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Pimp Your Blog, graphic goodies, the marketing week in review...

garaughty, The Blog Artist . com

Well, well, well...

look at all the pretty blogs! Unless you've been on another planet this past week, the Big News here in the Rain was Brad Caroll's wonderful gift... the Active Rain Customizer that allows us to turn the plain old generic version of AR into a personalized way to express and brand yourself with color and images.

If for some reason you haven't heard this news or haven't seen Brad's post, here it is...

ActiveRain gives the "Green Light" on Customizing - ActiveRainCustomizer.com

garaughty, blog graphics

As you can see from the screen shot above, you can use it to change the color of most sections of your blog, to add background graphics and most notably, you can change the header (logo) of your blog.

For more examples, Jason Todd did an excellent job of highlighting the first customized blogs in...

Who Spilled the Paint? and Who Spilled the Paint Too? ActiveRain Gets Even More Colorful

Jon Washburn also pointed out some of the first "rule breakers" in Unofficial new ActiveRain blog customizer

Even though the customizer is pretty straight forward and self explanatory, if you need help Jeff Turner put together an excellent video tutorial titled Editing Images For Your Customized ActiveRain Blog

Also, if you're looking for tips on creating a tastefully pimped out blog you should check out Maureen Henry's post Blog staging tech secrets REVEALED and The Color Of Business by Heather Chotard.

Free Graphic Goodies from garaughty.com

garaughty, blog graphics

As much fun as all this is, I realize that not everyone has the time or patience to design their own blog header so I'm working on some free graphic goodies that you'll be able to use in your Active Rain blog and I'll also be giving away a totally custom designed blog header (or two).

Watch my blog for more details. And now, some of the must read marketing posts...

garaughty, the art of marketing you

In no particular order, here are some of the best Active Rain marketing posts from this past week...

- 3 things Disneyland teaches Realtors by Alan Kirkpatrick

- Branding your Website Right... Find Out How Your Site Ranks! by Dave Robison

- WHY Ambush Marketing is Gobbling Up The Hottest Real Estate on The Planet! by Lola Audu

- The Sign of the Z- Zorro- Not! Zillow-Zestimates and Sarah Bonert by Midori Miller

- Virtual Open House.....It's Over and I would say a rousing Success :) by Kathy McGraw

- Blatant Real Estate Misrepresentation on Google ~ What would you do? by Bill Gassett

- How to Make it Selling Real Estate in this Difficult Market? by David Serle

- Back to Basics Won't Work! by Jim Crawford

- Do You Use Fly Paper Marketing? by Betty Cutler Favier

- Having Trouble With Video Ideas? by Lindsay Pendleton

- Think outside the box in marketing! by Stephen Luckett

- Promote Localism: A very easy, free way by Chris Mitchell

- The Latest Grift, Rental Scams by Chris Elizabeth Griffith

garaughty, the art of marketing you

- How to Use The Flip Video Camera with Your Computer by Brad Andersohn

- 10 Tips For Creating Better Quality Videos by Brad Andersohn

- Don't Get Ripped Off! 5 Tips for Selecting a SEO Vendor. by Karen Devlin

- If Real Estate Is Local, Your Twitter Should Be Too: TwitterLocal.net by Jeff Turner

- Now you have no excuse NOT to back up your files by Greg Taylor

- Getting the most from Twitter by Lane Bailey

- 105 Ways to Improve Your Website- Whittled Down to Six by Chuck Willman

- Zipvo 2.0 Released - Free Photo Videos/Tours made simple [ Beta ] by Justin Williams

garaughty, the blog artist

- Spring Inspiration: ActiveRain Showers Bring 100,000 Flowers! by Julie Neerings

- My Sleepless Nights in April! We Have To Remember Love Is Forever! by Midori Miller

- How to get more comments on your blog by Maureen Henry

marti garaugty, the art of marketing you

If you would like to participate in any of our upcoming marketing projects, branding partnerships or tutorials on creative ways to use new medias and technologies like widgets, etc... please subscribe to our blog using the button below...

the art of marketing you, marti garaughty

Posted by marti garaughty on 04/13/2008 10:07 AM

Comments (110)

marketing, branding, blog graphics, pimp your blog, blog headers, blog logos

Originally posted at: The Blog Artist: Pimp Your Blog, graphic goodies, the marketing week in review...

Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: WEEK IN REVIEW

110 Comments on Pimp Your Blog, graphic goodies, the marketing week in review...

APR

2008

Not sure if I like the Myspace look.

I've just become a member of Active Rain so cannot say I am tired of the "Plain Old Generic Version" yet. However tomorrow I'll put some time aside to look at how easy some modifications might be. The 'Recent Visitors' thing is something else I wouldn't mind looking into as well.

Thanks for the post; I may not have stumbled upon this right away otherwise.

Ron Viola
( 818 ) 501-8334

http://www.rviola.com/

I love, love, LOVE the new looks! So expressive of the individual blogger...

Great title Marti! : )

I am enjoying seeing what ActiveDesigners....er Rainiers are doing. I tried the other day to do one, and no luck, I will have a go at it this coming week since so many people are sharing instructions and tutorials, surely one will penetrate my brain! Then I too will be joining the ranks of the ActiveDesigners....er ActiveRainiers!

This is great, Thanks for the post. I am going to go design mine right now!

Marti - very nice wrap up of all the cutomizations! Thanks for the links, and all the resources. I'd missed a few in all the excitement. Cheers

Hello Marti,

I so want to pimp my blog but havent' had time to do anything but add a little color......oh well....(been really busy selling homes so I shall not complain).

Thanks for the links. I will bookmark this post and read the ones I missed.

Marti great job in highlighting the new features on the blog header. I would love to take you up on creating a nice header for me...That would be fantastic! I think yours look amazing.

Nice demonstration of the new "features." Another blog to bookmark for future reference.

Marti, your pimped blog looks amazing! Great review of postings this week, been busy so I will go catch the ones I missed, your choices are always worth reading.

Marti,

I wish I had time to pimp my blog but I guess when things slow down I will have to play with it more than I am doing now...nice list as usual and please put it in the WIR if you wish.

Marti, Pimp it out I say!! Thanks for all the links and it looks great.

A great list as always, I caught more of them this time around but still a few to check out.

I do like your customized blog as well.

Marti. thanks for the info. I will look into it. Royal..

Marti, as usual you bring the "good stuff" to our attention. Love the new customization ability, and the versatility. Knowing me, I'll be changing weekly - when I have the time.

Loved Brad's, Brad's and Jeff's blogs. Such great information - went out and got me a flip video yesterday. Maybe today I'll open the box and learn how to use it.

Thanks, as always for keepin us in the loop. ;-)

thanks for information...I am going to try it

Thanks for the post, I'll play with it. I have a real estate MySpace so I know the basics.

Tammy Anderson-Owens
RE/MAX Preferred

http://www.MetroEastLiving.com

I love the new look. As usual, I am a bit over extended and I have not had much time to try to pimp my blog. However, I am going to try to set aside some time next week. This is great and it certainly will add to the professionalism of our blogs.

Hi Marti, love your new skin and always look forward to your weekly synopsis of the 'great ones.' Many thanks.

I think it's a cool add on, but I have noticed that 9 times out of 10, the new "skin" slows down the blog loading significantly.

Marti...What a treasure trove you have provided for us. Thanks so much. Hope I have the time to read them all.

How do you do it?

Kathleen

Marti.. Thank you for letting me know about this.. I'm been wondering how to improve my blogs, and you have given me the answer.

Marti...Thanks for putting together a wrap up post of sorts, and because I'm not familiar with myspace, I just love all this pimp my blog stuff! Love the graphics, and I'm looking forward to figuring out how to do a good header. Hopefully, one of these tutorials will lead me in the right direction!

