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Blog Audit Challenge: Side Bar and Footer #blogging #BlogAuditChallenge2018


Welcome back for another Blog Audit Challenge installment. Hopefully you're already starting to see an improvement in your blog. I'd love to hear about your successes with this challenge so please let me know about the progress you've made so far in the comments below.

This week's topic: Side Bar and Footer


This is really a two part issue so I'll break them down and look at them individually.

The Side Bar:

A side should present secondary information that supports your brand. The side bar is a great place to put information that you want your readers to have quick access to. 

Things to consider:

- A subscribe option. Make it easy for readers to follow your content. 
- Popular posts. Draw attention to your most popular content and give those posts a longer shelf life. 
- Blog archives. Give people access to your blog archives so they can search for posts by category/date. 
- CTA's. Got an event coming up? Doing a competition? Bring attention to it and increase engagement by adding a Call-To-Action in your side bar. 
- Ads. The top of the side bar is referred to as above the fold as it's the part of the screen that can be seen without scrolling. This is the most coveted space for ads as more people will see it. 
- Social media links. If you don't have them else where, include your social media links in your side bar making it easier for your readers to follow and connect there too.

Ideas: 

Are you a booktuber? Why not embed your latest video in the side bar?

Pinterest/instagram user? Add a widget to showcase your latest posts.


The Footer:

The Footer is actually a really important part of your website. Think about it. In order to see the footer a reader must have scrolled down past all the other content on the page. That means they are invested in your content. They've stayed long enough to get to the bottom of the page! This makes the footer the perfect place for a strong CTA (Call-To-Action). 

When deciding on what type of CTA to include you need to think about your goals. One of my goals is monetization and so my footer now includes special offers for affiliate programs I'm part of. This gives the reader a reward for reading that far down the page as they get a discount or freebie for clicking the links, and hopefully adds to my affiliate income. 

You might also want to include a footer menu. I'm going to be working on mine this week. This includes secondary menu content that isn't in your primary menu/ brings attention to your most important pages e.g. Your terms/disclaimers, About page, Contact, Shop, Services, etc...

This week's task: 


Take a look at the content of your side bar and footer and optimize them for better results. Think about the main goals for your site, and edit your content accordingly.


Missed a post? Here's a round up of what we've covered so far:



- The Blog Audit Challenge: Preparation

- Legal Disclaimers

- The About Page
- Contact Details

Blog Audit Challenge: Side Bar and Footer #blogging #BlogAuditChallenge2018



Booktastic Link It Up Thursday #17


Welcome back for another Booktastic Link It Up Thursday! Sorry I missed last week's post. Life got busy and I forgot. Oops! 

Anyway, here we go...

Remember, you can link up new or older posts in the linky. 

Posts can be book reviews, book hauls, book related meme posts... as long as the post is book related it counts :)

A few guidelines:


Please link up any posts you have, past or present, about books, reading, and literacy. This link party is all about sharing about books. Joining in is easy; just click “Add your link…” and copy/paste the URL of a blog post (NOT your homepage). Blog posts ONLY please. Other types of links will be deleted. 

Follow me on any social media of your choice (I'm JoLinsdell everywhere). Of course, I would love it if you subscribed to my newest posts ;)

If you would be kind to post a link back somewhere on your post or blog.


Why join the link up?


Linking up to parties and leaving comments on other posts is a proven way to increase traffic to your blog and grow your blog’s followers! 

Please grab the Booktastic Link It Up Thursday button and share it somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, bottom, etc.) and please share about this party with any book-lovers you know.

 Come and join in Booktastic Link It Up Thursday at www.JoLinsdell.com (hosted by @jolinsdell) #LinkUp #Books #BookBloggers

Let's grow this party!

Click to tweet:

Come and join in Booktastic Link It Up Thursday at www.JoLinsdell.com (hosted by @jolinsdell) #LinkUp #Books #BookBloggers

Everyone works hard on their posts and loves visits/comments/pins from others. Please visit AND comment on at least one other linked post if not more.

Now on to the party!







Video Content Challenge Week 9


Welcome to week 9 of the Video Content Challenge!

