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Free hand drawn wallpaper download

August 26, 2015

Free hand drawn wallpaper download with color blocking for iPhone from A Girl Named PJ

Blame it on perfectionism.

If you remember, I shared my first-ever wallpaper download last month: a pair of hand-drawn eyes. The design was meant to be symbolic. I actually created it as a reminder to keep your eyes on your own work and not compare your successes and failures to others… READ MORE!

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First day of school printables for all ages

August 24, 2015

First day of school photo! Time for preschool! | A Girl Named PJ

And just like that, our summer is over… READ MORE!

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A quick tip for dealing with jealousy + free desktop wallpaper!

July 21, 2015

Eyes on Your Own Work free desktop wallpaper from A Girl Named PJ and Sprout by HP

For better or worse, jealousy is a topic I keep coming back to on this blog. I’ve revealed my jealousy triggers and shared advice from some of my favorite bloggers on how they deal with jealousy.

Today, I’d like to chat a little bit about how I tame the green-eyed monster when he dares to show his ugly face — which, if we’re being completely honest, happens more frequently than I would like… READ MORE!

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Growing a small blog through self-promotion and networking

July 3, 2014

speaking at alt summit

Two weeks ago, Martha Stewart and I spoke at Alt Summit.

No, not together. Martha obviously had top billing. Everyone was super psyched for her keynote, an engaging lunchtime Q&A with Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom. However, a large number of Alt attendees revealed to me and my co-presenters, Ciera, Melissa, Mariah, and Tan, that they were especially looking forward to hearing our panel on Growing a Small Blog.

Knowing that so many people were eager to learn from us was equally exciting and terrifying. What if the information I planned to share about self-promotion and networking didn’t live up to their expectations? What if they stood up and walked out while I was speaking?

speaking at alt summit

Our breakout room was packed. Mariah and I estimated there were 75-100 bloggers in attendance. I was the second person to speak, and as Ciera kicked off the session, I could feel my palms and pits getting sweaty.

And, oh my god, I forgot to include on my notes when to change my slides.

speaking at alt summit

Suddenly, it was my turn. I took a deep breath and cracked a joke about winging it with my slides. I could feel my voice shaking at first, but once the audience laughed for the first time, I began to relax. But just a bit. My heart continued to race for my allotted 15 minutes.

I must’ve had some sort of mind-body disconnect during my portion of the presentation because when it was all over, I could hardly remember what I had said! Still, I felt good about my performance and proud of my friends who presented alongside me.

speaking at alt summit

Then the most amazing thing happened. A handful of bloggers stayed behind to chat with us instead of running out of the room to find a good seat for Martha’s keynote. And others were sharing photos of our slides on Twitter and Instagram using our hashtag #growingasmallblog.

Alt Summit: Where it’s ok to type on your phone while somebody else is talking.

If you’re interested, here are some of the key takeaways from my part of our Growing a Small Blog panel. I spoke specifically about growing your blog through self-promotion and networking. Ciera, Mariah, Melissa, and Tan are also sharing tidbits from their presentations today, so hop over to their blogs for the full scoop. Then download all of our slides here.

content is king

Content is king, but promotion is queen. Of course, you need to start with well-written and worthwhile content, but content alone is not enough to grow a readership. The simple truth is that your blog is going to go unread unless you tell people to read it.

One way to create awareness of yourself and your blog is through self-promotion. You can let potential readers find you by:

  • Distributing your blog posts across all social media platforms, including Pinterest. Drip your content across multiple channels over the course of a day, a week, or even a month using scheduling apps like Buffer, CoSchedule, or Hootsuite.
  • Including your blog’s URL in your personal email signature.
  • Tagging other bloggers and brands as often as possible when they’re mentioned in content you’re sharing.
  • Uploading your best content to community sharing sites relevant to your blog’s topic.

where to share your blog content

Networking, or building relationships with people who can potentially be helpful, is a type of two-way communication. Successful networking starts with an elevator pitch, a short 15-30 second summary of who you are and what you do.

When brainstorming your own elevator pitch, start with who you are, then what you do, and what your blog is about. You can also include what makes your blog different than other blogs in your niche, or how it adds value to the reader. Practice your elevator pitch out loud until it rolls off the tongue. Since most of us write more formally than we speak, you’ll want to tweak your wording to make it sound more casual.

Conferences like Alt Summit are obvious places for bloggers to network, but some of the most lucrative connections are often made at events not related to blogging. Local workshops, races, even religious activities can introduce you to people with whom you share common interests. Because you never know where you’ll meet the next person who can help you, always talk about your blog — and always hand out your business card!

