Blah, Blah, Blog

I’ve been receiving a few e-mails from artist acquaintances who have been?inspired to?(possibly) start their own blog.??To which I say:?You’ll love it!? Of course, I love to gab, I love to write and I love my career so I can say that with ease.? ?(Lot of love going around, no?)?

In case this is you as well, dear Reader, then I?have three online sites to get you started or?take you to the next level:?

1)? Blogging category?on About dot com – Truly one of the best and easiest ways to find out all about blogging.? In fact, even blog pros can find something to learn there.? Plus, they have a handy dandy quiz to see if you should really start a blog.? If you’re still not intimidated,?then head on over to their Starting a Blog area. Be sure to sign up for their weekly newsletter — fantastic tips!

2)? Meet the Bloggers! group on The Art Fusion – Online blogging group for creative artisans.? We have members that range from novices to pros.? We all take turns chatting and?posting up tips in the different discussion boards?within the group.? Think about joining — it’s a nice mix of creative personalities.?

3)? ProBlogger?– Right now, they have a??31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge?going on.? We’re on Day 6 and I’m having a hard time keeping up!? But check it out, it has some really good tips and exercises to follow.? How did I find out?? Fellow Meet-the-Bloggers!-member Angela from Spinach Tiger.? She’s got a few of us going through it with her. (You know you rock, Angela!)

One thing to remember!? You see, I recently had?a?great online conversation with artisan Lynne Rutter?about an important aspect of? blogdom — giving?credit?to the photos and/or content you use.??She had a really interesting story about it on her end.? (Lynne is?also a fellow?Meet the Blogger!?and has that jewel of a book I recommended.)??When?you?start a?blog, chances are you are looking for an?outlet to?chatter away about your love of art.? When I started, I used the photos in my “idea books” — favorite magazine shots that I trimmed?and pasted?in an album for my eyes only when I needed inspiration.??I literally had?no way to tell where the pics originated from.?? I’ve recently come to?a fork in the road and this is why:? I’ve?been paralyzed by a surreal disbelief at my growing visitor statistics and realize?it’s no longer just read by my family and small circle of online friends.?? So, I’ve decided?to start being very responsible for crediting my photo sources whenever possible — which is something I’m sometimes lax with.? Haven’t gotten in trouble but I certainly don’t need to tempt it.? If I don’t know the source, I’ll say so — and maybe one of the Readers can point me in the right direction.? If I’m asked to take something down — I will do so immediately because, quite frankly,?I don’t think I’d take a very good mugshot.? So, dear Reader, if you can keep that in mind from the get-go, you’ll be in a far better starting position.?

So, I hope you go forth and keep the blah, blah, blogosphere going with fresh new ideas and personalities.? Keep me posted!