Tuesday 11 November 2014

Black Heraldic Dragon on polished metal-effect iPad Mini Cases

Featured Product!

A gorgeous design. Click to customize and personalize. Maybe you'd like to see your name or initials on it?


tagged with: metallic effect, polished steel look, chrome look, embossed effect, heraldic emblem, heraldry, black dragon logo, welsh dragon, dragon keeper, hrfptraz, raised claw, passant guardant

Metallic series A great case for your iPad Mini featuring a black embossed-look heraldic dragon on a polished metallic-effect background.
Change the text as desired or leave as is. You could use your initials as a monogram, if you like - your choice!
more items in the Metallic series
more items with Dragon artwork


»visit the HightonRidley store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Motivational Words Encouraging a Positive Attitude Print

A gorgeous best-selling design. Click to customize or personalize. How would it look with your name or monogram on it - why not have a look-see right now?


tagged with: motivational words, motivation, positive thinking, positive attitude, encouragement, encouraging, resolution, new years, encourage values, hrbstslr mowds9, positive outlook, word art

Motivational Words Being positive and achieving goals! Here's a great design using motivational word-art. Chosen especially for sustaining New Years Resolutions. Each time you look at them, you should get a subtle positive boost!
more items featuring these motivational words
more items in the Motivational Words series

image code: mowds9

»visit the HightonRidley store for more designs and products like this

Vintage Cute Baby Boy with Bottle and Puppy Dog Postcards

Cute Alert!

How can you resist this cute puppy design? Maybe you'd like to see your name or initials on it? Click to customize and personalize...


tagged with: child, americana, baby shower, retro, vintage, nostalgia, blue blanket, nostalgic, sprinkle, toddlers, tchotchke

Vintage illustration children and babies image featuring a cute baby boy on a blue blanket drinking milk with an adorable pet terrier puppy dog at his side holding the bottle in his mouth.

»visit the Tchotchke store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

A demo of PinAProd2's output

PinAProd2 Output

This is a demo of what the html output from PinAProd2 produces.
For the demo, I thought I'd use the watches department (252872449226090409)  and pull the most popular from my HightonRidley Zazzle store.

Here they are - I did nothing more than paste in the html copied from the PinAProd screen - at the bottom, just under all the displayed products.

Ok, that's a lie. I also made a choice to copy the style info from the box provided on the PinAProd2 screen and adjust my blog's settings to use those styles (Blogger Template Designer->Advanced->add CSS and then paste in everything between <style  type="text/css"> and </style> you get from the PinAProd2 screen).

This is a once-off step that you can ignore if you like. Without it, you get a list one product wide. With it, you should get them two-up as per the below.

Here's PinAProd2, filled out with what I used to produce the below (prices correct at time of publication). Remember, the only thing I've typed is before this period:.





Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series A fantastic colour-composite image of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293). The blue-green glow in the centre of the Helix comes from oxygen atoms shining under effects of the intense ultraviolet radiation of the 120 000 degree Celsius central star and the hot gas.
Further out from the star and beyond the ring of knots, the red colour from hydrogen and nitrogen is more prominent. A careful look at the central part of this object reveals not only the knots, but also many remote galaxies seen right through the thinly spread glowing gas.
more items with this image
more items in the Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series

image code: helixneb

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA www.eso.org
Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series Hubble's view of the Carina Nebula shows star birth in a new level of detail. The fantasy-like landscape of the nebula is sculpted by the action of outflowing winds and scorching ultraviolet radiation from the monster stars that inhabit this inferno. In the process, these stars are shredding the surrounding material that is the last vestige of the giant cloud from which the stars were born. The immense nebula is an estimated 7,500 light-years away in the southern constellation Carina the Keel (of the old southern constellation Argo Navis, the ship of Jason and the Argonauts, from Greek mythology).
The original image is a mosaic of the Carina Nebula assembled from 48 frames taken with Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys. The Hubble images were taken in the light of ionized hydrogen. Colour information was added with data taken at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. Red corresponds to sulfur, green to hydrogen, and blue to oxygen emission.
more items with this image
more items in the Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series

image code: carnebngcttst

Image credit: Hubble Space Telescope; colour data from the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Chile

Welsh Flag series A great design featuring the colours and dragon emblem (Ddraig in the Passant Guardant aspect) of the Welsh flag. The dragon has an embossed look and the background uses a green polished metal effect on white. Just change the Monogram given to your desired initials or blank out - your choice.
more items in the Metallic series
more products with Dragon artwork

Still Life series A pomegranate and oranges, leaves attached, nestle amongst a conch and other large shells. You can see the dappled sunlight falling across them casting interesting tones and shades.
more items with this image
more items in the Still Life series

image code: hrcol61

How To Promote Your Blog With Content That Will Grow Your Traffic, Links, and Shares

Blogging with purpose

original post »

This is a contribution from Gary Dek from StartABlog123.com.

Starting a blog is easy. Step-by-step tutorials to creating a blog and one-click CMS installations have ballooned the number of online blogs to over 200 million. But creating a blog isn’t the part you should worry about.

