If you really wanna be a great layout maker, then you better set your mind on the job! It's not as easy as you may think. It takes a lot of time, patience, and skill to make a really good layout. It's not only about filling in a few hex codes here and there, if you know what I mean. You need to make sure EVERYTHING is alright, because if one of the codes aren't installed properly, then it screws up the WHOLE layout and people who want to use your layouts will not like that!
If you know that you're going to be way to busy to be able to update at least once or twice a week, you can consider having a co-owner or think about it first and then decide if you can fit into your schedule because if you're going to be a layout maker then you HAVE to know whether you're up for it or not. Otherwise making layouts would just be pointless.
So show some responsibility if you're going to become a layout maker!
Second Step;; Creating The Site
If you want to make a layout site then, well, MAKE ONE! Try picking a name that is easy to remember, so people don't have to struggle to actually remember what the site is actually called. Like how "layoutzz_n_mee" is a fairly simple name, and it's easy to remember right?
Don't go and tell people all about your layout site if you don't even have anything on it! So make a layout for your site to show off some of your skill ((*wink*)) and think about what your going to fill up your blog modules with! ((max is 5))
Think about what type of layouts you'll be making; custom module, plain, top box, etc... Then you can get down to work and start making your layouts! Make a tester site for that one specific layout and then work on it until you find something you like. Also think about the genre; Anime, girl-ish, boy-ish, etc...
Third Step;; Content
1] Don't write things that will offend people because that's not nice at all!
2] Instead of talking as if you were in a chat room or something, use proper grammar. I and probably a whole lot of people can probably know what you're saying but when I read stuff like "supp?....ndnd....hurr" It takes me a LONG time to figure out what the other person is saying. So don't talk like the way you'd talk in chat rooms and Msn.
3] Try to keep things organized so people know where to find your stuff. So put your layouts where people can find them, and if you have updates, don't tell people about your updates in random places! Think about it, you yourself may have trouble finding your own stuff, so keep it organized and place certain things in their own blog module.
4] Depending on how much stuff is on your site, try to keep it at a minimum, because on my computer, it'll just freeze and then I have to wait like FOREVER until the program actually ends and then I have to start all over again.
5] It's okay to swear once in a while, just don't do it all the time! Otherwise people are NEVER going to come to your site because they may think you are a cruel person.
6] If you want an image then Right click >> Save and then upload on a site like imageshack or photobucket.
Fourth Step: Getting Known Throughout Xanga
This is a very easy thing to do, you just probably don't realize it. Sometimes people may come to your site by searching it under users, but you'll need to tell a LOT of people if you really want them to come to your site.
1]Create a link button and then ask other layout makers, music providers, etc... To link your site, and in return you can also link their site. Link them, it's only fair since they linked you.
2] Try to get people to subsscribe you! If they have no custom modules, then the subscriptions list will be there, WITH YOUR NAME IN IT! Of course depending on the person and the number of subscribers that they have will depend of your likelyhood of having your site being visited.
3] You can spread the word, just like how commercials do it. But don't go and ask for TV cameras and stuff to advertise your site! Just go around and ask a number of people if they need a layout, and if they do then come on over to your layout site. For Example: "Need a layout? Well then come on over to ((___SITE___)) and see if there are any that you like there!" See? It wasn't like forcing the person to go there, it's all but a mere question!!
Fith Step: Creating Layouts
Don't even think of jocking another person's layout! Try finding images on google and see if there are any good ones there and use those! People can tell if you jocked someone's layout so don't! You can always save the background and use that but don't jock! And DO NOT direct link! Try making your own layouts! It's only fair!
Try making THE BEST layouts as possible because every can tell a good layout from a bad one so work hard and make the best layouts that you can!
Also try matching all your colors otherwise the layout won't turn out good! For example: If your image is mainly green and blue, don't just put a color like purple in it! That would be a very random color and it wouldn't make the layout nice.