How to take part:


Just check back at www.JoLinsdell.com every Tuesday for the latest video challenge. I'll be sharing my own video for each challenge to give an example of how you could do it (this is, of course, only an example. I hope people will get creative with their own videos). Once you've uploaded your challenge video for the week to YouTube, share the direct url for it in the comments section of the post so we can all give feedback.

Video Content Challenge Week 9


This week's challenge is to upload a video where you talk about the best thing about being a writer.


Video Content Challenge Week 9



Here's my video for this week


How are you doing with the challenges so far? Remember to link up your videos in the comments section below. 

Blog Audit Challenge: Contact Details #blogging #BlogAuditChallenge2018

Welcome back for another installment of the Blog Audit Challenge. How are you doing so far? 

Missed a post? Here's a round up of what we've covered so far:

- The Blog Audit Challenge: Preparation
- Legal Disclaimers
- The About Page

This week's topic: Contact Details

This week we're looking at contact details. It's important to give your readers a way of contacting you. It's especially important to have a way they can contact you if you offer services. The easiest way to do this is to have a contact page on your website. Alternatively, if you just want to use email as your method of being contacted, you can just add a mailto: link.

I have a contact page at http://www.jolinsdell.com/p/contact.html. It's pretty basic but has links for the various ways I can be contacted. This week I'm going to be updating the page to make it look more professional.

This week's task: 

Make sure you have a way of being contacted on your website.

A few options:

- Add a contact page with all your contact details e.g. email, social media, etc...
- Add a contact link to your navigation bar with a mailto: link
- Add social media icons with links to the profiles you use regularly.
- Add a contact form on your contact page. This can be a good option for those of you that don't want to give out your email address. It also means you can set up the form to include the information you require e.g. if you are using it for review requests only you might want to add sections where they post their book synopsis, ISBN/ASIN, etc...

Other things you might want to consider:

- If you get a lot of emails asking the same things you might find it useful to add some FAQ's to your contact page (either directly on the page or as a link to a separate post that covers them).

Blog Audit Challenge: Contact Details #blogging #BlogAuditChallenge2018


Book Review: The Ugly Step Sister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson


Disclosure: I got sent a free copy of this book via Net Galley.



Book Review: The Ugly Step Sister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson
Everyone knows how those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.
But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—pretty, smart, and, worst of all, nice—stepsister is dating the charming, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine?
Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her online. The school mean girl has made it her mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister is the most popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret crush, Jake Kingston.
Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against Jake. Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie's going to rule the school.
And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.





https://amzn.to/2rBdXJt

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Book Review: Landry in Like by Krysten Lindsay Hager

Booktubeathon Day 1 Plus Book Review: Royal Games by Sariah Wilson




30 Book Blogs To Follow: Blogs About Books and Reading #BookBloggers


Blogs About Books and Reading 


As my post about 108 book blogs to follow proved so popular I thought I'd put together another post with some more recommendations of book bloggers for you to check out.

“Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book.”  ― Jane Smiley

Check out these awesome book blogs:

  1. https://emilythebooknerdxo.blogspot.it/
  2. https://readitdaddy.blogspot.it/
  3. https://www.sldreads.com/blog-scripturient
  4. https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.it/
  5. https://thelittlebooknerds.wordpress.com/
  6. https://dampages.blogspot.it/
  7. https://bookwormscorner801578463.wordpress.com/
  8. https://naughtymomstorytime.com/
  9. https://ksahitya.wordpress.com/
  10. https://slytherinbooklady.wordpress.com/
  11. http://booksandbindings.com/
  12. https://clistebella.blogspot.it/
  13. https://shealwaysreads.com/
  14. http://katisbookaholicramblingreviews.blogspot.it/
  15. https://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com/
  16. http://redgalmusings.com/
  17. https://milkzbookshelf.wordpress.com/
  18. https://frozenbooksblog.blogspot.it/
  19. https://booknerdtan.wordpress.com/
  20. https://rachelpoli.com/
  21. http://terriluvsbooks.com/
  22. https://gingermomreads.com/
  23. https://bookscookshooks.com/
  24. https://booksnbrooms.wixsite.com/booksnbroomsticks
  25. https://frasersfunhouse.com/
  26. https://cafethinking.com/
  27. https://keeperofpages.wordpress.com/
  28. https://curlybookowl.com/
  29. https://hinalovestoread.wordpress.com/
  30. https://zonebxforbooks.blogspot.com/
30 Book Blogs To Follow: Blogs About Books and Reading #BookBloggers


You might also like: 60 Blog Post Ideas for Book Bloggers



Video Content Challenge Week 8


Welcome to week 8 of the Video Content Challenge!

