A to Z Challenge Sign-ups start today! #atozchallenge

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Please read and follow the sign-up instructions outlined below so you sign onto the list correctly!   Please do not just sign up without reading and then come back to ask us to correct your errors!
*******************
       The list is open.  You can now sign up.  Please enter your information carefully with your correct blog URL (address) so that the link goes to your blog main page (and not a specific post).  Before doing this read below about the new category codes we are offering.

       If you still are not familiar with what the A to Z Challenge is then click the tab at the top of this page that says "What Is Blogging From A to Z".

       Also, please stop by the co-hosting blogs to let them know that you have signed up for the Challenge.  Show us your appreciation by becoming a follower of our blogs and introduce yourself to us.  You can find the list of A to Z co-hosts to the right of this page about halfway down the sidebar.  While you're on the sidebar please become a follower of this blog and click that you "Like Us" on FaceBook.

        Once you've signed up, show others that you will be part of the A to Z Challenge by adding the official A to Z badge to your blog site.  Use the code on the sidebar to create a badge that clicks directly to the A to Z Blog site.  Or if you prefer to just add the image, then please add the A to Z Blog URL so your visitors can click on the badge to be directed to this blog site.  Your help is very important in letting others know about the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

       Since the more the merrier for this mega-networking event, help us spread the word: 

•  Tweet it on the #atozchallenge tag
•  Blog about it
•  Connect with us on twitter via @AprilA2Z 
•  Connect with us on Facebook 
•  Add us on Google+
•  Guest post AZ Challenge tips from now till end March on the main blog if you're a challenge veteran 

 
       For more information and to stay on top of developments, I recommend you follow the  

A to Z Challenge Blog (@AprilA2Z) and the hosts: (please follow both blogs and twitter for updates!)

       We have Contact Us and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) tabs at the top of the A to Z page in case there are things you need to know or problems that you may have concerning the Challenge.   Let us know if you find a link that you think is faulty or directs you to a non-participating site.  We are going to try to keep the list filled only with active A to Z participants, but we will need everybody's help to do this.   After today, the A to Z Linky list will be found at the tab at the top of the page that says "2013 A to Z Challenge Sign Up/List" .    

 This year, per many of your requests, we're introducing Blog Categories for Participants. This is entirely Optional, other than for blogs with Adult Content, which will be taken off the list unless marked (AC). 

If you'd like to pick a category, please choose One from the list of 22 categories listed below, and add the code after your name/ blog name while signing up on the linky list. e.g. Damyanti Biswas - Amlokiblogs (WR)

Only the codes from the following list will be admissible, in the format they are presented below, in capital letters enclosed in parentheses:  e.g. (WR)   You may sign up with just your blog name, and include none of the following codes.   But please note that once you have decided on a code, you won't have the option to change it.   Multiple entries of the same blog, and ad sites will be deleted.
-----------------------

1. WRITING :                          (WR)

2. BOOKS:                              (BO)

3. FILM :                                  (FM)

4. PHOTOGRAPHY:               (PH)

5. GARDENING:                     (GR)

6. CRAFT:                               (CR)

7. ART:                                    (AR)

8. MUSIC:                               (MU)

9. CULINARY:                         (CU)

10. LIFESTYLE:                      (LI )  

11. FASHION:                          (FA)

12. PERSONAL:                      (PR)

13. SOCIAL MEDIA:                (SO)

14. GAMING:                           (GA)

15. EDUCATION :                    (ED)

16. POLITICS:                          (PO)

17. HISTORY:                           (HI)

18. SCIENCE:                          (SC)

19. HUMOR:                             (HU)

20. TRAVEL:                             (TR)

21. MISCELLANEOUS:            (MI)

22. ADULT CONTENT:             (AC)

       There's lots more to come on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog so keep checking back on a regular basis so you don't miss any news.  Now get your link on the list if you've decided to be a part of this year's Challenge.  The list will be open for sign-ups until April 1 so if you're not sure whether or not you want to participate you will still have plenty of time to decide.  But get your name on the list as soon as you've made your decision.  There are new blogs to discover, bloggers to meet, and networking to be done!


Here is the 2013 A to Z List:


*******************
Please read and follow the sign-up instructions outlined above so you sign onto the list correctly!   Please do not just sign up without reading and then come back to ask us to correct your errors!
*******************


Sign up now or as soon as you've made your decision to join us in the 2013 Challenge. You'll be glad you did!


*******************
Please read and follow the sign-up instructions outlined above so you sign onto the list correctly!   Please do not just sign up without reading and then come back to ask us to correct your errors!
*******************


If you have any questions or comments please let us know in the comment section below.

Related articles

• Are You Ready for the 2013 a to Z Challenge?
• 10 Tips to Ace the AtoZChallenge
• The #atozchallenge on Twitter: Are You Following @AprilA2Z

A to Z Challenge Sign-ups start today! #atozchallenge

       The list is open.  You can now sign up. Yes, it's not the 30th here in the US, but it is elsewhere, so HERE YOU GO! Please enter your information carefully with your correct blog URL (address) so that the link goes to your blog main page (and not a specific post).  Before doing this read below about the new category codes we are offering.

       If you still are not familiar with what the A to Z Challenge is then click the tab at the top of this page that says "What Is Blogging From A to Z".

       Also, please stop by the co-hosting blogs to let them know that you have signed up for the Challenge.  Show us your appreciation by becoming a follower of our blogs and introduce yourself to us.  You can find the list of A to Z co-hosts to the right of this page about halfway down the sidebar.  While you're on the sidebar please become a follower of this blog and click that you "Like Us" on FaceBook.

