3 Blogs Every Blogger Should Read

Photo by H. Michael Karshis

If you’re going to blog, why not do it well?

You don’t have to try to get 10,000 RSS subscribers, or 300,000 daily page views. But every blogger should do their best to effectively communicate with the people who take time to read their blog.

Here are three of my favorite “blogging blogs”:

Problogger - It’s impossible to talk about blogging without mentioning Problogger. This site is packed with useful articles on starting and building a blog.

Darn Good Blogging - If you’re new to blogging, Problogger can seem a bit overwhelming. DGB is wonderful because the author (Tsh) keeps things simple. There’s only 1 new article per week, but they’re always excellent and worth the wait. She has also created incredible lists of the best blogging articles from around the web.

Copywriter - If you need to learn to write more effectively, this is the best place to start.

What are your favorite “blogging blogs?”

YouTube - Josh Wilson - Amazing Grace Loop

Check out this incredible rendition of Amazing Grace by Josh Wilson.

To hear more music by Josh Wilson click here.

Good stuff!

FREE Song From Christy Nockels

Christy Nockels has one of most captivating voices I’ve ever heard.

She and her husband Nate aren’t recording as Watermark anymore, but Christy has just released a free song from her upcoming solo project.

You can download the free song at her website.

(HT: Boomama)

52 Christian Artists You Should Follow On Twitter

Have you heard of Twitter?

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

It’s a lot like texting, except your message goes out to everyone who “follows” you. It ends up being similar to a really big chat room...sort of.

It took me awhile to figure it out, but once I did, I found it to be a GREAT way to keep up with friends and make new ones.

So, I compiled this list of all the Christian artists I could find on Twitter. Enjoy! (And please post in the comments if you know of someone I can add to the list.)

• Aaron Shust
• Addison Road
• Andrew Osenga (Caedmon’s Call)
• Andrew Peterson
• Bart Millard (Mercy Me)
• Bebo Norman
• Bethany Dillon
• Brandon Heath
• Charlie Lowell (Jars of Clay)
• Chris Sligh
• Cindy Morgan
• Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay)
• Daniel Renstrom
• Dave Barnes
• David Crowder Band
• DecembeRadio
• Derek Webb
• Dizmas
• Fee
• Francesca Battistelli
• Glenn Lavendar (Downhere)
• Greg Long (Avalon)
• Jack Mooring (Leeland)
• Janna Long (Avalon)
• Jason Barton (33 Miles)
• Jason Gray
• Jeremy Camp
• Jeremy Thiessen (Downhere)
• Joy Whitlock
• Krystal Meyers
• Leeland
• Lincoln Brewster
• Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)
• Mark Lee (Third Day)
• Matt (Odmark) Jars of Clay
• Matt Hammit (Sanctus Real)
• Mercy Me
• Michael Farren (Pocket Full of Rocks)
• Michael W. Smith
• MUTEMATH
• Natalie Grant
• Newsboys
• Offering Band
• Phil Wickham
• Rebecca St. James
• Shane and Shane
• Shaun Groves
• Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay)
• The Katinas
• The Rock and Worship Road Show
• Third Day
• Toby Mac
• Todd Smitth (Selah)
• Vicky Beeching

And don’t forget to follow the Bloggable Music Network on Twitter too!

If you want to continually monitor new artists that we add to this database, click here and bookmark this page.

U2’s New Single

We wouldn’t be a music blog if we didn’t tell you about U2’s album and their current single. So here goes:

The single is called Get On Your Boots and the album title is No Line On The Horizon.

Released on March 2nd (March 3rd in the US), the album will come in a standard format with 24 page booklet and in digipak format. The digipak includes an extended booklet and the album’s companion film “Linear” by Anton Corbijn. A limited edition 64 page magazine will also be available, featuring the band in conversation with artist Catherine Owens, and new Anton Corbijn photographs. No Line On The Horizon will be released on 180gm vinyl.

Click here for more info and to listen to Get On Your Boots.

How To Add Images To Your Posts

(Photo by Capt Kodak)

(This post is part of a new series of Blogging Tips and tricks. The better we blog, the more we can spread great music. Enjoy.)

Photos add a lot to your blog. You know the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words...” Here’s how to add photos to your posts:

1. Search for the image using Flickr.
2. Copy the Image link.
3. Post it in your entry.
4. Format the image and text.
5. Credit the photographer.

Search For An Image

The best place to find pictures for your blog posts is at Flickr.com. Be aware that most of the photos at Flickr are copyrighted, so you aren’t technically allowed to use them without written permission.

Since getting written permission would be a HUGE hassle, I prefer to do an advanced search on Flickr for the Creative Commons licensed photos. By doing this, only pictures that I can legally use (with attribution) are returned in my search.

Click here for Flickr advanced search. Simply select the box at the bottom that says “Only search within Creative Commons licensed content.”

Copy The Image Link

Once you’ve selected your image, you need to get the image link. To do this, just control click/ right click and you’ll see an option that says something like “copy image location.” Highlight and select that option.

Add Link To Post

There are two ways to add the link to your post.