Unique and creative content can be hard to develop, especially when you are writing for a wide demographic. Am I producing something interesting, practical, actionable, valuable, and shareable? Would another blogger actually choose to link to it in the sea of other content available online?

Concerns like these are not uncommon when learning how to create a blog. All amateur and professional bloggers should evaluate their business strategies on a regular basis. It’s what drives us to constantly improve.

Fortunately, if you analyze some of the most successful bloggers online, it’s not that they are employing tactics or strategies that me or you can’t. There is no secret recipe or special club that builds traffic.

It’s the little things. Successful bloggers consistently execute on the little things that make their content relatable, shareable, and linkable.

Below, you will find a checklist of writing tips to help you create great content, increase your traffic and promote your blog. Don’t expect overnight results, but in the long-run, you and your readers will notice the difference. And to be more targeted, we’ve divided up the list between general writing advice, B2C, and B2B best practices.

Create Content To Promote Your Blog

Best General Writing Tips

  1. Start with a good headline. A good headline makes people want to click and read your content. Impart a sense of urgency, be dramatic, promise better results, or use a big number like “101 Ways…” Readers will be enticed out of curiosity.
  2. Write a good introduction. Your headline can get readers to click, but your intro needs to hook them to continue reading. Make an outrageous statement. Ask a difficult or relatable question. Tell them how the article is going to improve some aspect of their life.
  3. Have a conversation. Do you talk to your friends using 15-letter words or long, complex sentences? Readers don’t want to reference an online dictionary every other sentence, nor do they want a subject matter so complicated, they don’t understand what they are reading. Make reading easy by using simple words and sentences, which also makes for more shareable content.
  4. Talk directly to the reader. This is similar to the above point. Don’t alienate yourself. Use words like “you” and “I” freely. Write as if the reader were in front of you.
  5. Don’t BS. Don’t ramble to meet a word-count. Delete the fluff and unnecessary discussions. The sooner you make your points, the longer you will have them engaged.
  6. Write short paragraphs. No offense, but readers have short attention spans. I probably lost half the readers of this blog by now. There is no hard and fast rule, but generally, 5 to 7-sentence paragraphs are easier to comprehend.
  7. Break up your content with subheadings. Subheadings help organize content, making it easier on a reader’s eyes to scan the page.
  8. Use images. Start your post with an interesting, relevant image. Research shows that images increase click-through rates, shares and links. In fact, images (charts, graphs, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.) can often facilitate the transfer of information better than text.
  9. Tell a story. Everyone loves a good story. Don’t just present facts and figures. Share how the topic of discussion has changed or influenced your life or someone you know.
  10. Connect with your readers. You’re a human being with character, personality, and experiences. Allow your readers to relate to you and build a stronger connection.
  11. Write a good closing. Don’t leave your readers hanging. Just as a good intro hooks them, a good closing makes them feel that they didn’t waste their time.
  12. Proofread and fact-check. The facts and statistics you use to support your opinion/argument need to be accurate if you want to be seen as credible. Similarly, one or two typos is acceptable, but an article littered with poor grammar and incorrect spelling won’t get shared.
  13. Make social sharing buttons visible. It’s hard to expect social shares when you make the act of sharing difficult and tedious. If you are a B2B blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook are your top platforms. If you are a visual B2C brand, such fashion or foodie blogs, you will want to leverage Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. Research your target demographic and be active on the social mediums they utilize.

Tips For Business To Consumer (B2C) Blogs

  1. Be timely. Timing is crucial to earning exposure. Write news when it breaks, not days after.
  2. Be consistent. If you’ve been blogging for a while, you have undoubtedly developed a loyal following. Don’t let your readers down by posting randomly. If you don’t post on a daily basis, make sure your readers are aware of your editorial calendar. Furthermore, there is an SEO benefit to posting fresh content regularly.
  3. Keep up with pop culture. Consumers keep tabs on pop culture, and if you want to get their attention, you have to keep yourself up-to-date. Read, listen, and watch so you can write about current trends and make your content relevant and relatable. This is especially important if your target demographic is Millennials.
  4. Rotate between evergreen and trending content. Trending content can last a few weeks or months, but evergreen is timeless. Intersperse your content with both. It’s the equivalent of diversifying your investment portfolio between equities and bonds – one can offer huge upside, while the other is more consistent and stable. Combined, they offer balanced growth.
  5. Use videos and images freely. A creative or beautiful image at the start of a blog post can really draw in a reader, especially if it organizes information more effectively and clearly than a textual description. This is especially true with B2C writing because consumers often don’t like to read long, in-depth articles.
  6. Experiment with different types of content. Text may be the backbone of your blog, but if Upworthy and ViralBuzz have taught us anything, don’t underestimate the power of well-curated videos and images.
  7. Tap into emotions, but don’t exploit them. Consumers are prone to emotional stimuli, the most popular of which are humor, wonder, and empathy. But don’t exploit it and purposefully tug at the heart strings of your readerships. You will build a bad reputation of being overly emotional.
  8. Respect your readers. Be honest, open, and treat your audience like you would family. Even if your blog is instructional in nature, don’t talk down to them. Present concepts thoroughly, but assume a certain basic level of intellectual sophistication.

