Boost your Blog // 6 Productive Things to do When You're Stuck

I took off the month of October to focus on enjoying life and being married...so when I tried to get back to the grind of blogging and creating other content I had a bit of a struggle.  Thought I've created a content calendar outline (click here if you want to read about my OG blog planner!) and that's helped me get back in my routine, sometimes I still feel a little stuck.  

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When I feel this way there are a few things I like to do to get my full mojo back.  I work with existing content I've created and I interact with content that I love hoping to spark inspiration within myself!  Sometimes I just need a little push.  So I hope that these 6 tips help you to get back into your groove:

Choose a hashtag. Like, Comment, Repeat

Whenever I want to find new creators to interact with I choose a hashtag that I use frequently and flip through some of the images under that hashtag on Instagram.  When I'm scrolling through I will like and comment - genuine comments not just the heart emoji! - and follow who I find inspiring.  I'll save some of their content to my inspiration folders & try to pin what I can.  That way I'm paying it forward for them!  Then I choose another hashtag and repeat!  Check out this post on how to authentically gain Instagram followers.

This helps me because I'm getting inspired and because some of the people I interact with pop over to my feed to give my content some love.  Sometimes I get a follow as well! But the goal is to interact and drive traffic to my content.

Automate Something

There is always something that can be automated - right now I'm contemplating automating my Instagram posting.  Automating something means you're taking the hassle out of a task that can now leave you time for something else.  One of the few things I've automated are pushing Instagram posts to my Facebook page, publishing blog posts & YouTube videos over to my Facebook page, and batch scheduling series posts for the Live & Create Facebook group.  I've also created automated emails through MailChimp that go out when you subscribe to certain lists. 

This helps me because I don't have to worry about a few mundane tasks that I always put off.  The biggest task I put off is batch posting to the Live & Create group so to be able to sit down and schedule posts right within Facebook saves me money and allows me to focus on other things that need to be done!  (Track you social media posting with these free printable stickers!)

Create Something Outside of your Online Space

If you're not finding inspiration with in your online space break out of it!  I have a few hobbies offline but even if I find myself wanting to make something just for me, I do it.  I haven't filmed a Plan with Me in ages because I just want to sit down with my planner, my tea, and Ancient Aliens in the background while I have some me time.  And that is ok!  Take a class over at a craft store or community center if you need a little push to get started.

This helps me because I connect back in with my creative self with out the pressure of perfection.  I don't need to take pictures, I don't need to share, I can just be myself.  When we create for ourselves we can focus on our true creativity.

Pin Content to Group Boards

Group Pinterest boards are a great way to get your content noticed by other bloggers & creators.  By finding & joining these boards you're able to get your content in front of other people interested in your niche.  You'll pin your content there, then you'll pin content from the group board to your boards.  Other members will do the same and their followers will see your content.  This is why creating Pinterest friendly images is important!  Consider creating multiple images as well!  You can watch an easy to follow tutorial on using Canva to create your blog images over on the YouTube channel and find an easy way to use PicMonkey for branding here.

This helps me because, again, I'm immersing myself in inspiration.  I'm sharing my content but I'm also finding content to share.  This is a great way to find things to share in your Facebook groups too! Plus I may find an article like this that sparks something in me!

Beef up an Old Blog Post

We all have some old blog posts that can use new graphics, monetization, updated links, restructuring, or new info so choose 5 posts and beef them up!  Add in a call to action, create a graphic to pin, add in some affiliate links/ads and then turn around and promote that blog post!  Repin it, share in on social media, send it out in a relevant newsletter, etc.  Do just a little to drive traffic to older but super awesome posts.

This helps me because I don't have to write a brand new post, I only have to beef one up.  I may also find inspiration to write a follow up post or create a series of posts related to that one.  I can also monetize something that I'm linking to in other posts to hopefully reap those benefits.

Research Hashtags

And let's go back to the hashtag - I have a love-hate relationship with hashtags.  They are great because they help people find your content but they are annoying because they are often misused and I don't know what to do with them!  I use the Preview app to find my hashtags but I'll also flip through Instagram to brainstorm more hashtags to use.  I also write down hashtags for the products I promote - brand hashtags (like the Happy Planner), any challenge hashtags that are currently relevant, any app hashtags (I use A Color Story, A Design Kit, & InstaSize), etc - so that I can show up in those searches.  

This helps me because I'm making sure I'm optimizing my reach.  I want to make sure I'm using relevant hashtags and not just vague words that get likes.  We're looking for engagement here!

These six things help me get me back in the right head space to keep creating content!  I'm in a bit of a rut/struggle now so I've been going through a few of these things to get me re-inspired.  I've written a free ebook on how to get back your blogging mojo and if you're feeling a bit stuck, I hope you'll download it below!

