Win a NEW or Re-Designed Blog {WordPress or Blogger}
Cinnamon Girl Studio, a new advertiser to the MCP Blog, is a web design and graphic arts company based in Seattle, Washington. The design business is owned and solely operated by Timi Carl, a self taught web designer
& graphic artist. Her work ranges from designs for childrens clothing – drawings that are transferred to screenprint, blogs, print materials (business cards, stationary, postcards, banners), web design, pre-made blog & web templates.
If you cannot afford a custom blog, consider her blogger template for photographers. Simple and professional – and affordable too – at only $12.
For today’s contest – she is offering ONE LUCKY PHOTOGRAPHER a NEW or Re-designed Blog!
The Contest:
The prize will be a new blog or redesign of the winner’s blog in either Blogger or WordPress format.
What is a redesign?
A redesign is a freshening up of an existing blog. It can may simple or a complete change… depending on the winner’s preference. Some elements that can be changed are banners & slideshows, post footers, menu buttons, backgrounds, fonts & colors. The layout can also be changed in ways like sidebar and post widths, the entire blog width, spaces & padding between elements.
What if I don’t have a blog?
If you don’t have a blog but would like one it’s as easy as signing up with Blogger or WordPress, both are free but there are some small costs associated such as a domain name and hosting for your site if using WordPress. A basic template will be installed & then customized for the winner if they are new to blogging.
The contest does NOT include a domain, hosting, ecommerce (shopping cart) design, complex hand drawn art, logos.
To Enter ~ Comment on the MCP Blog (not on Facebook) – and answer one of the following:
- If you have a blog, does it helps your business? And what aspects of your blog make it successful? If it is not helping your business, what improvements need to happen so it does?
- If you do not have a blog, why do you feel you need one? And what do you plan to do on your blog to make it work for your business?
Want more entries? Get bonus contest entries now:
Here are a few samples of Timi’s recent work:
Simone Howell’s Brooch the Subject – A new Blogger design
Next Post: Defining Your Style of Photography ~ 8 Tips by Angie Monson
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I have a blog and I update it regularly. I think that between it and facebook I am able to keep people up to date on what is going on with my photography business, show my recent work and advertise upcoming specials. I do thing my blog could use some help to reflect my style a little more.
I have a blog for my photography business. I LOVE having a blog because most of my clients like to see my recent work and having their family/children “featured.” I have a better time keeping my blog updated. BUT I don’t get as much traffic, I need to learn so much more about SEO and how to add meta tags etc. to get me on the top of the list!
I have a blog that serves the purpose of showing some of my work but it is basic and boring. As a photographer I would love a new photoblog capable of displaying larger photos. I am pretty illiterate when it comes to blog lingo so would love to win this!!!
I don’t have a website, but I know having a blog have been very helpful. Its a place to send people who have never seen my work. Some help with it would be much appreciated!
I would love, love, love to win a blog!!! I do not have a website or a blog, which is becomming a serious problem for me. A blog would solve many of the problems I am experiencing in getting my photography work seen. Even though I am fairly new to digial photography, I have been doing film for years. I am really surprised how much I truely love digital!
I do have a blog, and I think it definitely helps my business. It shows my most current work, which is what most people want to see anyway. I of course want it to have more exposure, and I think a new redesign and some help with keywords would be helpful!
I have started working on a blogsite for my business but keep getting stuck so it’s left unfinished. I would LOVE someone to help me design it! I have some great marketing opportunities coming up and I need my blogsite up and running to make the most of those opportunities. Once I have it up, I plan to use it to get people excited and engaged with me as a photographer. I want to use it to help people get to know me better personally, which I hope will attract my ideal client (who I see as friends, more than clients). I think a blog is a practical way to acheive this because it can be personalized as much or as little as I want. I plan on having themed posts (monthly contests, fashion pieces, posts about my kids) to help draw my followers in which will hopefully translate to more business.
I tweeted the contest! twitter.com/shelya
also became a follower on twitter
I am a brand new baby to the world of pro-photography and any help would be EXTREMELY APPRECIATED! I have a silly little blog, so really I have no blog…but would LOVE A SUPER DUPER COOL BLOG to post my work, attract clients, grow my business and make people smile and keep coming back for more photography fun!
