My Apologies...

This is just a short post to apologize for not keeping up with my postings. Between vacations, family illnesses, and now I am back in school to finish my Bachelors of Science in Graphic Design.

So needless to say, I have had a very chaotic month! I am working on getting back on track. I am also working on doing a simple schedule for blogging so that I can stay organized with my time, especially now that I have a bit more work with school.

Again, I am so sorry for not keep up with my posting. I assure you I will be back very soon and will have lots to share!

In the mean time, check out my past postings and feel free to leave me comments. I always check my messages. Also, feel free to make some suggestions.

Be sure to follow me at any of my social links!

Word Press

It is hard to believe that it is June already! Time flies...

OK, a few things...

I know that I have not done the last 2 Pin-spiration Mondays, it will resume this Monday.

Earlier this week, I changed the domain name. However, I had to change it back to the original name due to working with WordPress through a hosting company. With that said, yes I will be moving to WordPress. I will still have the same email address and the same social media. I will be sure to let you know when it is official for the move. It will be some time since I need to learn WordPress and to design my blog.

Lastly,  I have decided that along with my creative endeavors, I will also do reviews. I am really enjoying being an Influencer. Be sure to check out my disclosure page. Once I have WordPress up and running I will be offering advertising spaces at great prices.

I am looking forward to this exciting adventure in blog land. I am grateful to my readers who have supported me and I do hope that you will continue to follow me through this transition to WordPress.

Be sure to follow me on the Social Network!

Domain Name Notice

I am just letting all of my readers know that there is a new change with Creative Mess. My domain name has changed from http://jmacreativemess.blogspot.com to www.jmacreativemess.com

You can still use the old, however you will see a page like this.... Be sure to click yes and you will be directed to the correct domain.

Also, in the up coming months there might be some changes from going to blogger to wordpress. However since I am still in the learning phase of wordpress, it will be blogger for now. I will keep all of you posted when this change will happen.

If you have any great tips or tricks please feel free to leave me a comment. I can use all the help I can get.

All of my contact information will remain the same.

Recap on The Blog Workshop Online Conference 2013

Here is a recap of what I learned during the conference:

This past weekend, I had a unique opportunity to attend The Blog Workshop Conference online. I was provided a complimentary ticket to this conference in exchange for this recap post. You can view my initial post about the conference HERE. I also participate in The Blog Workshop's affiliate program. However, the views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go HERE.

• Blogging Back To The Basics - I learned about how important it is to plan and take control of your blog, de-clutter your blog, simple ways to Vlogging, and SEO.
• From Blogger To Bloggerpreneur - I learned how important it is to have a Brand. Learning about bookkeeping basics from tracking income to spending and most importantly tax information. Another important thing I learned is the FTC guidelines and 10 ways to avoid getting sued. 
• Preparing for Ads & Pitching Sponsors - I learned the importance on how to show value to advertisers and to think as an influencer. 
• Building Relationships With The Media - Learned how to build a Media Kit and to build a community of followers.
• Advertising VS Affiliate Marketing - I learned the difference between the two and how to us ads on the blog.
• Other Ways To Monetize Your Blogging Efforts - Learned how to connect with other influencers and reaching out to Brands. Also the do's and don'ts when working with Brands.

The online conference was 3 days long and it was live. It was the same time each of those days from   6-9:30 pm. There were sessions and even intermission for breaks too. Also, a Q & A session with the speakers! My favorite part, the conference were recorded. So if there was something I missed, I could go on the site and log in to view them.

