Design by Insight

WordPress + the Genesis Framework + a design you'll love

About Erin Ulrich

Founder of Design by Insight. Genesis Recommended Developer. Co-author of The Growly Books. Works best with coffee in hand.

Starting 2018 Off Right

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start 2018 off right

The new year is here! January is often a time of setting goals or resolutions, and where your online presence is concerned, sometimes it’s necessary to have a helping hand.

If you’re like most of our clients, you’d rather focus on creating fabulous website content, writing that book that’s been floating around in your head, developing a new line of products, or simply having more free time to follow your dreams. One of our goals this year is to come alongside you and make the day-to-day techie tasks more simple.

Is your WordPress site healthy?

One of the ways we can help is by offering ongoing maintenance help. WordPress sites that aren’t updated regularly often don’t function well and become vulnerable to hackers, so keeping your site in good shape is vital! Our WordPress Maintenance Services will keep your site updated on a regular basis, including daily security checks and malware scans, regular updates (WordPress, Genesis Framework, and plugins), database optimization, spam comment cleanup, and more. We can take care of all this so you don’t have to worry about it! Click here to get the details.

Do your 2018 plans mean your existing site needs to expand?

We can help with added functionality such as an online store, new blog, membership features, and the like. If it’s time to freshen things up, install a new theme, or do a full redesign, we can help with that too! Just click here to start the conversation.

Are you starting from scratch?

Maybe 2018 holds the start of something brand new for you, and you don’t even know where to start. We can help with that too. Let us know what you have in mind!

 

so many colors to choose from

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I’m working on a little project, and I’d love your input. What colors do you love these days?

If you have a minute, would you take a peek at my Color board on Pinterest, then come back and let me know what color palettes are your favorites?

When you click the image below, it will take you to the Color board page. To keep it simple, just click on the palette you like, copy the URL for that particular pin, and then paste your responses in the comments of this post. It’s okay if you can’t pick just one!

View Color by Erin Ulrich on Pinterest
Thanks so much for taking the time to help!

farewell, google reader (part 2): for blog writers

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July 1 is quickly approaching, and with its arrival we say goodbye to Google Reader. Much has been said across the web about the alternatives to Google Reader and what this means for the fate of Feedburner. Hopefully by now you’ve found a replacement RSS Reader and transferred your subscriptions over. If not, there’s still a bit of time left!

farewell google reader (part 2): for blog writers

For blog owners and writers, it is important to educate your readers.

No matter how prepared you are personally, if your readers have not taken the step to switch from Google Reader to another option, they will no longer receive your blog posts once July 1 arrives.

If you have not done so already, I highly recommend that you devote a post (or at least a portion of one) to making sure your readers know that Google Reader is going away. Even though online chatter has been talking about this for months, it’s worth it to cover all the bases and inform subscribers who may not have heard. There’s really no need for panic, so suggesting alternatives will help give them a plan to move forward and continue receiving your posts.

Previously, we discussed how to keep reading your favorite blogs, and as expected, the field of alternatives to Google Reader is widening. Let’s take a fresh look at the best options for RSS Readers.

Feedly

The general consensus continues to be that Feedly is the best alternative to Google Reader. The transition from Google Reader to Feedly is relatively seamless, but you must make the move before July 1. Just this week, Feedly announced that they have started migrating their users to their own infrastructure, a move that should be complete by June 21. If you’re a Feedly user, take note of this:

“Over the next 2-3 days you should expect to receive a green banner message (desktop) or a green card (mobile). “This is the notification that your feeds and categories and up to 1,000 starred items have been successfully migrated to the Feedly cloud and the articles you are seeing are coming from the Feedly service.” (source: feedly)

I have been using Feedly personally for over a year and find it to be a quality, user friendly feed reader with more viewing options than Google Reader. Feedly is free, and there are plans to add a paid service later this year.

Digg

One of the most anticipated alternatives, a Reader from Digg, will launch on June 26. Reports indicate that this will be a simple, fast Reader option. It will launch with the basics and continue to add features based on user feedback. This is an option I certainly plan to check out upon its release. You can read more about it at The Washington Post.