Wow! What an awesome giveaway! I really hope I win, and even if I don’t I think I will buy one! $12 isn’t bad at all!
I do have a blog and I do love it. It just needs to be re-done for sure. It is lacking my personality and style. I really am suprised at how many people do look at it though, so that is what makes me keep going with it.
Thanks again!
I have your link on my blog with updates!
I believe my blog has helped with the growth of my business. I have been told by friends and clients that it is the first place they go to, rather than my website. They like reading about my recent shoots and other things that are going on. They like that they can look through specific posts that are tagged as ‘weddings’ or ‘engagements’, as well as any other information they’d like to know like products and albums.
I do not currently have a photography business blog or website. I am currently in that lovely portfolio building stage. I know that having a blog would help draw in clients by having a chance to get to know me a photographer and showcase my work. Would love to win the prize!
I am an MCP FB Fan.
I think that as a photographer a bolg is very important. My blog is a place to not only showcase my newest work, but to connect with my clients as well.
Thank you for this superb chance!
I do not have a blog for the moment but I am planning one because we are planning to open a scrapbook store with my friends and want to have a special blog for this to give information about our events, contests and releases, we will share there the best layouts and photos.
Thank you again!
I have a ling to MCP actions on my blog, and that is an element that I would definitely keep, but SO much else needs changed! http://wingsofblue.blogspot.com/
People enjoy and are attracted to the stories we tell about our photo sessions and the presentation of the photos. The blog could use a spring “tune up”
I need a blog. I have been using my website only for almost a year. Now that my son will be heading to preschool in the fall I feel as though I need to advertise my work a little more since I will have additional capacity for more sessions.
I subscribe to the daily RSS feed. Gotta love Google Reader!
I don’t have a blog… but i really want to have one.I wanna show other people my work… i wanna share my experiences while i’m growing to be professional…
I have a blog dedicated to my photography business. So, far it’s not really helping “grow” my business like I thought it would. That is partly my fault though. I don’t post nearly often enough for readers to stay interested in following it. I do love how having a blog gives me a more personal connection with clients and prospective clients, as opposed to my website. I just really need to utilize it better.
I have a blog (www.camillabinks.blogspot.com) but it’s super boring right now. No special banner, just my logo. No color, just black and white. I could really use some help!
I need one because everyone else has one and I must keep up with the Jone’s
Yes, I have a blog.. Yes, I think it helps my business. Because it’s constantly updated, it keeps people coming back. But mine needs updated so badly! Thank you for the giveaway!
I have a blog, it’s not a business blog, it’s a personal blog, but I would still LOVE a design package from this lovely lass
I have a link to MCP on my blog.
I am a fan on FB.
I follow you on Twitter.
I subcribe to your RSS feed.
I LOVE my blog. It’s the place that I can connect with both friends, family and most importantly clients. I don’t think that my blog brings me a ton of business and one reason is that I don’t feel that the look of my blog is ME. It’s pretty generic and could use some personality. I’d LOVE a new blog or a redesign. Pick me!!!
I posted a thread about you and this contest on Sam’s World University Forum.
I shared this note on my FB profile.
Having a blog definitely helps my business. It showcases my work and my recent work. It helps people get to know me better. I don’t advertise much at all but so many clients have said they’ve seen my website or blog. But I could definitely use some help with the design aspect of it!
I’m an MCP Fan on Facebook!
I also subscribe to a RSS feed to get your blog updates. Awesome!
I’m spreading the word! Just posted to FB.
I would love to add a blog to my website! I would love to post a picture everyday. I think posting something new daily would drive the SEO up on my site creating more business.
I have a blog, but I don’t believe it is helping my business. I tried to customize a blogger template myself and I’ve made it so difficult to work with that I don’t update it enough, consequently, it isn’t helping me.
Just redesigned my web site and I plan to make a blog next. Just haven’t done it yet. Budget and time. I believe it will be so fun to do a blog and will help my business tremendously.
•If you have a blog, does it helps your business?
My blog is a tremendous help to my business. Not everyone and their mother have facebook, but a lot of houses have internet or access to the internet. It is an outlet for me to share my photography adventures, dreams and family happenings. It lets potential clients get to know me without having to pick up the phone. Plus it constantly provides guests with updated content and proof of when it was last updated.