Tips For Business To Business (B2B) Blogs

Writing for business requires you to make slight adjustments. One positive is that B2B audiences are more focused and willing to spend money if your product or service genuinely solves a problem and furthers their professional interests.

  1. Use credible headlines with statistics. Headlines still need to be catchy in B2B writing, but business people are more likely to want data-driven analysis and results. For example, “How I Grew My Email List By 329% In A Week” explains the benefit of reading the article. However, don’t be full of it and use outrageous claims – they will hurt your brand and reputation. No one wants to feel duped.
  2. Narrow down your topics. Ever heard of “inch wide, mile deep”? This concept suggests you limit the scope of each article, but thoroughly and comprehensively cover every aspect of the subject matter. Businesses don’t need general information. Instead, B2B readers want very specific, actionable content that addresses an issue or problem they are dealing with.
  3. Write more evergreen content. Evergreen content is timeless and will always be relevant. For instance, “How To Start A Business” gets 40,500 monthly searches in the United States alone. A focus on this type of content will bring you consistent traffic for years.
  4. Provide credible supporting evidence. Use white papers, government figures, research studies, and professional publications to prove your point. Business people don’t want unsubstantiated opinions, but arguments molded by reputable sources.
  5. Offer step-by-step solutions to problems. To build a reputation as an authority in your niche, you must demonstrate that you understand the factors, issues and obstacles facing the industry. Delivering reliable solutions via free content builds trust and confidence so when you eventually want to sell a product/service, your readership sees the value in working with you.
  6. Show personality and liven things up. Veer away from the stereotypical dry, boring B2B content. Crack a joke now and then. Share an anecdote. Business people are human, too, and are not immune to humor.
  7. Highlight your achievements. Credibility is paramount in B2B writing. Use an author profile somewhere on the page, and craft a story that showcases what you have achieved. It’s not bragging. It’s telling the audience that you know what you’re talking about.
  8. Always over-deliver. It’s a matter of developing goodwill. Instead of selling a guide or eBook and earning a quick thousand dollars, give it away for free. In the long-run, the loyalty and brand value you build is worth far more.Don’t ever forget that blogging is your business. When running a business blog, remember that you not only represent yourself, but your company’s brand. As such, maintain some level of professionalism and always emphasize great customer service, support, and satisfaction.

Final Word

Content creation doesn’t need to be a difficult process. Many successful bloggers don’t even consider themselves great writers. The key is to focus on finding your place and unique value-add to the internet, and you’ll develop your own niche and loyal community. Incorporate these writing tips and you’ll already be ahead of the curve.

What other ways have you leveraged to produce great content?

Gary Dek is the founder of StartABlog123.com, which provides a free step-by-step tutorial on building and growing a blog.

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger
Build a Better Blog in 31 Days

How To Promote Your Blog With Content That Will Grow Your Traffic, Links, and Shares

Build a Better Blog in 31 Days

How To Promote Your Blog With Content That Will Grow Your Traffic, Links, and Shares
 #bloggingtips 

Watch a Japanese Kokeshi Doll Emerge From a Spinning Block of Wood

Fun and Random

Watch a Japanese Kokeshi Doll Emerge From a Spinning Block of Wood wood Japan carving

Watch a Japanese Kokeshi Doll Emerge From a Spinning Block of Wood wood Japan carving

In an age of the ubiquitous 3D printer, it’s easy to forget the joy and beauty of handmade craft. Take, for example, the 400-year old Japanese art of creating kokeshi dolls. These traditional wooden figurines were said to have been originally made as souvenirs to sell to people visiting the local hot springs in Northern Japan. Although there are about 10 different styles, each doll is made with an enlarged head and cylindrical body with no arms or legs.

In the video, produced by tetotetote, an organization highlighting the arts and crafts of Sendai, Japan, Yasuo Okazaki woodturns solid blocks into the head and body using just a few tools. Okazaki’s “Naruko” style of making the dolls was passed down to him from his father and features stripes at the top and bottom of the body and bangs with red headdresses. I don’t think there’s anything more soothing and hypnotic than the sights and sounds of watching these dolls emerge from a spinning block of wood.

 
#funandrandom 
 » see original post http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/colossal/~3/eHYAlX-jWN4/

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic

Fun and Random

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

New Surreal Paintings and Murals by Rustam Qbic surreal street art painting murals

Russian street artist Rustam Qbic (previously) just completed a new 9-story mural in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia for the New City festival. Titled “Blossom” the mural depicts individuals whose heads are literally “blooming” while reading books, an irony not lost on the artist who worked through 11 days of frigid cold and snow to complete the work. The mural is just one of many surreal paintings and walls created by Qbic since we covered his work here last year. You can see more over on his website. (via StreetArtNews)

 
#funandrandom 
 » see original post http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/colossal/~3/Bs68vkCrKZM/