Better Blogging

It's been 1 year since I started this blog and every day I am thankful for the number of readers who stop by to take a read. As I strive to bring you content and material you {hopefully} find useful and interesting, I've come across a good blogging book I'd like to share with you, since a good portion of my readers have blogs of their own.

I just finished reading No One Cares What You Had for Lunch, 100 Ideas for Your Blog, written by Margaret Mason, also author of the shopping blog Mighty Goods and her personal blog Mighty Girl. It's a quick and easy read, perfect for your commute or to keep in your bag to read while you wait in line at the post office. It offers up topic suggestions whether you have 15 minutes or 1 hour available to write a post. This book is especially great if you are thinking about starting a blog but feel insecure and think..."what do I have to say that other people will find interesting?"

My top 3 favorite "ideas for your blog" are as follows:

RISK EVERYTHING
Talk about the biggest risk you would take in your life right now if you had all the money and/or nerve in the world. What if you had all the time in the world?

GIVE A TOUR
What is the inside scoop to your small or large town or another place you know well? Tell your readers about the best place to get a hamburger, shop, see the sunset, etc.. Be the expert

FILL THE GAPS
"Use memory triggers to help you generate interesting stories." Find an old photo, scan it and tell about the memories it evokes. Have something given to you from an old friend or relative? Take a picture and tell the story. How about a familiar smell, texture or sound that takes you back?

Next on my list of ways to improve my blog is getting into one of Holly Becker's e-workshops for blogging. Holly is one of blogging's pioneers with her ultra popular design blog Decor8. To read a recent feature she did on InkSpot Workshop, click here.

What types of content would you like to see in my blog? What are some great things you've enjoyed reading about in other blogs? I'd love to hear.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fantastic Find

Finally in STOCK! I've been waiting just over 2 months for this to arrive. Thank you Amazon.com for delivering my fresh, new copy of Craft Inc, written by Meg Mateo Ilasco. To read the book's introduction from the author's website click here.

This book is widely known as the bible of all books to help you turn your craft or "creative hobby into a business." It's written in a modern way and covers everything from production and pricing plans, protecting your work, to writing your mission statement and business plan and of course that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's even a section titled "Internet Resources" which lists helpful links to craft fairs, outsourcing, trade shows and government resources just to name a few.

My favorite part of the book is the interviews she starts each new chapter with. Lotta Jansdotter shares her story of how she came to the realization she needed to outsource production of her goods in order to grow. Julie Elliott of In Fiore describes how she left her full time job to pursue her passion for aromatherapy and started the first business to introduce oils and balms into the luxury market. Then the infamous Jonathan Adler, who explains how important it is to have a meaningful mission statement and "manifesto".

WARNING: You must not read this book without a notebook, pen and highlighter. It's definitely going to be your favorite reference book for your new business.

Best of luck and wishes to all you craftsters.