We’re sponsoring the Alt Summit, want to come?

Posted by under Self Love. 34 Comments.

UPDATE: We have a winner! Jenna from Life of a Wife has won the ticket! After removing a duplicate and two entries that didn’t use PF, here’s the random number proof that I wasn’t swayed by Jenna’s obviously insincere flattery.  Thanks to everyone who wanted to come!  It would have been impossible to choose a winner, and I’m sorry we can’t bring everyone ;)

 

blog-full-promo-altwinner

 

 

 

Hi loves! First off, apologies for being so quiet around here lately. I’m working hard on the next big release of Passionfruit and have been elbow deep into code and programming some huge features. Will have some announcements after the new year..

But today I’m thrilled to announce we’re sponsoring the 2013 Altitude Summit! Alt a rad blogger conference in Salt Lake City and it goes down January 23-26, 2013.  I couldn’t be more excited to be part of Alt, and we’ll be providing cute little PF-themed lanyards for the ID badges. I’ll be there with a few of our bloggers, handing out PF swag and will be sure to let you know where we are.

But the thing is, I’ve got one extra ticket..

So let’s give it away! Here’s the deal: all you need to do is be a registered member of Passionfruit and have your blog set up to sell ads. Leave a comment below with your Passionfruit Ad Shop link, and after Christmas we’ll select a random PFer to come with us to Alt! The giveaway is for one free ticket to Alt, but you’re on your own for airfare and hotels and such.

Of course, if you’re not a Passionfruit member yet, you’ll just have to do something about that, won’t you?

How to enter

  1. Leave a comment below with a link to your Passionfruit Ad Shop
  2. Contest closed!

 

This post was written by

Jason

design + code. beats + rhymes. redbull + xbox. food + family. founder of Passionfruit.

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how to track sponsored ad clicks

Posted by under How-to. 5 Comments.

If you advertise on other blogs, one question you always want to know is this: how many clicks has the site provided you with?  If you aren’t familiar with Google Analytics, I’ll show you a super easy way to track your clicks that requires very little setup.

We’re going to use bit.ly. I’m sure you’ve seen bit.ly URLs in the past as they have been used to automatically shorten Twitter links and many others. But did you know that shortened links also provide you with valuable information? Here’s how we can track incoming traffic from bit.ly:

First, you’ll want to sign up for a bit.ly account. It’s super simple to do if you have a Facebook or Twitter account (seriously, you just click a button!). Once in your dashboard, you’ll see a text box that allows you to paste a URL to shorten:

If you want to track your own blog clicks, enter your blog URL in the “Paste a link here” box and hit Enter. You will be alerted that your link was saved and shortened. The copy/paste link is shown for you and this link is saved in your dashboard for future use.

To keep track of my shortened links, I like to customize the shortened URL. This will help you keep track of which blog you’re using a particular shortened URL on. If you roll your mouse over the copy/paste link that has just been given to you, you will see a “Customize” link appear below. Click this.

Here is where you can enter the name of the blog you’re using this URL on, or a unique identifier that will easily tell you what that particular link, or “bitmark” is for.

Save this and it will update your shortened URL. Now, when you advertise your shop/blog on another blog or website, be sure to use this URL as your site URL. Create a different custom URL for each blog you advertise on. For example, if I were to advertise on a blog named “CANDY SHOPPE”, I would enter CANDYSHOPPE as the custom short name shown above. Using Passionfruit’s signup form, here is how it would look when I submit my ad:

Using these customized links is a great way to see exactly where your traffic is coming from. From the bit.ly dashboard, you can now visit your Stats page to view the number of clicks each link has generated.

That was easy, wasn’t it!? You didn’t have to install any special codes and you can clearly see your traffic accurately.

I hope this little tutorial helps some of you who have been concerned about stat tracking!

xo Dana
www.thewonderforest.com

This post was written by

Dana

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The M-Word: Real Strategies for Monetizing Your Blog

Posted by under How-to. 2 Comments.

Let’s face it. As much as you love fashion or DIY or a deliciously styled meal, you started your blog with the notion that (maybe, someday, there’s the chance that) you might be able to make some real money from it.
But monetization doesn’t happen all on its own! The bloggers who make money today are the ones who decided to go after it. Also, they’re usually using a variety of methods at the same time.

In order to emulate these pros and start making some real cash come out of your hard work, the following is a list of real proven strategies you can use– as soon as today!

