog (in various countries) seeing the wonder each one has created and meeting all the fabulous people behind those blogs. As a bonus each blogger participant will offer up a “door prize or prizes”….just for dropping by, saying hello and seeing their world. It’s really that easy.

The submission deadline is February 12, 2010, and the end of the blog carnival event is February 17. Thousands of people have participated in this event around the world and there are currently 855 entrants from Thailand, Philippines, Italy, England, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Cyprus, Croatia, and more. Read more…

Craft Month: Why Should Crafters and Artists Blog?

February 10th, 2011 by Sharon Boggon7 Comments »

WordCast Craft MonthWhen I first started keeping a blog 7 years ago, there were very few fellow craft bloggers. I was amazed as I could clearly see that the ease of publishing searchable content to a global audience would help studio based artists promote their work. Since it was obvious to me, I decided to try blogging my craft.

Experimenting with this new communication technology, I was hesitant at first. I still didn’t see writing as my main skill. While I knew there was potential, I was treading on new ground, making my way into this new publishing platform with baby steps.

Today, my blog has become the main way I promote my work. I can’t imagine not having it. How far I’ve come. How far we’ve come.

sharonboggon-pintangle-siteA couple of years ago, I left my job as a university lecturer in new media to spend more time in my studio. I teach online to students around the world. This year, I am very excited about travelling to USA to teach at An Adventure in Crazy Quilting, a retreat and series of workshops.

To think that not long ago I was shocked to be described as a blogging success story! Today, with the amazing community and support from the online community, I realise it is in fact true. It can be true for you, too. Read more…

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