Hot Blog Tips » Plug-Ins

Using CommentLuv To Cross Promote Your Blogs

Keith — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:20:15 +0000

CommentLuv is a wonderful blogging tool and I’ve been using it to cross promote my blogs when replying to comments. It’s very easy to do.

Simply log into your WordPress admin panel. Then go to ‘Your Profile‘ under ‘Users‘ and add a different blog you own. In the ‘Website‘ blank just put the URL of the other blog you want to promote.

Now, if your theme allows it, your CommentLuv last post will be from the other blog. That’s it, simple cross promotion

I know this works from watching my stats. More visits are coming from my other blog’s post pages.

WordPress Tag Cloud Limit Fix

Keith — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:42:56 +0000

A common issue with WordPress themes is the limitation of word tags that are displayed on our blogs. Most themes by default limit your visible tags to 45 or 50 words/phrases. There is probably a simple coding edit that will adjust this setting but there is an easier way – WordPress plug-ins.

On this site I installed the WP Cumulus plugin because the word tag widget isn’t available in the theme we use. WP Cumulus adds a cool spinning effect.

I quickly surpassed 45 tags on my personal photo blog and wanted them all to display in my tag cloud on the sidebar. A quick Google search led me to WordPress Tag Limit by Money Making Websites. Ron Killian’s post refers to the Configurable Tag Cloud Plugin which was exactly what I needed. Minutes later I had every tag showing with a few extra tweaks available.

Dress Your WordPress Blog For Success With Themes

Keith — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:10:19 +0000

I can remember the term ‘Dress For Success‘ since way back in the eighties. How does that old adage apply to blogging? Simple, dress up your blog for success. With today’s themes and plugins there is no reason to use the plain Jane default theme that comes with the original WordPress install.

With my new appreciation for Twitter I am noticing more and more plain-looking blogs that scream go-away. I know it’s wrong in this day and age to judge a book by it’s cover but it is hard not to see that ugly setup and assume the admin has nothing to offer. And truthfully, that’s very often the case.

I prefer WordPress over other blog systems for several reasons and a big one is the availability of themes and plugins. You can find hundreds of them and the hardest part is finding just one to meet your needs. WordPress has a huge directory of available free themes at: WordPress Theme Directory

Need help installing a new WordPress Theme? See: How To Install A New WordPress Theme Video

Always test your theme for proper functions, looks and compatibility issues. Things like thumbnails, commenting and permalinks can vary from theme to theme. Always test your theme with each WordPress upgrade. Not long ago I had an issue immediately after I paid to upgrade the WordPress Dream Theme by Ben Cope [See Three Days Of Silence]. Always back up your blog before making theme changes.

Ready to upgrade your theme with a premium theme without the premium cost? The theme Hot Blog Tips uses is just one of many Premium WordPress Themes offered by ElegantThemes for just $19.95/year unlimited access. We use ElegantThemes on several blogs.

Want more? Below are a few links to help your quest to find the perfect look and fit for your blog…