I get asked often how I created my custom header for both my ActiveRain Blog and also my Outside Blog. The process of creating one is actually pretty simple to do. Instead of doing a tutorial with screen shots, I thought it might be easier to see how I created my header & uploaded it in a video format. So, I made a generic header for my blogs today & taped it as I made them.
The entire process from beginning to end only took me about 5 minutes. I actually spent more time locating the photograph I wanted to use & enhancing that. So, if you are unsure about how to design your own header, watch these two videos below and you will be on your way to creating a great looking new header for your blog in no time!
This first video walks you through the process of actually designing the header. It shows you how to re-size, crop, and also add text to your photograph. I used a free online photo editing software called picnik.com to create mine. If you have photo editing software that you are familiar with, you can use that & have the same results by following the steps.
Now that we have created an awesome looking header, it is now time to insert it onto both our ActiveRain profile & also our Outside Blog. This video will walk you through uploading the picture to both places.
As always, if you run into any problems, do not hesitate to contact me. Now go off & add Jazz Up Your ActiveRain & Outside Blog with a Custom Header!
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I am the Co-Founder of 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors. If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this blog, please contact me directly. Also, please visit my other online consulting blog for more social media tips, tricks and enhancements.
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Picnik is great. Some of the examples on frogs at Picnik look creepy! Thanks for the instructions as well.
Hey Jer - I might also add that having a different banner or header on each Blog is a cool idea and can be beneficial too... there's also a site called bannerfans.com that I'm sure you're aware of, that can also create some pretty nifty stuff if anyone is interested. Sorry, not trying to hi-jack ya here... it just happens!! lol~ Guess I better go make a banner change now since you're trying to make it look so easy! :-))
Jeremy, That is what I LOVE about AR....you can find so many people that are WILLING to share their knowledge! Thank you so much....I just started on my outside blog and trying to "figure" out about the header and there was your post! :-) Just noticed your "View my profile on facebook" now is this what is known as a "widget"? Can you tell I am so "untechnical"? LOL When will you be doing a tutorial on that one? Or have you already? Again, MANY THANKS!
Brad- YOU HIGHJACKER! LOL! Its all good. That is a good place to get a banner as well.
Hi Alicia, I already did a post on that one, you can see it here.
Eric- those frogs can be pretty wild. You should see some of the ones I have!
Jeremy, the video format of the tutorial is an excellent way to do the training. Another piece you could add to the header building is including how to do the background. Good stuff. More tutorials I think should be in video format.
Jeremy - Thank you for the great info. I love Picnik and did not realize I could make headers with it. Time to get creative!
Featured @ Club Chaos
Thanks, Jeremy. The illustrated tutorials are so helpful! Much appreciated!
Thanks Jeremy for this information and I am planning on making a change to mine.
Thank you Jeremy! I am going to have to view this at least one more time to figure it out.
Jeremy- I like the way your screen shot videos look on your post. Just added a new tool to my tool box: screenr, thanks!
Jeremy, I love the information. I still have the old Active Rain header, but I kind of like it.
Jeremy, I think it is nice that you are teaching about headers. I do wish you'd do something about backgrounds. As I pulled up your blog, I had to stare at "black" for several seconds. On some of the blogs it can take 45 seconds for the background to go away. Then when I commented on this blog I saw "black" again. The others are the same and some take 45 seconds. That may not seem like a long time but it is when you're trying to hurry and read and comment on as many blogs as possible. Looks like a header could be enough and leave off the hanging background. Please don't tell me to go to Firefox. I've been there and don't like the browser.
Great Post Jeremy,
Good information and easy to follow directions, featured in your new idea group "Be The Best In Your Field", keep them coming.
Jeremy, thanks so much for sharing the info - exteremely valuable in such a short amount of time. You presented it perfectly!
I need more hours in my AR day!
Another great tutorial.. these are so informative and I am sure that AR members will learn so much from them. thanks.
Great video tutorial, and thanks for the unintentional introduction to screenr! I've been wondering how people have been recording their screens, so it's good to see that.
I understand about keeping your header to 960, but how do you make your blog posting narrower so you don't have that "black area" that you mentioned? If you look at Brian Brumpton's featured blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/1231049/-project-impact-dominating-real-estate-the-walmart-way, his header extends over the width of his blog, and so does Loreena Yeo's http://activerain.com/blogsview/1228870/blogging-is-a-constant-marketing-plan.
Thanks again!
Jeremy, I had someone help me get the header sorted out when I first began. It's nice to know I could now do it myself, thanks to you. Thanks "oh, gerenous one".