Flipboard

An interesting (and visually appealing) alternative for your iOS and Android devices, Flipboard offers seamless integration of your Google Reader subscriptions and the ability to save anything from the web in a magazine-type format. It includes the ability to add your social networks as well. The deal breaker for me here is that it’s currently only user-friendly for iPhone, iPad, and Android. Since I need something that works on my computer as well as mobile devices, I’m giving this one a pass. If they develop a specific desktop version as well, I might be hooked.

Pulse

Another quality option for following your favorite sites is Pulse. Pulse offers a highly visual tiled interface. I find it a bit overwhelming, but I know others who simply love it.

I think we can expect to see the field of RSS Readers continue to broaden and improve as Google Reader fades into memory. While the initial change may require some adjustments, the end result will likely be more great, user-friendly options.

Whatever path you decide to take, make sure you’ve shifted over before July 1,
and don’t forget to inform your blog’s reader that they need to do the same!

If you missed it, read part one here: Farewell Google Reader: How to Keep Reading Your Favorite Blogs.

farewell, google reader: how to keep reading your favorite blogs

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farewell, google reader: how to keep reading your favorite blogs - design by insight

The countdown has begun . . . Google Reader, the preferred RSS reader of thousands, will shut down on July 1. The outcry at the news was loud, with thousands signing this petition and major news outlets like CBS, Fox News, and CNN covering the story.

This latest spring cleaning list brings the total of features and services closed since 2011 to 70. Google is cleaning house. In their words:

“We’re living in a new kind of computing environment. Everyone has a device, sometimes multiple devices. It’s been a long time since we have had this rate of change—it probably hasn’t happened since the birth of personal computing 40 years ago. To make the most of these opportunities, we need to focus—otherwise we spread ourselves too thin and lack impact.” (source)

What does this mean for me as a reader?

If you don’t use Google Reader as your means for following your favorite blogs, you aren’t going to notice a difference. If you do use Google Reader, you need to take some steps to ensure that you don’t lose your RSS subscriptions.

You have until July 1 to save your subscriptions and find an alternative!

(Google makes it simple to save your subscriptions via Google Takeout.)

What is the best Google Reader alternative?

The safest, most reliable way to subscribe to your favorite blogs is by email. It eliminates your dependence on a feed reader altogether and sends your favorite posts to your inbox.

If you prefer to continue reading blogs in a Reader, you do have options.

Feedly

One of the most seamless transitions for you will be to switch from Google Reader to Feedly. Feedly provides a more visually appealing Reader—which makes people like me very happy. (In fact, Feedly has been my reader of choice for quite a while now.) Feedly syncs your Google Reader subscriptions by accessing your Google account (with your permission, of course). Feedly promises a seamless migration when Google Reader shuts down. According to their blog, you just need to start using Feedly before July 1 and all of your subscriptions will continue at Feedly after Google Reader retires. Feedly even offers helpful information on how to adapt to their interface.

One of my favorite features at Feedly is that I have multiple viewing options. The “titles” view mimics Google Reader, while the other views offer a more visually appealing reading experience. In addition, they have a great app for mobile devices that offers the same features.

Screen Shot 2013-03-21 at 8.52.11 AM
feedly timeline view - design by insight

BlogRoll

BlogRoll, which is currently in beta, looks to be a promising alternative to Google Reader as well. It passes one of my top tests for a Reader app . . . it looks nice. (Just being honest here. If a Reader option is not visually appealing, it’s a deal breaker for me.) BlogRoll allows you to log in to your Google account just like Feedly does. I emailed their support to ask if my subcriptions were actually imported or if they were merely synced with Google Reader. BlogRoll support emailed me back within a couple of hours and let me know that Google Reader subscriptions are indeed truly imported. I was glad to hear that and very impressed with their prompt reply.

blogroll app - design by insight

After trying BlogRoll, I can honestly say I would consider switching from Feedly if BlogRoll develops an iPhone app. Right now, there isn’t an iPhone app available, and that’s a feature I personally need. BlogRoll is definitely one to watch!

