"Get Fired Up" Reveal!

Today is the day! A big thanks to Melissa Sugar-Gold for hosting this wonderful blogfest. It has probably helped a ton of people. :) 

For those who missed out on the fun, here were the guidelines:

1. Sign up here ✔ 

2. Look for or stumble upon a blogger in need ✔

3. Offer to help them with whatever issue they are struggling with (this could be showing them how to make sure their comment on a blog post links back to their blog or profile or making sure they have their blog linked to their blogger profile.)  There is no requirement here.  It is simple really. Lend your blogging experience or expertise to help another blogger gain readers or help them with a problem they are struggling with.  You could help them get their blog noticed by other bloggers. Offer to do a guest post on their blog or interview them on your blog.  Do as little or as much as you are comfortable doing. ✔

4.  Do this from now until February 29th (Leap Year). ✔

5.  On March 1st post about it on your own blog.  Tell us who you helped or discovered, what you did, and provide a link to their blog so we can all visit the blogger you mentored. ✔

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I chose to mentor one of my friends/critique partners: Melissa Maygrove.
(You may know her from the guest post I did over at her blog two weeks ago.)

A month ago, she was terrified of blogging and who could blame her? From the outside looking in, our close-knit community can be pretty intimidating. So, we took it one step at a time...

1. We went over the basics--how to navigate blogger, how to post and schedule posts, how to format text, how to include photos, links, etc.
   
   
2. I gave her some tips for maintaining an appealing (and consistent) blog. Here's a brief overview of what we covered:
   • Create a posting schedule and stick to it.
   • Be authentic--post in your own voice about what matters to you.
   • Network with/follow/befriend other bloggers. Stay active. Create long-lasting relationships.
   • Reply to the comments you receive. (In any way you see fit.)
   • Try to include an image in your posts.
     (Look for CC-licensed images, whenever possible. Provide credit.)
   • Turn off Word Verification.
   • Participate! Join blog-hops, blogfests, contests, and campaigns. 
   • Put a link to your blog on your other virtual haunts.
   • Etc.
3. Finally, we gave her blog a complete makeover:
   • The first thing to go was the bland, cookie-cutter template she had before this. (I probably shouldn't subject you guys to a screenshot of that. *grins* Right, Melissa?)
   • She needed something that reflected her personal style, so we went background hunting. Plum Rose Lane had a blue print she loved.
   • After that, she needed a custom header. We didn't bother looking for something that probably wouldn't match, anyway. I made one in Photoshop.
   • Next, I commanded asked her to put a photo on her profile. Faceless bloggers are suspicious. (...I'm totally kidding about the last part. Relax! *grins*)
   • Then we set to work on gadgets. (GFC, Twitter, labels, blog archive, writing status, etc.) Just enough without cluttering the sidebar.
   • When we were finished, I made her a new blog button. 

   
   
   So, what do you guys think? :)
   
   

   

   
   Melissa is an information sponge. I showed her a few tricks, taught her a little HTML, and bam--she was good to go! Talk about self-sufficiency. The woman gained sixty followers this month!
   
   I am oh-so-proud of my blogging mentee, and she deserves all the traffic I can send her. So, if you get a chance, check out her blog. You won't regret it. :)
   
   Have a great weekend, guys! ♥