        Once you've signed up, show others that you will be part of the A to Z Challenge by adding the official A to Z badge to your blog site.  Use the code on the sidebar to create a badge that clicks directly to the A to Z Blog site.  Or if you prefer to just add the image, then please add the A to Z Blog URL so your visitors can click on the badge to be directed to this blog site.  Your help is very important in letting others know about the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

       Since the more the merrier for this mega-networking event, help us spread the word: 

•  Tweet it on the #atozchallenge tag
•  Blog about it
•  Connect with us on twitter via @AprilA2Z 
•  Connect with us on Facebook 
•  Add us on Google+
•  Guest post AZ Challenge tips from now till end March on the main blog if you're a challenge veteran 

 
       For more information and to stay on top of developments, I recommend you follow the  

A to Z Challenge Blog (@AprilA2Z) and the hosts: (please follow both blogs and twitter for updates!)

       We have Contact Us and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) tabs at the top of the A to Z page in case there are things you need to know or problems that you may have concerning the Challenge.   Let us know if you find a link that you think is faulty or directs you to a non-participating site.  We are going to try to keep the list filled only with active A to Z participants, but we will need everybody's help to do this.   After today, the A to Z Linky list will be found at the tab at the top of the page that says "2013 A to Z Challenge Sign Up/List" .    

 This year, per many of your requests, we're introducing Blog Categories for Participants. This is entirely Optional, other than for blogs with Adult Content, which will be taken off the list unless marked (AC). 

If you'd like to pick a category, please choose One from the list of 22 categories listed below, and add the code after your name/ blog name while signing up on the linky list. e.g. Damyanti Biswas - Amlokiblogs (WR)

Only the codes from the following list will be admissible, in the format they are presented below, in capital letters enclosed in parentheses:  e.g. (WR)   You may sign up with just your blog name, and include one of the following codes.   But please note that once you have decided on a code, you won't have the option to change it.   Multiple entries of the same blog, and ad sites will be deleted.
-----------------------

1. WRITING :                          (WR)

2. BOOKS:                              (BO)

3. FILM :                                  (FM)

4. PHOTOGRAPHY:               (PH)

5. GARDENING:                     (GR)

6. CRAFT:                               (CR)

7. ART:                                    (AR)

8. MUSIC:                               (MU)

9. CULINARY:                         (CU)

10. LIFESTYLE:                      (LI )  

11. FASHION:                          (FA)

12. PERSONAL:                      (PR)

13. SOCIAL MEDIA:                (SO)

14. GAMING:                           (GA)

15. EDUCATION :                    (ED)

16. POLITICS:                          (PO)

17. HISTORY:                           (HI)

18. SCIENCE:                          (SC)

19. HUMOR:                             (HU)

20. TRAVEL:                             (TR)

21. MISCELLANEOUS:            (MI)

22. ADULT CONTENT:             (AC)

       There's lots more to come on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog so keep checking back on a regular basis so you don't miss any news.  Now get your link on the list if you've decided to be a part of this year's Challenge.  The list will be open for sign-ups until April 1 so if you're not sure whether or not you want to participate you will still have plenty of time to decide.  But get your name on the list as soon as you've made your decision.  There are new blogs to discover, bloggers to meet, and networking to be done!


The 2013 A to Z Sign-up List is here.

Sign up now or as soon as you've made your decision to join us in the 2013 Challenge. You'll be glad you did!

If you have any questions or comments please let us know in the comment section below.

Related articles

• Are You Ready for the 2013 a to Z Challenge?
• 10 Tips to Ace the AtoZChallenge
• The #atozchallenge on Twitter: Are You Following @AprilA2Z

Blogging Basics: Hyperlink Signature

Last week, we discussed the basics of blog hops and memes, and how to make connections with them.  This week, we'll discuss how to make a hyperlink signature to put on the comments you make on others' blogs, which will allow them to find your more easily.

The five pointers last week were: 1. Be Interested, 2. Participate, 3. Follow the Rules, 4. Visit Other Participants, and 5. Advertise the Hop/Meme.

When you comment on other people's blogs, you want them to be able to track you down to return the favor.  This can be tricky or time consuming sometimes, so the easier you make it for them to find you, the more likely you are to get a return visit.

Some people have multiple blogs, which makes it hard to know which one you need to visit.  Clicking on each blog to find half of them empty or not having been updated can be frustrating.  The same goes for trying to track down someone's blog when you get bounced all over the place.  When their profile connects with Google+, for instance, you often have to go to the "About" page to track down their blog, though if they update their daily posts there you can click through there instead.

In order to make it easier for people to track you down, follow this method of hyperlinking:

1. Choose your link.  Do you want them to go to your main page, a specific page or a specific post?

2. Choose your signature.  What do you want it to say?  Only a portion of it will be visible.  I'll give an example below.

3. Make your hyperlink.  This is what it looks like:

Notes: You will insert your own URL between the quotes ("http://yourwebsitehere") and your blog or destination in place of "The Warrior Muse" (>Your Website<)

4. Add your signature.  Note that the only things that will be visible after you post are where it says "Shannon at" and "The Warrior Muse."  Anything within the carrots (<,>) is invisible once you hit post.

Note: Make it say whatever you want.  My signature isn't gospel, just an example.  I will often change it for something specific, like a blogfest, so that it says something about the blogfest and directs them to the related post, rather than my overall blog.  (Ex. Shannon, visiting from the A-to-Z Challenge)

5. Post it following your comment!  That simple.

I've become accustomed to typing it out as I go along, but when I first started I used someone's example, made my own, then emailed it to myself so I could always copy it from my email and post it wherever I was commenting.  Figure out what works best for you, and go from there.  People will appreciate you providing them a hyperlink, and you'll appreciate them visiting you.

May you find your Muse.

Shannon
The Warrior Muse