1. Be an affiliate.
Are you a photographer with mad love for the ___ camera? Or the ___ camera bag? Or even the ___ editing software? There’s nothing sleezy about getting a cut when you refer readers to a product you use and love!
Start today by going to your favorite brands’ websites and looking for an “Affiliates” link at the bottom of the page. Once you’ve signed up and been assigned your special link, put it wherever you’d like- from linking up some text in your blog posts to adding a linked banner in your sidebar.

2. Write an e-book.
Think about this for a second: Why do readers like your blog? Is it because they’re intrigued by your story? They can’t get enough of your marriage advice? Or is it because you can work the Mod Podge like no one’s ever seen? If you have trouble identifying this, then go ahead and just ask your readers why they’re reading!
Then, write an e-book about that. Format it so it’s easy to read. Lavish with pictures. Save it as a .pdf and sell it on your blog.

3. Make a how-to video series with a tangible outcome.
A video series is another type product you can make and sell on your blog.
Is there a tangible thing people ask you about regularly– that’s just too long for one blog post or even a series of blog posts? Maybe it’s the 10 different ways you style your hair. Or how you cook your top 3 signature dishes. Whatever it is, there’s a good chance someone might want to pay you to learn how to do it themselves.

4. Create a tool.
Are you a Photoshop genius? How ’bout selling Photoshop actions?
A sewing master? What about patterns?
Tools save people time. And time is money. Do you get where I’m trying to go with that?

5. Open a full-fledged online shop.
This one’s hard, I have to admit. If you don’t know anything about buying wholesale or dropshipping, it can be very intimidating. Nonetheless, setting up a full-fledged shop on your blog can turn into a fantastic money-maker. After all, aren’t your readers already there due to your great taste?

6. Sell your own stuff.
Do you find crafting fun and relaxing, even when you’ve made the same one before?
Do you have gorgeous photographs or silly cartoons on your blog that your visitors would love to hang on their wall? Do you have a shopping addiction that results in a chronically too-full closet?
Have at it!

7. Open an Amazon affliate store.
If you like to blog about books, movies, TV, and the like, then setting up an Amazon affiliate store is a fantastic idea for you. Here’s what that entails. Just go their website, sign up, and add all of your favorites. Then link the shop up to your blog, and viola! The items show up on your site like as if it’s your own store.
There’s no extra work on your end, as Amazon will be fulfilling the orders. And everyone’s shopping on Amazon anyway, so your readers can buy with confidence.

8. Offer consulting.
Are you an expert at something? Do blog visitors routinely want to know your opinion on their work/art/hobby/ideas? If you like working one-on-one with people, consulting can be a really fun gig! Just create a page on your blog detailing what you can help people with and what a 1-hour Skype session with you costs. Then take it away from there!

9. Sell ads.
Selling ad space on your blog is the easiest way you can begin monetizing. As long as you’re using Passionfruit, it’s a snap to set up and can more or less run itself! Piece. Of. Cake.

Anyway, I hope this list has inspired you to take the next step in your blogging dream and get paid for all the value and entertainment you have to offer.

This post was written by

Stephanie @ Fairground Media

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Mondays are for Lovers

Posted by under Crushes. 2 Comments.

Who am I loving this Monday? I’ve got four lovely, talented bloggers to show you today, I hope you love them too!

 

The holiday season is coming up quickly and let’s face it, everyone knows it’s all about the food. Whether you need something for a potluck, a Christmas party or a family get-together I’m sure you’ll be able to find a great recipe over on The Pint Sized Baker. Her Gingerbread Truffles would look so cute on a dessert table!

 

Of Corgis and Cocktails is an adorable little blog that just celebrated it’s first birthday! While one year may seem young, Katherine has already developed quite a following and it’s easy to see why. She has a wonderfully unique sense of style (case in point: her fox nail art) and two cute dogs to add some furry cuteness to her photos.

 

A few words to describe blogger Daniel from Manhattan Nest: hilarious, stylish, honest, and creative. With a modest (aka real) budget, he’s managed to transform a not-so-pretty little apartment into a beautiful home. He’s also not afraid to tell you about the mistakes that happen along the way, like the time he painted his ceiling black.

 

Meet my new style idol, Amber. She has a classic, lady-like style and shows off her gorgeous vintage style dresses with the most beautiful photographs. I think I drooled all over my keyboard when I saw her post And it was all Yellow! It seriously belongs on the pages of a magazine.

 

Thanks for stopping by this week! Say hello to me in the comments, I’m always looking for new blogs to visit.

