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FREE Stock Photos for Amazing Graphics

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Having your own graphics is so important when you are trying to stand out from the crowd! You can read more about why I think it’s essential to brand yourself in my Direct Sales: How do I brand myself? article.  When you want to make your graphics sometimes you need a good photo and using stock photos can help. Here are a few places you can start your search for Free Stock Photos.

Ivory Mix

Ivory Mix has lots of free downloads you can use. Most of them are quite feminine in format which makes it great for the boss ladies out there. You do have to sign up, but then you get access to their free images which they add to every month.

Free Stock Photos for Amazing Graphics #free #stockphoto #imagestouse #socialmedia #directsales #stockimages

Site advantages

  • Lots of variety
  • Beautiful flat lays
  • Commercial use allowed
  • Royalty Free

Unsplash

Unsplash has so many great things to choose from, and they are all FREE. They have over 300,000 images on their site, and they add to that listing every day.

Free Stock Photos for Amazing Graphics #free #stockphoto #imagestouse #socialmedia #directsales #stockimages

Site advantages

  • So many things to pick from
  • Easy to use search features
  • Images are categorized

Canva

Canva is excellent for many reasons, but the editing options are what sets them apart for me. One of my favorite uses is Resizing photos quickly with Canva. Even if you don’t take advantage of their photo editing, they have a pretty comprehensive database of images you can use.

Free Stock Photos for Amazing Graphics #free #stockphoto #imagestouse #socialmedia #directsales #stockimages

Site advantages

  • Built-in editing
  • Templates
  • Easy to find images

Pixaby

Pixaby kind of drives me crazy because the photos I always see first are the ones to Shutterstock. Once you get used to not looking at those, you will be fine!

Free Stock Photos for Amazing Graphics #free #stockphoto #imagestouse #socialmedia #directsales #stockimages

Site advantages

  • Easy to search
  • Once you click on an image, you can see other similar photos. Having choices is especially helpful if you are a blogger trying to create a series with similar images.
  • Lots of choices and design aesthetics

Just a reminder, that site you are using resources from, make sure you check their terms of service. They may change, and you wouldn’t want to be held liable for using something you shouldn’t.

For more great tips on how to succeed in your business check out Pinterest tips for maximizing results.

An Open Letter to Blogging Boot Campers

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Dear Blogging Boot Campers,

You are almost done! You are likely feeling a mixture of emotions. There’s going to be excitement, worry, maybe some feelings of being overwhelmed. However, I hope you are equally feeling joy and satisfaction. Don’t spend any time second-guessing your choices or comparing yourself to others.

I was so excited when they announced blogging boot camp and could not wait to dive in. After Units 1 and 2 were released, my group was on top of the world. It felt like the majority of the group flew through those units. We got to Unit 3, and everyone had to start writing. Then I saw the fear set in; everyone seemed to be impacted in some way. I had a list of topics, but what if someone had already covered it. What happens if someone else covers it better than I can? (It’s ok if they do, your voice needs to be heard.)

Back when I was in blogging boot camp, I was that one who finished first. My blog got posted in our group and whoa! The fear started to settle in…everyone was looking at my site. GULP! But you know what? Come close… I have a secret… I already knew how to blog and do all the tech stuff. Blogging Boot Camp for me was about accountability, and I was still scared.

About the time blogs start to go live; the tension begins to fill the air. You can sense the urgency and the thoughts of failure in comments and posts by the group members. I’ve been fortunate enough to help with Blogging Boot Camp the last couple of sessions, and I see it in each one. That self-worry, self-doubt, I can NOT do this mindset we allow to set in. You guys, stop it. Stop getting in your way, stop settling when you have something great to show the world. (YES, you do have something great!) Get your blog finished.

But I challenge you to keep going. Don’t stop at going live, because going live is not the end of the world, or the universe or your story. Figure out all the bloggy things. Find resources, ask questions and don’t stop learning. Do your research and figure out how to succeed on Pinterest, Maximize your SEO, and if you want to monetize your blog. But don’t let your story end until you have reached your dreams.

