
Links I’m Loving: Blogging Better #1
Welcome to Blogging Better! One thing I have learned in the last two years of blogging is that for every one thing I learn about blogging I also discover ten new things I need to learn to help me blog better. I believe that whether you are a brand new blogger or a veteran blogger there is always something new you can learn, so this series is designed to help you become a better blogger by learning from each other. If you have topics you’d like to see covered in future Blogging Better posts, please comment below or email me at girlonthemoveblog01 {at} gmail {dot} com
And now on to some general blogging tips I’ve learned during the last two years that I’d like to pass on to you…
Decide what YOU want to get out of your blog.
Everyone blogs for different reasons and I think it is important for you to figure out why YOU blog. Some bloggers would like their blog to lead to a book deal where as for other people they’d prefer the blog to lead to speaking engagements. Other bloggers blog as a creative outlet and aren’t looking for huge growth. Still other bloggers are looking for some combination of these outcomes. None of these reasons are right or wrong as long as they are a good fit for the blogger. I would encourage you to take some time to think about why you blog and what you want to get out of your blog and then make decisions that allow you to stay true to your blog dreams.
Without a social media presence it can be difficult to promote your blog.
There will be some people that find your blog by doing a simple Google search but if you want to really begin growing your blog you will need to promote it…and one of the best ways to do that is on social media platform. I don’t think you need to be active on seventeen different social media platforms but I would suggest at least trying to create a presence on the big four…Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Not sure where to begin when it comes to social media? Explore the series I’ve been writing this month on social media!
Connect with others.
Blogging can seem lonely because for the most part you’re behind a computer and not really connecting with others. So go out and start connecting with others! Search for other bloggers who have similar interests to you and reach out to them. You can reach out via social media, by commenting on their blog or by going to their About Me page and emailing them…I’ve done this and have met some great bloggers because I took the time to email them and introduce myself!
Ask for help.
Some parts of blogging will probably come easily to you and other parts will be more difficult. This is when those connections I talked about in the previous tip come in really handy! If you are stuck with a blogging problem and everyone in your “real life” just gives you a blank stare when you try to talk about it, then reach out to your blogging friends…most likely someone will be willing to help you out!
You will need to spend money to make money.
Please don’t read this and think you will need to spend thousands of dollars to launch your blog but if you want to make money, you will need to spend some money. Head over to Lisa’s blog to read more about spending money to make money.
Be consistent.
Some bloggers choose to post five days a week. Some bloggers choose to post two days a week. I don’t think one is right and the other is wrong…as long as you consistently make the same choice. Your readers are going to be confused if you have five posts one week, two posts the next week, and zero posts the following week. They won’t know when to come visit your blog and so they’ll probably stop coming. Set a schedule and stick to it so your readers know what to expect.
Join us for the very first Blogging Better link-up below!
Once a month beginning this month, I’m co-hosting a link up on blogging resources called Blogging Better with Lisa Kerr. We would love it if you linked up your best blogging resources below. Our readers are new bloggers, mid-level bloggers, hobby bloggers, professional bloggers, small businesses and social media managers. Our link-up will go live on the last Tuesday of every month. Join us on Twitter using the hashtags #bloggingbetter and #blogbetter.



I hope you’ll find the tools and tips we share here helpful in developing your blog, and as always, we’re here to answer any questions you may have (either by email or comments) in future posts.
Sign up for future Blogging Better email updates here
To join the link-up:
Visit at least 2 posts from below and comment on them.
Follow your hosts on social media:
FOLLOW LISA ON TWITTER – FACEBOOK – PINTEREST
FOLLOW JULIE ON TWITTER – FACEBOOK – PINTEREST


25 Comments
Pingback:
Bev
Great tips, Julie! What I use my blog as a mixture of it being a creative outlet, promoting my jewelry business, and to hopefully make a little bit of money. I shared a post I wrote last year, I hope that’s ok!
Lisa Kerr
I love your tips, Julie, and I’m so excited to be co-hosting with you today! #bloggingbetter
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods
LOVE your tips! Thanks for hosting such a fun and information linky!
~ Ashley
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Loving your tips Julie and I’m really digging the idea of this linky! I’ll be participating monthly!
Thanks for hosting ladies!
xoxo
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Glad you’ll be joining us!
Vanessa Leigh
A great post and full of great info and resources! Thanks for putting this together!
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Happy to put this together!
Kate - Catching Up With Kate
what a great collection – thank you!!
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Glad you’re enjoying the collection!
Denise Royer
Firstly, I can use all the help I can get, so thank you for offering advice. Secondly, twice a week? Eeep, I think I feel a faint coming on. I’ve been putting in an entry bi-monthly. Is there such a thing as not contributing often enough, even if it is regular?
jmdenouden@gmail.com
I think you need to do what works best for you and your blog!
Rachel G
What an awesome idea for a link up! I know all of us bloggers are very interested in learning how to do a better job!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
Great tips. There is so much to learn about blogging well. I love reading ideas from other bloggers on what has helped them succeed. It can feel so overwhelming to keep promoting, promoting, promoting!
Jasbir @jasbeeray
I agree, blogging is so lonely. I have been blogging for over 2 years and enjoyed every moment of it. But realised that I did not do much to promote it and it lacked the love it deserved. I hope link up like these can help me be a more dedicated and consistent blogger. Thanks! Jasbir from A cuppa from my thoughts)
Serena @ Simple Holistic Girl
Thank you for all these tips, I have only been blogging for a year and am learning so much. I am constantly searching for all the tips I can get.Visiting from #SITSsharefest
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets
Just added to my bookmarks! What a load of awesome advice, thanks a lot! #Sitsblogging
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Happy to share!
Tami
I have been blogging since 2010. In 2012, I deleted my first blog because it was no longer me. It was packed with sponsored posts and ads and it no longer felt authentic. I was blogging for everyone else but me. I took a break to think things over and to really figure out just what I wanted from a blog. My new blog was opened in 2013. Before it went live, I had a social media plan and blogging plan written out in detail. This has helped me tremendously. I am more in love with blogging than I have ever been. I love my ‘new’ blog and love that I have remained true to myself and my goals.
Visiting from #sitssharefest
Tami Marie
Mrs. AOK
Great tips! I think connecting with other bloggers is the best part, no? I love it, I love blogging, and I love blog community, makes my heart happy!
You’re right, you HAVE to spend money, to make money, but not tons of cash 🙂
Pinning this 🙂
XOXO
jmdenouden@gmail.com
I absolutely love connecting with other bloggers…it’s one of my favorite parts!
Keisha | The Girl Next Door is Black
These are great tips, Lisa. Going to check out your social media plan now.
Thanks for hosting the linkup guys!
Keisha | The Girl Next Door is Black
Er…Julie. 🙂
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Happy to share these tips with others!
Pingback: