Becoming a Great Guest Blogger

Hey guys!

I'm excited to bring you this weeks guest blogger because it is a little different, even for me. My friend Sandy, who I present to you this week, is a social media expert and loves, eats, breathes, and sleeps everything social media, and for good reason. Today he shares with us some tips and tricks on becoming a great guest blogger. I thought this would be a good fit for today because a lot of people recently have asked me about being a guest blogger, what they would need to do, what I want them to do, etc... and there are some things that come with giving your article to be submitted on another site, and Sandy explains it here in this weeks guest post. For more you can visit his blog here
 

 

How to become a great Guest Blogger

Hi guys, I'm Sandile Nene, better known as Sandy. I am 20 years old, I love, blogging, tweeting and reading, and today I want to share with you some Guest Blogger tips that I found. 

Here

1) Search for blogs relevant to your audience. It doesn't have to be your exact niche, but you will want to only guest post on blogs that are similar to your own and that your audience relates to. This helps you establish yourself as an expert in the field and it also helps you make great connections.

2) Make sure the site is credible. Take time to do the research. See if they are getting a lot of comments either on the blog or on their social platforms. Check out their guest blogging requirements. If it looks easy to get a post with them, then you probably don’t even want to bother. If they have strict guidelines and measures for posting on their site, it will mean they are more credible.

3) Build relationships. Sending out mass emails might lead to a few guest posts, but building relationships will allow you to have places where you can post multiple times and where you are a trusted source. This can also lead to meeting new people through these trusted relationships.

4) Think outside the box. People are not going to want to publish or read something that has been done a million times. If your article is new and unique it is more likely to get posted by the big blogs. Read other blogs and do keyword research to get your ideas flowing.

5) Keep up with trends. Set up Google alerts for specific keywords and have your Google reader on hand every day. If you are on top of the trends you will be able to provide guest posts that are up to date and relevant to other readers.

By doing these things you are making sure that you stand out from others and keep your articles interesting and fresh. 

Sandy

Blog Lovin'

Hey guys,




Just a little update to let you know I am on bloglovin' now, so you can follow my blog through there as well. Got a little heads up from a fellow blogger that Google connect will be shutting down in July, so I needed to act quick. I'm not too sure how far these rumours are true, you know I heard some Facebook shutting down on the 7th of May rumours and a few Twitter rumours too, so maybe the social networking gurus are trying to play a trick or two on us, but those of you who also want to switch quick, and don't want to leave anything to chance, then check out bloglovin' too! You will definitely find me on there under Lu3Lus Crossing. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Lu3Lu

Xx

Favourite Things

You know those things, yes those things, that can turn any bad day good, put a pep in your step, keep you way occupied and make you that much happier... well yes, I have a few of these things I call my favourite things. Lately I have been indulging in quite a few, and I wanted to share with you some of my latest obsessions the things that I can't live without.

Flipboard

Can't say nothing else except for I am addicted. I spend most of my time on this app, when I am not tweeting or chatting. It has given me the excuse not to have an excuse to 'use my phone' when I see someone I do not really want to talk to, or when I find myself in awkward situations, because now I can just. I can literally stay on Flipboard days on end and only come up for air when I have been rudely interrupted.

I love that I can create my own magazine, with all the stuff that I find on the app and on the Internet. If you ever need inspiration, fresh ideas or just knowledge from people within the same 'industry' or people who have the same passions and interests as you, then this is the app for you.
I've created three magazines so far {below}, and while I am still getting the hang of being my own magazine curator, I am enjoying the hell out of this app, flip after flip.
If you are on Flipboard too, let me know, and please stop by my magazines and let me know what you think.

Vine

Another social media platform... I am beginning to wonder what social media platform I am NOT on. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Keek, the list just goes on, but you name it and I am on it. Is this even healthy?
I have to say though, some of my favourite social media apps are ones you can get creative with, like Pinterest, Instagram and now Vine, I just love it.

