Blog Tips for Newbies
I had today’s blog written last night but at 3am the suggested prompt came in my email. The topic was talking about how visitors come to blogs to learn something and today is to teach them something! Well I must be a mind reader because that’s just what I wrote about today! I’m sharing some blog tips for newbies (or “oldies” that may not know these tips)
When I started my blog in December 2014 I basically knew nothing about blogging! I planned on using it mainly to post my book and product reviews. Well that lasted a few months and I started added different categories.
I also didn’t know anything about what happens if I run into a problem, will I be able to fix it or come up with a solution? I’m the type of person that learns by doing or trial and error. When I put things together I build it first then look at the directions to see if it’s done correctly. While hitting a few roadblocks with my blog throughout the years, I was able to work out a solution to my problems. I have a few blog tips for newbies that I’m going to share. I have Word Press so these tips are for using this platform, not sure if they would be the same on Blogger or other platforms.
Open Blog Link in New Window
The main tip is how to open a blog link in a new window. This is helpful because if someone is reading your blog and you have a link to say a recipe or another blog, you will want your reader to be able to click that link but still be able to continue reading your blog post. First you type the name of the website link in your post, highlight it and you will see a slide bar at the bottom of the window that says, ‘open in new tab.’ Slide that over to show up blue and now when your readers click the link it will open in a new tab.
Sometimes I like to type the name of the business as I’m writing my blog instead of the link to get to it. I highlight the name and a new tab bar opens above the paragraph. Click on the link icon and type or copy the URL in the space provided then click the icon at the end of the space bar that looks like a sideways “L” with an arrow. You will then see the same ‘open in new tab’, slide it to show blue. I like to highlight the name in bold so my readers know it’s a clickable link.
After you complete these steps and click the BOLD icon this is what your links should look like. Now your readers can click a link and it will open into a new window and they won’t lose the original blog they are reading. You can try it with this highlighted Bacon and Cheese Dip . Click on the blue highlighted Bacon and Cheese Dip, it should open in a new window and you can return to this blog to read further. While you’re there, check out Lia’s delicious recipe for this awesome dip!
Control Z
Have you ever accidentally clicked something wrong while typing your blog and the content disappears? There is an easy fix for this if you haven’t typed anything since it poofed. Just click the CTRL and “z” buttons at the same time and your content should magically reappear. This also works for email or social media.
Secret Messages
Some of you might wonder why when I leave a comment on your blog after I’ve commented and tweeted it is done in a strange way with capitalizing letters in the middle of words. There is a method to my madness! Some social sites see “commented and tweet” in the comments over and over and decide on their own that it is spam. So I came up with an ingenious plan to leave secret messages in words. When I post that I’ve commented and tweeted, I might write something like, “greaT Content”. The capital T and C mean I shared to Twitter and I left a comment.
So if you see a word with a capital letter of C, T, S, L, F in a comment by me, you will know I Commented, Tweeted, Shared, Liked, or Followed your blog. This is a blog I wrote on this subject a year ago that explains it more. http://themarthareview.com/secret-messages-in-words/
I hope these few blog tips for newbies can be of some help to you. If you have any questions or need more of an explanation you can either comment, email or message me!
I love this!!! I was trying to figure this out the other day and hoped that someone would see the error of my ways when I posted my blog, LOL but no one did, so now I can go back and correct it!! Thank you so much for the tips and secrets!! !
I’m glad they are of help to you Tanya! I must have missed it on your post!
Love that you gave some pointers on keeping each blog that you’re reading in separate windows! Super helpful!
Glad it helped you Karin. This makes it so much easier for readers to go back to your blog after clicking links!
This was very helpful.
Thanks Brenda, I like to share what I learn!
Had no idea about the shortcut….Control Z huh?…….and Secret Messages is interesting……hmmm… Can I invite Lia over to help me make a Vegan Version of the Dip? Cute apron and hat- or is it just Lia’s cuteness shining through!??!?! LOL!
I love the Control Z Pamela! I’ll have Lia work on a Vegan version, this dip is SOOOOOO good! She loves her apron and hat, but I think her cuteness is shining through too!
Great tips!
Thanks Amanda. I like to share my finds with others.
I am following your blog for a very long time.Its wonderful to do something like this to share.
I love to share my tips with other Amrita. I’m probably going to have a few more tips up my sleeve before the challenge is over.
Control – Z! I could kiss you! But, since I can’t I’m sending you a big, social distancing hug. You can imagine how many times this has happened to me. So frustrating – especially since WordPress sometimes has a bad habit of highlighting huge paragraphs for no reason and they disappear – poof! Thank you!
I’m glad it helped you Elisa and thanks for the distancing hug!
I liked the “secret messages” part of your article! I’ll try that! Control Z also seems quite handy, especially for those of posting in a frenzy!
Yes I was worried when a notice would pop up telling me can’t post because they marked it spam. Too may comment, tweets puts a flag up. That’s how I came up with my secret code Kathleen!
First I chuckled about your sixth sense. Then , I read your blog ~ how helpful ! I didn’t know that ctrl Z would return my content ! Thank you, Martha !
Glad you learned something from my blog post Kendall. I love sharing my finds.
These are cool tips for newbie bloggers. I’d say even long time bloggers can get something out of your tips. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Oh yes Jojo, tips are good for anyone Jojo! I’m always looking at ways to improve my blogs and sharing my tips along the way.
Very good tips! Loved your “secret messages” LOL
I was in FB jail last year and of course we never know why but even since that I’m cautious with posting the same generic comments Nancy.
Loved this post; and truly love your secret messages 🙂
Thanks Vidya, hope it gave you some pointers.