Off to check out the links.

LOVE your new look. Truly the best I've seen! I haven't had time to do mine yet but it's such fun clicking on someone's blog now as there are so many clever surprises. Thanks for this summary.

Thanks for all the great links! You're page looks awesome!

Marti...thanks so much for this great post...there is enough info in here to keep me busy for days. I will check it out another day or I will be here all day today! I have bookmarked this great post, thanks!!!

This is the most tasteful and colorful wrap up I have seen in the Rain I could read it for hours and not get tired. Now I have to find the time to pimp up my Blog. Thanks Marti for such a beautiful report.

Ted... it will only look like MySpace if people don't use taste and good judgement in their blog design, I hope that doesn't happen either.

Ron... welcome, it's always nice to have a new voice in the crowd.

Deborah... I agree and love it too. If you need help, just ask.

Mike... cool, check it out and enjoy the new tool/toy.

Hi Marti - Once again, great resources for your week in review. I always love checking out your blog on Sundays for recaps for posts I might of missed or get refreshed on.

I love your slogan for today, "Pimp My Blog" where are the 50 inch plasmas? j/k :) Kudos once again!

It was a really good week in the Rain. I must admit for a couple of weeks it was like searching for a needle in a haystack to find good quality posts. This week was packed full of good content, good looking blog makeovers, and all kinds of fun!!

Gita... nice to see you as always, enjoy the new material.

Bill... if you need help or ideas for your header let me know. I loved your misrepresentation on Google post, congrats on the feature!

Gary... thx for the feedback, it's a great tool to stand out from the crowd.

Missy... thx, like most of us my "look" is a work in progress, trying to keep it interesting but tasteful.

Neal... I'm looking forward to seeing your new look, I'll add this to the WIR later today or tomorrow. Thx...

Ray... thx so much, I appreciate the feedback.

Steve... thx for the feedback on the new look.

Royal... enjoy the new posts, lots of great stuff again this week.

Marti, thanks for your devotion to creating appealing and unusual site graphics. Looking forward to some of your templates.

marti! pmb? this is too funny and I'm sure it's not the last we see of your "pretty blog". As always, great information and thank you for taking time to compile this!

Teri... re "Knowing me, I'll be changing weekly"... cool, looking forward to it, also to seeing your video.

Scott... have fun, it's nice to see so many indivual looking blogs now in the Rain.

Tammy... thx for stopping by, enjoy the new toy.

Joan... it doesn't take too long, especially if you already have a logo or graphics, try it out.

Susie... my friend, you're more than welcome and thx for the skin feedback.

Ron... slow downs are usually caused by too many widgets on a page or people using large graphic files. I'll be posting info about this soon.

Kathleen... I'm glad the review is helpful, not sure where I find the time. ;-)

Valerie... great, have fun trying it out.

Natalie... as an intro, check out Jeff Turner's video, it should put you on the right track.

Diane... thx for the nice comment on my new skin, I love seeing all the new looks as well.

Marti, If I weren't so darn busy selling houses, might be tempted to quit real estate and just learn all these wonderful things to make a beautiful blog. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity!

Lindsay... I'm glad you like the new look & thx for another great contribution to the marketing group.

Debra... enjoy all the new stuff, this certainly is a prolific group.

Mana... thx, glad you like the new look. ;-)

Justin... thx for the feedback as well and for another great contribution to the group.

Kim... I agree, some weeks are dry, this was a very busy one with some excellent stuff.

Steve... you're more than welcome, I'll be creating and sharing some free templates very soon for the AR blog headers, I'll mention it here in my blog as they become available.

Love the post... Who doesn't like free help? I'm working up the courage to pimp it out.

Margaret... with the way the market is these days, if you're busy selling homes, that's much better than playing around with blog graphics. Thx for the nice comment.

Debbie... thx, try it out and if you need help, just ask.