The Old Reader

The Old Reader is another service that offers an easy way to transfer your Google Reader subscriptions. I tried it out this week as well. A huge downside to me is that it doesn’t seem to offer a way to easily share stories across social media. Maybe there is a way, but I certainly didn’t see it. It does integrate with Pocket though. The Old Reader doesn’t have an app for mobile devices, but they began working on one in October 2012.

the old reader - design by insight

NewsBlur

NewsBlur advertises a free option (with some fairly significant limitations) or paid options (starting at $24 a year). When I tried to sign up for the free option, their site said that new free accounts are temporarily suspended, and the only option is to sign up for a paid account. I tried their test drive, and I wasn’t overly impressed with the layout (that’s a big deal to me). I was not able to try sharing stories since I was not logged in to an account.

The Synopsis

Right now, the general consensus is that Feedly is the best Google Reader alternative. However, it’s likely that a variety of new RSS Readers will be developed now that Google is removing themselves from the game. You definitely need to make the switch away from Google Reader before July 1, including downloading your subscription file.

If you want to remove RSS Reader services from the equation, the you can simply decide to subscribe to blogs by email. If you’d like to try subscribing to Design by Insight via email, just enter your email address below!


I want to receive …


For Additional Reading

Q&A: Google Reader Alternatives? – via Blogging with Amy

RIP Google Reader: First Thoughts – via Feedblitz

Check Out These Google Reader Alternatives – via Mashable

Five Best Google Reader Alternatives – via lifehacker

7 Reasons I Picked Feedly to Replace Google Reader – via Michael Hyatt

Google Reader / RSS Reader Alternatives – a Crowdsourced List via List.ly

 Have you made the switch yet? Still confused? Let’s chat in the comments!

 

wordpress.org and wordpress.com: what’s the difference?

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wordpress.org & wordpress.com - what's the difference?The differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com can be a bit confusing. My goal in this post is to clear up common misconceptions and help you understand the differences. I’m going to talk in everyday language, staying away from technical terms as much as possible, to help you determine if self-hosted WordPress or WordPress.com is right for you.

what is WordPress?

First of all, let’s define what WordPress is. WordPress is software that can be used for both blogs and websites. It is a content management system (CMS), which means that you will have the ability to modify and publish your content, as well as maintain the site, all from one interface. In other words, you can make changes to your own site, rather than having to pay a developer to modify things like the text and photos on your pages. WordPress is Open Source software you can download for free.

what does “hosting” mean?

A web hosting service makes it possible for your site to be accessible on the internet. They provide room on their servers for your site and its files to be stored. (For more information on hosting providers, click here.)

Both wordpress.com and self-hosted WordPress use the WordPress software. The big difference is where your site is hosted, how much freedom you have, and the cost.

when it comes to WordPress, you have two options:

self-hosted WordPress

This option gives you the full range of all WordPress has to offer. The custom designs we offer here at Design by Insight are for self-hosted WordPress sites. {Several of the links below are affiliate links. This means I’ll receive a commission if you make a purchase.}

What you need to know about self-hosted WordPress:

  • web hosting service is required – The fact that it is “self-hosted” means you must choose a web hosting service. This will involve a monthly fee. For shared hosting (which is probably what you need if the information in this article is new to you), you will generally pay anywhere from $4-10 per month, depending on the host and any specials they may be running at the time. For more information about reputable hosts, see our hosting recommendations page.
  • domain registration required – You will have to obtain your own domain registration (your own URL). This is very inexpensive at around $10 per year. We recommend registering your domain through your web host, or alternatively through NameCheap.
  • full range of themes available – By self-hosting your WordPress site, you can use any WordPress theme available. We use and highly recommend the Genesis Framework and Child Themes from StudioPress.
  • plugins are allowed – There are a wide range of plugins available for self-hosted WordPress. These plugins expand the abilities of your site, allowing you to maximize the potential of WordPress. They let you do more with your site, such as add a contact form, block spam comments, add sharing buttons for social media, display your Twitter stream in your sidebar, and much, much more . . .

