A Crazy Little Thing Called Blog: YOUR Advice & Tips #2

As part of a continuing series of “how to” posts with responses and in-put from other bloggers, here’s the latest installment of blogging tips, advice and questions.

1) Normally I get about 150 emails a day. Of that, maybe 10% or 15 emails per day are “junk” or what I considered to be SPAM. So I tried using Word Verification for one week recently to see if my SPAM emails reduced. After the "test" I did not notice any reduction in my junk email while I had it “on” and my SPAM did not increase after I turned it “off”. I’m sure this won’t end the “word verification debate” but I’m leaving it "off". If you’d like to turn yours off too-- Go to Blogger Dashboard/Settings/Comments then scroll down to “Show word verification for comments?” and click NO, then Save settings at bottom of page. - Joanna

2) Here's a tip from Two Yorks And a Bean and Nonnie at Hysterical Raisins on how to enter a direct link into comments. Click HERE for the simple instructions and to see the comment link in action. Instructions are at the top of the page in blue type. This is a really great addition to comments and VERY easy to so. Feel free to give it a try in the comments below if you'd like. (Try it using your blog name and URL in Step 6.)

3) Don’t want your blog found via Google Search Engines-- “You can edit this as well. Just go into Blogger Dashboard/Settings/Basic and answer NO to the question "Let search engines find your blog". Don´t forget to Save settings and your done!” Betty at A Glimpse Into Midlife

4) “You can easily change your settings to show your email address so that those of us who email replies can reach you!” (Go to Blogger Dashboard/Settings/Basic and answer YES to the questions “Show Email Post links?”) "If you don't want to use your regular email, get a free one!!" (Blogger/My Account/gMail for set-up.) Raoulysgirl

5) What’s your preference on having comments acknowledged? “In other words, do you want to have a response to your comment? Does it bother you if you don't get one? And how do you prefer to get your acknowledgement....thru email or in the comments section of the original post or your most current post? Or would you rather have that person come to your blog and make a comment on one of your posts?” Matty at Matty's Thoughts

6) Like Fireblossom at Word Garden, my favorite Comment Box set-up is POP UP windows. That way the post I'm commenting on stays on the page so I can refer back to it while leaving a comment. Go to Blogger Dashboard/Settings/Comments then scroll to almost the bottom of the page to “Comment Form Placement”. Click on Pop-up window. Then Save setting at the bottom of the page. - Joanna

7) How do you send an email that includes your blog name automatically in the Subject line? I’ve received emails with it but I don’t know how to do it.

8) Does anyone know how to add a watermark on your photos-- A copyright symbol and name or URL on photos you’ve taken yourself? Click HERE for a post by Lilly at Lilly's Life giving a true example of why watermarks are important.

9) For Disqus Comment Users: What are the pros and cons of using this for your comments?

10) For Twitter and Facebook users? How has it enhanced your blog traffic and/or blog experience?

A million thanks to the bloggers who contributed above. If you asked the same question but weren't mentioned it just means someone else asked the question first. If you missed Part One of Tips & Advice Click HERE

Feel free to add your feedback to any or all of the above and by all means ASK MORE QUESTIONS and I'll post them at a future date.

Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna

Note: I'm out of town with no Internet access this week. I'll be back on Sunday!

Photo Credit © Mikael Damkier - Fotolia.com