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BAM! The Emeril Lagasse of Blog World - Customize the Look of Your Posts!

After my last post, so many of you asked me how to change the color and size of the font!

Comment after comment asked how to change the look of the font and how to add pictures. I tried to provide help by commenting back on the same post, but it seemed to get lost! I promised to write a follow-up tutorial explaining some basic HTML, so others would be able to control the look of their posts. As I started writing the tutorial, it struck me...

Who really has time to learn HTML? And it's actually kind of boring stuff. How can I make it easier and less complicated?

In answer to the first question: no one. No one (at least not in this industry) really has extra hours of time just laying around for them to use as they wish. So instead of trying to explain some wierd computer language, I'll provide you all with an easy tool that you can use without having to learn anything new.

So, without further ado...

Here's an editor that anyone can use to add some flare to their blog. It's free, there's no sign up required, and no downloading any software. Just visit the page, and use the editor anytime you wish, compliments of ClassifiedFlyerAds.com (thank Misty for creating it - she's pretty much a genius if you ask me). I created this entire blog post using the editor. Just click here to BAM! your blog. Hint: be sure to read the part in the yellow highlighted box!

Hope this helps! Here's a sneak peek of what it looks like:

Posted by Candis Hidalgo on 04/11/2008 06:46 PM

Comments (66)

blog tips, blogging tools, how to, customize blog, blogging help, market your blog

Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Blogging Etiquette 101
Post is included in group: Gadgets, Tools, & Extras
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: Tech Corner

66 Comments on BAM! The Emeril Lagasse of Blog World - Customize the Look of Your Posts!

APR

2008

Arroyo....thanks so much for posting this. I want to try it out soon and do not know or want to learn html so this is great!!

Hi Candis. Great post, althought I didn't understand it the first time through. I will bookmark (my first) and read later.

Thanks,

Ken

Arroyo - Thank you for sharing this with us and Misty for making it so easy.

Candis, that is so awesome and great of you to share with everyone. Thank you so much.

Candis - Great post! Thanks for sharing so many great tips :)

Debra & Ken - Hope it helps and please let me know how you like it!

Marilyn - Your welcome! Misty did all the hard part :)

Ray & Maria - sure - anytime! Isn't that what we're all here for? Best of luck with this.

Candis, doesn't AR strip the HTML when you switch to WYSIWYG to put the graphics in, or are you adding the graphics in HTML?

Oh, fun - I will try this out tomorrow when I am awake.

APR

2008

Thank you for this. I have been wanting to do this but could not follow the html instructions. Bookmarked.

Thanks Candis. This sure beats writing HTML code. Thanks for sharing.

Good Post!

Thanks for tips and thanks to Misty for the Editor - that will really save a lot of time!!!

Candis: Thank You for the tip. I'm gonna have to log in and try it !

Lisa - You can add pictures right from the editor provided. Just copy the html source code form the editor (images included) and paste all of that into the HTML portion of your blog entry screen. But yes, you're right - if you switch to wysiwyg view, a lot of the formatting is stripped. So best thing is to do it all in the editor, then paste all at once. Any changes you need to make to the post later should also be done in the html view. Hope it works out for you!

Kathleen - I know the feeling ;) Hope you find it helpful.

Rosemary, Michael, & Roland- I figured most people were like you and had better things to do with their time than try to figure out html. I'd love to hear back on how it works for you!

Leesa - you're so welcome! Hope it helps...

Thats amazingly helpful Candis..........it couldn't have come at a better time! Thank you!

Candis, I have noticed other posts with this and have not found the links. Thank you, I will bookmark and come back and check it out. Thanks!

APR

2008

Liz - I'm so glad to hear that! And hope you have fun with this :)

Audrey - Glad I could help out... can't wait to see your next blog!

I've bookmarked this one for when I retire.. thanks for the promised follow up.

Candis this looks like a great time saver, thanks for sharing this.

APR

2008

Thanks Candis, I am going to try it when I get to my home office.

Margaret & Amie - So glad this might be helpful for you! Have you tried it yet, or is it lost in "bookmarked land"? I'd love to hear feedback.

Carolyn - No problem! Glad I could help you save some time :)

Thanks Candis for this great info....I'm always for learning new stuff to make my life easier.

Patty Ledford-EXIT Realty Mtn Properties-Blue Ridge Ga

www.LedfordProperties.com

Hi Candis - Thanks so much for another great post aimed at those of us just learning. I have been using Blogger.com to compose my posts for about a week, but I have found it to be just a bit quirky. I will certainly give the editor you suggested a try on my next blog. Have a great day.

Hello Candis-

Thanks for the update and I have this one bookmarked! I hope it will help with my next post.

Candis, I am waiting until I retire to try. Smile

This is very helpful. I had always wondered about how to use the Source Code...and now, I know! It's nice to be able to customize without having to learn/remember HTML code. Thanks.

Hello Candis thanks so much for this tutorial - I have bookmarked it for future use! appreciate it :)

Sincerely,

Grace

APR

2008

Thanks Candis, this seems alot easier than NVu that someone recommended recently. That works too but I find it hard to work around. This seems simple and thank you for sharing what works for you.

Thanks Candis this will help me get the most of the net and broaden my tech skills GREAT POST!!!!!

Patty - You're welcome, and me too :)

Lori, Margaret, & Greg - Glad this looks like something you can use! I look forward to hear how it works out for you all.

Lola - Great! That's really the whole reason for this. Who has time to (or wants to) learn html :)

Lyn - I haven't tried the NVu that you mention, but I'm glad this works so well for you!!

Candice you are a doll! Thank you... I lost my FrontPage program some time back (which is where I did all my cheating on the HTML side of things). I have been lost without it ever since and wasn't able to find a program that would allow me the same benefits till I stumbled upon your info. This little editor is going to be good for lots of things besides just blogging. Thanks again...