Wait . . . so what is WordPress.org?

It’s the website that offers the WordPress software for download, as well as plugins and themes, valuable information about WordPress, and forums. It is not a place where you can host your site.

WordPress.com

This option gives you limited use of WordPress. The perk here is that it is free, but there are a limitations attached.

  • WordPress.com is your host – This is where many people get confused. WordPress.com offers you a free site using the WordPress software, hosted on their servers. You don’t have to pay a thing if you don’t want to.
  • domain registration is optional – At wordpress.com, you can use one of their default URLs, something like http://YourBlogName.wordpress.com. They also give you the option of upgrading to a custom domain (which I do recommend).
  • you are limited in a number of ways – Because they are offering you a free service, there are a number of significant limitations. The biggest include:
    • no plugins
    • limited themes
    • limited ability to customize your site’s design and abilities
    • no affiliate links or e-commerce (in other words, you can’t make money off of your site)

If you are considering using our design services, please remember that we will only do header designs for wordpress.com sites, not full custom design.

to sum it all up . . .

Both WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress have the solid foundation of the WordPress software. But if you truly want freedom to build a great site with flexible features and custom design, go with self-hosted WordPress.

For further reading:

what are the limitations of WordPress.com (via WP Beginner)

7 Reasons to Convert Your WordPress.com Blog to WordPress.org (via Michael Hyatt)

____________________

Does the idea of self-publishing overwhelm you?  We want to take the mystery and fear away!  Self-Publish: From Idea to Product is designed to give you a solid foundation for your self-published work!  Buy your copy today … and if you have already read Self-Publish, would you do us the honor of leaving a review on Amazon?  

feedburner: where do we go from here?

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feedburner: where do we go from here? - designbyinsight.net

There are many questions about the future of Feedburner. What we do know is that in the past few months Google has:

  • shut down Feedburner’s Twitter account and blog
  • shut down the Feedburner API (that allowed developers to interact with it)
  • removed Google Adsense from RSS feed posts
  • allowed the Feedburner domain in Japan to expire
  • stated that Google Reader will be shut down on July 1

Feedburner has been the primary free source of RSS Feed and email subscription services for years. I don’t know what Google is planning here, but my personal opinion is that they will probably offer some alternative, likely something integrated with Google+.

so where do we go from here?

I’m not saying you should all immediately jump the Feedburner ship. This latest email subscription issue may be only a small number of people and they may fix it. What I do recommend is that you be aware of the situation and consider what option is best for you and your site long term.

alternatives to consider

(in no particular order)

FeedBlitz

Think of Feedburner without the intermittent outages, stat glitches, and lack of help. Add on more features and quality customer service. That’s what you get at FeedBlitz. Yes, you do have to pay, but think of what you’re paying for. When something goes wrong, you have someone to help you.

Key things to consider:

  • pricing is based on the number of email subscribers, so your posts to RSS Feed subscribers will be included for free
  • starts at $1.49/month
  • free 30 day trial
  • offers both RSS Feed and email features from one source (something you don’t find with the other options below)
  • makes it easy to migrate your current subscribers with a step-by-step PDF guide

MailChimp

MailChimp is the favorite of many for easy-to-use email newsletter delivery. MailChimp can also be used for your blog’s email subscribers. It’s a great, reasonably priced option for getting those email posts delivered.

Key things to consider:

  • it’s free for up to 2,000 subscribers and up to 12,000 emails sent a month
  • for unlimited emails, prices start at just $10
  • services are for email delivery only (there is no solution here for those who subscribe in a Reader)

Aweber

Aweber has been offering email newsletter and blog post delivery for years and is known for offering quality service. For many bloggers, this may be a great option. I personally find Aweber’s interface less user-friendly, but it is a service well worth considering.

