5 Tips for Bloggers

 5 Tips for Bloggers!

 I started my first blog about five years ago, just for fun. At the time I had no particular goals or plans for my blog outside of posting photos of my craft projects and family. Through the years blogging has become a special part of my life and through this blog I've been able to connect with like minded people throughout the world. I truly love sharing both little snapshots of my personal life and things that inspire me here. I thought it would be fun to share a few things I've learned along the way. These tips are primarily written with personal/lifestyle bloggers in mind. The number one question I receive, in regards to blogging, is 'how did your blog become so popular?'. While I can't answer that question, I can tell you that I honestly believe that blogs grow when they are written with pure intentions (not just to get 'hits'). Blogs written with a genuine voice will always be more fun to read. Focus on the quality of your blog, first and foremost. Your readers will love you for it! Here are my 5 quick tips for blogging... 

1. Create a blog you'd enjoy reading. 

Don't allow yourself to feel pressured to write about anything other than what you absolutely love! You'll connect with other bloggers who share your interests, and most of all you'll be proud of what you're creating! If you're a new blogger, make a list of the five things you love most in life. These are topics that should reoccur often in your blog. 

Blogging is a lot of work and it's not worth doing if you're not creating a blog that you wouldn't read yourself! Quality blogging takes a little bit of time, sometimes a little research and when you're proud of what you are creating, it shows. A great blog will grow and change over time with the author. As a reader, I love to see blogs developing and changing slightly over time. A huge part of keeping a blog is staying current, so out with the old and in with the new. 

2. Develop regular features that are fun to write. 

I started writing regular features a few years ago with '10 Things I Love Sunday' and have added several more since. This feature is really fun to write, which keeps me consistent. The features that I continue to write are all very enjoyable. I strongly feel that if it's not fun to write, it's probably not fun to read. Choose topics you enjoy. 

Another tip is to choose topics that you play off of your strengths! Do you love trend watching, photography, story time or online shopping? Choose one or two regular features that you are knowledgeable about and very interested in. Think of your blog as a mini magazine. What monthly magazine features do you love to read? 

 3. Your blog is not your best friend. 

(This next one is purely my own personal opinion.)

A common mistake new bloggers often make is using their blog to vent about problems and small annoyances in everyday life. The first time this is done the blogger will get lots of concerned and sympathetic comments. Maybe even a few times. But after this becomes a regular part of the routine readers will often begin to avoid the blog because of the negativity they know they will find. The truth is, most people read blogs to get inspired or learn about things they are interested in. Not many people want to spend their coffee break reading about someone's problems... reading blogs is supposed to be an enjoyable escape from everyday life. I mean, we all have problems. 

Solution: When you need to get something out of your system, e-mail your best friend! If you want to write something negative on your blog, sleep on it and see how you feel the next day.  I appreciate bloggers who save heavy blog posts for important times instead of every bad day that comes along.

4. Make friends. 

Don't be shy! There are hundreds of beautiful and interesting blogs out there. Become a reader, leave comments, make friends and promote each other. Don't be afraid to try guest blogging for friends (or allowing them to guest blog for you while on vacation or during a busy week), adding links to blogs you enjoy and finding ways to support each other. Be kind and friendly and others will return the favor. 

5. Trust your instincts. 

Listen to your intuition. If something doesn't feel right, don't do it. You don't always have to do what other bloggers are doing. Years ago I had a series of experiences that led me to value my own privacy. If you are a private person (even a little) this tip is for you! 

Since there are no rules when it comes to blogging, make your own. I have a mental list of certain things that I absolutely never discuss on my blog. That list makes me feel like I have a healthy balance of private vs. public life. Outside of that list, I can and will blog about anything I feel like. This keeps my blog feeling personal! Learn what you are comfortable with. You don't have to share 'everything' to keep a warm and personal blog. :) 

Thanks for reading! If you have any tips from your blogging experiences I'd love to hear them. XO. elsie 

Comments

[silvia]

That was great. i really needed that! im new to blogging, but i've been having tons of fun! Thanks for the helpful tips!

