#but the page is responsive for mobile users

[mycorrhizastar]

September's Newsletter is here! Time for soup.

[glambots]

I have an idea that might work! The twisted Wonderland fandom has had the same problem with master link posts so a similar method might work, but I'll admit it's a bit of work. Would it be possible to make one master link for each character that links to a master list deadictaed to that character?

You mean like, "X Character Masterlist" and then it links to like, a separate page or doc with the full masterlist of that character's works? I've considered that sort of idea too, but I don't know how that would work for mobile users.

[highnesssss142]

UX/UI

Exploring the Intersection of UX/UI Design and Mobile App DevelopmentIn today's digital landscape, mobile app development is at the forefront of innovation, with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design playing a critical role in shaping successful applications. This article explores how UX/UI design and mobile app development intersect to create seamless, functional, and visually appealing apps that meet user needs and business goals.---The Importance of UX/UI Design in Mobile App DevelopmentUX/UI design serves as the foundation of mobile app development, ensuring that users interact with apps effortlessly while enjoying a visually engaging interface.User Experience (UX): Focuses on the overall feel of the app, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and efficiency. It ensures users can achieve their goals without frustration.User Interface (UI): Deals with the aesthetic aspects, including typography, color schemes, and layout, creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface.When combined, UX and UI design drive user satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, making them indispensable to the development process.---Key Elements at the Intersection1. User-Centered Design:Both UX/UI design and app development prioritize understanding user needs and preferences through research, personas, and journey mapping.2. Prototyping and Testing:UX/UI designers create wireframes and prototypes to visualize app functionality, while developers refine and test these designs to ensure technical feasibility.3. Iterative Development:Continuous feedback loops between designers and developers enable ongoing improvements, aligning design concepts with real-world user behavior.4. Performance Optimization:Developers ensure the app performs efficiently, while UX/UI designers minimize cognitive load through intuitive navigation and layout design.5. Cross-Platform Consistency:UX/UI designers maintain consistency across iOS and Android platforms, while developers ensure compatibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.---Emerging Trends in UX/UI and Mobile App Development1. Dark Mode Design:Enhances visual appeal and reduces eye strain, requiring developers to adjust codebases to accommodate different themes seamlessly.2. Voice and Gesture-Based Interfaces:UX/UI designers integrate voice commands and gestures, while developers work on advanced algorithms for accurate recognition.3. Personalization:Data-driven designs allow apps to adapt to individual preferences, with developers building robust back-end systems to support personalization.4. Micro-Interactions:Subtle animations and feedback loops designed by UX/UI experts are implemented by developers to boost user engagement.5. Accessibility:Designing for inclusivity involves creating apps accessible to people with disabilities, combining thoughtful design with technical adaptability.---Collaboration Between UX/UI Designers and DevelopersEffective collaboration between UX/UI designers and developers is essential to create apps that are both functional and delightful.Clear Communication: Regular meetings and design reviews foster understanding of design and technical constraints.Shared Tools: Platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch bridge the gap, enabling designers to hand off assets directly to developers.Agile Methodology: Iterative workflows keep both teams aligned on project goals and timelines.---ConclusionThe intersection of UX/UI design and mobile app development is where innovation meets functionality. By prioritizing user needs, maintaining effective collaboration, and staying ahead of trends, designers and developers create mobile applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, this synergy is the key to delivering apps that resonate with users and drive business success.Would you like assistance with visuals or infographics to accompany this article?

[adelllseo]

