My 100th Post- Secrets Revealed!!!!

I am not quite sure of my actual start date, but I know it was sometime in June.  A lot of people don’t know that I have blogged for 10 years prior to doing my own site.  I have had minor success with this site, and good reviews from my peers. I have decided to share some secrets to my success for those looking to get started.

I wanted a professionally done site that reflected my personality.  The 2 people/sites that were instrumental in achieving that vision were:

Jade: twentyfourworks He is a truly talented artist. I wanted a caricature that looked exactly like me and Jade created just that. I sent him several pictures of myself and he created my Kitty Bradshaw (Carrie Bradshaw’s black cousin from Harlem, lolll) logo.

When I went back home the weekend before last and sat my family around the computer to look at my site… they all agreed that Jade did a wonderful job creating my likeness. Jade can draw anything just ask him!

Heather: Girly Blog Designs Heather did a really good job and creating the total package which is my site. I get so many compliments on how professional my site looks.

A lot of people who start out blogging think they can build a site themselves or use one of the millions of free templates that are on the web… but if you plan on using your site as a vehicle to make money I suggest you invest in a custom site to help people want to come back to your site.

Heather is really reasonable… so reasonable she is booked until 2009! However contact her to get on her waiting list… the 2 month wait should be ample time for you to purchase your own domain space.

Domain Space: I use Siteground …several hacks that I know recommend this site. I have never had any problems with them and their customer service is on point. They respond back to me immediately with answers to my million and one questions lolll.

Blogroll: It is really important to have a quality Blogroll! I refer to my Blogroll as the “InCrowd”. I make it a point to NOT just add any ole body who request a spot on my site. In addition I really only like to add folks with their own actual website… although I have made a few exceptions.

I have 20 people on my Blogroll and I think I will weed a few out who havent really drawn any traffic to my site. The Kitty Bradshaw brand is a business and I am here to make money and in turn help others make money.

My bottom bitch (lolll) is David Dust. Out of all my BlogRoll he brings the most traffic to my site! I wish I could do half as much for him… but in return I plug his site like crazy! Not only is he my bottom bitch… he is my blogger boyfriend!! lollll

Now don’t get any fresh ideas, and try to steal David from me… David picks you, you don’t pick him! Get your site together and he might consider glancing at your site! loll

Advertisements: I don’t like a lot of advertisements on my site. I try out a few and stick with the ones that make me the most money which is Google Adsense… I just realized BlogRush went out of business so I need to find another company to fill in the space.

In addition a lot of networks add me to their site without letting me know… I can’t really complain because they draw traffic to my site and I don’t have to add their banners to my page. *shrugs* It’s a win win for me…

Widgets: I only have one widget on my page and that is the Feedjit Widget… it helps me track where my traffic is coming from as far as location and websites. It also tells me what post people are reading on my site.

Business Card: I do have a temporary business card that I am using until I get the new layout at the beginning of next year. There are so many opportunities to network with people offline… business cards are the best way to legitimize what you are doing and show people you are serious.

In regards to providing a telephone number… GrandCentral is a free voicemail service. Whenever someone leaves you a voicemail GrandCentral emails the recording to you and you can listen to your messages on your computer. GrandCentral has so many great features you have to go to their site to learn about it. I like how you can record calls… block calls… for example if you give out your GrandCentral number at the club and you come across a stalker who likes to call and call and call you… with GrandCentral you can block them. Now let’s say they want to call you from another number…. with GrandCentral the caller has to announce themselves and you decide if you want to take the call or not. Like I said they have a billion other features but those are my favorites…

I think I covered all of the basics of my page… if anyone has any questions or suggestions please feel free to email me kitty@kittybradshaw.com