Blogging

B.B.M…What the HECK Should I Blog About?!

Welcome back for another week of, “BECOME A BLOGGER MONDAYS”!!!

By now you’ve decided that blogging is for you and you have chosen which site is best for you as well.  Ok, so now comes the FUN part!  You get to write about ANYthing!  When I first started writing I didn’t know exactly what I’d be sharing with the world, but I knew the message I wanted to get across.  Here are some helpful tips on HOW to decide what to write about:

1. Know the reason WHY you want to blog.

For me, the reason was simple…I wanted to inspire others.  Just tap into what motivates you and that’s the first step to your success.

2.  Figure out what you want your end result to be.

Some people blog for their business, others want to make money on the side and some just do it for the fun of it all.  So, whether you want to use your “stage” as a means to an end or to simply document an online journal, you must decipher what you ultimately want to see happen with your blog.  Knowing this will allow you to further hone in on what you want to focus on.

3.  Make it FUN!

When I say this, it’s more for you, rather than your readers.  Of course, you want to captivate your audience, but if you don’t enjoy what you’re writing about then no one will. 

4. Be diverse in your topics.

Starting out, you’re going to want to be consistent in your topics; this will help form your target audience.  BUT! BUT! BUT! Every once in a while, it will be nice for your readers to see a different side of you, i.e. if you’re serious then make it funny, if you’re funny then maybe write about a more serious/personal topic.  Diversity will help expand past your target audience!  One thing that I do often is reach out to my readers.  I ask them what they want to read about, I ask them their thoughts on my topics of discussion and most importantly, I open myself up for constructive criticism.

Whatever you choose to share with the world, is all up to you!  Remain true to what you know and the rest will fall into place.  Happy BLOGGING everyone!  Make sure to come back next Monday when I discuss, “Grammar is YOUR Friend!!!”

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B.B.M. (Become a Blogger Mondays) Which Site is Right for You?!

Welcome back to B.B.M.!  Last week I discussed how to decide if blogging was right for you and seeing as though you’ve come back for a second week, that means you’re ready to begin your blogging journey (which makes me so happy).  So, let’s jump right in and get down to business!

Of course the next big step is to find a site to call home.  Now, if you are anything like I was, you will have no clue how to make this decision.  Here are the steps that I took in finding a site that was just right for me:

1. I opened my mouth to ask questions.

Sometimes it can be intimidating to ask the most basic questions, but you will find that it is often the best option.  Ask around and see what other bloggers are doing.  You may even find it helpful to ask people with a tech background (which is what I did) to see which sites are user-friendly and offer the best features.

2. Google became my friend!

Pretty much anything that you need to research can be found online…information is right at your fingertips.  Any and everything that I could think of, I researched, i.e. types of blogs, did I like blogs with or without a lot of pictures?, did I skip over sites with a lot of writing?, colors, etc.  By looking at what others are doing, you can really begin to shape ideas for your site, which means you can target one that is right for you.

3. I was honest about my likes and dislikes.

While you continue your research, pay attention to what catches your eye (and not just the obvious details).  It may make sense to ask a friend if you can take a “tour” of their site to see how it works “behind the scenes”.  There are certain features that I like about my site, that I didn’t find elsewhere.  For example, I love that WordPress is really “professional” and up-to-date.  They take the time to help new users and they constantly update layout themes, add-ons, widgets, etc. for the regulars who want something new.  If I have any questions, I can always ask a WordPress staff member and I can also search through forums for answers to ALL of my questions.  Of course, other sites offer things that I don’t get with WordPress, but when I weigh the pros and cons, I know I’ve chosen wisely.  So, before you go signing up, make sure you are critical of your options!

4. Just make a choice…I did!

If after all of this, you still aren’t sure which site is best for you, then just pick ONE!  What’s the worse that can happen? You don’t like it?  TIP: When I first signed up with WordPress, I didn’t make my site live right away.  I played around with different layout themes and I practiced writing new posts.  I learned how to do the simple things like loading an image or creating tags (something you’ll learn more about).  Have fun with the decision-making process!

I hope you’ve found this helpful and be sure to come back next Monday when I discuss: What the Heck Should I Blog About?

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Sharing is Caring…A Mini Treat Inside!

Being a fairly new blogger is a scary thing!  Will people pay attention to me?  Do they like what I’m saying?  What will the world think?  To put your thoughts and beliefs out there for everyone to see requires a certain level of confidence and not really caring what others think.  Sure, you want people to read your posts, but when it’s all said and done…I write because I want to!  Of course, I hope that others can find inspiration in my posts and interviews, but my desire for a higher purpose far exceeds a want of popularity!


With that said, what better way to learn about this secret society than to seek the advice of those who are doing it and doing it well?  I reached out to a successful blogger on Twitter (a couple of weeks ago) and she was kind enough to do a mini Twitter-view with me!  Here are the questions I asked and the info that The Jasmine Brand offered up:


1. How long did it take for you to break onto the blogging scene?

@thejasminebrand: It will be two years this summer.  I became serious about blogging about a year ago.