Get the FREE Blogging ebook!

Be sure to check out the past Boost Your Blog articles here and keep a look out on this playlist over on my YouTube channel.  I hope to make more design videos for bloggers!  Ready to get some creative inspiration?  Join the Live & Create facebook group for mindful living, creative planning, and personal development tips.

What do you do to get inspired when you're in a rut?

xoxo, Moe

Boost Your Blog // Create Pinable Blog Images with Your iPhone

I've said it before and I'll say it again - my iPhone is a key part of my blogging arsenal.  I use it to take & edit photos, I use it to organize blog files, I use it to share blog posts, and I use it to create cover images for those blog posts.  There is a lot of power packed into this tiny thing and I am all about harnessing it.  Blogging doesn't have to be a chore and, honestly, it shouldn't be.  Creating a space that is supportive & expressive is right at your fingertips.

this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

I've been blogging for over 10 years and Pinterest came into the game for me right around the time I decided to take my blog to the next level.  But it wasn't until recently I started to optimize my blog posts with the vertical images best suited for Pinterest.  As website traffic grows increasingly from mobile users, vertical media is being prioritized over the square or horizontal format.  Not only are we consuming media in a vertical format, but the tiled style of your Pinterest feed allows for vertical pins to rule.  The more real estate an image takes up the easier it is for us to see on our small, mobile screens.

Since we're already on our phones all the time, we can take our blogging tools on the go.  I can't tell you how helpful it is to have an handy computer in my pocket to work on blog tasks - especially with my 9-5 job.  I can edit videos, photos, and blog posts quickly and on the go!  But let's get started with the step by step on creating Pinterest friendly images straight on your iPhone:

First, Start with the Perfect Canvas

Create a your photo library

I often use my own blog photos to create the pinable cover photo for each blog post.  But sometimes I don't have a photo specific to a blog post.  This post is actually a good example of that!  If I don't have a photo, I'll pull from my own library of styled photos or from an online, royalty free stock photo site.  Unsplash is a great resource as it allows you to create a library as you browse their site and I use it quite often.

Plenty of bloggers use stock photos, so don't feel like you're cheating!  Here are some tips to make sure you're choosing the best stock photo for your post.  You can also find some free styled photos here on the blog.

Image size is important

The best aspect ratio for a pinable image is 2:3.  This means you're image is longer than it is wide.  You don't have to be terribly precise if you're cropping a photo, but many photo apps offer a ratio scale so you can crop your image perfectly.  Vertical images straight from your camera roll fit this 2:3 ratio perfectly.  When you're taking your blog photos, or searching for the perfect stock photo, consider where your text will fall on this image.  Sometimes you can use any 'ol image you take but sometimes you'll want to take a specifically framed image so that your text will balance nicely on the image.

If you want to step up your iPhoneography game, I've got a ton of posts with photo tips here.  Make sure your lighting is even and when in doubt, just make it black & white!

Adjust, Edit, & Include your Watermark

Subtle edits to create cohesiveness

If you're using a stock photo you'll want it to fit in with your current editing style.  Since you're starting with an image that fits the post and fits in well with your blog, you'll want to make sure the over all aesthetic of your blog is matched with any edits you normally do to photos.  Subtle edits work the best - these edits correct & balance with out creating an overly filtered effect.

I have two apps to recommend for these types of consistent edits - A Color Story & AfterLight.  The perk of both of these apps, and why I recommend them, is that you can save your edits as presets to use over and over again!  Talk about consistency!

A Color Story is my all time favorite app to use and I honestly use it on the daily.  The free Essentials filter pack is all you really need for subtle natural edits plus you can batch edit (which saves a butt ton of time) & you can see how your photo would look on your Instagram grid.  All of these features are part of the free version of the app!  Say what?!?!

Add branded text & watermarks

The key part of a pinable image is the text that draws in the reader.  Add the blog post title or other related key words to your pinable image as well as the web address for your blog + the watermark if you have one.  It is important to watermark photos with at least your web address because pins lose their links all the time.  Others also try to hijack images to claim as their own so your watermark deters this behavior.

My favorite app for this is Phonto.  It is super simple to use, you can save text as presets, and you can upload your own fonts.  So it is perfect for your branding!  Another app that is newer on the scene but seems amazing already is A Design Kit.  This app comes from the creators of the A Color Story app so they can work seamlessly together.  I don't believe you can save any presets, the there are quite a few text options available.  I also just reviewed an app called PhotoMarks that works amazing to add branded text!

