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

[jari]

this all makes complete sense. i'm starting.... today! thanks friend.

[cb]

thanks elsie! this is great! i am new to the blogging world and again you have made a list of tips that makes me feel i am on the right track and creating something i am extremely proud of. first and for most i created it for me and am having TONS of fun doing it. as always you are an inspiration! i am wanting to take my etsy store and blog to the next step and ask if there is any way i can be sponsored on your site for the month of august? what is the best way to contact you...i can't seem to find your email address on your blog...THANK TONS!!

xo
cb
www.thecitybirdsnest.blogspot.com

[Danielle]

Thanks for this Elsie! I've been blogging for just about 2 years and I still feel as though I'm finding my feet but it's such a fun journey!

[Elsie]

thanks so much! my e-mail is elsie AT redvelvetart DOT com

[Danielle]

Great tips, Elsie! <3

[elycia]

great tips elsie. your blog is one of my favourites and it's so nice of you to share these tips. i agree with the staying positive part the most. i love reading inspirational, non-complainy blogs. let's make the internet a happier place, one blog at a time. hehe.
♥elycia

[Becky]

Thank you so much. Even though I've only been blogging for a month, I have been reading all my favorite blogs over and over,and finding new favorite blogs every day that have really inspired me. Your advice makes perfect sense. I just left a note on your Twitter update too...but don't think I'm stalking you!! xo

[tiffany.]

good stuff here :)

[Maxine]

Thank you for the tips!! I'm new to blogging, but I do love it!! And I love your blog!!!

[Julia]

Excellent advice, thank you! My blog is only a few weeks old and these are great tips to keep in mind =)

[Kara]

Great tips. But, I disagree with #3... Though I think there is a line of too much negativity, too much information, and rudeness, I've found it empowering to blog honestly about what it is that I'm going through. And I've had a lot of readers say that's why they read my blog. To know their not alone and work past that.

I think it comes down to the reasons one blogs. It makes sense in your situation to have those standards, but encouraging fake positivity seems a little dangerous...

I guess my blog is 'me' and why should I hide that? I have certain things I won't blog about, like if I'm having issues with a certain friend or business problem, I won't mention that on my blog. And I work hard not to embarrass, criticize, or share too much information about people in my life.

But, I try to find a balance between sharing a bad day experience and being positive.

Anyways. Just my two cents! :)

[Nicole Guthary]

Wow Elsie! What a wonderful blog post! As someone who's been blogging awhile but just recently started being more serious about it I really appreciate posts like this one. Your blog is a huge inspiration to me and I love reading your posts. Thanks for sharing!

[Meaghan]

I've been a design blog addict for oh, years, and finally started my own! I look forward to making new blog friends, and this is all great advice for making a great blog. Thanks!

[Carrie]

"Your blog is not your best friend."

HOW TRUE!!!!

[Elsie]

Kara, you have a good point! I agree that some bloggers have the ability to write about bad days & experiences in a mature & fun-to-read way! People, like you, with this ability are thoughtful and intentional about what they right.. It's not just non-filtered bad mood spam. That makes a huge difference to me! Cheers. Els

[Karyna {Paper Squid}]

These are really great tips! In fact I just had an idea/inspiration come out of nowhere while reading this. :)
It's a lot of work but the blogging journey is so enjoyable & worth developing; it just takes time, as I'm learning.
Thanks so much for sharing.

-Karyna

[ingrid Rojas]

elsie, thanks for your tips, I am new to blogger and truth if I found it a bit difficult because I post my crafts, but sometimes did not want or write the description of the product, because I had many problems at home, sometimes might write about my problems but I closed my laptop and talk to my best friend hehehe I take my coffee while reading your blog is great
greetings from mexico
Ingrid
www.icandylovers.blogspot.com

[Hazel]

Thank you so much for this post! It's so helpful!! =)

[Laura]

I have a specific question! How do you get those perfect little playlists in your posts? I've been trying to add that "feature" to my blog and can't seem to get it right...

THANK YOU!

[charlotte]

i love this.
i've been blogging for about 7 months now and it does get very, very frustrating at times. often I'll write something I think is great and find no comments the next day, or I'll get annoyed being unable to capture an outfit just how I wanted, but I know it's all a learning curve, and more than anything else, it's great experience!! lots of employers like to see people who are creative and enjoy writing, especially as I want to be a magazine writer myself. I've learn a lot from blogging and the blogging community, and I'm constantly learning. I know it will be a great help in my future!!
I'm saving this page for the future!!

Charlotte xxx