Karen O... hi stranger, like myself, my blog is a work in progress. Thx for popping in.

Hi Marti - I am LOVING this review of yours because there's so much really good and USEFUL info in these posts! I missed most, but can tell from the titles that I am going to really love catching up on my reading with these lists. Plus these are catgories of posts that I always enjoy - thank you for this awesome review!!

And I'll be looking for your free goodies - I've not had time to play around with customizing my AR blog.

Ann

Ann... it's always nice to know the reviews are helpful, especially with the volume of stuff being posted each week. And yes, some free graphics and header templates will be available soon.

Marti...

I have been playing catch up and noticed that somewhere on your Blog you mention PD Photo.

I ran across him sometime ago. I am very concerned about the origin of some of those images.

In his disclosure he states:

"I've tried to make sure I have a valid copyright on something before releasing it to the Public Domain, but the standard for commercial use is much higher".

In light of what recently happened to us I am not comfortable with that disclosure. It begs the question: "Did you take all those pics Mr PD? :)

What are your thoughts on this Marti? Bearing in mind that if he hijacked any of those images from the web we are still responsible for our own actions and our own judgement.

TLW...ROAR!

Great list of posts, quite a few that I missed. Thanks!

The new looks are cool. I need to work on mine. Great list as usual Marti!

Happy Spring.

TLW... hi stranger, thx for the head's up, I'll add your warning to my previous post, much appreciated and... we have to catch up, it's been way too long. Say hi to your other half for me.

Geoff... you're very welcome, enjoy and welcome to the marketing group!

Monica... thx for the feedback on the new look, fun isn't it? Happy Spring to you as well, the snow has finally melted here in Montreal. If you need help with pimping your blog, just ask.

Marti...

I just remembered that many rain moons ago you made me a "Success" gift.

That gift was lost when I crashed my p.c.

Any chance you have a copy of it?

If so I'd love to have my gift back :)

You have my live email address if you do happen to run across it. If you don't have my live e...Send me an a contact and I'll respond from my live e.

TLW...ROAR!

TLW... yes I remember, I'll check in my bags of tricks to see if I still have the original, if not I'll re-do it for you, would be my pleasure. Later...

Marti - I just bookmarked this post.....and have become your newest subscriber. I am truly addicted.

Christine... I'm glad you're addicted, thx for subscribing, I really do appreciate it.

This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing. Looks really sharp!

Marti, thanks for the weekly summary - it sure is nice to have all of the good stuff in one place.

I think everyone is having a blast with this customization. I know I am already planning my next change. I love to play around with looks!

Thanks for the mention. And, the new unique blogs are great. I, for one, am loving the eye candy. I can't wait to see what else gets brewed up.

marti:

another great selection of posts! i've been a better reader this week compared to last.

love the new look. keep up all the good work.

APR

2008

Lisa... thx for the feedback on the new look, enjoy the posts.

Kent... thx as well, I know what you mean, it's much easier than hunting thru everything.

Christy... same here, I love the new options, apparently so do most of us.

Lane... thx for stopping by and for the excellent posts to the marketing group this week.

Jessica... thx so much, I'm way behind on my reading this week, it's overwhelming. Nite...

Thanks for the update on blogging!

marti- My only concern with these backgrounds is how long do they take to load with dial up? I know we don't think much of it but when I look at my analytics there are 30% still using dial up that read my blog. I just don't want the load times to become longer than 23 to 25 seconds. What do you think?

Marti - I LOVE IT! I am definately wow'd. I wanna Pimp Mine UP!! - guess it's more reading and learning for me...

Robert... you're welcome, thx for stopping by.

Katerina... you're absolutely right, that goes for the widget overload on many blogs as well.

My Rain blog only has 2 graphics, the header and a tiled background pic. Both .jpg files are under 20K each.

Graphic files have to be reduced in size for quick loading times, as you said... a significant amount of people still use dial up service and if it takes forever for a page to load, they just move on.