Also, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of your friends and family. How many of your husbands or parents can explain what your blog is about?

growing a small blog by networking

In addition to offline networking, you need to engage online with other bloggers. Creating relationships with other bloggers will ultimately help you expand your blog’s reach. The goal is to leverage their audiences to gain new readers.

Because you likely have a limited amount of time to spend online daily, I recommend networking with intention. Focus your efforts on just five bloggers in the beginning. Then attempt to get on their radars by:

  • Including their content in round ups and letting them know via email or tweet when you’ve highlighted their posts. If round ups aren’t your thing, get in the habit of regularly sharing content from other blogs on your social media platforms. (Note: It may seem counterintuitive to promote other people when the goal is for them to promote you, but when you network, you should be giving more than you take. Hopefully, they will reciprocate the love in the future.)
  • Frequently commenting on other blogs, adding value by saying more than just “great post!” Bloggers love comments — and, sadly, conversation is quieting down online — so if you comment consistently on the same handful of blogs, your name will become familiar.

twitter chats

Another way to network online is by participating in Twitter chats like Alt Summit’s #AltChat. They’re a great way to offer other bloggers support, encouragement, and knowledge.

Finally, think outside of your niche. Consider networking with bloggers in neighboring niches who share a similar demographic of reader.

Self-promotion can be time consuming, and networking can sometimes be nerve-wracking, especially if you have the tendency to be a little shy. But if you want to grow your blog, you have to work it. You have to invest your time and put yourself out there.

thomas jefferson luck quote

Yes, sometimes bloggers get a lucky break right out of the gate. I’m so jealous of them! Just remember they are the exception and most of us have to work hard to make our own luck.

Have any additional questions about growing a small blog through self-promotion and networking? Feel free to ask in the comments or send me an email. And don’t forget to download our full slideshow plus worksheet!

(Photos by Justin Hackworth or Brooke Dennis for Alt Summit. Slides by Ciera Design.)

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8COMMENTS | Life

Desktop Designs: Do something beyond

April 2, 2014

Ciera from Ciera Design is taking over the blog today while I’m on a brief maternity break!

do something beyond desktop wallpaper

Hey y’all, I’m Ciera Holzenthal, a lifestyle blogger and graphic designer specializing in brand development for creative businesses and passionate entrepreneurs. I’m so happy to be here while PJ is on maternity leave!

This year I have been thinking a lot about expanding my business and really taking it to the next level. I’ve always loved learning and I’m always looking to grow as a person and as a designer. So this year I have pledged to make room for more classes, to take on projects that are outside of my comfort zone, to create an e-book and to do more bro bono work for causes that I really believe in.

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. 

This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson seamed perfect for my goals, so I created this desktop design to have a constant reminder to push myself! I hope you enjoy this quote and design for your desktop and iPhone and that it can encourage you too!

Click the size you need below to begin the download:

1920 x 1080 / 1600 x 1200 / 1400 x 900 / iPad / iPhone

PS – Find all of our past desktop designs here.

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Printable chore chart for kids

March 5, 2014

Kate from StyleSmaller is taking over the blog today while I’m on a brief maternity break!

printable toddler chore chart

I’m excited to be writing for A Girl Named PJ, especially because if you’re reading this, it means that PJ has her brand new baby boy, and she’s enjoying some quality bonding time with him.

My name is Kate, and I write a blog called StyleSmaller. I have two little girls, ages 2 & 5, who are full of imagination, mischief, and FUN. They’re also messy. I would love to say that they always remember to pick up their toys after themselves, but that would be a straight lie. They go from one project to another and another faster than I can handle on my own.

My goal is for them to take ownership of their responsibilities. I’ve sketched a basic printable chore chart that we’ve found to be very useful in our home. We hang a new one every week, use checkmarks or stickers to be sure they are on task daily, and when they fill the sheet, they are rewarded! Simple as that.

I like to give them the amount of pennies for their piggy bank that matches the number of chores they did that week. It’s good for basic counting skills, and children just enjoy seeing results from their hard work.

I find that my children are far more capable than I generally credit them to be, and the way they take initiative with their chore charts is proving that again and again.

Free printable chore chart on A Girl Named PJ

SO! Print away. Print weekly. Print as the needs arise. Print your heart out. This printable chore chart is yours for the taking.

PS – Tackle your own daily self-care habits by printing this free weekly self-care checklist.

 

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Desktop Designs / 07

February 14, 2014

love desktop wallpaper

My Valentine’s Day treat for you is a new desktop wallpaper! It’s message is perfect for Cupid’s holiday or any day of the year: Love is about all the changes you make and not just three small words.

The line is from “The Way I Tend To Be” by Frank Turner, and I immediately jotted it down after hearing the song for the first time. It’s so true, isn’t it? Since actions speak louder than words, love is more than simply saying, “I love you.”