I know you are scared right now, but you can do it. I know you want to compare your blogging, logo, and all the things to others; but stop it. No one is comparing your site to other peoples. Only crazy bloggers (like Hope, don’t tell her I said that) know what themes people are using by the main page of the blog. You may think your posts are awful, and they might be. But you know what, that’s ok! (It’s ok to redo them later.)

You paid money to be here because you want to learn about blogging. You are in Blogging Boot camp because this is your chance to add your sparkle, your personality, and your pizzazz to the internet. I believe in you and your voice, so you should too! No one and I mean no one knows your story better than you do. Share it with the world…

Not sure what I am talking about? Check out The Purple Tea Cup’s Facebook group The Bloggers Bistro to learn all about blogging.

Valuable Holiday Blog Schedule you need to know and FREE Printable

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When you start out blogging one of the hardest things to wrap your mind around is blogging early for seasonal events or taking into account holiday blog topics. Some things happen every year like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas. However, creating a holiday blog post after the date has passed pretty much makes your effectiveness zero until next year.

When to create Holiday Blog posts / Event posts

With most holidays or Major events you want to be posting your articles at least a month ahead of the event. For some holidays like Christmas, you want to begin your Pinterest strategy to start at the end of June or Early July. When you are blogging, you want to be very conscious about when you are posting. Start thinking about your posts as a significant part of your social strategy and marketing content areas. You want to post when it makes sense. This allows you to maximize traffic to your social funnels and is an integral part of blogging.

***For tips on social marketing I suggest you join the Socialite Suite who offers a course on Funnel Strategy.

Sassy Suite Understanding Funnel Strategy video course Topics to write about

Writing blog posts about gift ideas for a holiday such as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day are always popular. Other favorite ideas are crafts, DIYs and tips, and tricks. If you need some help determining what to write about join our blogging community The Bloggers Bistro get all the best blogging tips. Additionally, check out this fantastic article by Pinterest on trending events for each holiday.

Free Printable

I’ve created a FREE printable for you to use that will help you decide when you should start considering holiday blog posts based on Pinterest activity around those events/holidays.

If you found this article useful, please share it so others can see it as well!

What is a Blog?

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If you’ve found your way here you have probably heard someone or seen a post somewhere talking about a blog. Well Ok… but…. what is a blog?

Definition: What is a Blog?

A simple definition is a personal website that gives you a source for information.

Originally blogs were called weblogs and then shortened to just blogs. So really they are in some ways an online log book or some would say they are similar to online journals.

What is a blog? Come and read to find out what a blog is. #blog #blogger #startingablog #bloggingbeginners #beginningblogger

Types of Blogs

Ok well that definition didn’t really address the point, now did it? Truthfully blogs can be so many things it’s hard to put a solid definition of what they are and what they are not. There are many different types of Blogs… from very specific (about 1 brand, 1 item, 1 topic) to very general (Lifestyle). Some blogs really focus all about about one persons life, beliefs, etc and others are a collections of articles from a larger community. Most blogs will still serve a purpose. Whether that purpose is to tell you about the bloggers life or about a specific brand really depends on the overall type of blog they are writing.

Blog Posts

The fundamental purpose of a blog is to provide the reader with different blog posts or articles. Every blogger will have multiple things they want to talk about and no matter what they center around they help build that blog and the blogs credibility. Blog posts can contain a wide variety of things from pictures, to graphics, to full on text, to videos. etc.

Why do People Blog?

Well there is an interesting question. For me personally it’s an outlet of information I’ve gathered that people have asked me for or that I think they should know. But there are many reasons someone may choose to blog including:

  • Making Money
  • Finding people with their opinions
  • To gain information
  • To give information

Why do People Blog? #blogging #bloggers #blog

So hopefully I’ve helped answer that original question you had… What is a Blog? Comment below or message me and tell me what you think about this article and tell me what you think blogging is.

Oh and if you are thinking you’d really like to start a blog of your own… Head on over to The Socialite Suite and watch for them to announce their Blogging Boot camps. These courses are pricey but oh so worth it, they TEACH you how to set up your own blog and guide you through the entire process.