STAND OUT Branding: Need a FREE Header & Background photo for your Blog?

I accepted an international job early last month and I’m currently waiting for the “GREEN” light for my Chinese “Working” Visa, coming from the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, ON.

I began this morning, with 2 high school kids coming to my backyard, 2 hrs late, to take all of my construction items to their ½ ton dump truck.  This included: 1970’s plywood cabinets, old gyprock from sides of kitchen, laundry room & roof, 2 floorings, Laminate Pergo & vinyl underneath it. I currently have a skeleton of a kitchen, since I’m in the middle of remodeling my kitchen, where the only thing left is a small island bar sink & dishwasher.  Everything else is in my living room in boxes, hallways and my stairways.  All my important stuff I can find; my microwave is on a box, my toaster is on the floor & my coffee pot is on the stairway!

I've seen many blogs lately that still aren't "branded" yet!  Today, I'd like to teach the ActiveRain members who would like to learn to create a FREE header and make it their own! I'll also be giving you info on creating your own branded background for your ActiveRain blog.  This should only take a few minutes to master!!!

I love to create, so today, I’ve updated my blog header.  I used a program called: Header Spot, which has 682 free header images in various photo sizes.   To make it your own for your ActiveRain blog you must have your header photo, preferably at or no larger than 960X130, or your image won’t show correctly:

http://www.headerspot.com/

Here's the header I chose, which is shorter than 960 wide, but is 130 high:

You can make it your own by uploading your header to Picnik, which is a free photo editing program and adding the text of your choice or special effects to it.

http://www.picnik.com

Here's my header with my new title that I added:

I’ve added another photo of Beijing for my background.  This can be done after your login to your ActiveRain.  Look to your upper right side for:

“My Home”

Then, look at your upper left side of the page (below your name & location) for & click “Customize”:

“ActiveRain (Customize)”

You can download your photo at “New Background Image” for your background by clicking “Browse”.  Your photo will look it’s best if it’s 300X300, but many other agents use other sizes.

Now, if you want to add a new background image (sides of your blog).  Here is where you can download your new background photo by going to:

New Background Image  (Browse)

Here's the background photo of Beijing I chose:

Also, here is where you can download your new new Header image, that you created up above by going to:

New Header Image (Browse)

Here's the new Header photo I chose:

** If you want to change your menu, page, or menu text or header background, these are the areas where you can change them.  I highly recommend playing with these until you feel comfortable with your results.  Many agents have the menu text and menu background the same color, so you can’t see their text, it all becomes one, so be careful here.  Also your header background should probably match your header somehow so it transitions better!

VERY IMPORTANT: 

When you are done adjusting all of your Customized ActiveRain Blog, then click once to see if your photos downloaded correctly:

“Save Changes”

If you view your header and all of it shows up clearly & you like your  results, then click again:

“Save Changes”

You will get an acknowledgement at the top of your page that says:

"Your blog has been customized"

***** (If you don’t click it twice it won’t show up as a change).

 Finally, go view your blog to see the results of your work and enjoy it!