UX/UI

Exploring the Intersection of UX/UI Design and Mobile App DevelopmentIn today's digital landscape, mobile app development is at the forefront of innovation, with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design playing a critical role in shaping successful applications. This article explores how UX/UI design and mobile app development intersect to create seamless, functional, and visually appealing apps that meet user needs and business goals.---The Importance of UX/UI Design in Mobile App DevelopmentUX/UI design serves as the foundation of mobile app development, ensuring that users interact with apps effortlessly while enjoying a visually engaging interface.User Experience (UX): Focuses on the overall feel of the app, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and efficiency. It ensures users can achieve their goals without frustration.User Interface (UI): Deals with the aesthetic aspects, including typography, color schemes, and layout, creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface.When combined, UX and UI design drive user satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, making them indispensable to the development process.---Key Elements at the Intersection1. User-Centered Design:Both UX/UI design and app development prioritize understanding user needs and preferences through research, personas, and journey mapping.2. Prototyping and Testing:UX/UI designers create wireframes and prototypes to visualize app functionality, while developers refine and test these designs to ensure technical feasibility.3. Iterative Development:Continuous feedback loops between designers and developers enable ongoing improvements, aligning design concepts with real-world user behavior.4. Performance Optimization:Developers ensure the app performs efficiently, while UX/UI designers minimize cognitive load through intuitive navigation and layout design.5. Cross-Platform Consistency:UX/UI designers maintain consistency across iOS and Android platforms, while developers ensure compatibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.---Emerging Trends in UX/UI and Mobile App Development1. Dark Mode Design:Enhances visual appeal and reduces eye strain, requiring developers to adjust codebases to accommodate different themes seamlessly.2. Voice and Gesture-Based Interfaces:UX/UI designers integrate voice commands and gestures, while developers work on advanced algorithms for accurate recognition.3. Personalization:Data-driven designs allow apps to adapt to individual preferences, with developers building robust back-end systems to support personalization.4. Micro-Interactions:Subtle animations and feedback loops designed by UX/UI experts are implemented by developers to boost user engagement.5. Accessibility:Designing for inclusivity involves creating apps accessible to people with disabilities, combining thoughtful design with technical adaptability.---Collaboration Between UX/UI Designers and DevelopersEffective collaboration between UX/UI designers and developers is essential to create apps that are both functional and delightful.Clear Communication: Regular meetings and design reviews foster understanding of design and technical constraints.Shared Tools: Platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch bridge the gap, enabling designers to hand off assets directly to developers.Agile Methodology: Iterative workflows keep both teams aligned on project goals and timelines.---ConclusionThe intersection of UX/UI design and mobile app development is where innovation meets functionality. By prioritizing user needs, maintaining effective collaboration, and staying ahead of trends, designers and developers create mobile applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, this synergy is the key to delivering apps that resonate with users and drive business success.Would you like assistance with visuals or infographics to accompany this article?

[withuitservice]

Why Dubai Businesses Need To Partner With a Professional Website Development Company

In the digitally-first world of today, a good website is something that a business can't afford not to have any more. The city of Dubai is known as one of the global innovation hubs and is the home of thousands of businesses competing to receive attention in such a busy market. So, to stand out from the crowd and maintain an effective online presence, there is a need to collaborate with a professional Website Development Company in Dubai. Here are several reasons why the businesses of Dubai should do this.

1. Expertise and Innovation at one's Fingertips

The skilled teams of designers, developers, and digital strategists man the professional website development companies in Dubai. Keeping themselves updated with the latest technologies and best practices prevalent within the industry are all their pursuits. The accessibility of such expertise means having a website which is visually attractive yet functionally adequate, user-friendly as well as technologically state-of-the-art. While digitalizing your presence, one would find all that brought into play by deploying AI-driven chatbots and responsive designs.

2. Custom Websites for Local and International Readers

Dubai companies service diverse audiences, both locally and in other parts of the globe. A professional website development service will therefore understand the characteristics of the Dubai market-place, including cultural sensitiveness, consumer preferences, among others. They can always come up with customized websites responding to your target audience effectively, ensuring a seamless flow of user experience that causes engagement and conversion.

3. UX or better User Experience

User experience determines the success of a website. A website which is not designed well will lead to frustration from visitors, who then leave, causing a higher bounce rate and missed opportunities for sales. Professional developers emphasize intuitive navigation, fast loading pages, and mobile-friendliness of the designs. These together make for a great user journey which keeps visitors engaging and likely to take the desired action such as purchasing or contacting your business.

4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

However beautiful your website might look, it is worthless if nobody can find it. Web Development Company in Dubai  always factor in SEO best practice when developing, such as optimization of page speeds and meta tags, ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly and also clean coding. They are constantly improving your search engine ranking. More visibility brings more organic traffic or leads and sales.

5. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

A well-developed website minimizes the risk of technical issues, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures scalability as your business grows. Additionally, a professional website helps generate higher returns by attracting and retaining customers more effectively.

6. Focus on Core Business Activities

When outsourcing Web Development Company in UAE needs, you have more time to focus on core business activities. Professional companies handle everything from the initial design and development stages of a website through maintenance and updates, thus providing one with more time and resources to devote to important matters like customer service, marketing, and business expansion.

7. Support and Maintenance

Websites need to update and maintain themselves regularly. Otherwise, they get outdated and insecure. A professional website development company keeps providing support to solve problems, implement updates, and keep your website running perfectly. This proactive approach may avoid downtime and keep running your website smoothly, with a seamless experience for the users.

8. Competitive Advantage

Competition in the market is at its peak here in Dubai, and therefore, designing a professional website for yourself will keep you miles ahead of the competition. Well-performance of the website lends an impression of your business and brand with respectability and professionalism to your customer who tends to associate them. With this, your position further gets stabilized by strengthening their trust on your self.

Conclusion

In terms of succeeding in the currently trending digital world, a company of Dubai would need to enter partnership with a professional website development agency. Starting from providing solutions tailor-suited according to the client's business needs to improving the customer's experience and providing post-launch support so that you lead the market, these professional website development agencies are quite the backbone of your thriving business. This investment in professional website development will help you have a good standing online but also in generating long-term growth and profits.

[growmorebusinessptyltd]

Transform Your Business with a Cutting-Edge Website Design!

Transform Your Business with a Cutting-Edge Website Design! At Growmore Business Pty Ltd, we craft innovative, user-friendly, and mobile-responsive websites that will elevate your brand. Whether you're looking to revamp your current site or build one from the ground up, our team of experts specializes in creating SEO-optimized, visually stunning websites tailored to your business needs. Boost your online presence, engage your audience, and turn visitors into loyal customers. We offer: Custom Website Design E-commerce Solutions SEO & Mobile Optimization Fast Loading Speed Secure & Reliable Hosting Ongoing Maintenance & Support Ready to Grow More? Contact us today and let’s build something amazing together! For more details connect with us on Mobile : ‎+61 480 027 348 E-Mail : info@growmorebiz.com.au www.growmorebiz.com.au

[craft-motors-zambia]

The ROI of Great Web Design: How a Smart Website Boosts Your Business

There's a secret weapon for boosting your online success... and it's not what you think! Discover the power of exceptional web design in our new eBook.

In today’s digital age, your website is your storefront to the world. But is it a thriving marketplace or a dusty forgotten corner? This ebook, written by Mwenya Chongo, CEO of Mukwood Digital Web Design Studio (registered in Zambia), dives deep into the power of well-crafted web design and how it directly impacts your business’s bottom line. Uncover the hidden potential of your website and…

[levyconindia001]

How to Redesign Your Website Without Losing SEO Rankings

This comprehensive guide on "How to Redesign Your Website Without Losing SEO Rankings" offers valuable insights and strategies for businesses looking to revamp their online presence while maintaining their search engine optimization (SEO) rankings. With the ever-evolving digital landscape, it is crucial for businesses to adapt their websites to meet the changing needs of their target audience.

[highnesssss142]

