Saturday Sessions - 5 Things Every Blog Needs | Venus Trapped in Mars || Dallas
Venus Trapped in Mars Sports and Lifestyle Blog Dallas

08 June 2013

Saturday Sessions - 5 Things Every Blog Needs





5 Things Every Blog Needs:

1. An About Me Page
Keep it basic. Here is all you need:

A basic graphic welcoming your reader
1 Large Picture of you - make sure it fits your width properly (as instructed here)
Two or Three Simple Paragraphs

Hi kids, I'm Venus, the blogger formally known as "Sarah". I like to think of myself as one of the boys and FAB! I'm here to help all my girls better understand what their man is talking about in the sports world! Think of me as the ESPN for women, just wrapped in a sparkly package with tons of glitter and fabulocity! 

Just like you I'm a total girly girl and career woman, but I'm also a guys gal! I can hold an intelligent conversation with any man, while still gossiping with my girlfriends about the latest episode of Real Housewives. I know how to share my knowledge in a way my girlfriends can easily understand! 

I love graphic design, Pinterest and a raging party. I am in a bubbly mood from sun up until sun down and need constant entertainment. Oh, and I like to try and make ya laugh wherever possible. How can you say no to this? So grab a bucket of wine and stay forever and a day. 



That's It! Easy! You don't need to overdo it, it can be so simple. Yes I realize that is not EXACTLY what mine looks like, but this is my tutorial so shut your face. This is my blog. I do what I want. 

If I've said it once, I've said it a billion times... Find inspiration everywhere. Pinterest's design section is my homeboy. If you are wanting to start slow and just dip your feet in the water, start following my board "That was Graphic" I pin everything design inspired to this board.

Shout out Time: Use these gals for inspiration. NEVER copy. Not cool, bro.
These are not all graphic designers either, some are, some aren't
Here are some about me pages I love...


2. A pre-written blurb plus a link to a horizontal picture

If you do a lot of advertising, you need two things:
A 2-3 sentence blurb about your blog and a link to a horizontal picture

Here is my blurb:
I like to think of myself as one of the boys and FAB! I'm here to help all my girls better understand what their man is talking about in the sports world! Think of me as the ESPN for women, just wrapped in a sparkly package with tons of glitter and fabulocity! I also love graphic design, vino and I like to try and make ya laugh wherever possible!

A link to a horizontal picture:
Create a photobucket.com  account
Upload your HORIZONTAL photo
horizon = landscape (sun coming up, horizon)
vertical = up and down
Grab the "direct" link from the sidebar and send that to your advertiser



3. Different button sizes

I can't stand to see this, it hurts my heart....
When you create a button, or if your blog designer includes button design be sure to get 3 different sizes. I recommend:
300 wide x 300 tall
200 wide x 250 tall
200 wide by 100 tall

That should cover all of your bases. 
If you hire me as a designer (shameless plug) I include 2-3 sizes for you to use, and will send you new sizes as needed, free of charge. You just have to promise me you won't distort my designs as shown above! 

4. A popular post section
I'm not talking about the 'gadget' you can add to your sidebar. I mean, make an actual PAGE for your FAVORITE posts you have ever written. Go on girl, get yo brag on. Simple is all you need. Mine is here. I make a B-line for this page when I fall in love with a new blogger, then I end up falling in love all over again! 

Here are some of my favorite blogger's popular posts sections:
(I designed this one, and we also made a 'shit posts' link LOVE it)


5.  List your email address so I click it, or at least can copy and paste 

Quit it with this crap:
Sarah{at}socialandchic{dot}com

That is like 1,000 steps I have to take now. I have to copy that, then open email, the paste, then delete {at}, then delete {dot}. I'm annoyed with you. Be normal. 


Venus Trapped