This post was written by

Sara

Hi, my name is Sara. I like DIY's, drawing, blogging, Tofurky, weddings, taking photos and I also love to scritch kitties (duh). Being a part of the Passionfruit Team makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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5 tips for designing your blog

Posted by under How-to, Tips. Leave a Comment?

One of our favorite things to do over here is stalk our users blogs.  Notice how I didn’t even cross out the stalk thing?  Yep, we aren’t too ashamed.  In fact we love love love seeing all the amazing-ness that you are full of.  I recently ran across this post by Mandy from Miss Indie (who is a total fav of ours) and thought it would be highly appropriate to share here!

 

Check out her original post here.  We are always on the hunt to feature great content from our own network of users, if you have a great article that is blog related with beautiful photography and solid advice email me heather@passionfruitads.com for a chance to be featured.

This post was written by

Heather

I don't like long walks on the beach, but I do like wine... (okay I love it) Boss Lady @ Passionfruit

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Mondays are for Lovers

Posted by under Crushes. Leave a Comment?

Ahhh who else really needed that extra hour of sleep on the weekend? I know I did. So I hope you’re well rested, bright-eyed and ready to tackle this week. The best way to start the week, of course, is with Mondays are for Lovers. See who I’m loving, hugging and generally getting all flustered over this week.

 

Thorunn from Double Pizzazz is an Icelandic fashion designer living in Chicago and has an edgy but feminine style that will have you browsing her site for hours. Think lots of black and interesting textures with pops of color and spiky jewelry. She certainly has a double dose of pizzazz.

 

Wondering what to do with all that leftover Halloween candy? Stephanie at Fab You Bliss has a solution. Use all those mini chocolate bars to create the mother-of-all cupcakes! These look deadly but hey, Halloween only comes once a year.

 

Lastly, congratulations to Meredith from One Sheepish Girl on her feature in Artful Blogging Magazine. Her project Blogging for Confidence is so much fun to read about and very relatable for many bloggers. Follow Meredith’s journey as she grows bolder and faces her fears through blogging.

 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to say hello in the comments!

This post was written by

Sara

Hi, my name is Sara. I like DIY's, drawing, blogging, Tofurky, weddings, taking photos and I also love to scritch kitties (duh). Being a part of the Passionfruit Team makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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Moorea Seal is our November Crush of the Month

Posted by under Crush of the Month. 1 Comment.

 

Moorea Seal landed on our radar with her exceptional photography, trend-setting style and beautiful authentic stories. She is the type of blogger that inspires you to step up your game on your own blog.  With a following of eight-hundred-thousand (yes we just said 800k) on Pinterest, its obvious that Moorea is influential in all things style & design.

 

Residing in the Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, not only does Moorea rock the blogging scene, but she is a successful small business owner and talented designer for Freckled Nest. We especially crush hard on her love for patterns and textures that you can see in some of her What I Wore posts (be warned, you will lose a few hours!)

 

If all that blog love wasn’t enough, we should probably add that stalking her on instagram is another favorite. She recently moved to a new space and seeing how her style & mood pour into the decor is truly inspiring. We totally heart Moorea and we hope you do too!

 

Head over and say hi to Moorea.. its ok if you crush too.

MOOREA SEAL

blog : shop : twitter : pinterest : instagram

This post was written by

Heather

I don't like long walks on the beach, but I do like wine... (okay I love it) Boss Lady @ Passionfruit

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Passionfruit Mixer: Salt Lake City

Posted by under Mixers. 4 Comments.

Bloggers are our favorite thing. We like bloggers more than chocolate and Red Bull.  So naturally we thought, let’s take bloggers, give them some chocolate and Red Bull, and see what happens.

So this month we’re introducing the Passionfruit Mixer: a blend of people and ideas (and sugar) to help you take your blog to that next level.

 

First up: Salt Lake City.  We’ll be high fiving and mixing it up on November 10th at 7pm in the Avenues in a sweet little venue called “The Space.” There’s gonna be WiFi, great hipster indie music, and lots of local food and drink.  Come join us!  It’s free and open to all bloggers, whether you use Passionfruit or not.

Date: November 10th, 2012

Time: 7pm – ?

Location: “The Space” at the Hillcrest Building (170 E 1st Avenue)

Registration: Free!

