Pimp out your blog

My daughter entered eighth grade this September and for the week before classes began she enjoyed pimping out her school binder. All the cool girls do it. A standard plastic three-ring binder is transformed with photos, stickers, song lyrics, and other bits and bobs on the outside. She's even got a spot for a quote of the day which she updates each morning. Inside, the binder has page dividers she’s customized, and pocket folders with pens and protractors and whatnot.

I got to thinking that the same is true of good blogs. A pimped out blog shows the blogger's personality.

I've pimped out my blog with lots of cool stuff. On the top is a masthead that I had a designer friend create. In TypePad which I use for my Web Ink Now blog, you just have someone design something that's 770 pixels wide and drop it in. Presumably you can do the same with other blog software.

On the right and left columns, I've implemented TypePad widgets. For example, I have links from the cover images of my books to Amazon. Because it is part of my Amazon Associates program account, I'm even paid a small commission. It's not much money, but every quarter I can take my family out for a decent dinner on the proceeds.

I've got links to pages on my site and to my other content on the Web such as my Squidoo lens and a Technorati a list of blogs that link to mine. There’s a link to the articles I've written for EContent Magazine, a link to the Newstex Blogs On Demand network that syndicates my blog and links to the associations that I'm affiliated with. There are RSS subscription widgets from Feedburner and an email subscription option with FeedBlitz.

Pimping out your blog is easy with TypePad using widgets "bling for your blog." If you devote a few hours to it, you can make a very cool looking blog that even my teenage daughter would approve of.

Sure, the standard templates offered by the blog software providers are great to get started, but once you are into the blogging thing, it is important to make your blog personality shine through based on the links, images, masthead and other widgets.

Comments

[Dianna Huff]

David,

I just found out what a "widget" is -- and now that I know, I would like to add a few to my blog. I had always wondered how people added all those fun things to their blogs!

[Michael Stelzner]

WordPress has some cool plugins that let you *pimp* out your blog.

One of the ones I like is from Feedback Blitz. It allows readers to get emails when a new blog entry is added.

Also, StatTraq allows the blog owner to view real-time stats of who I coming to the blog, what keywords they used, and where they came from.

Cool stuff! Also, David. Sometimes I forget to enter the security code at the end of this message and the thing never shows up on your blog. Not sure that is all that valuable.

[Kikiy]

David:

First off, I love your site and your eBook - one of the best I've read thus far. The wealth of information you provide is invaluable.

Pimp my blog?

As a writer/graphic & layout designer/eBook publisher - I would have to say I agree. Anything that can get you brand recognition is awesome!

In this tangled world we call the Web, pimping out your blog might just be what separates your blog from the millions on the blogosphere. That...and great content (as found on this site), too.

Keep up the great work.

[Jacob Sikais]

I must say I found your blog by purchasing your book... and even though it should of been the other way around... it is great to see that because of your blog... you published your book... so I could buy your book... and find your blog... if you get me.

Loved this section and some great tools... I have now also become an Amazon Associate and your book is my first recommendation in my 'astore'.