You know the scenario. You've seen the way other people do things on their blogs. Things like a blog roll on your sidebar, a list of other blogs that you follow, a list that allows you to:
- reveal a bit more about your interests
- make connections with other bloggers
- signal where you fit within blogging networks and communities
- showcase your clients' work (like the one Claire has here)
- provide some valuable links to your readers
But what if you just couldn't figure out how to set one up? To the point where you where tearing your hair out with frustration?
Well, you wouldn't be alone.
Here's the plea for help that Sarah - the Rat Race Escape Artist (and one of our readers) sent to Claire the other week... sound like a familiar cry?
“Hello Claire
I’ve torn my hair out, searched the entire internet and earth and Typepad for the answer but I think it might be so ridiculously easy that nobody thinks I wouldn’t be able to do this: how does one create a blogroll? Am I being an idiot? Hope you can help
Sarah
The Rat Race Escape Artist
www.ratraceescapeartist.com"
And for those of you who were also secretly wondering just how to do this... here's the answer from Blog Angel Claire.
"No you’re not! They don’t have any help on that specifically, but you may find the help you need by searching Typelists help.
I’ve just created one using HTML in a Notes type Typelist – my preference for everything, but assuming you know no HTML, you could achieve the same thing by creating a Links type Typelist…
Here's how.
Call it Blog Roll.
Then where prompted, you can add as many items as you like – an item being a name, a URL and (optional) some notes for each. To make the notes show on the blog, you will, from memory, need to go into the Configure tab within the Blogroll Typelist and select – show notes as text. You will also see options there to order the items – either ascending or descending in terms of the date you added it. I prefer more control over the ordering which is why I use the Notes type.
Hope that helps!
Claire"
And hey presto... here's the end result. Looks good doesn't it?
Some other things to think about in setting up and managing your blogroll:
- One of the reasons Claire prefers Notes Lists in Typepad is that you can edit the HTML code - giving you the option for the links to open up a new window (more on how to do this here)
- Remember your blog roll is part of your shop window - think about what it's saying about you, keep an eye out for dead or dusty blogs, check every so often that it's still reflecting the blogging brand you want to present
- Don't forget to use other people's blogrolls to explore connected - and recommended - sites, to make new friends and develop your blogging community
If you're still getting frazzled with links, lists and code... you might be interested in Claire's new configuration surgeries - coming soon! We'll keep you posted as soon as details are available.
Meantime if there are other blogging widgets, highlights, features, gadgets that you'd like us to explain here - just leave a comment in the box below...
Joanna (from the Blog Angel Team)
