12 Tips for Growing your Blog

Since December I have been trying really hard to build and grow my blog into something great. I started this blog back in August 2011. I was going full speed ahead (although my photos from those posts are definitely lacking), and then I got pregnant. I felt miserable and blogging was the last thing on my mind. I would post every now and then, but with no regularity. But this past December, I decided to do this blogging thing all the way. I love doing it, and I love following other amazing blogs and getting great ideas!

So, back at the start of December, I had around 40 GFC followers, 20 feed subscribers, not even close to 100 facebook followers, and about 100 Pinterest followers. (I don't do Twitter - I know, I must be the only one in the world who doesn't. I just can't take it on right now.) Now, as of this post I have 170 GFC followers, 92 feed subscribers, 330+ Facebook followers, and 366 Pinterest followers. I'm not bragging. I am no where near MANY other amazing blogs. But, I am proud of the growth of my blog in the past three months. I still have a LONG way to go! All of the tips below are things I have done, and still do, to grow my blog in the past three months.

And first, let me say, to those of you who follow me and leave sweet comments - thank you SO much. I get excited with every single new comment, and jump up and down with every single new follower whether its GFC, RSS, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. And I LOVE following you guys back and seeing your amazing creations!

Tips for Growing your Blog!

1. Post on a Regular Basis
Do not make my mistake. When I got pregnant, I rarely posted at all. My blog was stagnant. If you want your blog to grow, you have to post on a regular basis! This doesn't mean you have to post every single day.

At least, I ain't got time for that! There's a nine month old running around here, a house to clean, and dinner to cook! I try to post at least three times a week, usually 3-4 times a week. 

2. Add a "Pin it" Button after your images.
Y'all, Pinterest is HUGE. And getting bigger everyday! Do not underestimate the power of the pin! TONS of my traffic (and from what I've read, many other blogs traffic) comes from Pinterest. By having a "Pin It" button beside every image, it makes it easy for readers to pin your image, and then their followers see it, re-pin, visit, and the cycle continues. Go here to see how to add the button. ***Update: Megin from VMG206 said that this site for the Pin It button is not working. She found this site, that shows how to install the Pinterest hover button on your photos. When you mouse over a photo, the "P" button appears to click on and pin an image. Go here for instructions on installing it. 

3. Pin What You Post
That's right, I said it. People follow you on Pinterest because they like what you pin. What you pin is probably similar to what you post! Pin what you post! Your followers will re-pin and their followers will re-pin and the beautiful cycle mentioned above ensues!

4. Social Media Buttons
Have social media buttons placed where followers can easily see them and use them to follow along. Mine are on the top of my sidebar. You can get free social media buttons in all different colors here.

5. USE Social Media
Put links to your posts on your Facebook page, Tweet it, share it on Google+. Show "teaser" post photos on Facebook. Pin your images!

6. Put the Best Image at the Top of Your Post
I made this mistake when I started blogging. I would do a "before and after" project, and always show the before at the beginning, which one would normally do, except in blogging, and the after at the end of the post. You need to show readers your "after" photo first though, to draw them in and make them want to read about how you got to the "after."

7. Highlight your Most Popular / Best Posts on your Sidebar
That sidebar is prime real estate! Put an image with a link to the post. This keeps readers on your blog longer, which means they might follow along if they keep seeing your amazing work!

8. Link Parties, Link Parties, Link Parties
Link up your posts, people! This gets your blog and posts out there for potential readers to see! You can't just post something, walk away, and expect readers to come check it out. You have to promote it! You can check out all the link parties I link up to at the bottom of this post. There are a lot! I don't link up to every single one, every single time the party is going on, but I link up to a lot! Also, be sure to include a back link on your post to the link party! Its rude not to include the back link! Let other people know where you link up, so they can join the party, and the back link gives the host credit for the party!

9. Visit, Visit, Visit
Don't go link up at a party and not visit other posts! How rude! 

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Couldn't resist Stephanie's famous line from Full House. Anyway, you want people to come view your posts, so shouldn't you view theirs as well?! You don't have to visit other posts right that second, but do go back and try to visit a few and leave a nice comment.