Key things to consider:

  • there is not a free option
  • prices start at $19 a month (up to 500 subscribers a month, unlimited emails)
  • the first month is only $1
  • services are for email delivery only
  • affiliate links are allowed

Mad Mimi

Mad Mimi is another email subscriber delivery option similar to MailChimp. I have personally experienced their incredible customer service, though ultimately I decided to go another route.

Key things to consider:

  • it’s free for up to 2,000 subscribers and up to 12,000 emails sent a month
  • for unlimited emails, prices start at just $10
  • services are for email delivery only (there is no solution here for those who subscribe in a Reader)
  • affiliate links are allowed
  • emails will show an excerpt of the post with a link to click and read more on your site (full content in the email is not an option at this point, though it may be in the future)

 another option: FeedBlitz for RSS feed + another service for email subscribers

If none of the above options seems to be the right fit, consider the possibility of using a combination of services. This is the option that I chose for Design by Insight and my blog. (We are using FeedBlitz for RSS feed and MailChimp for email subscriptions.)

use FeedBlitz for your RSS feed

For just $1.49 a month, you can use FeedBlitz for your RSS feed subscribers (those who subscribe in a Reader). This is for unlimited subscribers, as long as you don’t use FeedBlitz for email. You can migrate your Feedburner subscribers fairly easily.

then choose a second service for your email subscribers

You can use any of the options above (MailChimp, Aweber, or Mad Mimi). Keep in mind that you can export your Feedburner email subscriber list and then import it into your account at any of these services.

the bottom line

Don’t panic! Do your research and figure out the best way forward for you and your blog. There’s no one answer that fits every situation, so you will have to become well informed and make a decision. But it will be okay!

Also, we do recommend that you check on your own Feedburner delivery to see if it is working properly. If you aren’t subscribed to your own blog via both in a Reader and by email, we highly recommend that you do so. Keeping an eye on your own post delivery is essential, no matter what service you choose.

For additional information on this topic, we recommend the following posts:

FeedBurner Shut Down: The Facts – and Tales from the Front Line – FeedBlitz

FeedBurner Alternatives? What I’m Doing – Blogging with Amy

How to Download Your FeedBurner Email Subscriber List – Blogging with Amy

The FeedBurner Deathwatch Continues: Google Kills AdSense For Feeds – TechCrunch

Google Loses Feedburner.jp Domain (The Latest Sign That Feedburner Is Dying) – Marketing Land

 We apologize if our site is loading slowly today. Our host is migrating our account to a new data center, and things seem to be running much slower than normal in the meantime.

taking a creative look at marketing

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marketing - designbyinsight.net

Whether you’re trying to sell a product or simply grow your blog, marketing plays a key role in your online growth. Some people are born with a marketing bent, but for others the learning curve feels steep. Sometimes, though, taking a creative look at marketing can be the best thing we can do.  Whether marketing feels like an uncomfortable necessity or a thrilling adventure, here are some posts that will help you become more effective at online marketing:

__________

Betsy Talbot writes  a creative series on marketing at Copyblogger. Wondering how you can learn marketing strategy from someone as they travel the globe? This one’s for you! Pulling key marketing principles from life experience, Betsy tells the story of her travels combined with meaty marketing advice. I recommend the whole series:

The Exotic Entrepreneur’s 3-Step Guide to Growing Your Business Online

3 Business Lessons You Can Use from a Globetrotting Entrepreneur

3 Online Marketing Tips from a Traveling Entrepreneur

__________

Kelton Reid reminds us that while you can’t truly “cheat” when it comes to content marketing, there are some keys that help give you a solid starting place:

A Content Marketing Innovation Cheat Sheet

 

We’d love to hear what you learn from these posts! Let us know in the comments!

great 31 days series for writers and bloggers

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great 31 days series for writers and bloggers

In case you’ve missed it, the blog world is abuzz with 31-day series this month.  Our friend The Nester hosts a huge party and this year over 1200 bloggers have joined the “blog for 31 days about one topic” challenge.   We’ve found several great 31 days series for writers and bloggers and thought we would share a few of those with you.