The conference had some awesome speakers who were very knowledgeable! Thank you to the following:

• Laura Summers - founded the Naked blogging blog
• Deborah Anderson - blogs at the Social Web Cafe 
• Dan Morris - blogs at the Letters From Dan 
• Lindsay Lee - founded the Black & Blonde One blog
• Kelly Whalen - started the blog The Centsible Life 
• Jeneba J. Ghatt - started the Jenba Speaks blog
• Robert Mooney -  works at Blogads
• Ryan Schram - is the cheif operating officer at IZEA
• Holly Hamann - the co - founder of TapInfluence
• Dee Dee Cocheta - who is a 20 year Marketing & PR veteran and blogs at Dee Dee Cocheta
• Paige Wilcox - works at Blogads
• Rohit Vashisht - CEO of Sverve
• Crystal Duncan - Director of client stragedy of IZEA
• Jennifer Beaurpre - blogs at Market Building Blocks and VP  of Marketing at TapInfluence

The Blog Workshop offers more than just conferences. They offer workshops throughout the year.   There will be a workshop that is about Surviving SEO on June 25th from 8-9pm with Dan Morris who is the founder of Letters from Dan. You can go to these workshops for free if you are a paying member of The Blog Workshop. Membership starts at $10/month which is well worth it. Membership includes conferences, workshops, and other resources. Go ahead and check it out by clicking HERE or below on the picture.

So will you join The Blog Workshop to take your blog to the next level?

Where I party!

Thursday

Creative Greekery

Pursuit of Functional Home

Friday

The Wondering Brain

The Blog Workshop Online Conference - May 17-19, 2013

I am so excited to announce that I am going to be attending The Blog Workshop blogging conference online! Yes, you read that right.... ONLINE! How cool is that!?!?! 

Sponsored Post: In exchange for this post, I am being provided a complimentary ticket to The Blog Workshop online conference. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go HERE.

Who is The Blog Workshop?

They are a learning community and their goal is to provide information that will help individuals take their blog to the next level. Most of you know that I have been wanting to take my  blog to another level and become a bloggerpreneur. However, being so new, I lack important information that can help me reach my full potential with my blog. The Blog Workshop will help me learn in many of these areas. Not only do they do the annual conferences, they also offer workshops and a member community for individuals to join. Also, they work towards trying to make the gap smaller between the PR, brand and influencers. 

The Online Conference

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

The Blog Workshop conference is perfect since I am so new to the blogsphere. Going to a blog conference in person is not an option for my pocket book. This way I do not have to worry about lodging and travel expenses. The conference can be done from the comfort of my home with my computer!

This conference is 3 days long and it starts this Friday evening! It is jammed packed with speakers and an agenda that will have valuable information that you will be able to use.

With a line up of some great speakers like this, I know I will learn something! 

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

A jammed packed agenda will help anyone from the beginner to a novice blogger. Again, may I remind you I have only been blogging since January of 2013. This is going to be a great learning experience!

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

The Blog Workshop will be donating 10% of all conference ticket sales to two organizations!

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children

The Atlanta Day Shelter provides a place for homeless women and children. Their mission is to ease the burden of homelessnes and to assist in establishing self sufficiency by providing comprehensive education and supportive services in a manner that respects human dignity.

Wellspring Living

Wellspring Living is to confront the issues of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through awareness, training, and treatment programs.

So will you join The Blog Workshop?

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

I will have a follow up post on how my experience was at the online conference. Stay tuned!

Sponsored Post: In exchange for this post, I am being provided a complimentary ticket to The Blog Workshop online conference. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go HERE.

Feel free to follow me!

Blog Button Design: Round 1

Welcome to Round 1 of the Blog Button Design Battle. This week's participants include:

April from Hearts on Guard
Ashley from Wannabe Green
Kelly from The No Drama Mama
Chels from Red Velvet Rooster
Kayla from Kouponing Kayla
Joanne from Creative Mess
Hollie from Blog-o-hollic
Krystal from My Life of Travels and Adventures
Rebecca from Caravan Sonnet
Sara from You.And.Me.Are.We

Vote for your favorite and most eye-catching button by clicking on the thumbnail below. Make sure you're voting solely on eye appeal. You can only vote once, so make it count.


Check back next week for Round 2. If you're interested in participating in Season 2 of the Blog Button Design Battle, make sure you subscribe to Peacoats & Plaid for updates.

Google Reader Going Away!

Google Reader is going away after July 2013. If you are following me through google reader, you have the other options of following me through blog lovin and networked blogs.  If there is other options that are better please feel free to share them. I am very new to blogging and I don't know if the GFC is going to be affected, however, I do have google +.

Click on the links below to follow me through these options.

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