2. What advice can you offer new bloggers, i.e. gaining more followers? Gaining visibility?

@thejasminebrand: 1. Be consistent. 2. Be interested in what you cover. 3. Market yourself in non-traditional ways. 4. Be creative.


3. How are you so successful at getting celebrity support/interviews?

@thejasminebrand: When I first started, I would have to damn near beg for interviews.  @KennyBurns gave me my first one as a favor because he was friends with my publicist and it’s still not easy.  Like any industry, you have to prove yourself and keep at it.  I’ve been blessed, lucky, etc. and I just work hard at it and it’s worked thus far and I’m my authentic, corny self.


4. Is there room for non-controversial blogs such as mine?

@thejasminebrand: I wouldn’t call your site “non-controversial” LOL, but yes there is room. You just have to determine who your audience is.


5. What is the first thing you notice when you visit a website/blog for the first time?

@thejasminebrand: The first thing I notice is lay-out then grammar and writing.


6. O.K. last question…what are your blogger pet peeves, i.e. typos, grammar, etc.

@thejasminebrand: My pet peeves are typos (and I’m 100% guilty of this), seeing the same content on EVERY site, that sort of thing…But it really doesn’t matter what I think because there’s an audience for EVERYONE.  There’s enough room for all of us 2.



It was a quick Q&A, but if there’s one thing I always do it’s ask questions!  I have no shame in reaching out to others, but most importantly, I love to share information!  I don’t feel like I have to hold onto information because there’s competition out there.  Teamwork makes the dream work!

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DANITHEDREAMGIRL Received an Award!!!

This recognition and thanks is long overdue, but outside of blogging I have to pay the bills by working (lol) so time isn’t always on my side 🙂  So, onto the good news!  I am the recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award, which recognizes blogs that do something different and exciting!  In order to receive this award, you MUST be nominated or awarded by another blog site.  I had the honor of being presented this award by another lovely blogger who is Shipwrecked on Fabulous Island Here it is:

This is what she had to say about me and my site:

Dani of DANITHEDREAMGIRL documents her journey to find her purpose and helps tell the stories of others along the way.  I call her features The Dream Catchers because she exposes everyday people who are chasing (and determined to catch) their dreams.  Subscribe to her blog via email for the latest and greatest in MOTIVATION!

To that, I say “THANK YOU VERY MUCH!”  It’s nice to be recognized for the work that I do and the stories that I tell!  So the rules state that I must share 7 facts about myself…here goes nothing:

1.  I love to LOVE! I love hard!  Once I’m comfortable with a person, my heart will surely open up to them.  That’s the reason for me having such wonderful relationships in my life (just ask my close friends).

2.  I’m very GIVING! If I have it, you got it.  I will give you the last few dollars in my pocket if you needed it more than me.

3.  I dream of a BIG wedding, but will more than likely elope just to save the money! lol

4.  I love DOGS…they are so much cooler than cats!

5.  I’m a Daddy’s girl! If you talk about my dad, there will be problems.

6.  I like partying with my brother more than anyone else.

7.  My TRUE lifelong passion that I never actually followed was to be a DANCER!  I must find a way to fit that into my life somehow.

THERE YOU HAVE IT!  Was that good?  OK, now I have to pass this along to other bloggers!  Can I give it back to the person that gave it back to me???  I wish I could, because I really want to…F it!  I’m giving it back to her!  Take a look at who I picked for this award!

1. She is the craftiest, most fabulous, amazing mother, friend so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she is Shipwrecked on Fabulous Island. If you need recipes, event planning tips, crafting samples/step by step descriptions, etc…you better act like you know and click on her link!

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2.  I totally adore Necole Bitchie, which is why she is my next honoree! I love her story! She went from nothing, to being one of the BEST bloggers out there. She received an award from Soul Train for being the #1 Soul Site. She doesn’t even know it, but she is one of my biggest, if not the biggest, blogging inspiration! You can make a living out of just writing and posting! She has a huge celebrity following, but seems very down to earth. She has celeb status, but remains humble…if that’s not versatile I don’t know what is!

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3. My next lovely recipient is the creator of The Jasmine Brand. She is not only good at what she does, but she is totally down to earth! She took the time to have a Twitter Q&A with me to offer advice and guidance on how to be successful in the blogging world! She gave insight on how SHE made it and for that, I will always be grateful. She can chum it up with the big names within the industry and still chum it up with people like me who are on the come-up!

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4. Next up! Oh yeah…she’s getting smacked with a DOUBLE award since she has already received it once! If you love shoes, you will love Shoeacidal Hotline. She is able to get exclusive interviews with our favorite stars who rock the best shoes! If you’re feeling a bit SHOEACIDAL, call her hotline!

The list isn’t long, but it’s packed with power!  Check them out 🙂   Thanks for taking the time to visit Danithedreamgirl and share in my excitement!

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Is My Friend Always Going to be Shipwrecked on Fabulous Island?!?!