Graphic Design for Websites: Enhancing User Experience Through Visual StorytellingIn today’s digital age, websites serve as the primary touchpoint for many brands and businesses. To stand out in a crowded online space, effective graphic design is crucial. Beyond just looking good, it plays a vital role in enhancing user experience (UX) and telling a brand’s story. Here's how graphic design can elevate a website's impact:---1. Creating a Strong First ImpressionVisual Appeal: The first few seconds on a website determine whether users stay or leave. A well-designed homepage grabs attention and encourages exploration.Brand Identity: Consistent use of colors, typography, and visuals strengthens brand recognition and trust.---2. Guiding User NavigationVisual Hierarchy: Through the strategic placement of elements, graphic design helps guide users to key sections of a website, ensuring a seamless journey.Intuitive Interfaces: Clear icons, buttons, and menus simplify navigation and enhance usability.---3. Conveying Brand StoryIllustrations and Imagery: Customized graphics and images can narrate a brand’s story, evoke emotions, and create a deeper connection with the audience.Animations and Interactions: Subtle animations can add personality and make the storytelling more dynamic.---4. Enhancing Content ReadabilityTypography: The right font choices and spacing improve readability and complement the overall design.Infographics: Visual data representation helps in conveying complex information quickly and effectively.---5. Boosting ConversionsCall-to-Action (CTA): Eye-catching CTAs designed with persuasive graphics lead to higher engagement and conversions.Trust Signals: Design elements like testimonials, trust badges, and certifications provide assurance to visitors.---6. Optimizing for Mobile ExperiencesResponsive Design: Graphic design ensures that visuals adapt seamlessly across devices, providing a consistent and enjoyable user experience.---Key Trends in Graphic Design for Websites1. Minimalist Design: Clean and simple layouts with ample white space for better focus.2. Dark Mode: Aesthetic and energy-saving, dark mode has become a popular choice.3. Micro-Animations: Small, interactive animations that improve UX subtly.4. 3D Elements: Adding depth and realism to web design for a modern look.5. Custom Illustrations: Unique illustrations that reflect a brand’s personality.---Conclusion: Graphic design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an engaging, user-centric experience. By incorporating visual storytelling into web design, businesses can communicate their message effectively, build trust, and achieve their goals. Investing in high-quality graphic design is essential for any brand aiming to leave a lasting impression.Would you like tailored suggestions or examples for your websites?

[adelllseo]

How Can Branding Influence Your Logo Design Choices?1. Defines Your Identity: Your brand’s values, mission, and vision shape the style, color, and typography of your logo, ensuring it aligns with your overall message.2. Connects with Your Audience: Branding helps you understand your target audience, guiding logo elements to resonate with their preferences and emotions.3. Sets the Tone: A strong brand identity determines whether your logo should feel modern, traditional, playful, or professional.4. Ensures Consistency: Branding creates a cohesive visual language, ensuring your logo fits seamlessly with your website, packaging, and marketing materials.5. Differentiates You from Competitors: Your brand’s unique story influences logo elements that set you apart in the market.6. Encourages Trust: A well-branded logo fosters credibility and builds lasting recognition.Branding is the foundation of a logo that communicates your essence and appeals to your audience.

[businesssinfo]

Advertising on the Internet has become a cornerstone of marketing plans for businesses of all sizes. Google Ads is an effective tool for driving traffic and generating leads among the various advertising platforms. Consult with the top Web Design Company in Chennai or a Digital Marketing Agency in Coimbatore or in any location near you and get a clear explanation to meet your business needs. We Trioticz is the best choice for all your digital works we are the finest SEM company in Coimbatore and also known as the best Digital Marketing Agency in Chennai. We are here to boost your business globally.

[losergames]

Chop Shop is strictly 18+ for language, themes, and potential explicit content. 

🔗 - Game Intro | Bug Report | Ko-Fi

Episode Three is now available! (+ 86,000) - PLAY HERE

Get your first taste of the underground car scene.

Meet some other players in the game.

Be made an offer.

5 achievements up for grabs!

And more!

AN: thank you so much for the patience - i've been dying to put this update out. lots of new characters and lots of variation!! there are 3 major paths to choose between in this ep, i recommend trying them all out! and thank you to my betas for keeping me sane lmao

This update comes with a patch and UI refresh (Version 1.1.2) Notes are under the cut. If preferred, you can access them in game in the start menu.

STORY

EPISODE 01:

MC should now be able to smoke! Buying cigarettes at the shop was not triggering correctly. If playing with an old save, you DO NOT have to restart as code at the beginning of EP 03 has resolved the error. Player will need to restart if they wish to read smoking related scenes in previous episodes.

Updated MC Name selection. Player can now choose from a list of names instead of having to input one to proceed.

Player can now give Taha their chocolate bar if it's in their inventory.