Giveaways

Throughout the night we’ll randomly be giving out some rad gifts sponsored by Fawn & Flora, Just Lovely Things, Love Club, This Enchanted Pixie, Paisley Boulevard, Roots & Feathers, Acute Designs, Glitter and Gloss, and more to be announced.

Co-hosts

Our first SLC Mixer is co-hosted by the fabulous Nish from Nish Happens, Jenny from Modern Modest Beauty, Michelle from Oh Mishka, and Emily from Freckled Fox.  Our lovely Heather won’t be there in person but you better believe she’s running the show.

Help us spread the word!

We need your help promoting our very first event.  So if you tweet about it or write up a blog post or use on of these spiffy banners, you’ll be entered to win a nice new iPod Nano in your favorite color.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  <a href="http://passionfruitmixer.eventbrite.com/"><img src="http://blog.passionfruitads.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/pfmixer-slc-250x200.jpg"></a>
  <a href="http://passionfruitmixer.eventbrite.com/"><img src="http://blog.passionfruitads.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/mixer-promo-250x100.jpg"></a>

 

Not in Salt Lake?

We’re getting our calendars set for 2013, with trips to Portland, Dallas, Chicago, Raleigh, Atlanta, and a bunch more!  Let me know if you’d like to co-host a Mixer and we’ll get going.

See you Utahns and Idahoans next week!

 

This post was written by

Jason

design + code. beats + rhymes. redbull + xbox. food + family. founder of Passionfruit.

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Mondays are for Lovers

Posted by under Crushes. 2 Comments.

The blogs I want to share with you today are totally packed with great stuff. If you don’t already know them, I think all three of these ladies will be new favorites of yours.

 

Ashley from She Make A Home has taken on a big project – she’s publishing her own online magazine! Just in time for holiday shopping, the magazine comes out November 15th and will be packed with DIY’s, shopping guides, hair tutorials, photography tips and more. It sounds amazing! Now all you have to do is sign up to get your free copy delivered via e-mail right on launch day.

 

Get some furniture make-over inspiration over on Suzannah’s blog Adventures in Dressmaking. She has painted a lot of furniture lately and it’s pretty amazing how she can turn a $5 Craigslist find into something so beautiful. Also, her gorgeous guest room (complete with a $10 dresser) is currently on Apartment Therapy in the Room for Color Contest. Help a fellow PF friend out and vote for her room!

 

Jordan from Boho Vanity has put together a very valuable two part post called 10 Makeup Secrets Your Mother Never Told You [Part 1 - Part 2]. Maybe you did learn some of these watching your mom in the mirror, but I guarantee you’ll learn something new reading these. They’re definitely tips every gal should know!

 

I would love to come visit your blog too – leave a comment so I can stop by and say hello. See you next week!

This post was written by

Sara

Hi, my name is Sara. I like DIY's, drawing, blogging, Tofurky, weddings, taking photos and I also love to scritch kitties (duh). Being a part of the Passionfruit Team makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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Mondays are for Lovers

Posted by under Crushes. 2 Comments.

Who are we loving lately? Read on and find out.

 

Do you love to dress up for Halloween? Then you must join Miss Indie’s Halloween Costume Party! You still have over a week to get your costume ready, then head on over to Miss Indie’s and link up to join the fun. While you’re there be sure to congratulate your lovely host on being named Mod Cloth’s Blogger of the Moment. Way to go Mandy!!

 

While you’re in the Halloween spirit, you can stop by Pillow Thought and grab Lindsay’s free Halloween gift tag printable. It’ll make decorating super simple and you’ll have more time to spend on your costume!

 

I’m always on the look-out for a new smoothie recipe, and green ones are my absolute favorite, but I’ve never seen a smoothie like the Apple Pie Spinach smoothie on Back to her Roots. Cassie gives her smoothie a delicious autumn twist  with apple cider and a pinch of cinnamon. This one’s a must try.

 

I’m loving The Beetle Shack (and you will too) because I can’t stop scrolling through Emily’s beautiful photography. Her home is absolutely gorgeous and she has a way of capturing little family moments that will make you smile. Her blog is just a nice place to hang out!

 

Four lovely blogs to keep you busy this week! I hope you love them as much as I do. And as always, if you would like me to visit your blog just let me know in the comments. Who knows, maybe I’ll be crushing on you next week!

This post was written by

Sara

Hi, my name is Sara. I like DIY's, drawing, blogging, Tofurky, weddings, taking photos and I also love to scritch kitties (duh). Being a part of the Passionfruit Team makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

More Posts - Website - Twitter