It’s a new year everyone…WELCOME, 2012!  With only a few more entries to go, I am continuing my series on inspirational surroundings and next up is….(drum roll please) the most successful multi-tasker that I know.  She can light a fire under anyone’s butt and motivate them to DO SOMETHING!  If you are struggling with finding a purpose in life, getting started on a goal (big or small) or simply need some encouraging words to help you step out on faith, this woman is who you want to read about!  She’s an everyday, down to earth, kind-hearted being that just about anyone can relate to.

I could write and entire novel each month and there still wouldn’t be enough pages to describe the talent, passion, creativity, drive and integrity of someone who I’m honored to not only call my friend, but one of the coolest craft-masters out there!  That’s right, she goes by the name, Tabby, and is able to juggle being a mom, wife, event planner, blogger (http://shipwreckedonfabulousisland.blogspot.com) crafter, teacher, and still goes to work at her “9-5”.  She is co-founder of Embellished Affairs (www.embellishedaffairs.com); an amazing event planning company that specializes in making any and every event FABULOUS beyond belief.  If you’ve experienced an event that Tabby has had her hand in, you will always recognize her signature work and love it!

Her creativity is believed to be a genetic trait that both her mother and father can take credit for.  Behind her father’s cold exterior, “he disguises his amazing artistic talent…” and her mother has always been “the crafty mom involved in everything from the Youth Ministry at church to the neighborhood mom.”  In her words, “if my creativity isn’t genetic it was definitely nurtured by BOTH of my parental units!”  She’s gotten the best of both worlds and she’s become a “calculated perfectionist who keeps it fun and sparkly.”  She defines creativity as:

…Allowing one’s internal cheerleader to embrace one’s internal weirdo…it is often a self-celebration for doing something out of “the norm.” Sometimes you have to listen for the whispering voice in your head that says, “you can do this”…like Nemo, just keep swimming to see it through.

If you need a place to visit to learn her tips, step by step instructions and everything fabulosity, take a look at her site shipwreckedonfabulousisland.blogspot.com.  It is her “personal online sanctuary where [she] can be as nerdy, eccentric, dramatic and moody as [she] wants.  It’s [her] place to revel in all things pretty, crafty, family and fabulous.”  Is there anything that she doesn’t do?  HMMMM, probably not!

Tabby gets an idea and runs with it; her hands are like a surgeon’s on fabulous crack (yes, I said crack)!  I got the opportunity to attend her daughter’s 5 year old Minnie Mouse theme Birthday party and it was BOW-rrific!


 Hand-made bows on headbands as party favors!

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A Bow-Bar!  Every little girl’s fantasy…they were there for the taking!

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She adds something special to all of her events and again, her fabulous touch can always be seen and felt!

Amazing display of the reception cards!

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“Tasty” and beautiful candy shop for a kid’s event!

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Added elegance to hand fans!

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Indian wedding…they do it all!

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Zion’s 4th Birthday Candy Bar (I know, I put 2 candy bars on display, but I love candy…)!

Tabby and her business partner, Sheena, successfully came up with a business model that worked for them after realizing that they “were the event planner for their respective circle of friends, family members and clients.”  They identified their target audience (everyone) and “stepped out on faith to execute successful events one detail at a time.” A key in gaining traction was their decision to “undercut market rates to build [their] reputation.”  They worked “twice as hard to prove themselves” and smartly left lasting impressions on every person that they met along the way, i.e. vendors, clients, family of clients, etc.  Embellished Affairs received weddingwire.com’s Brides’ Choice Award every year since its inception!  For your next milestone celebration, contact Embellished Affairs at: www.embellishedaffairs.com

I wonder how she manages to juggle it all so successfully!  She keeps her favorite biblical verse close to her heart 24/7:

1 COR 16:14 “Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love.” I do what I love…I do family time. I do event planning. I do blogging. I do crafting. I do PTO. I do Sunday School teaching. I do singing. I do baking. I do photography. Sometimes I feel like I do it all and, one day, it might kill me. Then I remember I do it all in love and somehow I live to see another day.

To say that she is an amazing mother would be an understatement!  In fact, her family IS her motivation and they are like her own personal fan club! Her husband, Brian, believes that “there is nothing she can’t do and his confidence in her pushes her to do better.”  Her daughter, Zion, is so amazing and imaginative that she naturally keeps Tabby “on her toes.”  One thing I love is that she lets Zion in on the fun and action of creation during their at-home craft sessions!  Whether Zion is a model, the creator or simply the person that she is creating for, she’s ALWAYS included!

If you think she does it all, you’re right!  Women who want to be much more than just a wife or mom, but rather an independent and strong female who can also keep God and her family at the center of everything can relate to her!  I could go on for days, but instead I leave you with something that motivates me, but comes from Tabby’s mind.  What’s her God-given purpose on earth?  Check it out:

I take every day as an opportunity to have a new God-given purpose…I know my ultimate purpose is to bring others to Him through influential service. I would, however, be remiss if I didn’t speak to my passion to redefine the importance of family in our society…My immediate reward is the happiness of my family but my heart is warmed when I read notes of encouragement and inspiration from mothers and fathers everyday…They make my hot glue burns all worth it!

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