10. Comment, Comment, Comment
Leave a comment for the link party host saying thanks. Comment on the links you visit. Comment, comment, comment! When you comment on someone else's blog, they are more likely to come visit your blog, and possibly follow (especially if you follow them). When someone comments on your blog, respond to the comment, go visit their blog, and comment! Everyone LOVES comments!

Another important thing about comments - make sure word verification is turned OFF on your blog! This is when the box pops up after someone writes a comment asking them to type in the letters and/or numbers! No one wants to deal with that when leaving a comment! If you are worried about getting comments from spammers, set your comment settings to where no anonymous users can comment. To change these settings (on Blogger) go to Settings -> Posts & Comments and its all there. 

11. Guest Post at other Blogs
If you see an opportunity to guest post at another blog, go for it! When you post at another blog, some of their readers will visit your blog, and may become followers!

12. Swap Buttons with Other Blogs
Many bloggers love to swap buttons! This gives you some advertisement and them as well! Check out blog's advertise pages to see if they swap buttons or email them! 

I hope that these tips help you out in growing your blog! I am not an expert, by any means, but these are just a few little things I've learned in the past few months and thought it might be helpful to you! 

If you have any tips, I would LOVE to hear them! Please leave a comment! 

This post is part of the "Grow Your Blog Series." Read more of the series here:

How to Grow Your Blog with Pinterest
How to Grow Your Blog with Giveaways
10 Ways to Make Money Blogging

Canvas Glitter Bunny

Y'all, this might be the cutest dang thang I've ever made....

I know, right. I told ya. Cute. 

I was first inspired by these two lovely bunny crafts.

Clean & Scentsible Easter Bunny Canvas

Design, Dining, + Diapers Easter Pallet Art

Easter is one holiday that I was lacking decorations in. Not anymore. After this quick project, and a trip to the Goodwill (a "finds" post coming soon) I am set. It's just a matter of getting all the decorations off my dining room table and actually using them to decorate around the house. Anyway, after seeing these two adorable bunny projects, I knew I had to have a bunny of my own. 

To make my canvas glitter bunny I used:

-Canvas from Goodwill

-Scrapbook Paper

-Bunny Silhouette 

-Spray Paint

-Modge Podge

-Glitter

First, I spray painted that old canvas with gray primer, then a blue color I had. This was the first time I had spray painted canvas and it worked perfectly! 

I printed off a bunny silhouette I found online. 

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I just opened it in word and made it pretty big. That chick comes with it too, but when I made the bunny bigger, it kicked the chick's butt right off the page. But, yes, I know, that chick is too cute as well. Another easter project? Hmmmmm....

I taped the bunny silhouette on the scrapbook paper and cut it out, then mod podged it on the canvas. 

At this point, I was just gonna add the white pom pom on its butt and call it a day, but then I saw my glitter and BAM, the glitter bunny was born. I just wiped mod podge all over the bunny silhouette with my finger and sprinkled glitter on. 

For the bunting, I just used twine and some old scrapbook paper I had lying around. I also happened to have the white pom pom lying around. I just hot glued those bad boys on. 

Have you done any Easter crafts lately? I'd love to see them! 

Tutorial: Frugal DIY Wall Art

After posting my DIY wall art for my master bedroom makeover, there were a few people who asked for a tutorial of how to make them.

So, here ya go, y'all.  

I did this all in Picmonkey WITHOUT any of the features you have to pay for!

Supplies: 
-Graphics / Images in .png format (.png gives the images a transparent background)
-Backgrounds of your choice

I bought images on Etsy from GraphicDreamz (Graphic Dreamz is currently offering all Rain on a Tin Roof readers 10% off their purchase! Click here for the details!) and from Graphique. When you order, just specify in the message that you would like the .png file. Here are a few of the images I purchased:

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 I bought backgrounds from Maishop Digital Art and Gidget Designs, both on Etsy. These are the two backgrounds I used:

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Okay, now down to business. 

What I did first, was size my backgrounds. I wanted all of these to be 11x14 prints (including backgrounds) in the end. I wanted to use two backgrounds, the coral and the linen to make the prints pop. See how the image below is on a linen background, the linen is on the coral pattern, and the coral is on the same linen background again. 