Real love is about the changes you make and the actions you take to keep your partner happy. For example, keeping the bathroom counter clean of bottles and cosmetics or being on time for scheduled events. Or cooking dinner every once in a while even though the kitchen is your least favorite room in the house.

And yes, I speak from personal experience.

Mariah from Oh, What Love created this exclusive desktop wallpaper in a variety of sizes for your computer, iPad, or phone. I’m a little bit obsessed with the washi tape-inspired design. Click the size you need below to begin the download:

1920 x 1080  / 1600 x 1200 / 1400 x 1900 / iPad / iPhone / Android

PS – Find all of our past desktop designs here.

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Desktop Designs: Put on a happy face

August 6, 2013

Desktop Designs | Desktop wallpaper | Put on a happy face #quoteSimply put, July was a shitty month for me.

Despite happy occasions like Levi’s second birthday and a long-awaited visit from my best friend and her toddler son, July was marked by an overwhelming feeling of sadness. Some days, the sadness weighed so heavily on my shoulders that it felt more like despair.

However, this isn’t a post about my troubles. I still feel the need to keep a few things about my private life, well, private. Also, I’m not as brave as my new friend Ellen, who recently shared a vulnerable post about her own demons.

Instead, I’d like to talk about how I coped with the sadness I felt last month. Or, at least, how I tried to cope with my feelings. … READ MORE!

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Desktop Designs: Wallpaper for your devices

July 3, 2013

Everyday I'm Hustlin'I returned home from Alt Summit SLC in January feeling motivated. Inspired by the panels I attended and the participants I met, I left Salt Lake City with a can-do attitude about blogging and some extra pep in my step. With a little bit of direction, I actually believed I could find my place in the blogosphere and make Bunny & Dolly bigger and better.

Naturally, I had hoped that Alt Summit NYC would be equally motivating. Instead, I left feeling somewhat discouraged, my head full of questions:

Why haven’t I had my “aha moment” like the creatives and entrepreneurs who addressed the group?
Why haven’t I found my calling like Kathleen of Tate’s Bake Shop, Bob of McClure’s Pickles, or Stephanie of Coral & Tusk?
Why haven’t I discovered my passion like Jen of BRIKA?

I shared my frustrations with my dad when he picked me up from the train station in New Jersey. I vented to him that I felt lost, unsure how to get to where I want to end up on this blogging journey — perhaps not even sure where I want to go. That despite my hard work, I still wasn’t the success I hoped I’d be. (Remember, I started blogging way back in 2007!)

I suggested that my readership numbers have dipped because my content isn’t interesting or informative enough. That I don’t know the right people who can help me promote my work. That maybe I should throw in the towel and start something new.

On the verge of tears, I looked over at my dad in the driver’s seat hoping for encouragement, but instead of feeling sympathetic towards my crisis, he was also feeling frustrated — frustrated with me. You see, I have a history of feeling like a failure, and he was tired of listening to me mope. Tired of me talking about giving up.

“Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison

It’s now hard for me to remember exactly what was said during our conversation because it became quite heated, but the gist of it was that I have to sit down and create a plan of action — and then I have to follow it though. I have to reach out to the people who can help me or offer me some direction. Basically, I have to hustle.

Truthfully, I thought I was hustling. It’s not like I have a whole lot of extra time on my hands. I’m not sitting at home twiddling my thumbs (or doing laundry). I’m writing. And writing. And doing research and editing photos and writing some more.

“Good things happen to those who hustle.” – Anais Nin

But maybe I’m not doing the blogger hustle. At Alt SLC, Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook was asked how she, along with panelists Camille Styles and Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag, found success (and subsequent fame). Her honest response: “You have to hustle.” If you don’t write that proposal or reach out to that brand or put yourself out there, somebody else will.

I’d like to add this: I imagine that having resources like time and money to invest in your blog helps a lot. But if you don’t believe in yourself or your brand, nobody else will. And that’s what I’m currently struggling with the most.

“Everyday I’m hustlin’.” – Rick Ross

This month’s desktop wallpaper by the talented (and super patient!) Mariah is a reminder that every day I’ve gotta hustle. But I also need to take some time to reevaluate why I’m blogging in the first place. What is my personal mission and vision? What is the purpose of this blog?

I’ve recently updated my About Page to better communicate my blogging goals with you. It’s a work in progress, and I’d love your feedback. For instance, when reading it, what do you understand Bunny & Dolly’s mission to be?

Now hustle!

Download this month’s desktop wallpaper here!

1920 x 1080 / 1600 x 1200 / 1400 x 900 /iPad / iPhone 4 / iPhone 5

Desktop Designs is an on-going collaboration between Bunny & Dolly and Oh, What Love. Click here to view all past desktop wallpapers.

 

 

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