When asking Maz about their scars, the second choice 'You want to ask about it but you're going to keep your mouth shut.' should now take you to the correct response.

Extended and updated 'End Game' scenes.

EPISODE 02:

If MC is faint after exiting the car, but also drunk, they should now get the fainting scene, followed by Dilani helping the MC in the bathroom.

UI + TECHNICAL

SETTINGS:

Autoname Save is now defaulted to ON. This is to add ease and flow to gameplay, especially for mobile, tablet, and app users, instead of calling for an inputted saved name. If player wants to input save names, toggle Autoname Saves to OFF.

Autoname Save previously only used the forename of the MC but now includes the surname as well.

Removed the Fullscreen toggle as it is only intended for desktop use. Player can still toggle fullscreen function via the UI bar on the desktop interface.

Added a choice indicator toggle. (This probably won't come into effect until EP 04 or 05)

Changed serif font from Vollkron to EB Garamond.

OTHER:

Changing the MC's pronouns via the Dashboard has been updated. Additionally, after confirmation will take player back to the Dashboard and not close the dialog boxes entirely.

Hovering over 'Personality', 'Motives', and 'Skills' titles in the Dashboard will now display an information box with a definition. Mobile and tablet users will need to tap on the title.

'Resume Game' now only appears on the main menu when there is an autosave in the saves log.

Choices styling changes.

General UI and button style changes.

Fixed errors with the text message styling.

Added styling for reading text off of a page in game.

Darkened blue in light theme 'Skyline' to reduce eye strain.

CREATE A SAVE

Introducing Create a Save! This feature allows players to quickly manufacture a save file and start at a later point in the game.

Set your identity, appearance, history, and statistics; including personality, motives, and skills. Continue to set key decisions made in previous episodes.

Randomise options available for creating a PC and key decisions.

OTHER

Fixed gaps and spacing issues.

Minor phrasing and sentence structure changes.

Grammar and typo fixes.

whew -- that's a lot of patch notes! apologies for so much that needed to be fixed.

this update shouldn't break/ mess with saves but as a disclaimer i will say, if you spot anything funky, broken, or you don't think things are triggering correctly, try starting a new save. the new create a save feature is incredibly code heavy, and it's been tested relentlessly, but i wouldn't be surprised if something crops up.

if starting a new save doesn't resolve your issue - please submit to bug report or just send me an ask/message.

some things have been meaning to get fixed for Some Time - thank you to everyone that is using the bug report form!

apologies if there are typos and/or bugs - this was a long one to edit and my lovely betas did an OUTSTANDING job reading so much for ep 3 - thank you so much again!!! this time i am going to give it a bit more time before i put together a patch so i can grab more error responses haha.

create a save has also added a wee chunk to the word count, somewhere around 6k, but i'm not including it in the episode 03 word count as it's purely code. so, if you think the total wc is off, that's why!

if you've read this far, happy reading and thank you so much for the continued support!! :) - becky <3

[zepskies]

hi! so I had a question, how long did it take you to build a following on tumblr? how long have you been writing for spn as a whole (I assume you started with it but I’m not sure I meant when did you start writing on the app mostly) and do you think it usually takes as long as it did for you for other people? (I hope the wuestion made sense)

Hi there, lovely anon!

Oh, these are great questions, and I'm happy to answer. I'm going to be referencing this post, as someone asked me a similar question.

I also talk a lot about my beginning fanfic/coming to Tumblr experience and building a following in this interview I did with the @idlingintheimpalapodcast.

That being said, here's how I got started in SPN fandom and on Tumblr, and 6 Tumblr Tips related to how I've tried to grow my blog:

Learn How Tumblr Functions

Create a Tag List

Posting Schedules, Announcements, and Sneak Previews

People are Visual (Use Images & Design Elements) + shoutouts to blogs I looked to for inspo

Support Your Fellow Writers! Reblog/Comment on What You Read & Enjoy

When I Do Get Engagement, I Reply to Comments and Reblogs

Deeper dive below the cut:

Writing for SPN & Starting on Tumblr

To be honest, I'm a bit late to the party when it comes to Tumblr. I've written for many different fandoms over the 15 years or so I've been writing fanfic, but I've been writing for Supernatural in particular since around 2015. I wrote on platforms like Fanfiction.net, and later I moved over to Ao3.