On Writing:

On Blogging & Social Media:

And of course we’re both doing 31 series as well …

What great 31 Days series have you found?

self-publish launch: buy it now!

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self-publish: moving from idea to productTo celebrate our launch:

Get the PDF version of Self-Publish for only $4.99

until Wednesday at noon EST!!

 

Buy other formats of Self-Publish at the introductory price:

print version for $9.99

Kindle version for $6.99

(Nook version coming soon)

 __________

You have an idea for a book and you’re ready to take the leap. From one minute to the next you may feel enthusiastic, overwhelmed, expectant, or even a little scared. It’s time to embark on a great adventure, and you’re not entirely sure what’s ahead.

We want you to know you can do this! Self-publishing is an opportunity for you to chase your dream, pursue your goals, and share your story.

Blending the long-accepted principles of writing a great book proposal with the practical insights of design and formatting of a self-published book, Self-Publish is a resource for writers intrigued and/or intimidated by the world of self-publishing.

Self-Publish provides you with detailed information about each component of a great self-published work as we guide you from idea to product. We will help you ask yourself the right questions about four key elements of a successful book:

CONTENT, DESIGN, AUDIENCE, and MARKETING

Self-Publish is designed for the writer who values quality and is prepared to devote time to creating an excellent product. Not just another how to book, Self-Publish is really a why to book—why to develop a solid foundation, why to understand importance of quality design, why to choose the best formats for your product, and why to view self-publishing as a legitimate tool for conveying your message.

Self-Publish is packed with valuable insights, specific examples, and—most importantly—20 worksheets to help you plan and prepare to write and release your book.  Our desire is not just to provide you with information but to give you the tools to apply what you’ve read to your project.

We know the choices available to self-publishing authors can be overwhelming.  Step-by-step instructions for formatting are readily available from the various self-publishing companies,and since these change frequently due to technical advances this information is not included in Self-Publish.  We believe the bigger question many writers face is which formats are the best for their particular project.  Our goal is help you answer that question by offering details about the features and limitations of each choice.

What does Self-Publish include?

16 chapters packed with valuable information and useful examples, such as:

So, What’s Your Book About? Developing Effective Summaries
The E-Publishing Jungle: Choosing the Right Formats for Your Book
“No One Has Ever Written Anything Like This Before!!” The Reality of Competition
Do I Really Need a Mini-Site? Finding the Best Fit for Your Book’s Online Presence

20 worksheets to help you build your plan , including:

Creating a Workable Timeline
Choosing the Right Editor
Mapping Out Design Ideas
Identifying Your Audience
Brainstorming a Marketing Plan
Branding You

  self-publish: moving from idea to product

will be available for purchase on September 18

 

a little lesson from the search engines (and it’s not about SEO)

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a-lesson-from-the-search-engines-designbyinsight.net

It’s always interesting to take a peek at statistics and search engine terms. Running a business, it’s necessary for me to know how people find us. Really though, I’m just that kind of person. I’m an analyzer.

Sometimes the search terms are expected, something like design by insight, e-book designer, or custom blog design. Other times they’re rather humorous. For instance, someone found our site last week by searching for dog days of summer. I’m sure it would make Teri Lynne’s basset hound proud. But sometimes we can learn a lesson from the search engines that has nothing to do with SEO.

This week, there was a very different common thread. It caught me off guard. Mixed in with the usual search phrases were these:

discouraged

tired of trying to be a writer

encouragement tired work

encouragement for writers

encouragement for tired bloggers and discouraged writers (the title of this post)

It caught me off guard, and it made me a little sad. I hope my post listed above brought them some encouragement, because that’s my heart.

Personally, I’m in book mode right now, with Self-Publish just weeks from release. Reading the discouraged words above reminded me of why we are writing our book in the first place. It’s the result of the last two years of walking alongside our clients through the self-publishing process. It was born out of hearing their questions and struggles, and our goal is that the words we have crafted will bring clarity and encouragement for writers on that same journey. That is our why for writing it.