I was introduced to it by one of my friends, and at first I hadn't a clue what to do with this thing, {not like I am much different now}, but this is app is slowly becoming one of my latest addictions. See, I am not so much a visual, that means photography and film, kind of person but the whole art interests me. So whatever chance I can get to play with one of these photo/video tools, count me in.

Wedding planning

Here

Joy is what I feel in my heart when I look forward to the next couple of days, weeks, months. Being engaged has changed everything for me! I haven't been one to start planning her wedding day from the day she was born, but along the way I have come across friends and people {of course I mean him} that have got me excited at the prospect of planning a wedding... My one friend is obsessed and her obsession has become my obsession, if not for the fact that she sends me every bridesmaid fabric, wedding dress design and wedding location picture out there. She and the fact that this is all real now, makes planning my wedding one of my favourite things to do lately.

Vanilla tea

Here

Just as much as coffee addicts need their coffee to get them through the day, I need my cups of tea, and if it is vanilla I can do just about anything. I am a tea lover for sure man, even on the hottest day. I believe that you can find the answers to life at the bottom of a tea cup. Some say wine glass, I say tea cup.

Mirrors 

I should probably get in line with this one.

I was pretty disappointed with the music that was coming out at the beginning of 2013, till Justin showed up. I love this song, it's everything you need in a love song and more.

Magazines & Blogs

I am a reader, I love to read, books, magazines, blogs.... I read it all. So as I heal myself with a cup of vanilla tea I like to indulge in a few magazines and blogs. Lately my favourite magazine has been ELLE UK. I have always bought the South African edition because it makes more sense to me. I'm here, it's here, perfect pair. But I recently got the UK edition and was amazed by their editorials, it wasn't the first time though, but I realised why I need to do more of it. What an amazing read.
But all in all, I love me some GRAZIA, ELLE and GLAMOUR.

And lately my favourite blogs are, Fashion Toast, Song of Style, Wendy's Look Book, and The Glamourai. These blogs make having my flipboard app that much more fun. Lot's to flip and lot's to be inspired by. It's amazing when you can get lost in a world that someone else has created for you, and enjoy your stay.

So yes, these are a few of my favourite things. What are some of yours?

Lu3Lu
Xx

Obsessed With ChianoSky

Hi Guys, 

This weeks guest blogger is a social media friend of mine Zane 'Lelo' Meslani. Born in Johannesburg and now living in Durban, Zane is a student, blogger, fashion writer, publicist and entertainment analyst and I am thrilled to have him here today to share with us. Check his blog out here

Obsessed with ChianoSky

The best thing since flavoured bubble gum. 

Words that come to mind when hearing the name "ChianoSky"? Sexy, Bubbly, Soulful! 

The musical sensation that is ChianoSky has become a staple brand name in the South African music industry. When I first heard her single on radio "Sick Sick", I thought it was some new American one-hit-wonder artist. My assumptions were purely wrong!

Anybody that says age is a definition of success obviously hasn't heard this 19 year old's music. Blending music elements of Blues, Smokey Jazz (I seriously didn't make that up), good old fashioned Swing and Pop to create a powerful album titled 'Hungry'. This album has hit singles such as Home Sweet Home, Sick Sick and Walking Away which in my opinion were catchy enough to make her rise right up the pop charts and claim her place on the 5FM Top 40! 

ChianoSky draws her influence from classic artist such as Etta James, Marvin Gaye as well as modern songstresses Adele and the late Amy Winehouse.

Bagging a EMI recording deal, hundreds and thousands of fans, multiple SAMA nomination (Including Record Of The Year) in just under TWO years??! ChianoSky is living proof that having a dream and working hard towards it will push you beyond the limitations of everyone's expectations.

P.S : Her latest single 'Uncrumple My Heart' is such a GREAT, catchy record! My advice is, give her a listen. You won't regret it! 

Zane 'Lelo' Meslani 

100, 000, Thank You!

*slides on to this post, screaming, jumping, stuffing face with cake, and singing at top of voice* 

Why you ask? Well...... 