How to take part:


Just check back at www.JoLinsdell.com every Tuesday for the latest video challenge. I'll be sharing my own video for each challenge to give an example of how you could do it (this is, of course, only an example. I hope people will get creative with their own videos). Once you've uploaded your challenge video for the week to YouTube, share the direct url for it in the comments section of the post so we can all give feedback.

Video Content Challenge Week 8


This week's challenge is to upload a video where you discuss the hardest thing about being a writer.





Here's my video for this week




How are you doing with the challenges so far? Remember to link up your videos in the comments section below. 

#BookReview: Taking the Reins by Katrina Abbott #Audiobook


Disclosure: I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.




Book Review: Taking the Reins by Katrina Abbott
Brooklyn Prescott (if that's even her real name) is the new girl at The Rosewood Academy for Academic Excellence, now that she's moved back to the States after two years living in London. Rosewood, a boarding school for children of the rich and famous and known for its celebutantes, is missing just one element important to any junior's education: boys. But luckily for Brooklyn, and the rest of the Rosewood girls, there's a boys' boarding school, The Westwood Academy, just a few miles away. On her very first day, Brooklyn meets Will, a gorgeous and flirty boy on campus to help with move in. But is he who she thinks he is? And what about Brady, the cute stable boy? Or Jared, the former child actor with his grown-up good looks who can always make her laugh? As Brooklyn settles in at Rosewood, she's faced with new friends, new challenges and new opportunities to make herself into the girl she always wanted to be. Whoever that might be. Taking The Reins is the first installment of The Rosewoods, an exciting new Young Adult series for readers who love fun, flirty love stories.









https://amzn.to/2MtogIn

#BookReview: Taking the Reins by Katrina Abbott #Audiobook

Blog Audit Challenge: The About Page #blogging #BlogAuditChallenge2018


Welcome back for the third installment of the Blog Audit Challenge. 

Last week we looked at legal disclaimers. If you missed the post you can find it here:http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/06/blog-audit-challenge-legal-disclaimers.html.

Last week's task was to make sure you have legal disclaimers on your blog and/or to update them. 

This Week's Topic: The About Page


This week we're looking at the About Page.

The About Page is statistically one of the most visited pages on any blog. This is why it's one of the most important pages you will create for your site. 

- It's where readers can find out more about you and why you decided to create your blog. 
- It let's them know what kind of content they can expect from your site. 
- It helps them get to know you better and therefore helps build the relationship between you. 
- It tell's them about your products/services.

This week I'm going to be updating my About Page. I'll be making small tweaks to the text, and changing the images for more up to date photo's. I'm also thinking about adding a video element. 

Did you know that blog posts with images get 94% more views? [Source] So make sure you've included an image or two on your own About Page ;) 

This Week's Task

Create/ Update your About Page. 

Things to keep in mind:

- It doesn't have to be all about you. Sure it can tell your personal story, but more importantly it should focus on what you offer your reader. 
- Don't forget about SEO. Make sure you're using your keywords to help your page show up in search results.
- Including an image doesn't mean you have to put a photo of yourself (although that is great for reinforcing the human element and connecting with your audience). Some people just don't feel comfortable putting their face up in public. In this case it's a good idea to use a different kind of image e.g. your logo or an image that symbolizes your brand. Just text is boring to look at. An image or two can be a great way to break up the text ;)
- In order for an About Page to be successful people need to be able to find it. Make sure you have a link to your About Page in your navigation bar. 


Blog Audit Challenge: The About Page #blogging #BlogAuditChallenge2018

I Got Book Mail! Unboxing


I got book mail! I love it when the postman surprises me with a package, especially when it contains a book. This time it was from author K. Allen.