Maybe you’re one of the discouraged ones today, or maybe you aren’t. Either way, think back to why you write. Whether it’s a book, a blog, or a personal journal, what was the trigger for you, the thing that got you started in the first place? Sometimes when we feel weary from the process, it helps to remember why we’re doing it.

What is your why?

(we’d love to hear about it in the comments below)

what keeps you from self-publishing? {and an important announcement}

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What Keeps You from Self-Publishing

We’ve been dropping hints.   Vague-booking even.

For several months we’ve been meeting via Skype, phone, and even face-to-face when we can. We’ve brainstormed and researched, and now we are nearing the end of the writing process.

We’re excited to announce that we will be releasing our book in September:

Self-Publish:  Moving from Idea to Product

More information is coming soon, including a sneak peek at the book’s cover in a few weeks.

What keeps YOU from self-publishing?

encouragement for tired bloggers and discouraged writers

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encouragement for tired bloggers and discouraged writers - design by insight

In many ways, it has never been easier to become a writer. With the tools and opportunities that technology gives us, it’s right at our fingertips. Don’t get me wrong, it takes a lot of hard work. A lot. But it is more possible today than it has ever been.

But what do you do if you feel overwhelmed?

What if the wealth of tools available leaves you feeling more discouraged than empowered?

You are not alone. 

As I survey the landscape of the blogging world, there are many offering encouragement and practical tools to writers. A couple of names come to mind immediately, Jeff Goins and Michael Hyatt. I so appreciate what they are doing to offer encouragement and practical help. Jeff recently released his e-book, You Are a Writer: So Start Acting Like One, and is currently hosting a writing challenge, 15 Habits of Great Writers on his blog. Michael Hyatt’s new book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, is filled with excellent, step-by-step advice for anyone who wants their voice to be heard.

I am so thankful for these resources. They fill a huge need in the writing community, and it is exciting to see many taking great strides in their writing journey.

At the same time, I see others who are discouraged. In fact, I would go so far as to say that there is more weariness among many of my blogging friends than I have ever seen before.

And I get it.

Maybe you have been writing for years without seeing any measurable fruit.

Perhaps you are in a season of life where it feels impossible to sit down and write anything meaningful.

I’ve been there, too.

It was necessary for me to stop writing for an extended period of time to focus on our business. I knew that it just would not work for me to write during that time, and as much as I hated it, I knew it was the right choice for me for a while.

This season of life you are in right now, it’s not forever.

Whatever is making writing hard for you right now may not even be an issue for you in a few years or even months.

I have one thing to say to you:

Don’t give up. Just don’t.

If it’s a struggle to write, keep trying.

But if you can’t write at all right now, don’t give up on your dream.

We read several posts this week from bloggers and writers who know what it’s like to feel this way. I hope you will find encouragement in their words:

When It’s Not Easy by Kristina takes a look at writing, priorities, and kicking guilt to the curb.

Shawn Smucker writes A Strange Week, Starting Over, and the Nature of Giving Up. If you aren’t familiar with Shawn’s story, I highly recommend his e-book, Building a Life Out of Words, which chronicles his family’s journey to pursue a writing dream.

Lastly, I want to share this gem from Sarah Markley, How to Keep a Secret {the good kind}. It’s an encouragement to live life to the full and a reminder that not everything is meant to be written.

What kind of season are you in right now? What brings you the most encouragement as a writer?

what’s your dream?

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What’s your dream?

We all have at least one. You know, the one that seems almost impossible. The one that we barely dare to whisper out loud.

Why don’t we just go for it? Step out. Give it a try? Really, what’s stopping us?

Sometimes we just need someone to come alongside us, to offer encouragement, wise counsel, and strategy for moving forward. That’s the heart behind Squee! Inc, the amazing new venture launched this week by Stephanie Bryant and Holley Gerth.

Click here to visit their new site, read about their own lemonade stands, and hear their God-sized vision for Squee.

And don’t forget to check out Camp Creativpreneur. I was honored to be a “guinea pig” at their first Camp in January, and it was an unforgettable experience!