1. Plain HTML
Use code here:
<img src="IMAGE LINK” />
Paste the link you just copied into the spot where it says IMAGE LINK.

2. Using the Image Button in your blog software system.

Format The Image

To change the image size, just add “width=xx” to the img src tag. Like this:
<img src="IMAGE LINK” width="XX" />

Replace XX with the width that you want the image to be.

Also, your blog software should have an option to align the photo to the left or right. When you insert the image link, be sure to select the appropriate alignment. That will allow your text to flow around the image.

Credit the Photographer

Don’t forget to credit the photographer. At the image page on Flickr, just right click on the photographer’s name and select “Copy link location” and then past that link and the persons name into your post.

Like this:
<a href="LINK"> Photographer’s Name Here </a>

Conclusion

That’s it! You know now how to legally and easily add photos to any blog post. So go on out and make the blogosphere are prettier place.

Music Monday: Joy Williams New EP!

Welcome to Music Monday.

Details
If you’re new, here’s how it works:

1. Write a post about music.
2. Link back here so your readers can read all the other participant’s music posts.
2. Add your link (to your post not your general blog URL) below.
3. Check back to read everyone else’s posts.

Joy Williams New EP
Joy Williams will be releasing a new EP on January 27th. And I couldn’t be more excited. My friend Annie recently reintroduced me to Joy’s music and I absolutely love it.

Joy’s voice is simply amazing. If you pre-order the EP you get a digital download of it along with a few raw bonus cuts. The bonus songs were clearly recorded on a laptop - mostly likely in one take. And her voice is flawless.

In addition to her vocal prowess, Joy is an excellent songwriter. Her songs have been recorded by the likes of Vicky Beeching, Mandisa, David Archuleta and This Beautiful Republic.

I think the thing I like the most about Joy’s music is that it’s different. It’s more high brow pop than the coffee house folk that is most common among Christian singer/songwriters. It’s refreshing.

So go pre-order and enjoy. And look for more from Joy here at The Bloggable Music Network. (And if you haven’t already, check out her video over there on the right. RSS readers click through to watch video.)

Your Turn

READ MORE...

Music Monday: The Song That Blew Me Away

(FYI - I’ll be on a blogging break until Jan 1. See you then!)

Welcome to Music Monday.

Details
If you’re new, here’s how it works:

1. Write a post about music.
2. Link back here so your readers can read all the other participant’s music posts.
2. Add your link (to your post not your general blog URL) below.
3. Check back to read everyone else’s posts.

Kat’s Music Monday Entry
Saturday morning I heard a song that blew me away. It’s called Take Everything and it’s by an artist we just mentioned last week - Joel Rakes.

The production is very simple and gorgeous. The lyrics are breathtaking because what he says is something I want to be true of me but it terrifies me at the same time.

And then what happens at 4:14 is pure genius. I was listening to the song as background music while I was working and I literally stopped what I was doing and just sat and listened.

I don’t really want to say too much about it, because I want it to impact you like it did me.

The song is only .99 at iTunes.

Go download it and prepare to be blown away. It’s really one of the best songs I’ve ever heard.

Oh, and when you listen, just put headphones on and sit in a quiet spot.

Add Your Music Monday Entry Here
To participate in Music Monday, just enter your post address below.

In The Comments
What’s the last song that blew you away?

Top 10 Artist Blogs of 2008

Christian Music Central has selected the Top 10 Artist Blogs of 2008.

It’s a really interesting article that also includes a list of artists who Twitter.

Guess who topped the blog list?

None other than Shaun Groves. Congrats Shaun!

Here’s what they said about Shaun’s blog:

Why Read: While well known for his deep and insightful songwriting, Shaun Groves is an equally insightful blogger. Here, he shares his thoughts about Scripture, culture and life. You’ll find interesting video clips and devotionals. Plus, don’t miss his entry about remembering the Christmas story. His thoughts on Scripture are simply stunning in their gentle instruction guised neatly under understated writings.

Shaun’s blog was the first non web development blog I read. I was incredibly excited to find a Christian blog, especially one written by a musician whose music I enjoyed.

The deep questions and challenging ideas that Shaun presented inspired a new season in my walk with God.

It’s really fun to see him get some well deserved recognition. Be sure to check out his acceptance speech.

Who’s your favorite artist blogger? Why?

Joel Rakes: A Boy and A Banjo and FREE Christmas Music (Because you can never have enough)

I check my email far too frequently.

I can access my account via my phone. I always have my phone with me.

Hence I’m always checking my email.

Slightly addicted, you might say.

But don’t...say it. Cuz’ I’m not. Really.

Well, sometimes I get a gem in my inbox. Like last Friday. I got an email from Joel Rakes. His email intrigued me. It was well written, thoughtful and slightly quirky - so I couldn’t wait to check out his music.

And I wasn’t disappointed. He’s a singer songwriter with a banjo.

You’ll just need to listen for yourself. Click here to check out Joel Rakes music.

Oh, yeah and he’s giving away FREE Christmas music - click here to download it.

(This post is part of WFMW.)