I also noted above what size crops to use for each background. The linen background that the elephant is on is 5x7, the coral is 8x10, and the back linen is 11x14. Just because I made these an 11x14 doesn't mean I have to print them out that size. I just wanted standard dimensions to work with. 

To size your backgrounds:

1. Go to Picmonkey. 

2. Select edit a photo near the top. 

3. Select whatever background you are using. I'm going to use my linen background first.

4. Once the background appears, select the 1st button on the left under editor, which is the basic edits button.

5. Select crop.

6. In the drop down menu that says "no fixed proportions", select the size you want to use. I'm doing my first linen background first, so I am selecting 5x7.

7. Look at the crop screen to the right on your background. If what is in the crop regions works for you, hit apply. If the crop regions do not include part of the pattern you want, then move around the box, but don't make the box bigger or smaller. 

8. Save the background. Do not save it as the original file. I saved mine as "5x7 linen background". 

9. If you are using multiple backgrounds, as I did, you will need to repeat these steps for each background, cropping them to your desired size. Example: I cropped the coral one to an 8x10 and the back linen one to an 11x14 and saved them accordingly. 

Now, you are going to add your image to your background. I put my image on my 5x7 linen background.

To put your image on your background:

1. Go to Picmonkey. 

2. Select edit a photo near the top. 

3. Select the background you want your image to go on, NOT the image. I selected my 5x7 linen background. ****At this point: if you are using a horizontal image and your background is vertical, you will need to rotate your background under the basic edits button and rotate. I did this with mine.***

4. Click on the overlay button on the left (the fifth button down).

5. Select Your Own at the top.

6. Find the image on your computer you are wanting to use, highlight it, and click open. I'm using my elephant. Your screen should look something like this, once you choose your image. 

7. Use the circles on the corners of the image to make it bigger and then position it in the center of the background.

8. When you are satisfied, save the entire image. I saved mine as "elephant on linen."

At this point, if you are just doing one background, you're done! However, if you are doing multiple backgrounds, continue on! 

To add a second background:

1. Go to Picmonkey. 

2. Select edit a photo near the top. 

3. Select the background you want to put under the image you just made. (This should be one of the backgrounds you have already sized. Mine is the 8x10 coral background.) Rotate if needed. 

4. Click on the overlay button on the left (the fifth button down).

5. Select Your Own at the top.

6. Find the first background with your image on your computer that you just did (mine is the elephant on the linen background), highlight it, and click open.Your screen should look something like this, once you choose your image. 

7. Just like you did with your last one, size the image to where it is center on the new background.

8. Save it when you are satisfied. I saved mine as "elephant both backs."

If you want to add a third background:

1. Go to Picmonkey. 

2. Select edit a photo near the top. 

3. Select the background you want to put under (in the very back) the image you just made. (This should be one of the backgrounds you have already sized. Mine is the 11x14 linen background.) Rotate if needed. 

4. Click on the overlay button on the left (the fifth button down).

5. Select Your Own at the top.

6. Find the last background you just made that has your image and two backgrounds (mine is the "elephant both backs" file. highlight it, and click open. Your screen should look something like this, once you choose your image. 

7. Just like you did with your last one, size the image to where it is center on the new background.

8. Save it. So I would know this was the final one, I saved it as "elephant final".

And now you are done. It seems like it takes a long time, but it really doesn't. You only size your backgrounds once and when you get the hang of it, you've done an entire print in no time. I think it took me about 30 - 45 minutes to make 10 complete prints. 

And this was the longest blog post. Ever. Good Grief.

Now, some of you that are familiar with PicMonkey are thinking "Why in the world didn't she just do an overlay on top of an overlay on top of an overlay???!!" "Is she crazy?"

Duh. We all already knew that. I tried the overlay on top of an overlay, yada-yada-yada method. But it just would not work for me. It wouldn't let me re-size the backgrounds and image like I wanted it. Maybe some of you can get it to work for you. 

Now, go buy cute graphics and backgrounds (I think I paid around $15 for backgrounds and 9 or 10 images) from Etsy and make your own wall art. 

I have to go get a beer. Because this was the longest blog post ever. I know I already said that, I just wanted to re-inforce it. Love y'all! 