Make it a great Real Estate day!

Raleigh Realtor - Pamela St. Peter

Pamela - that is great that you'll be using this for other things besides blogging as well! Get the most out of it :)

Candis-HI, I went to your link and way on top on the right I saw a link for live support....so I clicked it. Interesting. I really wanted to know what an RSS Feed is....and I figured out the chat was automated. So, how does an automated response be able to put emotions (Happy faces) on an answer.....LOL :)

Oh yea this Post is about Fonts....well as you can see I clicked the link, and well I had to look around. Good info you have, and nice of Misty to make that :)

Hi Kathy! That was Amber you were talking to on chat, and no, she's not a robot, she just misunderstood your question :) She thought you were asking if the RSS feeds were automated. And speaking of RSS feeds, that is what my next post is all about. I'll be sure to post it in the e-Pro group :)

Candis-Thanks for the clarification....I just knew that an automated response didn't have emotions LOL :) I will watch for the next blog as I do want to really understand RSS....I have nice buttons for RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0 etc......but what is the difference. And how do I program this into an existing website. That is the type of info I am looking for ....hint hint :)

Oh, and let me know when you guys are ready to Beta test your new program.

That looks so much better than my posts and much easier to ready!

Aloha Candice,

Thanks for the informative blog. I will have to try this very soon. Best wishes.

Peace,

APR

2008

Kathy - I'll keep your "hint hints" in mind when I write that post ;)

Team Newington - I saw your posts, and don't kid, they look superb. But, if this helps even more, great!

Kimo - You're welcome! I hope you find this to be an easy tool :)

APR

2008

Candis,

Great info and thanks for sharing...I have bookmarked for continued use.

Thanks for the great help for all the newbies.

Kevin

White Plains, NY

Dan - That's great. The best resource is the one you can use over and over ;)

Kevin - Sure! I'm still practically a "newbie" myself, being here for only 2 months. Believe me I know I can use all the help and tips I can get! Glad this'll help you.

great info... very informative and easy to understand!

Howdy Candis

This really sounds like a fine way to

customize, ones blog thats for sure.

I'll take a look at it, and play with it a bit.

Thank ya for puting the link to it in your post.

P.S. I have bookmarked your post.

Have a good one Dale

APR

2008

Take 5 Team - thanks! that was my intention ;)

Dale - I'm glad you like it and hope that it brings you some convenience and simplicity. Cute pic in your comment.

Candis, this looks very interesting - I'm sure I can put this to good use and anm looking forward to loading it and trying it.

APR

2008

Candis, I seem to go with the crowd in saying thank you. Looks extremely easy to use and sure helps cut down on time, which there is never enough of. I am truely impressed with your follow up and reply to all. Again, thank you - have a wonderful week.

Dottie

APR

2008

Steve- Great! And for this editor, you don't even have to download it. Just visit the page & copy/paste. Hope it works out well for you.

Dottie - Thanks so much and I hope you find it as easy as it looks :) I hope tyou have a great week as well - thanks!

You rock. Thanks for the tip.

Candis

Thanks for sharing trhis great tool

Ralph

APR

2008

Rob & Ralph & Susan - You're welcome, hope you find it helpful and save some time!

Thank you Candis, this is awesome. I am a newbie yes and this will come in handy once I learn to use it.

I see everyone that tried this couldn't use it.

I have played with this and i cannot get it figured out.

APR

2008

Julie - You're so very welcome! I hope you find it helpful.

Debra - Hmmm, that's the first I heard of someone having trouble with it, but I's be happy to help if I can. What type of problem are you having? As a side note, I just used it yesterday for my blog post and it seemed to work okay. Any details you have might help me figure out how to help...

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can hardly wait to get started.

So glad I stumbled upon this post...THANK YOU!!! You answered one of those questions I was dying to ask... I can't wait to try it. I've bookmarked this post as well. =)

thanks Candice, I'm still pretty new here and been doin my posts in HTML. I just don't like that the HTML does not show the first few lines (in the preview).

I have to check this out.

Great information Candice,

I will book mark and check the link later. I have been really looking to spruce up my blog!

APR

2008

Leslie - You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome :)

Abby - That's great! I hope you find this helpful.

Peter - This editor lets you create your post in a 'wysiwyg' view, then provides the html to post here on Active Rain. I didn't realize that the first few lines of html didn't get translated - thanks for the info. I have sometimes had to post my blog in 'draft' mode once or twice first before the html seems to kick in - have you noticed this??

Jason & Deanna - Great! Hope this helps.

AUG

2008

Thank you for making this simple and easy to use. I need all the help I can get and I have my assistants learning at a fast clip!

Thank you for sharing this tool. I have booked marked it for future reference. I will attempt to make my blogs a little less newspaper like.

Great tip! I'll have to check it out in detail later when I have another post to write. For now, bookmarked. Thanks!

AUG

2008

Hi to Russell, Paul, & Kathy - I hope you find this editor helpful! A quick tip: make sure you copy & past the html from the editor (click on 'Source') into the html view of your AR post... otherwise all of the html gets stripped away :(

Have fun!

AUG

2008

This thing called activerain continues to get better. Thanks for your wonderful post and I can't wait to try it.

Very cool! Appreciate the help. Need all I can get. that Video Guy.

AUG

2008

Dale (Home Realty Group) - Glad I could offer some help! Have you tried it yet, and how has it worked for you?

John - No problem! Hope you find it helpful.

You can guarantee that I will be looking at this before I write my next blog. HTML is so foreign to me, I'm glad someone made it simple. Now my blogs can have some pizzaz!

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