I have been telling myself for months now, that I would sit down one day and work on creating an mailing list but had no idea what service I would use for it. I mean, it has seriously been years since I actually had and used a mailing list, but it is something I want (and probably need) to implement since I update so often and do so many different things with my blog these days.

People visit my blog for many different reasons; blog themes, blog banners, my random babbles, however amusing they may or may not be, contests which I hold a couple of times each month and of course, for my photography. I have recently registered with Zookoda, which is a free email marketing tool, and will start using it to send out regular summaries of my latest blog additions. For instance; I update my contests a couple of times a month, as well as my themes section. With Zookoda, I can send out a weekly summary of the updates that I have made to my blog, including the regular content and special features like my contest.

When you register with Zookoda you will be able to create and manage newsletters that can also be designed to to match the current design of your own blog - something I, as a designer, really enjoy. You will also have the ability to schedule a broadcast, review reports of your newsletter and easily create and add the subscription form feature to your own blog so that your visitors can subscribe to your newsletter. You can send your visitors a daily, weekly or even a monthly summary of the latest updates to your blog - and it goes straight to their inbox. I think this is a feature that my own visitors will really enjoy, especially the ones who are not always able to check my blog on a daily basis and hate the idea of trying to get caught up.

My memory may not be the best but I cannot recall ever using a similar service and not only having so many nice options, but also being so user friendly. Being easy to use is a big plus. I can’t wait to get started with my newsletter.

All of this, for free? Oh yeah, and you should have known that I would be game!

You know, when I first started out in this whole “owning a website” thing, I was completely clueless. At the time I didn’t know many people with their own domains and hosting, so I really didn’t have anyone I could turn to for questioning or advice on what I would need to look for in a host. Things have definitely changed since then, and for the better.

I think many of us have been in the position of searching for web hosting but not really having the chance to really review their services in comparison to other providers out there. And let’s face it, researching web hosts is very important and not only for the purpose of saving money but also for the purpose of finding a good web host.

Enter the Web Hosting Bluebook, where you’re able to compare reviews of the top 10, best web hosts. For example, if you wanted to learn more about Host Gator, you could read their Host Gator Review and learn about their main features, package price and view their rating as provided by the consumers / webmasters. I happen to really enjoy that these reviews are provided by consumers and webmasters, which I think are the best people to turn to when you’re shopping around. I also like that other than the actual reviews, you get a nice little run down of their services without having to click all around the individual provider sites. You’ll also notice they’ve provided a forum, where further web hosting talk is provided and where you may be able to get even further advice regarding the different web hosts. As a person who seems to be constantly looking for web hosts for various projects, I can already tell this will save me some time when I need to do this in the future. Anything that can save me time is fantastic, especially if it could potentially save me money too!

Let the Web Hosting Bluebook be your web hosting guide.

My mother in law is planning to jump onto the blogging bandwagon soon, and will be starting up her own personal blog. I think blogging is going to be a great way to help her start to heal with the loss of her mother (Jo’s grandmother) once she passes, plus I think it will be a nice way for her to vent her frustrations with being a mother to a saucy 17 year old (love you Colleen). I was recently talking to her about blog hosting, since she seems to think I will know exactly what she will need - hosting package wise. I am not so sure about that but of course I am more than willing to help her the best that I can. She has no clue about blogging platforms and the only platforms I have used (outside of free blogging providers) is Wordpress, so I want to find a great wordpress hosting company like Aqhost.com. I have not had much luck with platforms like Movable Type but I am sure that is because I am making it seem harder to use than it really is. Aqhost.com has really great packages and surprisingly affordable prices. This is the perfect place for us to start and essentially end our search for blog hosting.

If you are looking for blog hosting like; Wordpress hosting and Movable Type hosting, be sure you pay Aqhost.com a visit. They are affordable and provide you with all the space you will need (and then some), email accounts, databases (MySQL), spam protection, online sales support, support via help desk and best of all, Fantastico (allows you to install things like Wordpress with a few simple clicks). They accept payment by credit card and of course, PayPal, for your convenience.

Happy blogging!

I have released 6 free banners for anyone who’s interested, to download for free. They can be downsized to fit a regular blog or other blogging services that allow you to add images to the themes, but were created in size to fit Vox.com themes. You can view, read about and download them by clicking the link right here or by choosing “Banners” from the menu over to your right. There’s no linking back required, however, the text “courtesy of scribblescratch.com” must remain - no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Also, please don’t forget to submit to my new contest - handbag love! It’s easy people, so very easy.

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For more information on how you can earn extra money through your blog, visit Nicheblogaffiliateprofits.com.

The other day I wrote about an awesome blog, Blogaboutyourblog.com! I mentioned that not only are they a great resource if you’re trying to improve the quality of your blog but also that they run fun contests! Well, they have a new contest up where you could be the lucky winner of a new laptop briefcase valued at $180!! The briefcase is from Eco-Handbags, which are Eco friendly!! Many of you Canadians will be happy to know that it’s open for those in US and Canada! The deadline for those wishing to enter is Tuesday, August 7th! I have to admit, this is an awesome prize!!!

If you’re interested, head on over and read the contest information!

Over the last year or so, I have been seeking out ways to improve my blog. I want to not only maintain my current readership and make sure they continue visiting on a regular basis, but I would also like to expand it! One of my biggest problems when I first hit the blog-o-sphere was that I had a lack of “interaction” with my readers and admittedly, it is still something I continue to struggle with on occasion! I think interaction plays a major role in maintaining readers, after all, if you are not providing a reason for them to return many of them simply won’t!

I was recently introduced to a wonderful site - Blog About Your Blog, which is a community of bloggers who provide articles ranging from general help for your website to tips and advice on how you can Increase Website Traffic! They also provide fun contests like Comment Friday, that you can participate in! I have been going through some of the articles because as mentioned above, I am always seeking out ways to improve my blog and the quality of my blog! After brainstorming for a couple of days, I thought the best way I could attract new readers was to hold fun contests! Blog About Your Blog actually has an article - 6 Great Tips For Hosting A Blogging Contest, which I think some of you will find very helpful! I know many of you have also considered holding contests! This article will give you a little insight on what bloggers are looking for in regards to the work involved verses the prize offered!

If you are truly serious about improving your blog’s quality and maintaining your current readership, while expanding it, then Blogaboutyourblog.com is going to be a great resource for you! It is definitely heading straight to my own bookmarks!