Handy Tool: CatchFree.com

As I am sure you have noticed, NighLon has a new look.

Even though I had been wanting to redesign, I accidentally changed my them (more on that and tips later). I wasn’t going to take on that challenge quite yet because I am participating in The SITS Girls 31 Days to Build a Better Blog.  I have learned many things, and this is just the start of the second week. This week, I am taking a “look under the hood” of NighLon. This will include: checking for broken links, creating a best of page, making NighLon mobile friendly, and some other nitty gritty stuff. (I promise that you guys will benefit!)

I have already made some great blogging buddies and have some project in mind to work with them on. These guys have inspired me to write this post. We have all had so much fun sharing our tips, tools, secrets, and favorite websites.

Today, I am sharing one of my favorite websites, that I only discovered this week. I am already addicted.

Catchfree.com is basically my new go-to site. Catch free highlights the best of the web. There’s a catch though: Its only free services. AMAZING! Their tagline describes it perfectly: Perform everyday tasks for free.

One of the features I really like about it is that Its not just site-owner opinion, users also rate services and give critiques.  You can even narrow searches down and see how closely the service matches your criteria. I have only begun to explore. This will definitely be my first stop when searching for useful web services.

Google: Watch out, I won’t be spending as much time sweet-talking you!

Some of the services featured on CatchFree are:

listen to children’s books

backup computer files

share files

build a website

build a landing page

creating surveys

I stress that this is just a very few services highlighted at Catchfree.com

To all my readers (and SITSTAS) I hope you find this as beneficial as I do.

Bring it On 2012

2011 was never dull.

I had joy and disappointment.

There were so many happy moments and at the same time, it was a rough year.

NighLon said hello in 2011, and at just three months old, growing by leaps and bounds.

Remembering this, I am so ready for 2012 and all the things it will bring.

I sat down and came up with some goals for NighLon in 2012.

I want in Triberr & Another Gift for You!

I discovered something today.

It may just be the best thing  since Twitter!

source: Triberr

I had heard of triberr.com before, but really hadn’t given it much thought.

(enter the  gets distracted by shiny things side of me)

Earlier today, I was playing on Klout, and ended up on triberr.com.

I have no idea how I got there, just that a lot of clicks were involved!

I start looking into it, and I am totally dumbfounded. It seems absolutely amazing.

Basically, it is a community where bloggers support and encourage eachother.

 Triberr in their own words:

“Triberr is a blogging community that solves the number one problem that bloggers have. We do that by allowing small and medium size bloggers to come together and let them tap into each other’s audiences automagically.”

Amazing, right!

Why didn’t I think of this?

OH yeah, I’m distracted by shiny things.

Anyway. I try to sign up and guess what….

I have to have an invite code!

So to sum up this post:

If anyone has an invite for me, please feel free to share!

Here is a Christmas frame for you!

Just right click and save. If you enjoy or need help inserting the pictures, feel free to leave a comment.

Please read my Terms of Use

I have skipped the blog of the day for a few days because I have something special lined up!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Day 2: I love Elves & A Modern Day Hippie

I know, I’m still behind, but I promise to catch up!

On to day 2 of NighLon’s

I am a total commercial junkie.

I mean, I could watch commercials instead of actual TV.

Every year, I have a favorite Christmas commercial;

If you know me, you can probably guess which one it is!

 

source: TMobile

I love these little pink and silver guys!

I am not really a fan of TMobile commercials in general,

but what’s not to love about shiny elves?

I just love them, I could dress up like one!

On to the

My friend Jennifer has a fabulous blog!

Its Lifestyles of a Modern Day Hippie

She writes about her adventures of being a NATURAL MOMMY

To make it even better, her little boy is just ADORABLE!

What you will find there:

Crafts

Recipes

Photos from her little man in our home town

Tips for natural parenting

her thoughts on all things mommy and baby.

I can’t wait to make her homemade vanilla extract!

I have the honor of helping her with her design process; and I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

Hop on over there and show her some love, but don’t forget to tell her that I sent you!

Have a Merry Christmas

Big News: For NighLon & In My Inbox

I am excited to announce a decision I made today!

I will no longer be sharing blank tags!

There will however be 2 ways of getting them.

1. a pre-made tag with a message, such as “welcome” or “thank you”

or

2. Join the list (coming soon) to have your custom made tag for each one I make.

This decision is so that I can not only keep track of how they are being used,

but also so that the final product will look more professional.

I will let you know more details as I work them out.

In My Inbox:

I got a very interesting email today about a gamer study.

Apparently ladies who participate in online gaming have more sex!

I honestly never would have thought this…

I would have assumed the opposite!

GameHouse says that women who play online games are happier and feel smarter!

source: blog.games.com

 Something else I would never have guessed:

Online gamers are predominately women

[55% women, 45 % men]

This statistic begs the question:

which games are they counting?

Xbox/ Playstation/ Wii

or

strictly computer online games,

such as Farmville, Second Life, etc?

Now You Know: Convert Your Blog into and Ebook

I’ve wanted a BLOOK now for a while, so here goes!

I decided to try my hand at turning NighLon into a BLOOK…

Here are my results

Booksmith

With Booksmith, you can choose to either include up to 100 posts or within a certain time frame (this would be great if you want to do it annually or semi-annually)

1. Go To http://blog2book.pothi.com/
2. Select how many posts you want to include -or- the time frame to include
3. Select the posts you want to include
4. Customize

• do you want to include images?
• do you want to include dates?
• customize cover
• add dedication
• add preface

5. Click create my Ebook

You now have a BLOOK

here is mine: http://blog2book.pothi.com/app#page/0/mode/2up

BlogBooker

1. Go to http://www.blogbooker.com/index.php
2. Click on your blog platform
3. Enter your url
4. If you need help with your xml file, just follow the directions (that’s what I did)
5. Select the options you want
6. Click create ebook
7. See your Blook

here’s mine: http://www.blogbooker.com/pdf/h0mpgkjd-book.pdf

I do like the final look of BlogBooker better

I think I will keep playing with it to find other tips and tricks.

This was just a quick run through, but I will keep you updated.

When you create your ebook, this allows your readers to download content

It also makes it available to read offline from a computer or an ereader.

I think this could create a solution for so many bloggers.

Especially those who tell a story with their blog.

The blog I want to see as an ebook:

http://a-paranormallife.blogspot.com/

Happy BLOOKing

Now You Know: Adding a Newsletter Signup to Your Website

In this post, my main goal is to show you solutions for adding newsletter signups to your website.

I chose to base it on websites because with a blog, Its more automated. Just add a Widget.

Websites get a little more complicated. But, all-in-all, its pretty simple.

I will share some websites that offer free newsletter services, as well as how to do it without the assistance of a service.

1. MailChimp

From my experience, MailChimp offers the best free service for creating and distributing a newsletter.

They also offer paid services.

source: mailchimp

With the free plan, you can:

• store up to 2000 subscribers
• send up to 12,000 emails per month
• keep track of VIP subscribers
• customize
• send mini newsletters
• add signup form to your Facebook page
• enable comments on your newsletter
• customize signup button
• so much more

Just to to MailChimp, sign up for your new free account, and get started.

They will walk you through the process

2. MadMIMI

MadMimi is simple, yet powerful. It is utilized by Squidoo and Northwestern University.

It is free for up to 100 contacts with limits to the features available.

It requires no prior skills and is customizable.

3. Simply Cast

Simply Cast offers a free for life plan for sending unlimited emails per month and storing up to 1000 contacts.

Features:

• drag and drop customization
• free HTML templates
• customize with fonts colors and company logos
• tracking tools
• content checker
• image hosting
• text only messages available
• opt-out management
• customer care

source: Simply Cast

Another Solution

If you want to manage your subscriptions yourself and send out forms, there is a way to do it.