Jeremy - thanks for posting this, I need to do some custom banners for my blogs, I hope this gets me going and doing it with no excuses now.
Bookmarked! I needed this one. Muchas Gracias Senor. :)
I am bookmarking it, as well! I need to take the time to learn how to do all of these jazzy things, and this is just the ticket. Thanks!
Don- By extending the width on your header, it will keep it from loading properly onto your outside blog. On your outside blog, it will cut off the ends of the graphic.
Thank you Jeremy,
Your tutorials look great! Do you know how can I add my Facebbok-Trulia-Zillow (and some other graphics) widgets on the right side of my Active Rain page just below my photo?
I appreciate your valuable advice very much.
Thank you so much for sharing these great videos. I wondered how people got the text on their headers - now I know. Thanks!
Your presentation was excellent and filled with valuable tips.
Jeremy, Thank you for the valuable info. Your tutorials were very helpful.
Thanks for the awesome information. The tutorials are just the ticket for learning new tricks. I can't wait to see all the new headers everyone is going to try out.
Diane Beck, VIBRANT Interiors, SDP, Staging Diva, IRD
Jeremy, Very cool tutorial. I've been meaning to do something about the header, or lack of header or my blog for some time. Today will be the day.
Great info. Thanks
Thanks! Great information - just what I was looking for!
Rebecca
Jeremy, another good one your shared, thanks a lot!
Good info. I did not know about customizing the outside blog.
Thank you Jeremy! I have left my half A$$ photo up on my header because I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Now I can!!!! You are VERY appreciated!!!
Hi Jeremy, Love your tutorials! I will bookmark this one also. One day, I want to put me a nice header on my site. Just don't have the time right now.. thanks again for sharing!
Thank you SO much Jeremy! I was wondering about that and just hadn't gotten around to asking about it yet. On AR it really is "ask and you shall receive"! It's like having an Active Rain Jeannie!!
So... now I'm wondering how to win the lotto???? Hmmm, I'll check tomorrow's posts ; )
Jeremy, once again you have provided us with some first-class instruction in how to do something that most of us (certainly, me) had no idea just how to do or even where to begin. Like anyone who is very good at what they do, you make it look soooo incredibly easy and fast. I'm a relative 'newbie' without a blog, but I will definitely save thes tips for when I start one up. Thanks, again.
Jeremy,
Picnik has saved me from retaking many photos. Great info......
How are you?
Thanks for the video, so now I can actually, maybe figure out how to do a custom header.
Hello Jeremy, great use of Picnik -- I love that free program. Thanks for making it easier for us to do it. I look forward to your next installment! John
Wow Jeremy! Thanks so much...I did it! It worked great and was very easy to follow!
I just followed your instructions and it worked perfectly. Thank you for taking the time to make the videos. They really helped.
Jeremy - you ROCK... I have been wanting to do this and now I know how. keep it coming man!
I love this video and active rain. Thank you Jeremy:) Andrea
Thanks Jeremy :-) I have a question for you: the domiain names that have been a blog topic lately are for the Active Rain Blogs or the Outside Blogs? I just read someting and then confused myself and wasn't sure. Hope all is well. -Melissa
Thanks for the tip..u rock !!!
Thank you, thank you, thatnk you!! I especially like the link to "Picnik". I'd not heard of them before.
Just wanted to let you know that these 2 videos were a HUGE help! The process itself is, in fact, very quick and easy...once you have the pictures! It took me forever to select those!
I have been wondering about how to do exactly this when I see so many other peoples sites so dressed up. Thank you!
Jeremy, thank you so much for this video tutorial! I had some free time and finally was able to customize my blog header thanks to your videos.
Thanks again!
Mike
I am the most impatient person in the world when it comes to web stuff. I like to race ahead and click around till I figure things out. Your videos have cured me of that. I open up two windows, one open to your videos, the other to the application and click back and forth. I sail right through the task. Where have you been all my life?
Hi Jeremy, As always you are great!! You make things look so easy to do. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for all the information, and thanks for taking the time to tape it.
Sweet, Jeremy! I needed that ~ I'm just getting rolling in AR, and I really enjoy the writing, but some of my supporting photos and banners are third class. I am bookmarking this page for reference! It's amazing how much a nice crisp photo and a attractive banner can make!
Jeremy, You Rock! I hadn't thought of using picnik to resize my images.
Jeremy, You more than rock, thanks for your contribution. Picnik is a great photo editing tool.