How to Use Aitai Kuji to Purchase Japanese Kuji Items

3 / 1 / 18

Recently, I wrote about how excited I am for the super adorable Animal Crossing kuji (lottery) that’s coming out in Japan. Unfortunately, it can be rather difficult to get Ichiban Kuji and other lottery items outside of Japan, since they’re often only sold at convenience stores. Even if you can your hands on the individual items, if you haven’t been to Japan, you’ve probably never had the chance to purchase a ticket and see what prize item awaits you.

That’s where Aitai Kuji comes in! They offer a kuji ticket service that emulates the whole experience of buying kuji tickets for overseas customers. They were kind enough to reach out to me to try my hand at the Animal Crossing kuji preorder so I could show you how the system works!

Yaoi and Boys’ Love (BL) Manga Studies Reading List

3 / 29 / 173 / 30 / 17

I don’t really write about PhD-related things here because I generally blog about my hobbies as a form of escapism from my thesis (the truth is out!), but after getting a few requests to share my bibliography, I figured I should go ahead and compile a shōnen ai/yaoi/boys’ love (BL) manga studies reading list!

How I Edit Instagram Photos and Nerdy Flatlays

3 / 21 / 17

Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how I edit my Instagram photos and compose pictures for #nerdyflatlay, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a post to explain my process! I’m definitely not a professional photographer, but I have learned some things about lighting, composition, and editing that I take into account when prepping photos for Instagram, and I’m happy to share my tips with you.

If you find this post helpful, please consider buying me a coffee through my new Ko-fi account! It’s a great way to give back if you enjoy my writing since I don’t get paid just to post cute pictures (I wish!). But for now, let me break down exactly how I go about taking photos and nerdy flatlays for Instagram!

Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging Part 4: Money Matters

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Welcome to the final installment of Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging! In the first week, I gave tips on how to start a blog and narrow your blog’s focus to fit into a niche that’s perfect for you. The second week was full of specific post ideas, and how to keep going when the going gets tough. Then, in week three, I shared my favorite social media strategies and tips for cultivating an audience who will keep coming back to your blog.

For my final post, I’ll be tackling a somewhat touchy subject: making money off blogging. Can you earn a living off your blog? When, if ever, should you start trying? How can you ask for money without seeming tacky? I’ll be covering everything from affiliates, Patreon, ad revenue, and selling your own products. Plus, I’ve teamed up with Lauren Orsini from Otaku Journalist to give away a copy of her Affiliate Linking for $$$ Guide! Read on for details!

Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging Part 3: Growing Your Audience

2 / 21 / 17

If you’ve been following my Ultimate Guide to Blogging series, by now you may have set up your blog, published a couple of posts, or thought of ways to spice up your existing blog. You might even be breathing a sigh of relief, thinking your hard work is done… But no! The hard work is only just beginning! No matter how great your blog is, it won’t be much fun (or make you any money, etc., depending on what your blogging goals are) if no one reads it, right?

That’s why, in Part 3 of Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging, I’ll be sharing my tips on how to gain new readers, navigating the thorny underbrush that is social media, and cultivate an audience for your particular niche. This part is likely the most intimidating because it means really putting yourself out there, but don’t worry! I’ve included actionable steps for you to take to get the word out about your awesome blog, whether you’re just starting or have been writing for years.

Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging Part 2: The Nuts and Bolts

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So, you’ve got your brand new nerdy blog all ready to go, but there’s just one problem… Where’s all the content?! When I asked Twitter what kinds of blogging tips they’d like to hear most, how to stay motivated and think of things to write about was by far the most common suggestion. That’s why, for part 2 of my Ultimate Guide to Blogging series, I’ll be sharing some of my top writing tips, as well as the nuts and bolts of how to make what you’ve written appealing to readers through images and catchy titles.

Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging Part 1: Getting Started

2 / 7 / 17

Welcome to the first part in my new series for February, Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging! I’ve been blogging under the Chic Pixel name for 6 years now. Hopefully, by sharing the things I’ve learned during that time, I can help those of you looking to start your own blog or get more out of the one you currently have!

This week’s post is focused more on starting up a new blog, but if you already have one and are looking to narrow your content and audience, I highly suggest skipping to the “Finding Your Niche” section. If you have any questions about the topics I cover in this post, feel free to drop me a comment and I’ll be happy to chat! Topics such as figuring out what to write about, motivation, social media, and monetization will be covered in following weeks, so don’t forget to check back every Tuesday!