And what aspects of your blog make it successful? If it is not helping your business, what improvements need to happen so it does?
Being able to easily update with photos, videos and any thing else I want to share with my followers. They can also see how I have grown as a photographer by going through old posts.
But, at the same time, I also feel it is a bit frustrating for potential clients. There is no category section to easily bring up all posts relating to weddings or baby photography. I think it takes a tad too long to load for slower systems. I would love for my photos to be larger to really show off my work. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the time (or know how!) to get the job done efficiently! HELP!
I subscribe to your RSS feeds and find all your posts extremely helpful and insightful!
I am a MCP facebook fan =)
MCP Twitter follower and retweeted!
I went at this vast world of digital photography head first and thankfully haven’t landed on my head yet! *knock on wood* I obviously still consider myself a semi-professional and love learning how to further my name. I only bought my camera in July! I did massive amounts of research online and off to understand how to go about starting a portrait photography business. Currently, I am a full time college student & mother. A blog was very important to me when I started thinking about building a portfolio site. I wanted my current and potential clients to really see that I was more than just a photographer. I also value spending as much time as possible getting to know and understand who I will be photographing. It’s easy for my clients to open up when I have already shared so much with them (via my blog). I am not the best with coding and really struggled with finding the time to dig deep into customizing my blog. I don’t think it accurately represents who I am as a photographer. Thank you for this opportunity to grow my business. I appreciate that you are lending your talents to someone (like myself) who doesn’t have a ton of time or money but really could benefit from custom design. Keep doing what you do! (http://www.aprildavenportblog.com/)
I have a wordpress blog and find it to be the main way clients find me while organic searches. It is essential to my business!
Now a facebook fan!
I subscribed to your RSS feed too!
Awesome giveaway!
I do have a blog. I think it helps me in my business. It helps me to show off some of my more recent photography work. It still needs some work, though. I’d like to add some sections where clients can fill out forms and pay for their photography sessions.
I’m following on twitter.
I am subscribed to the daily updates.
I’m a fan on Facebook.
Yes my blog definately helps and I would have to say the pictures obviously. I really need a blog design though:)
I do not have a blog…yet! I have been trying to learn web design because the templates on WordPress just don’t fit what I need. Okay, they probably do have what I need just not what I want! But obviously that is taking more time and energy then it should. I believe a blog is one of the first steps to getting my name out there and building a photography business. It can showcase my work, my style and my personality.
I am currently in the market looking to blog for my business. I do not have a website or a blog and would love to start one to help my business. I have just stated out in business and would love a chance to get my blog up and going. Love the templetes!!!!!
I am a fan on facebook and follow your blog every day!!!
I have a blog,(http://www.heatherdavisphoto.wordpress.com) which currently is acting as my main website for my start up photography business. Right now, I do not have the money to buy a custom designed blog, so I have to use the pre-designed templates. My blog displays my photography images, and I would love to have something that displays them conveniently and stylishly for my future clients so that my blog reflects the images they will receive.
Joined your group on facebook!
Added you on Flickr!
Followed you on Twitter!
Tweeted the link to your site!
Added a comment and link to my facebook about the contest and your site!
I find blog some sort of way to show my potential customer the back stage of whats going on with me and my photography. There is a lot I need to work on to improve my SEO and I am thinking about creating some type of series of post. But at the same time I seem to not be fully happy with the design- look and feel.
My blog: http://joannasfoto.com/blog/
Wow, this would be amazing. I use a boring WordPress template. Do they do the install too? because I am pretty tech stupid when it comes to that stuff. Off to check out their site!
