Day 14 Assignment, Bootcamp #4 - Blogging Part 2

[iCraft Admin]

As you can guess, today's Assignment is to continue working on your blog posts, featuring your fellow Bootcampers.
At the end of the day please post URLs to your posts (even if they are not quite ready), so we all could provide you with our feedback. Looking forward to seeing your masterpieces! 

[Jewelry by Kat]

My blog is finished, just waiting fir silver workshop to review it for changs............Kat

[Jewelry by Kat]

Admin or anyone,  When I post my blog....when I enter the name of the shop do I hit the link button or the anchor button?  What is the difference between the two?........................Kat   HELP   When I try to enter the store key words with the anchor button-nothing happens!

[Jewelry by Kat]

Andree, Do you have photo for me?  .............Kat

[Silver Workshop]

Here's my blog: http://www.silverworkshop.ca/beaded-charm-bracelets-cha-cha-bracelets-and-more-from-jewelry-by-kat . Kat had send me a photo of her working but there was a date stamp in her hair so I chose some nice jewellery items instead. I have to head out for the day but will be back later tonight. I have to admit I really enjoyed doing that, my next blog post will be about iCraft:).

[Jewelry by Kat]

Admin, My blog is saved as a draft until I figure how to get the key word linked  I have tried so many different ways and many times so you can click on the key words.  Nothing I do works..........Kat

[Red Rock Designs]

ok, here's my blog: http://redrockdesigns.tumblr.com/

I know the pics should be in the middle but I'm having issues with inserting photos in text.  Also, is it too short? Should I include more content?
let me know what you think....bibi

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Kat,

You just need to highlight words in copy (anchor text) and click on link button at the top.
In the pop-up you'll have to specify URL of where you are linking to.
Red Rock Designs,

Actually your post URL is this http://redrockdesigns.tumblr.com/post/33363886546/i-recently-purchased-natural-soap-from-another
Just wonder if you can add Titles to your Posts? Page Title are important pieces of copy from SEO perspective. Plus useful to users to know the main topic of your post.

You repeat  Delightful Suds a few times in your article, but in the first sentence, I'd place a link on her primary Keywords and not on her store name.
Silver Workshop,

Great post! Good anchor text. I'd only add links to product pages on product images. This is actually advise for everyone.
People tend to click on images more than on text links.

[Jewelry by Kat]

Yeah!  My blog is finished and ready for your review. Thanks for telling me how to do the keywords and link, so easy!.................Kat

[Red Rock Designs]

Mine is fixed....title added and link changed.

[Delightful Suds]

Admin, have you published my blog? I didn't include pictures because I don't know how to include them there....

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Kat & Delightful Suds,

I didn't publish your blogs yet, as they both need a bit more work.

Kat, you have broken images on 2 product links. I am not going to fix them because I want you to learn how to do that. Why do you think they are not working? Btw, it is important to always preview your work and check if links are actually working. There is a Preview link at the bottom of blog post page.

Also, if you could think of a more creative post Title than just the name of the store, that would be great. Titles should capture users attention, so they shouldn't be too generic. They need to be catchy and intriguing...
Delightful Suds,
You have no links in your article at all. Use the tools at the top of the blog details page to add links on anchor text.
For both of you, there is a link at the top of the page explaining how to add images. Interview style posts have to have some personal images. Look at this post https://icraftgifts.com/blog/crafter-interview-blinkkids-375.php and tell me if it would be as interesting if we took out all photos from it. Probably not, right?

Or at a minimum, please add product shots of products that you are referring to in the post.
The first image is especially important, as it will represent your post in category listings or on pages like this one where we are listing recently published posts (see below).

Sorry, if this sounds like I am making you to do a lot of work.  
I only want you to learn how to do things on your own and do them the right way. Thanks!

[Delightful Suds]

Ok, I fixed mine, hopefully it worked and it's better 

[Jewelry by Kat]

Fixed mine and changed the title.  I can't believe I figured it out!..............Kat

[Silver Workshop]

Nice blog and site Red Rock!

Ok, I added links to the images, I think I'm all good now. I changed the url by taking out pointless texts ("and more from")
http://www.silverworkshop.ca/beaded-charm-bracelets-cha-cha-bracelets-jewelry-by-kat

[Red Rock Designs]

Thanks Silver Workshop.  I typically only post photos, but would like to post more content.

Admin, normally how long should blogs be?  About a page?  Do readers lose interest if there is too much text to read?

[Fairy Cardmaker]

Janis had some GREAT questions for me.  I'm SOOOOOO wordy.  I hope she will be able to trim it to something more succinct.

RedRock, I've read before that loooong blog posts are too much for many readers.  Online readers are fickle (and clinically, it is harder for our eyes to read a super-fast-flashing screen than a solid piece of paper, so it's harder for us to read blogs too).  The trick is to break it up with pictures.  Strategically placing your pictures, you can eke out a longer post.

I aim for at least two photos sandwhiched with paragraphs, so 5 or 6 paragraphs at most when I blog.  I don't stick to that religiously, but that's what I think works best. <shrug>

[JaJeJems]

Well I have my work cut out for me with the great answers that I got from Fairy C.  Started my draft today but need a good sleep to sort out the tons of info that FC gave me! lol. I looked at Silver and Red Rock's work this afternoon and I think you have both done a great job! Will be back in the morning!

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Kat,

Same problems again - broken links to product pages and no images in the article.
Did you ask Andree to send you some of her photos? There has to be at least one image in your article. That's actually in our Blogging Guidelines. We never approve articles without images.

The New Title however, looks good. 
Delightful Suds,

I still don't see any links in your article. It will not help Bibi at all if you won't link to her pages.   
I see the image in your article, but unfortunately, we already used it in another articles about Bibi. Could you pls ask Bibi to supply you with a different image?
Silver Workshop,

Great Job! I see you've linked to 3 products in text and to 2 products through images. http://www.silverworkshop.ca/beaded-charm-bracelets-cha-cha-bracelets-jewelry-by-kat You don't need any changes.
Red Rock Designs,

Is it possible to add links on images to product pages?
Not sure why you refer to Marta, as "they"? It's a lot more interesting to learn about the person behind their creations. So the more personal your story is, the easier it is for other people to relate to it.
http://redrockdesigns.tumblr.com/post/33363886546/natural-handmade-soap-for-all-skin-types
So we are still waiting for posts from Fairy Cardmaker & JaJeJems
To answer your question, Red Rock Designs, about the length of the article.
Well, here are some points for you:
- Search engines love copy, so the more copy the better.
- People read long articles online (even books), if it's an interesting reading. If not, they'll scan-read and leave.
- It's better to break your writing into chunks - paragraphs mixed with images (as Fairy Cardmaker suggested) and shorter sentences.
- So I'd say there are no specific rules on article length - include only interesting points in your article and keep it interesting, even if it's long. Don't just write for the sake of writing and adding words to your post.

[Delightful Suds]

ok, hopefully 3rd time is the charm