Finally, organize your files

Push images through to your other devices

I've used my iPad for blogging before so my photo library is shared between my devices.  And if you use a Mac, it would be even easier to grab your files from the cloud.  I use Google Drive to push my files & photos between my devices.  I find it is the easiest and gives me the most storage to work with.  Once the photo is uploaded from my phone I can rename it in Google Drive and upload it to my blog post.

I will also have the images available to post to various social feeds, no matter what device I'm on.  Previously I would need to email myself the images so I could download them to my computer.  If I needed to edit or change something, it became a huge hassle!  This type of cloud sharing would be great for teams or blogging partners to collaborate.  Or even if you are a part of a group of bloggers that work closely together on content.

It is seriously that simple to create amazing, pinable blog images right on you iPhone.  I've been thinking of upgrading my phone to an 8 plus for the bigger screen since I do so much blog work on it!  These little guys pack a huge punch when it comes to convenience, creativity, and quality!

Get the FREE Blogging ebook!

If you've got some older blog posts that need some TLC or you just wanna take the time to make sure you're starting out on the right foot, I've got a FREE ebook for you!  This guide to revamp your blog is an easy to follow 10 page book filled with 5 simple tips to get your blog working for you.  Plus you'll be on the 516 newsletter list!

I hope this post inspired you to start making your Pinterest images in the palm of your hand.  Sometimes I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves when we blog to have the best software, the best camera, the best gadgets when really there are amazing ways to get things done simply & easily.  I want to share all of that with you!  So check out more of the Boost Your Blog series here and get to blogging!

How do you create pinable images for your blog?  How do you save time & work efficiently?
xoxo, Moe

The Truth Behind Instagram // Why I Joined SnapChat

I think I've posted before about my first ever Instagram post - it was, shall we say....horrible.  Since I joined Instagram back in 2011-ish my Insta-game has been pumped up with the help of various apps, photo tips, and an increase of photo quality on the tiny computer I call my phone. 

Instagram has become perfectly curated and overly filtered.  Which I personally think this is great.  It is a micro-blogging platform (pretty sure I said that before too) and I love that I can create perfectly curated, unique content and promote other platforms through Instagram.  In a bid to find a way to be more candid and offer a behind the scenes sort of look into my actual & unfiltered daily life, I'd first considered the new option to switch accounts on Instagram.  Then my BFF introduced me to Snapchat.

So I joined Snapchat - turns out I'd joined before and claimed the @fivesixteenths username then quickly gave up because I'm an old lady.  But I'd like to think past me for being smart and thinking about future me.  (Pro tip : I do suggest signing up for new social media platforms in order to claim your business or personal username in case this app because super popular in the future, you won't have to have something funky across multiple platforms.)  

Snapchat gives the perfect, fleeting & unfiltered insight into someone's actual life.  Sending Snaps between friends is better than a text because, believe it or not, there is no pressure.  You get like 10 seconds to send a video snap so you're forced to interact from a distance much like you would if you were in the same room - unfiltered.  For me, it's much easier (#lazy) to take snap in response to my friend's snap instead of taking a photo, opening the texting app, selecting the photo and sending (or taking a photo from the app and sending).  I feel less curated and it's more in the now than trying to send off a stylized version of reality.

Snapchat also fills my need for daily vlog style interaction.  I've always want to upload vlogs to my YouTube channel but I feel awkward about it and I don't have time to edit that all the time.  Adding photos and video to my Story on Snapchat gives me that vlog style thing I want with out being committal.  If I were smart, I could also download my Story at the same time each day to have it as a record....but like I said #lazy.  I love that I can get a quite nearly real time look into the lives of my friends that I may not talk to on the regular, or a look into the lives of popular personalities that I may follow on other social platforms.

The thing I don't quite like about Snapchat is how hard it is to add friends or follow people you want to follow.  Searching by username is tedious and I really don't know if I'm following the right person half the time.

All in all, I joined Snapchat because it's quick, easy, and unfiltered.  It's also pretty fun to play with all the hilarious filters and send weird faces to your friends and followers.  It's as real life as a social platform can get, I think.

So follow me on Snapchat if you wish.  You won't regret it.

xoxo, Moe

Why I Don't Mind the Instagram Algorithm Change

In case you didn't know.....Instagram is initiating a change to the way you see your feed. No longer will you open the app and see posts in chronological order.  You'll now see posts that are catered to your viewing habits, or catered to what Instagram has extrapolated what your viewing habits are.  This has caused a huge uproar, there was a petition and even a boycott......but I'm here to tell you that I don't really mind the algorithm change, and here is why:

Instagram is a business

Instagram is not just some free app for the masses to use and lap up....it is a business.  There are more and more ads running and more and more businesses (both big and small) are using Instagram to advertise.  I've heard the term 'strong armed' thrown around about how this algorithm is forcing small businesses to have to pay for exposure on Instagram.  This was in comparison to how your page on Facebook will get little exposure if you don't pay for it.  As far as I know, the problem with that was the page wasn't as engaging as someone's family feed, or a group.  A group is way more engaging because that is the main goal of a group.  (ps. I'll never create a group on Facebook, too much work!)   I don't know how far this will go, but Instagram will do what it needs to in order to bring in that cash money.  Instagram knows how you interact with what makes it the most money....so it will move confidently in that direction. 