1. Use ZOHO CREATOR to create a form that will send to your email.
2. Use FOXYFORM to create customizable forms with anti-spam capabilities.
3. Sign up at EMAIL ME FORM. Create a Form with enless possibilities.

TIPS

• Make sure to send newsletters out on schedule
• Include information that is exclusive to the newsletter
• Include offers for subscribers only
• Include a coming up section with what to expect from upcoming newsletters
• Make it interactive. Encourage readers to give feedback
• Make it visually appealing
• Have fun with it, your readers will appreciate this

I hope this information helps

If you have other tips or questions you would like to share;

or even a revue of the sites mentioned,

just leave a comment

EmailMeForm

My Latest Obsession: PINTEREST

I want to share with you my latest antipsycotic: PINTEREST!

It seems to be an overnight phenomena.

Note to whoever marketed Pinterest: I would really love to pick your brain!!!

I often enjoy going “brain dead” and browsing what others have pinned.  I scroll through the pin boards (virtual idea boards) of those I follow,  and see some of the most amazing things.

As I was browsing earlier today, a lightbulb came on:

Why not use pinterest to market my blog?

Its visual… Pinterest is visual.

Seems like a match made in heaven.

Adding a “pin this” button to my posts was pretty straightforward.

1. Of course, you have to have a Pinterest account first. GO HERE

2. In the ABOUT tab, click PIN IT BUTTON

3. Scroll down until you see the “Follow button for websites” area

     Place the provided code on your website or blog where you wish

4. After where the follow button code is, you will find the

     GREATEST THING EVER… “Pin It Buttons for Websites”

5. Follow the directions and place the provided code on your post…

6. Let the pinning begin!

I’m sure that as Pinterest ages a little,  there will be more sharing tools with Pinterest buttons.

For now, however, this is the easiest way for WordPress(without using a plugin).

I then had another epiphany…

There has to be many more uses for Pinterest.

I was amazed at the things I thought of

Here are some uses for Pinterest:

1. Promote your blog

2. Gather ideas for event planning

3. Inspiration (gather pins that will encourage you or get you moving)

4. Home decorating ideas

5. Really cool products

6. collecting recipes

7. Organizing ideas

8. Styleboards

9. Plan a wedding

10. Gather craft ideas

11. Gift giving ideas

12. A visual to-do list

13. Gather ideas, no matter the project

Hop on over and glance at my pinboards, maybe something there will inspire you!

My absolute favorite thing about Pinterest,

besides that it makes life as a procrastinator so much easier:

Its so new that all of its potential has not yet been released!

Pin It

Redesign: Beautiful Imperfection

Hello my fabulouses!

I have been hard at work, with several projects going on at once!

I FINALLY FINISHED ONE!

I redesigned my mommy blog: Beautiful Imperfection

Complete with new graphics… by YOURS TRULY!

[and some extras]

I added some really cool features to it, which I am quite proud of!

I will be sharing tutorials shortly, I PROMISE!

Hopefully, I will soon have updates on my other projects!!!

Facebook Love: Wix

 Behold the email I received today!

I enjoy playing around with Wix to create webpages.

However, I have discovered that for my own personal style, WIX is best for splash pages ; versus full blown websites.

I wanted to make an amazing landing page for my Facebook fan page, but honestly thought that I would have to do some serious coding to accomplish this. Then, like magic, this email appeared in my inbox!

PERFECT TIMING!!!

Just go to WIX

Sign up for a free account

Choose a Facebook template

Edit to your liking

Save (choose name)

Publish

Then, WIX will walk you through setting your site as your landing page in Facebook

It’s really pretty simple!

This is what I came up with

I still want to play around with it and tweak a bit, but this is a start.

There are so many things you can incluede:

Slideshows

Collages

Contact

Extra Pages

Store Items

Play around with it, and let me know what  you come up with.