[Mary]

ohhhh i definitely needed this! i just started blogging, and i was a little unsure about what all to do with it! thank you for your constant inspiration :]

[Lora]

Thanks for the tips Elsie! I'm pretty new to blogging, but I'm having so much fun with it so far that I don't think I want to stop anytime soon. Your tips should help me have even more fun! :)

[marci]

Awesome! Thanks for posting this. I am new to blogging. I've only had my blog for a few months. I definitely have a lot to learn. It's nice to get a little help every once in a while from an experienced blogger. You're the best!! :)

[Trina Curran]

I love, love, love this series of posts from you. I think you should make it a regular! :) I had the purpose of my blog come to me in the middle of the night a few nights ago...and WOW...I had no idea that it would go that way. Remember I told you I liked giving rather than selling my creations? Now I found a way to give. I'll keep you posted. I am giddy about this...sooooo excited. :) Yay! You are a dear.

[Gabbie]

loved all these. thanks for sharing!!

[Marilyn]

Great tips, especially number 3. There were times where I almost fell victim to that but then snapped out of it. :)

[britney]

perfect timing for this post- i've been wanting to start blogging for a little while now, but i've been hesitant. now i'm super pumped to get started! yay! :)

[Becky]

I agree with you (Elsie) about not using the blog to vent all griefs. I feel like I labor over things enough in my head...mostly things to do with my job. So I decided to specifically NOT mention anything like that in my blog, and keep it instead as something that (like you said) I think *I* would like to read, if it was a someone else's blog. It's a perfect distraction from the crappy day to day stuff and more of a reminder of things I really like and things that make me happy. It also seems like such a great way to make friends with like-minded people.

[Lauren]

Elsie I am just loving your new 5 tips posts. They are all so helpful I just have one quick QUESTION. I was wondering about the guest blogging. I mean I dont want to give away my password and email, so that they can guest blog. So is there some other way to do it?
p.s. I am using blogspot. If that makes any kind of difference.

THIS WOULD BE SO HELPFUL TO KNOW
thanks
xoxo
Lauren

http://www.theperfectpearpair.blogspot.com

[Fernanda]

this is so good! <3
Congrats!

[Cece]

Thanks Elsie! great post, and I love your blog, there is so much to look at and get inspired by. as an -until recently-blog virgin,I know there is still so much to learn...it helps that bloggers like you are so generous with info and help! Many thanks and look forward to reading more in the future :) here's to everyone finding their 'voice'! thanks, xox

[emily]

Thanks for the tips Elsie! As always, they are really helpful. It's really great to hear these things from such an experienced blogger!

[procrastination mama]

Thanks Elsie.

It's lovely to share. I'm about to reach my 100th post. What things do you recommend for giveaways?

x

[Danielle]

Thanks for the tips, I was really looking forward to this post. I am newish to blogging and your insight is really helpful.

My blog is here:
www.curiouskey.blogspot.com

I have a giveaway if you would like to enter!!

Missy
xxx

[Efrat K]

I love your tips! thank you so much!! Can't wait to the next 5. what will they be about? please tell. :)

[jenn]

Thanks for the tips. I am really liking this new feature you're doing. Like many others I have recently started a blog. My friend and I started it to share ideas, projects and inspiration with each other. I came up with the idea after hearing about your shared journals with Rachel (from the story class). Hope you having a good monday....if such a thing is possible ;)

[Jennifer]

Wow. As a blogger who is relatively new to this wild and wooly world, I really appreciate coming across quality tips like the ones you have shared. I plan to take these to heart. Thanks very much. (How can I "follow" you?)

Jennifer
www.thefarriswheel.blogspot.com

[Liz]

I am a huge fan of the 5 tips posts! and these tips are especially great. thanks for being a great blogger and a wonderful person! it really shows through :)

[daisy]

i LOVED these tips! i (being a new blogger myself) will find these very handy to keep in mind..thanks!

p.s. love your blog!