I dabbled with Tumblr starting in 2021 while I was working on a Billy Butcher x OC story for the Boys (And So It Goes). But after watching the last season of SPN, I got the SPN bug again, so I started dipping back into the fandom.

But I wasn't really that active on Tumblr until January 2023, when I wrote my first soulmate AU series for Dean Winchester, called Never Say Goodbye (Dean x soulmate!Reader).

That started a very fun journey for me in the Tumblr world, engaging with people and making friends here with awesome people! 💕

Now, here are a few tips on what I've learned in building my following. You don't have to do exactly what I did. This is just my advice based on my personal experience here:

Tip #1: Learn How Tumblr Functions

Everything has been a process of trial and error. I have a professional background in content and social media marketing, so that knowledge has helped me a lot with some elements I'll get into later.

But it took me time to learn the Tumblr landscape. I had to figure out:

Why it's important to reblog -- not just your own work in replying to people's comments, but what you read and enjoy. It's what makes Tumblr go 'round.

The different mobile vs. desktop views and functions.

How to format my posts and use hashtags that would best optimize my fics and posts, based on the most followed tags in the fandom I was writing for.

How to create design elements, like banners, dividers, and headers that matched my aesthetic and the fandom.

Make sure my blog is easy to read, visually, and easy to navigate, technically (links to my masterlists, series masterlists, tag list, my fic library side blog, Patreon, etc.).

I'm still adjusting all these things now and then as I figure out new ways to keep readers engaged, and make my blog as easy to navigate as possible.

Tip #2: Create a Tag List

A tag list is a list of blog users that request to be tagged in your upcoming fics. (See this post on tips for formatting tag lists and optimizing hashtags on posts.)

Some authors don't do tag lists anymore because they find it a hassle (and it can be), but even if you're just starting out, advertise your tag list -- I suggest at the end of a fic and in your bio, your masterlist, and/or navigation page. It will get more eyes on your posts, and hopefully more engagement.

I used Google Forms to build up my tag lists because it's easy to use and it creates a Google spreadsheet for you based on the responses you get (an idea I got from another writer who was doing the same thing). You can also create more sheets within the file to organize the responses by character, for example.

On my tag list, I gave readers options to choose which character they wanted to be tagged on based on the fandoms I write for. I also created tag lists for new series to go with the series masterlist. Like I said above, I created spreadsheets for each of these lists within my tag list form master sheet.

Now, you don't have to do it exactly this way. There are many ways to keep track of a tag list.

Some people may think my approach is too much work, but this was very successful for me in building up my tag lists and increasing my following. Staying organized is key! 🤓✌🏽

I have since created a side blog @zepskieswrites for people to follow with notifications on, since my character tag lists are full.

Tip #3: Posting Schedules, Announcements & Sneak Previews

When my blog started to gain traction from my first SPN series, I knew I wanted to post consistently to keep people's interests. For me, this meant once a week (sometimes more if the mood strikes me), to keep that momentum going. YouTube vloggers do the same thing for this reason. They have a set posting schedule and give announcements.

You don't have to post once a week. You don't even have to have a set schedule. That's just what I did last year to increase engagement, but also because I love to write, I was getting inspired, and I made the time for it!

Remember that writing and sharing your work and being a part of the fandom on Tumblr is supposed to be fun! At the same time, what you get out of something depends on how much time you have to put into it.

Basically what I’m saying is, I’ve put a lot of time and energy into my writing and my blog, but only because it’s been very fun to do it! 😉

Now, going back to being consistent. It can help you! When people know they have content waiting for them by a certain timeframe, and they see that you stick to that deadline, they're more likely to tune in and engage with your work.

Of course, real life comes first, always, and things can derail you, but on the whole I make sure that I keep my word when I say I'm going to post something. Tumblr has a scheduling feature that allows you to schedule posts ahead of time, which I use on a daily basis. That can help you as well.