Guest Post: Amy from Commona-My House

I am so excited to introduce y'all to Amy from Commona-My House! First off, I LOVE the name of her blog! Just makes ya wanna grab a cup of coffee and stay a while! Besides the great name of her blog, Amy posts some awesome stuff! Her blog is quickly becoming one of my favorites! So, grab a cup of coffee and check out this amazing guest post from her! 

And also, I'm guest posting at her blog today! You can read the post here! 

I'm so excited to be a guest poster on Rain on a Tin Roof ! Jenna has kindly taken me (a relatively newbie at blogging) under her wing and we've found that we have a lot in common! In fact, I really wish that we lived closer so we could go thrifting together!!! I love seeing how creative she is and how she can take something ordinary and make it extraordinary for next to nothing! I'm grateful to be able to pop over to Rain on a Tin Roof  today to share a little bit with you all about my blog and about how much I just love a good project (don't we all?)!

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Amy from COMMONA-MY HOUSE. I grew up as the daughter of an antique Auctioneer in CT. I was surrounded in my childhood home and my father's workplace by beautiful things, well crafted things both in terms of durability and design. I loved the way the light would hit certain paintings around our house. I think these things in a way, became a part of me and who I am. But I'm not materialistic...life has made sure of that! I left New England, went to college outside of Philadelphia (a city full of architecture, history and an amazing art scene, btw) and then proceeded to marry a Marine. We've moved all over the world. And settled (for now) in the MidWest. I've loved something about each region (and countries) where we have lived and traveled to. We have 4 children, ranging in age from 14 down to 2.  I've had to create a new "home" 13 times in 15 years of marriage. That's a lot of moves. That's a lot of figuring out where the couch is going to go. And that's a lot of projects. That's why I started COMMONA-MY HOUSE.

A lot of people wonder why I chose the name that I did for my blog. There are a few reasons: "COMMONA MY HOUSE" is a really fun, old '40's Rosemary Clooney song...I grew up listening to and singing Big Band style music..."COMMONA MY HOUSE" is one of my favorites. My blog is inspired by my Grammy, so an old WWII era song just sort of fit the happy vibe that is important to me.   Also, if you look REALLY closely, you'll see that my name is in COMMONA-MY HOUSE!!  I wanted to create a blog that had the feeling of friendship. There have been times in my life that I just sort of needed a friend to 'get me' and have a girlfriend to chat with...so that's what I wanted my readers to feel like....that when you come over to the blog, it's just like coming over and hanging out with me at my house...I may be baking a cake, or washing the dishes...or painting something I shouldn't be....pop on in...come over...hang out...let's be girlfriends and chat about what we have in COMMON! 

WHY ANOTHER DESIGN BLOG?

I know, seriously, another design blog? But I have found that over the years, I need to do something creative. I have big design ideas but not big credit card limits. And boy, do I have an opinion. There are a ton of design blogs out there, but very few of them actually teach you fundamentals about styles, antiques, ways for you to grow, learn and develop your own style (all goals of mine now for COMMONA-MY HOUSE).  So, COMMONA-MY HOUSE (Come on a my house...like, "Come over to my house").

XXXOOO. 

COMMONA-MY HOUSE POST ROUND-UP:
I blog about a little bit of everything. 

I love being in other people's homes and seeing their DIY projects and their individual style.

HOUSE GUESTS: DIY WAINSCOTTING WITH HEATHER AND BRAD

It's in my blood to find thrifty and creative ways to achieve a 'high end' look.

CALENDAR ART AS INSTANT WALL ART

I'm all about projects and giving things a shot...
...when things get out of control and I have multiple projects going on at once,  
my hubs says that we "live in the projects"!

DIY WIPE CLEAN SPLAT MAT or TABLE CLOTH

I love a good upcycle...
DIY PALLET BOOK CUBBIES AND CUBBIE IDEAS WITH MAREN AND GRANT

...or two.
DIY MIRROR-TURNED-CHALKBOARD

I always remember my roots:
Design 101 with antiques, furniture styles, decor and fabric patterns

PATTERN 101: GREEK KEY

So, that's a little bit about me and the happy corner of the blogosphere that is COMMONA-MY HOUSE.
I hope you stop over and hang out often!
XXXOOO.