It's been almost two years now since I started blogging and I just hit the 100, 000 page view mark. I know I am a little bit of a turtle, some have hit this mark in 6 months, others in 14 months, Don't Judge Me.

Coming from where I am coming from, thinking this thing will be shut down in about 2 weeks and 17 hours, and not having a clue what comes after "write new post", I am just so thrilled, ecstatic, amazed and overjoyed at the same time, that it even came to this. 

A milestone is a milestone. 

I opened up this blog at first as a dare to myself that I can do it, and keep it open, and now 100, 000 page views later here I am. I still don't know what I am doing with these pages, and sometimes I still go on a sabbatical, because the blinking cursor with no words following literally sets me on fire, but I know for certain that this little piece of the Internet is mine for the keeping and I have big-ish plans for the both of us. We have been baby stepping our way this whole time, and the more I read other blogs and pay attention to the voice inside of me that keeps pushing, I know what I want for myself and this blog. 

Which by the way...

Look out for creative of the week features and guest post features more often from now on, and MORE about fashion, style, women, love and health, and whatever else comes to mind. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has stopped by my blog, commented and became a follower, you guys are awesome! You keep the dream alive. 

I should probably thank Google too! Where would I be without their search engine. 

To 100, 000 more! 

Lu3Lu
Xx

This Winters Healthy Comforts

Hello all, 

Today's guest blogger is Michalah Francis who hails from Cape Town. She blogs over at My Style Memories, so do check her out. 

It is almost, (and I say that lightly) winter over here, and Michalah knows just what a girl needs to get through some of these winter days. Check it out. 

This Winters Healthy Comforts

In summer there was a fruit overload, health smoothies, organic fruit juice and iced lemon water was all that I drank and there was no shortage of salads in my life. Healthy eating just seemed so easy in summer, but now with the fast approaching winter I seem to be stoking up on the carbs and I'm excited about spending my cold days with hot chocolate and marshmallows. 

I'm sure many can relate to this, it’s a wet, cold weekend and you decide to stay in and re-watch all your favourite movies. Slowly but surely, as that movie marathon continues, so does the snacks your “nibbling” on, they continue to pile up in front of you, and before you know it there’s wrappers and papers everywhere. You’ll feel guilty for about 5 minutes but then a few weeks later this scene will repeat itself, and you’ll be comforted by the idea that you can hide any KG’s gained under layers of winter clothing. And as welcoming and cozy as this idea might sound, most of us will regret this winter binge when summer comes knocking.

When food is involved regrets is what we want to avoid as food is not the enemy. Instead, food is the best friend who we all need. This winter I have decided to beat the binge and climb back on my healthy horse. How? By making my own winter comfort foods! 

Allow me to introduce you to a good friend of mine, the Banana and Berry Oats Bake.

I love this recipe for multiple reasons. The most obvious reason being that it’s healthy and the oats keeps you full for longer, preventing unnecessary snacking. This bake lasts for about a week as the recipe makes a large portion. The bake could be eaten for breakfast, saving time and energy because nobody really likes preparing breakfast on a cold winter morning. With this bake it’s simply reheat and enjoy. It could also be a dessert topped with some of your favourite treats; my personal favourite topping is plain yoghurt. 

What you’ll need:

-          1 large baking dish

-          2 banana’s

-          2 cups of berries. Because I like variety, I used 1 cup of gooseberries and 1 cup of 

           raspberries. This choice is really up to you.

-          1 cup of uncooked oats

-          ½ cup of raw, sliced nuts. I used almonds as they are a favourite and blend well with the 

           oats.

-          ¾ tablespoon of cinnamon

-          ½ tsp of baking powder

-          1 cup of coconut milk. Here you could use any milk of your choice, the coconut milk just 

           makes it more delicious.

-          1 egg

-          1 tsp vanilla extract

-          Pinch of salt

Method:

-Preheat your oven to 180° C

-Spray your baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.