To try and generate buzz around new stories, I give writing updates or announcements, often with sneak previews, and the dates when I plan to drop the upcoming story. When I'm writing a series, on each chapter I give a preview of the next one, so I can try to keep people invested and waiting for the next chapter.

Tip #4: People are Visual (Use Images & Design Elements)

A huge element of successful content and social media is visuals. The first thing people are often drawn to when they look at a web page, an ad, or any kind of digital content is the picture -- and any other visual elements. Then they look at the title/headline, followed by the rest of the story.

This is why I always lead with the title of the story/headline and a GIF or image at the top of the post for a story. Draw readers in with their eyes to the visual, and then the content. I now create my own design elements, including story headers.

When I got started here on Tumblr, I also took a closer look at how other popular blogs I admired were organizing their masterlists, formatting their stories with banners, dividers, tags/warnings, word count, creating tag lists, and more -- both to create their blog aesthetic and to make it easier for readers to enjoy their work on different levels -- the content itself, and the visual elements.

Shoutouts to some of those writers I looked to, who have a lovely blog aesthetic and organization: @luci-in-trenchcoats @deanwinchesterswitch @deanbrainrotwritings @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Form and function is a balance, and they should work together. For example, there are some design/post formatting elements that are getting popular now on Tumblr that I personally don't vibe with, because I think it takes away from the reader's experience.

Like making the entire post or story in small case. Readers that have trouble seeing small fonts won't want to read this.

or making everything in the story lower case. this just bothers me for grammatical reasons. guarantee i will be turned off from reading. 😂

Also, most people browse Tumblr on their phone rather than on desktop. (About 62% according to current Semrush statistics.) So certain things that are small in your desktop version will be even smaller on mobile.

If you have a custom blog design, some design elements may not transfer well visually on mobile vs. desktop, and vice versa. So you'll want to check both versions to see how it looks, and possibly make adjustments.

Now, this isn't to say you have to become a graphic designer if that's not your thing. There are plenty of people who share their lovely designs for free, as long as you make sure to credit them if you use one of their banners, dividers, etc. Check out @cafekitsune and @firefly-graphics, for example.

Some of them even take requests. Just make sure to check their bio to see if they state whether they're currently taking requests or not. (This also goes for writers on fic requests.)

Tip #5: Support Your Fellow Writers! Reblog/Comment on What You Read & Enjoy

This is part of the fun when you start truly engaging with the fandoms you love.

Likes are cool. Comments are wonderful. Reblogs with comments are awesome, because not only do they get that engagement/feedback that they can reply to, but the reblog helps your fellow writers get seen. And while they aren't obligated to, they might be more inclined to do the same for you.

You'll also start to develop relationships within your fandom community. This is how I've made many friends and gained new readers on Tumblr -- by reblogging, sharing, commenting on what I liked about the fics I read. 💜

I try my best to support my fellow writers, no matter how new or how popular they are. Just because a writer has a bigger following, doesn't mean they appreciate feedback any less.

Feedback gives us writers energy and fuels us to write more. It can lead to more inspiration, and to continue the series you might be so invested in.

So if I took the time to read something, if I enjoyed it, I'm usually reblogging it and sharing my thoughts, even if it's just a gif or a couple of lines, or a long raving review. 💖

Tip #6: When I Do Get Engagement, I Reply to Comments and Reblogs

Along with supporting my fellow writers, engaging with the lovely people who read my work is just good fun! It's the best part of sharing my work on here and on Ao3. And it lets them know that you value and appreciate them for taking the time to comment and/or comment in a reblog. 💓💓💓

I hope these tips are helpful! Now, to answer your last question...

Do you think it usually takes as long as it did for you

[to build a following] for other people?

Interesting, but the truth is, I'm not sure. My knowledge of content and social media marketing has probably given me a leg up, I think, even though it took me a while to learn the Tumblrscape. I've also been writing fanfic for a long time. Long before I ever heard about Tumblr.

I've spent years studying literature, creative writing, and screenwriting, and putting it into practice. I've spent years writing for other voices besides my own, outside of the fanfic world. Like anyone else, I can only go by what I've learned, my own instincts, my frame of reference, and what I want to write about next.