It will force us to be more engaging

The way your photos will be seen, from my understanding, is the interaction a user has with your feed influences your feed's presence on their timeline (I'm using timeline for lack of a better word).  So this will force you as an Instagram user - whether for business or pleasure - to take better pictures, use better hashtags, offer better content than a picture of your coffee and the heart eyes emoji.  You'll need to use your feed to engage with users.  You'll have to step up your Instgarm game and use it as a source to provide quality content, just just as a social media outlet to promote your other endeavors.  I'm excited - to me it's like micro-blogging, and I totally just made that up.  I've already started to offer supplemental content to my main outlets (blog/etsy/youtube) as well as unique content created just for my feed.

Technology is always evolving

Remember when we petitioned Facebook to remove is from our statuses?  And that was like the best thing ever!  Remember when people wrote notes on Facebook and now it's like what is that even for?  Remember when Twitter didn't have that little header image?  Remember when YouTube used to change where the info bar was?  I totally remember people saying info in the side bar way back in the mid 2000's.  Guess what, times change.  And we'll continue to live long after the algorithm changes.   And if it sucks, someone will invent something way better and we'll all move over to that platform.  Remember when we all left MySpace for Facebook?  There are people, with Facebook profiles that have never, ever had (or maybe even heard of) MySpace.  So yeah, things change man.

I used to think that after Facebook there would be nothing else.  But now I find myself being super social on Instagram.  And now I think that Instagram is the end all to the social platforms.  But in a few years we'll all be flocking to the newest craze.  I just hope it's not Periscope...because I really don't get Periscope.  

If you're feeling jazzy, why not follow me on Instagram?  I'm @fivesixteenths.  I'm not going to ask you to turn on post notifications though, because no one wants their phone going off a zillion times a minute with all the accounts they follow.

How do you feel about the change?  Do you care?

xoxo, Moe

My Favorite People to Follow on Twitter

This post is just a random post to let you in on my Twitter obsession.  It has made my day every single day to see new followers of my crazy ramblings on Twitter.  Twitter really is the best thing since sliced bread & I love being able to connect with people interested in the same things.  I love answering questions, sharing cool stuff, & just all around promoting what I love! It is the perfect forum to spread anything (maybe not the common cold, but you get the idea)

I love Twitter & I love to tweet, so I thought I'd share who I most love to follow in case you're looking for some more awesomeness in your life:

My Queens // I love me some lovely Drag Queens, so the queens I follow (in no particular order are) Raven, Pandora Boxx, Mimi Imfurst, & Juju Bee.  I LOVE me some RuPaul's Drag Race & can't get over it.  I love that Logo has the episodes online, too.  There is nothing better than a man in a dress, just saying :)

Campfire Chic // This chick is like a social media maven.  She has such good advice & there is always something awesome coming from her part of the twittersphere.  Whether its asking her monthly question or sharing the things she's found, I love it.  There has been more than one occasion that I've suggested something of hers to other bloggers.

My Creatives // These people are people that I look up to, that are creative, inspiring, & just make me happy.  They spread awesomeness like it's no body's business & you should just go follow them now.  This includes people like Kaelah Bee, SuiteOneStudio, GoodDayHoward, PuglyPixel, KeriBotch, & Pamplemousse83.  There is always in inspiring word to be said, a compliment to be given, an interesting thing to check out, a creative endeavor, & fun positivity in their tweets.  I love having them in my twitter roll.

My Bffls // These tweeps are the ones I interact with on a daily basis & ones that I am sure would be so fun to hang out with if we were all ever in the same room.  I love being able to have a conversation with them whenever I can.  These people are Kristin1028, Leonuhhh, Katie_Rhine, & Megan_Flynn.  Half of these people are real life friends, the other half are friends I'd like to meet in real life!

Most importantly though, I appreciate each & every person I follow on twitter and every person that follows me.  I am really picky about who I follow because I don't want to get over run but I love interacting with everyone on Twitter so go on ahead and send me a tweet tweet! It's just so much fun to share!

I am still in the process & don't know if I'll get there of organizing the tweepies I follow into lists.  I think it's a great feature if you only want to see updates from a few select people.  I just wish I could get motivated to organize my inbox!! I still have no idea what to do!

What types of people do you follow on Twitter? Have any one absolute favorite?



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