Watch the unboxing:


The book:

Remembering What I Forgot by K. Allen

I Got Book Mail! Unboxing Remembering What I Forgot by K. Allen.
About the book:

You may remember visiting a grandparent or elder friend who lived in a nursing home memory unit. When you were a child you may recall sights, sounds, and smells that caused you to feel uneasy. Step into any one of today’s 16,000 long-term care facilities across the US, and suddenly those memories reemerge. 

Nurse Supervisor K. Allen tells of the emotional investments found while working with seniors inside the Van Gogh, a large upscale urban assisted living complex. Located at its core is found a locked memory care unit, the Rembrandt, where he and his heroic support team struggle to comfort those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other types of Dementia. Emotionally rich and deeply moving, Remembering What I Forgot tells of a day in the life of a memory unit nurse and the unimaginable obstacles faced by todays health care workers.

A first of its kind, the story provides its reader with a rare glimpse into “life on a memory unit” including the emotional torment experienced by visitors who witness their loved one slip into ever increasing apathy and confusion. In its truest sense a love story of the need to cope and how to find hope when someone we love suddenly cannot remember well and is handed a diagnosis of Dementia. 

Insightful, humorous and heartfelt, Remembering What I Forgot conveys a message of inspiration and helps us connect with those in the final chapter of their life. Let us not forget them.

You might also like:

2018 Reading Challenge Update

Book Review: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Goodreads Monday: Pressure by Betsy Reavley

Unboxing: Book Depository



Booktastic Link It Up Thursday #16


Welcome back for another Booktastic Link It Up Thursday! 

Remember, you can link up new or older posts in the linky. 

Posts can be book reviews, book hauls, book related meme posts... as long as the post is book related it counts :)

A few guidelines:


Please link up any posts you have, past or present, about books, reading, and literacy. This link party is all about sharing about books. Joining in is easy; just click “Add your link…” and copy/paste the URL of a blog post (NOT your homepage). Blog posts ONLY please. Other types of links will be deleted. 

Follow me on any social media of your choice (I'm JoLinsdell everywhere). Of course, I would love it if you subscribed to my newest posts ;)

If you would be kind to post a link back somewhere on your post or blog.


Why join the link up?


Linking up to parties and leaving comments on other posts is a proven way to increase traffic to your blog and grow your blog’s followers! 

Please grab the Booktastic Link It Up Thursday button and share it somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, bottom, etc.) and please share about this party with any book-lovers you know.

 Come and join in Booktastic Link It Up Thursday at www.JoLinsdell.com (hosted by @jolinsdell) #LinkUp #Books #BookBloggers

Let's grow this party!

Click to tweet:

Come and join in Booktastic Link It Up Thursday at www.JoLinsdell.com (hosted by @jolinsdell) #LinkUp #Books #BookBloggers

Everyone works hard on their posts and loves visits/comments/pins from others. Please visit AND comment on at least one other linked post if not more.

Now on to the party!





Video Content Challenge Week 7


Welcome to week 7 of the Video Content Challenge!

How to take part:


Just check back at www.JoLinsdell.com every Tuesday for the latest video challenge. I'll be sharing my own video for each challenge to give an example of how you could do it (this is, of course, only an example. I hope people will get creative with their own videos). Once you've uploaded your challenge video for the week to YouTube, share the direct url for it in the comments section of the post so we can all give feedback.

Video Content Challenge Week 7


This week's challenge is to upload a video where you share about what you do when you're not writing.







Here's my video for this week





How are you doing with the challenges so far? Remember to link up your videos in the comments section below. 

Also in this series:

Week 1: http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/05/video-content-challenge-week-1.html

Week 2: http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/05/video-content-challenge-week-2.html

Week 3: http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/05/video-content-challenge-week-3.html

Week 4: http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/05/video-content-challenge-week-4.html


Week 5: http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/05/video-content-challenge-week-5.html

Week 6: http://www.jolinsdell.com/2018/06/video-content-challenge-week-6.html

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      • Blog Audit Challenge: Side Bar and Footer
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