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RocketGeek.com Rebuild on Genesis 2.0 Framework

With the launch of Genesis 2.0, I have been getting my hands dirty with the Genesis Framework. I’ve always liked the framework, and I’ve owned it for quite some time; but I never really got in there and made full use of it.

After giving butlerblog.com a makeover with Genesis 2.0, I moved on to rocketgeek.com where all of the support goes on for WP-Members.

RocketGeek.com had launched in 2012 for supporting WP-Members and was built around Twitter Bootstrap. At the time, I liked what I could do with Bootstrap, and since part of the site’s function is to show how flexible the WP-Members framework is, that gave me the opportunity to do some pretty cool things with the plugin framework. To make these reproduceable for users of the plugin, these were all written up as example code on the site in the “How I Did It” category.

But there is always room for improvement. With Genesis 2.0, I decided to get in there are give that site a makeover. It is not fully complete, but the Phase 1 build is launched. Go over to rocketgeek.com and take a look. The site is running on Genesis 2.0 and WP-Members.

Here are some of the cool custom features that I did (and I’ll be adding these as new tutorials in the “How I Did It” category):

Unique login page makes use of the Genesis full width template so we don’t show two login forms (body and sidebar widget). Also, this page uniquely styles the login form and adds some text for non-members inviting them to learn more about joining.
Now running the WP-Members with the Genesis Stylesheet Pack Add-on. There will be additional stylesheet add-ons in the future, but I am still trying to get through plug-and-play stylesheets for the plugin to integrate with the various StudioPress child themes. And as Brian Gardner continues to roll out new versions of the various child themes for the 2.0 Framework, that will likely keep things pretty busy over here.
Site continues to run with the WP-Members PayPal Subscription Add-on, which will be getting a major update after we roll out and test it on the site.
More to come!

There is still a lot to do for Phase 2, but I am excited about the project. For those of you that liked the Bootstrap Tabs that I had done as an example on the old site, I’ll be doing another tabbed customization of the login/registration form combination as part of Phase 2. The Bootstrap version was pretty tricky to implement. I hope that this new one turns out to be an easier customization for general users to implement.

31 Days to Build a Better Blog Redux

By Chad Butler Leave a Comment

I have reviewed Darren Rowse’s 31Days to Build a Better Blog (31DBBB) ebook before, but it is such a great resource, I am doing it again. If you are looking for ways to better your blog, to increase your readership, this is a resource you need to have. This is a dense resource full of material that remains relevant to today’s blogging.

Bloggers with an existing blog and perhaps an existing audience will be the ones to most benefit from this resource; improving your existing blog. But that doesn’t mean you must fit that mold. If you are just starting up, this will help get you started on the right track. And for beginners and experienced bloggers alike, Darren also has Problogger’s Guide to Your First Week of Blogging – which I also own a copy of, and may review in the future. But getting back to the point…

A Well Defined Plan

This resource is full of good ideas to improve your writing, your traffic, and your readership. It is so dense, you might be tempted to skip around and try different things right away. I would encourage you to follow the outline of the book, which is outlined with material and exercises for each day – Day 1, Day 2, etc. for 31 days.

You will experience the best results if you follow the days as outlined with consistency. Don’t jump around, and don’t skip days. Commit to following the structure day by day. That will return the best results.

An Ongoing Resource

You will find yourself returning to it later as a resource. I personally have found that every once in awhile it makes sense to go through it again and it always gives me some new ideas.

Here is another usage suggestion: instead of just reading the PDF, print it out. I keep a printout with a binder clip that I have written copious notes in. I come back to this in time and will add new notes, update old ones, maybe make new highlights. It is an ongoing resource.

About Recommendations

In the spirit of full disclosure, I receive a referral fee when you purchase this book via my affiliate link. I am not writing this post simply to generate affiliate income. I truly believe this is a fantastic resource and that you will benefit from it (if indeed you are looking for success as a blogger).

There have been products that have been listed on this site before that I have removed because after testing and receiving feedback from readers, they did not turn out to do what was advertised (or didn’t do it well). That is not the case with this book. In fact, I purchased the original 31DBBB book even after seeing Darren’s posts from which it was developed. Then, when he released a new updated edition, I upgraded (albeit at a discounted price offered presale for previous edition owners).

So, I have no problem saying that I personally recommend this book. Whenever someone tells me they want to improve their blog or they are thinking of blogging, I recommend this resource.

Click here to visit ProBlogger and get the book

Get 31 Days to Build a Better Blog

3 Core Concepts for Unending Writing Inspiration

By Chad Butler 1 Comment

You’ve cleared your schedule. You have a fresh cup of coffee and a heart full of desire to churn out some great material. You sit down at the computer.

But the screen is blank.

You came to the table without inspiration. It is hard to produce quality work when you have nothing to write about. Fostering good habits will help you develop a steady stream of writing inspiration for producing consistent material over time. Any discussion you read about developing on-going inspiration and material will likely contain these three core concepts. [Read more…]