Today is a really exciting day for me. First of all, I am guest posting on the Fabulous Blogging website, as part of Julie Deneen’s First Year Blogger series. In my post, I will share all the things I have learned during my first year as a blogger- the highs, the lows, the moments of pulling out my hair. I hope to impart some actually helpful advice to any new bloggers out there! You can read my post here:
First Year Blogger Guest Post Series: Stephanie Sprenger
Second, I am thrilled to be offering my first ever blog giveaway! Julie, aforementioned blogging expert, helped me move my website from Blogger to a self-hosted WordPress.org site in January. She redesigned it, helped me lay out my page the way I wanted, and moved ALL of my posts from my old site to my new site. Whew. She is so awesome. She did it all for a reasonable price, with a pleasant, calm demeanor, and not only did she refrain from making me feel like an idiot, she actually made the whole thing fun. Amazing, right?
I am so happy to be giving away a coupon for an hour blog consult with Julie. Bloggers, if you need any help at all with your blog- design, widgets, SEO and social media advice- Julie is your gal. And you’d be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just one hour. 
Entering the giveaway is easy: you don’t have to do all the things listed, ie, like my FB page, Fabulous Blogging’s FB page, follow on Twitter, etc, but the more things you check off, the more entries you get. Cool, huh? Stay tuned for the winner next week!
Heading over there now Stephanie to read and check your guest post out. Awesome giveaway, too!! 🙂
Thanks Janine!
Should I enter my own giveaway? Hmm. That’s an ethical conundrum. 🙂 LOL Great post!
I’m feeling more and more lead to WordPress. But I’m scared. Maybe if I one this Julie could finally convince me.
Oh, Kate, I feel your pain. We should talk about that one sometime…it’s a tough call.
I think I am in NEED of Julie’s expertise. A month and a half in to blogging and I still have no much to learn. Fantastic giveaway…
I think we are ALL in need of Julie’s expertise! Thanks for stopping by- and good luck!
Congrats on your guest post! Heading over to read it now – I need all the help I can get!
I hope you find something helpful in it- I am definitely still learning!
Your tips are SO helpful, thank you. I started blogging to connect with other moms and as an outlet while struggling with PPD after my third baby. I’m still struggling with the depression, but feeling more connected and supported than ever. I have always been a “people person”, but PPD has really put a damper on my ability or motivation to actually physically connect with people. Blogging is the PERFECT way to kinda hide, but be totally exposed at the same time. It’s my way of letting everyone know what’s really going on, get stuff off my chest, and get support without necessarily asking for it. Right now I’m ghetto stylin’ it on Blogger, but I would LOVE to jump ship to WordPress. My poor blog could also use a massive overhaul. Great post and giveaway!
I am so glad that blogging has filled that need for you- I totally agree that it is such a safe, non intrusive way to connect. So glad you stopped by, and good luck to you! Remember to ask for blog help when you need it- bloggers are very patient and generous like that!!
I’ll definitely read your guest post! I blog to work on my writing skills, but until I started doing it, I didn’t know how much more there was to know. It’s definitely a trial and error process, and I would LOVE some help, especially in terms of making my blog more visually appealing and getting more traffic.
I truly had no idea when I got into it… And Julie is so helpful with all those things- I give her all the credit!
I second Julie’s calm, helpful demeanor! I don’t know how she does it, especially with people like me asking so many moronic questions! That lady’s a saint 😉
I totally agree- I am so grateful to her!
I’m just learning about blogging. I have a long road ahead of me!
You can do it! Just ask for help when you need it- no reason to reinvent the wheel right? Thanks for stopping by!
I thought your guest post was great and commented over there but also wanted to say that I too need to overcome my insecurities, especially when it comes to anything techie! I was very impressed that you know how to make a button, use picmonkey, and know SEO…I’m way behind you on all those things! But, you’ve motivated me to try to learn and not be so fearful! Oh and I entered the giveaway too of course — great offer!!
Thanks so much Emily! Yes, if I can do those things, anyone can!
Hey Stephanie, I read your guest post and it was very inspiring! I feel VERY horribly clueless about pretty much most (um, all) techie aspects and honestly don’t even know what SEO means 🙂 My husband is the techie around here, and I think in some ways I kind of lean on him, but he’s too busy to help me with my blog so clearly I have to step up! You made it seem totally doable, though I could certainly use an hour (or more!) of help. Sadly I am also scared of both Facebook and Twitter so could not use those to enter, ha. Maybe I should do a FB page, but I draw the line at Twitter. I am kind of addicted to Pinterest though…
-Dana
Oh, boy, do I feel you on this one. I was SO clueless, and in many ways, I feel like I still am. Here’s the thing that works for me- I ask for help on EVERYTHING from people who know more than I do. I have decided that no question is too stupid to ask another blogger, and bloggers are so helpful. So, take heart! It IS doable- you can do it! You’re already off to a great start- your blog looks pretty, you’re a good writer, and you have great ideas! That is way more than half of it!
I can’t wait to go read your guest post!! Yay!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed! I could use a consult!! 🙂 –Lisa
Well, I’ve used all of Julie’s free tips on Google+, building up SEO and adding metadata to my blog, so heck yeah, I’ll take an hour of her time! Thanks for hosting this Stephanie and for all the hints and tips I picked up from your guest post!