Carla... go thru the info and tutorials, it's very, very easy but... if you need help let me know.

Marti - as always your post is a great resource. Thanks for the love.

Marti, wow! Lots of great posts this week. I haven't spent the time on pimping my blog, but it may come in the near future.

Marti~You have been so busy my friend. You continue to amaze me how consistent you are about putting these fabulous posts together and to be included is truly an honor. Thank YOU so very much!

thanks for the post....I'll play around w/ it

Maureen... thx for the excellent post, I know it will help a lot of people.

Brian... thx, looking forward to seeing you new look as well.

Julie... yeah, too busy for my own good but I don't complain, no one will listen. ;-) Thx for another excellent post.

Eric... welcome to the group, enjoy the new blog toy.

Once again, another "value-added" Blog post from the guy who really knows how to Pimp A Blog!! Thanks for all the work you put into, and contribute here Marti. You are a great asset to the community. Thanks so much!! :-)

Brad... thx so much, I loved your son's post about the Joe Satriani clinic, that must have been amazing!!!

Marti - it was one of those unforgettable evenings!! :-) Joe is a real down to earth nice guy and one heck of a guitar player. My son and I were both very inspired!

Marti-thanks for the mention and I love the new customized features.

Brad... I can only imagine. I met Carlos Santana many, many years ago, he was also very down to earth. The amazing players seem to be that way. Their talent speaks for itself.

Mmmmmmmmirodi... thx, I loved your post and your new blog design.

There is so, so, much to stay on top of, I don't know how everyone does it! Thanks for providing a great list of "reads."

Joddie... the reviews help to summarize things, check out Neal Bloom's week in review group as well.

Marti, I did take a few minutes to customize my blog, it is nice putting a personal touch to it....

Joddie... absolutely, it's great to see some color & personality in so many AR blogs.

APR

2008

Marti - I won a guitar from Carlos when I lived in Hawaii. I too had the chance to meet him and felt he was one of the most down to earth guys I had ever met. Hope you don't mind me sharing this photo of when I was a hoodlum young and got to meet him. LOL!~

Me and Carlos Santana - August / 1982 or 1983

Brad... I love the pic, thx for adding it, God that brings back memories. ;-)

Not sure why I hadn't visited this post before but I'm glad I did now, thanks.

Bob... welcome to the marketing group, it's nice to have you here with us.

Great list Marti. Been MIA and need this to catch up!

marti-I am amazed....I was on here Sunday right after you wrote this...I remember clicking a few of the Posts...and gee guess I forgot to comment LOL :) Anyway, loved it, and I too love the new look you have here....and I am waiting to see what you come up with for the Headers .......like the list too :)

Audrey... I thought you were kind of quiet lately, welcome back.

Kathy... no problem, I see you here all the time, I do appreciate your input and... I should have a template & some starter graphics available for this coming weekend.

That is really cool, maybe I can learn. My business may fall apart if I do=)

Jeffrey... I see you're relatively new here, welcome to Active Rain and to the marketing group, it's nice to have you with us.

APR

2008

Marti- I love that you spend the time to highlight the posts... yours is a wonderful group- you've attracted such talented people who do a great job of giving back.

APR

2008

Chuck... thx for the feedback, you're one of the people who makes the group what it is, we have a lot of very talented & bright people here.

APR

2008

Great idea...I will give this a try...many thanks for sharing!

Terry... it's a nice little perk to be able to personalize our blogs, enjoy!

Marti, great post and so informative. I jumped right on that bandwagon and now I have to find some cool graphics to add. Thanks.

Thanks for the tips! I can't wait to pimp out my pages too!

Bob... thx for that comment, glad these reviews seem to be helpful to so many people. Also...

I'll also be posting some free graphic backgrounds in the next few days for Rain blog headers.

Nancy... you're more than welcome. Have fun with the new blog tool, it's very easy to use. if you need help, just ask. Have a great weekend...

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