Like anyone else, I can only hope that what I put out there vibes with people and touches them in some way, enough that they feel comfortable letting me know what they thought about it. 💜

In the meantime, I'll just keep getting inspiration from this guy (and other characters):

[feminist-space]

There is nothing wrong with a person who wears adult diapers. Those are an aid, a tool, to help that person be more mobile and preserve their dignity.

If someone has tremors in their hands and needs help picking up everyday objects, that doesn't take away from who they are as a person. There's no dishonor in muscular tremors.

If someone can't see or hear, or can only see or hear with aid of a tool, a piece of technology, that's fine! Here's a really simple one: so many of us wear glasses because our eyes can't do the thing on their own.

Having disabilities doesn't take away from who a person is. Mocking someone for needing aid to do things, however, is morally repugnant. And using ableism to put down or mock someone who themselves is morally reprehensible is still never ok.

It is important for all of us to re-examine how we, too, perform ableist acts in our daily lives. Here are some simple ones:

Stop using ableist words (check out this page: https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html).

Stop calling disabled people "inspirational" and using them as a way to say "if they can do it then so can you" (see: paralympic commentaries from the same people who still support organizations like Autism Speaks -- https://www.themarysue.com/the-autism-speaks-controversy-explained/).

Stop mocking people for not being able to move the way you think they should move.

Stop calling bigots "crazy" (their bigotry isn't a mental illness).

Stop saying that "only disabled and immuno-compromised people are at risk from COVID-19" when what is unsaid after that is "so that's why I don't need to care about it or take any precautions."

Stop calling someone "blind" or "deaf" when they're being ignorant.

Stop making fun of someone for taking an elevator or using a motorized scooter at the store.

Eliminate the stigma of disabled people asking for accessibility by making things accessible in the first place.

When you're in a position to design things, physical or otherwise (buildings, software, apps), think about accessibility.

Actively learn from disability activists, what things are actually helpful and actually accessible. Incorporate those things into your design.

Hire and elevate to positions of leadership people with disabilities (and if your gut response is "but we hire by merit," I challenge you: are you telling me you don't think disabled folks can perform the duties of leaders in your organization? What are you saying, exactly?).

Change your organization to be supportive to disabled employees, and get rid of policies that marginalize them.

There's a whole LOT of ableism weaved in to literally everything. Even if we don't get it all in one go (and we won't), it's important to put in the work to do better.

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Before someone comments with these:

"what's wrong with people?"

Ableism is EVERYWHERE, it is in EVERYTHING in this world and we have to actively work against it. Don't assume you're exempt. None of us are.

"who says these things?" "who does these things?"

A lot of people. A lot of people you might love. A lot of people that might include us (likely, actually). These mostly aren't monsters in alleyways saying and doing ableist things.

It's the nurse getting annoyed at the person using a wheelchair for having their wheelchair there. It's the dude at the gym who tells his friend that if those paralympians can do it, they definitely can do it. It's the person who keeps telling their friend with long covid to just do more yoga. It's the liberal angry at Trump who mocks him by saying he wears adult diapers. It's the person who builds a business branded and marketed on being kumbaya "we're so progressive" but they made their doors so heavy that they're hard for anyone to open and definitely impossible to open for a wheelchair user. It's the boomer telling a young person using a disabled parking spot that young people can't be disabled. It is literally everywhere. It's that guy telling disabled people they shouldn't be out past sunset ("we're disabled, Daniel, we're not werewolves."--Jen L Rossman).

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Reading list, obviously not exhaustive:

https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/magazine/14-black-disabled-women-reminding-us-of-our-power/

https://thedailytexan.com/2018/03/23/stop-using-ableist-language-and-call-out-others-who-use-it

https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/no-joking-matter-words-and-disability

https://diaryofadisabledperson.blog/

https://www.thegauntlet.news/p/disabled-peoples-exclusion-from-indoor

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/being-grabbed-pushed-touched-without-27376323

https://www.sociability.app/blog/the-medical-vs-social-model-of-disability