I love these MCP actions!!! No seriously – I ADORE these! I cannot believe I never heard of you until I just saw Kelly Moore mention them in her ‘what’s in her bag’ section of her website! I have had my blog for exactly a year now – just wished it happy birthday on 4th March and of course blogged about it! It has been the best decision in so many ways. I never marketed myself before, but I relied solely upon people sharing their albums or my images being seen in frames at people’s homes. But now that I blog the sneak peeks, clients share their images with everyone – it is amazing. I had my busiest season yet and now no longer have a down season, though the winter weather doesn’t help with location work. I have been longing to update my blog – there are so many things I wish it did and oh how I long long long for the images to be bigger. Finally figured how to do it manually one at a time, but that is not an option. And oh how I long to upload more than 5 at a time – madness! I cannot believe how people always tell me now they are addicted to my blog – it is so flattering but now I need to flatter them back and get a great new blog!! Thank you so so much and congratulations on becoming a new advertiser! xx
My website doubles as a blog, with a “journal” style home page… so this article makes me think about if I need one? And I’m not quite sure how I would benefit from having one… but if I consider my site a blog – well then I think it’s a great way to show off sneak peeks for your clients, and to show a more laid back, fun side of your photography – throwing in some personal images… Also, it’s hard to go in and edit your entire website, so a blog is the absolute up-to-date images you’ve been doing. So as a client, that’s what I would want to see really, rather than the website gallery images.
I had this bright idea to start 2 blogs last year (one business and one more personal). However, I learned that I couldn’t do both. It just takes so long to design, set up, and then add content that it became overwhelming. Now one is doing well (been adding good content and fairly well designed), and the other one is struggling. Now that the one is doing well, I need help getting the other one going so that it can really help my business!!
I subscribe to the RSS feed.
I am a Facebook fan.
I follow you on twitter. @momandcamera
http://twitter.com/jkburleson/status/10298506970
I tweeted!
I have a blog but more traffic is always nice!!! My blog give my clients an early look at their session as well as being able to show potential clients what I am doing.
I would LOVE a makeover. Please.
Twitter follower!!!!
I am only an amateur photographer, but my blog helps me stay connected with the friends and family I moved away from. I tell them of my new adventures, and load photos there and have links to my Flickr site. I would LOVE a blog makeover!
I have just recently started a blog… like within the past month. I have had pretty good traffic to it, but I haven’t yet started having client interactions through my blog or because of my blog. Does that make sense? Anyways, I think I need to start having contests with giveaways or doing posts that prompt interaction from readers.
This couldn’t have happened at a better time. I’m in the process of having a new log designed and am ready to move my current blog http://www.jurbinphotography.blogspot.com to wordpress and am in need of customization! This is exciting!
I hope I’m understanding this right…I guess I’m supposed to leave a message for each thing that I do…I just left a tweet.
I’m a fan on facebook! Oh and blog is a wonderful way to communicate with potential clients, clients and others in the industry. I love that my portfolio is continuously updated with fresh new work for others to see…not like my poor neglected website.
I subscribe to mcp through google reader
I have a double edge sword.. Our photo page is called Clicks and Giggles, which to me says happy-fun-lighthearted!!! I’ve tried to create a blog using bright colors, etc. but it doesn’t look like a serious blog. Need help!
shared on facebook too!!
I definitely feel that my blog helps my business- clients love their previews and when they forward them to friends and family it generates great word of mouth.
•If you have a blog, does it helps your business? {I’d like to think so } And what aspects of your blog make it successful? {The sample images that I post from sessions } If it is not helping your business, what improvements need to happen so it does? {More artistically appealing }
I do have a blog… it needs work! And I need to learn how to bring in more traffic. I love blogging about my photography, but I don’t have my “look” the way I want it. I would love to win this!
I am a facebook fan!
I tweeted!
And I follow you on twitter!
I work in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else, so my blog is the best way to get new clients in the door. But it should also be a reflection of who you are and the work you love, so that as soon as clients click on it, they start to get a feel for the work you love to do.
I do have a website but it is very basic. I would LOVE some sweetness oozed into my skeleton of a site! I know my clients watch my site and enjoy my sneak peaks that I post for them. Other than that I don’t have a lot of info about ME!
And i just became a fan on facebook too..
I don’t have a blog yet, but I’m planning to start one as I start a business – basically it’ll be my entry point as I continue to build my portfolio, and I’ll share my journey.
I follow you on twitter
I’m also a fan on Facebook
I would love a facelift for my blog
http://sharonblankenship.typepad.com
i have a blog but am afraid it is not working super well for me…so i’d love a redesign!
and i am a fb fan of mcp actions
I have a blog already and get a fair amt of traffic, but always welcome more!
I’m trying to update and customize it now in fact, but am scared to do the change over!!
Did the tweet!!
http://twitter.com/slcook52
Shared on FB!
http://www.facebook.com/SylviaCookPhotography#!/sylvia.cook?ref=profile