-Slice the banana’s and then line the bottom of the dish. Top the banana’s with just over half of the berries which you have decide to use and then add ¼ of the cinnamon.

 -Cover this with foil and bake it in the oven for 15 minutes. 

-While the bananas and berries are baking, you now mix the other ingredients.

-So in a different bowl mix together the oats, nuts, rest of the cinnamon, baking powder and salt

- In a second bowl mix together the egg, milk and vanilla.

-When the 15 minutes are over, remove the dish from the oven.

-Now put your dry ingredients over the baked bananas, berries and cinnamon.

-Next you pour the wet mix on top of that.

-On top of this, place the rest of your berries.

 -Now bake at 180°C for 45 minutes

 Allow it to cool and enjoy!

Variations:

The best thing about this recipe is that it can so easily be changed.

-If you’d like the final outcome to be crisper keep the bake in the oven for up to 30 minutes longer.

-For a bake that’s perfect for breakfast 30 minutes in the oven will be perfect.

-You could serve the bake with yogurt, ice cream, or any topping of your choice.

-The bake should be stored in the fridge and just reheated as you please.

Happy Baking!

Michalah  

Guest Blogging & More

Hey ya'll

A little while back I mentioned that I would be interested in having people guest blog on Lu3Lus Crossing. I have fallen in love with a lot of blogs recently and I think that it is about time to get started with this series.

image 

So from now on, on Fridays I will have a guest post up, starting tomorrow. I just want to thank those who have been interested in taking part, the response so far to my quest for guest bloggers has been amazing, and  I also want to welcome anyone else who might want to join in too.

I think guest blogging is a great way to meet and get to know other bloggers and encourage and support each other. I for one am really excited to get started and looking forward to having them here.

I'm also starting a new series called 'Creative of the Week' in which I will be interviewing or 'getting to know' people in the creative industry here in South Africa. This series will be taking part on Wednesdays and hope to get it started this coming Wednesday the 1st of May. This is something else I am excited about because, being a lover of the creative industry and wanting to be a part of it myself I love getting inspired and learning from what others do.

So I hope you enjoy them both!

Lu3Lu
Xx

A new reason to enjoy Monday

I have found a new reason to enjoy my Monday's, and its all thanks to Meg over at the {Life of Meg}

She has put together this brilliant blog hop called 'Mingle Monday' that allows you to link up your blog every Monday and get the chance to meet absolutely, ridiculously, fantastically, amazingly cool people.

If you don't believe me cross over there yourself and take a look, but of course you believe me because this is the blog world and we are all so friendly over here. (",)

I've met some really incredibly funny people through Mingle Monday (even though I have only been at it for all of five minutes) with totally cool blogs (kind of makes me want to hide mine away at it's amateurness O_o) but I love it, it's fun and you should try it too.


Join the party.....
Happy Mingling

oh and {p.s.} If you do decide to join, cross over back here and let me know how it goes? yes? yes!

Lu3Lu
xx

Hi my name is Lu3Lu and i'm a blogger :)

Me: Hi my name is Lu3Lu, and I'm a blogger
Them: Hi Lu3Lu

note: Lu3Lu- sounds like (Lulu) spelled (Lu3Lu) ------ the 3 is silent :)

I've recently ditched my last attempt at blogging, it just seemed so 50% of me, that is, the half in half out Lu3Lu. I cannot explain well enough how much I love writing, and i did not really do that well on my last blog. To be honest it was sort of a "virgin in a sex shop" kind of experience (for lack of a better metaphor). I wanted to do so much and say so much all at the same time, I kind of just lost myself in between all that mess.
I have had a pep talk or two with myself since then, and myself told myself that if i am not willing to accept 50% in my assignments then I should not be willing to accept 50% anywhere else. So here i am now, trying to blogger up, re introduce myself and discover the world one blog at at time.

With that said, I can definitely find some truth in Robbie Seays words "when you think its over, you can start it over", so not only would I like to welcome you but also welcome myself to Lu3Lu's Crossing.

xx Lu3Lu