Guest Blogging at Commona-My House

Hey Y'all! 

Today, I am guest blogging over at Amy's amazing blog, Commona-My House. 

The Topic: Frugal Home Decor Items!

Commona over here to check it out! 

And lucky for you guys, Amy is guest blogging at Rain on a Tin Roof! Read the post here! 

Guest Posting @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

Hey Y'all! Just wanted to let you know I am guest posting over at the Blue Eyed Beauty Blog! The post is all about thrifted makeovers and rules! Yes, thrifting rules! Go check it out here.

DIY Decorative Horse Accessories

Have you guys noticed all these decorative animal home accessories that are out lately? Like this...

Or this one from Target that I have been eyeing for the past month.....

Well, I couldn't spend $30+ on one of these when I knew I would probably get tired of it soon. So, I decided to make my own.

When I bought these little guys at the 127 yard sale months ago, my friend, Lindsay looked at me like I had gone bat-shit crazy.

I had a plan, though. They would become something magical. That was in August. So, it only took 6 months for them to become something magical. Whoops. 

First, I spray painted them metallic gold. Gold makes everything magical. 

I cut some old 2x4s we had into small rectangles. Then, I took that fabulous wrapping paper from Target that I put in the back of my liquor cabinet, and wrapped the 2x4s in it. 

I used hot glue to seal the wrapping paper around the wood. I wanted it to stay put. Then, I just glued the horses on top. Just a dot on each horse's foot. 

I thought about using them as bookends, but when I tried that, they were just too small against the books, so they just sit on top of the books now. 

By the way, these babies cost a quarter each, the wood was just lying around our house, I already had the spray paint, and the wrapping paper was $0.50 a roll and I barely used any of it for this. So less than $1 for both of these studs! 

Magical, right?

Make $$$ on Pinterest! Seriously!

I'm not kidding, y'all. 

There is a new program called Viraliti that pays you when others click on things you have pinned! 

First, go here to sign up for Viraliti. I signed up yesterday, but didn't get my acceptance until today, so don't worry if you don't get an email right away. 

Once you do get the email saying you are a go, they will give you a username and password to login with. 

Login and you will be directed to current campaigns. Choose which to pin and that's it! 

Now, this is new, so there aren't very many campaigns yet, but I'm thinking with the huge popularity of Pinterest, this could really take off! 

Once you have signed up and been accepted, they will issue you a referral code that you can use to refer others to Viraliti! 

Y'all, get signed up for this program NOW while it is new and fresh!! Seriously! 

Go here to sign up for Viraliti! 

Thrifted Lamp Makeover

Never leave a good lamp behind. 

I strongly adhere to this rule when thrifting. Most people would consider a good lamp to have proper wiring, be sturdy (no wobbly-ness or loose screws), and easy on the eye. 

I consider none of those to be good lamp quality. Not good lamp quality at a thrift store anyway. I look for good curves and shape. If a lamp has good curves and shape, no matter what color it is, no matter how the wiring looks, I usually buy it. Lamps can easily be spray painted to completely transform it and re-wiring a lamp is easy. That's right, I said easy. Needless to say this lamp did not start off like this.

No, no, no. This lamp started like this.

Looks fine from afar. But, this bad boy had some funky black stain all on the base, and the wiring was cut off. Literally cut off at the base. You can see some of the black spots in this picture. 

As bad as the lamp was, there is even a big crack in it, I couldn't leave it behind. It is marble (or at least looks like marble). And I NEVER leave marble behind. Especially a $5 marble lamp! So, I brought it home, scrubbed it with a magic eraser, and honestly thought the stains might not come off, but I was wrong! The magic eraser was magic, and took them right off!!

Then I started on the re-wiring. I bought a kit similar to this one from Home Depot. 

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First, I ripped the black felt off the bottom to be able to run the wire. 

I twisted my wires together to easily guide it through the lamp to the top.

I removed the old brass hardware that you see in the photo above, and added the new hardware. 

And then, I forgot to take a picture of the rest. But, next, you just attach the wires to the screws on either side of the socket. Instructions are included with the kit, and they tell you what to do step-by-step. 

$5 lamp + $11 wiring kit = Happy Jenna.