Blogging 101: My Top 10 Blogging Tips!

I often get emails asking for advice on how to build a following when you start out blogging. Obviously, not everyone has this agenda, but this post is for those that do. If you're the blogger who blogs primarily for yourself and dislikes the concept of presenting your ideas with the motive of increasing subscribers then this post will probably irritate you. Don't hate - take a look at these extraordinarily cute pictures instead.

{ Not being arrogant (!) just love this image! *credit* }

I'm clearly no expert but I figure why not share my views - hopefully some little snippet of this post will prove useful. Now, get a cup of tea and make yourself comfortable because this is long...

1. Be committed. Blogging is a little like weight loss. You have to put the effort in for a while before you see real results. That's a strange window to be in; after all as humans we only want to partake in activities that heed positive results quickly. And that's why most people give up blogging before they 'succeed'.

2. Even after a long period of commitment, still perservere. It took 6 months before I had 100,000 hits to my blog. Then in the 7th month I had 100,000 hits in one month. It took a long time before my traffic grew. Nothing in life worth having ever comes easily. And blogging is no different.

3. Believe. Like anything in life it'll only happen if you believe. I believed in Sofia's Journal from the outset and that's what kept me going, even when it felt like my blog was completely insignificant. I believed the blog was worthwhile (to me!) whether people read or not.

4. Do not compare your blog to anyone else's because it'll drive you mad. There will always be bigger and better blogs. Just focus on yourself and make improvements where you see fit. And don't ever let the perfect get in the way of the good. Sometimes I get frustrated because I wish I had basic graphic design skills to make things look a little funkier around here (and maybe I'll learn some of that in the future) but I don't let it get in the way of continuing on with a hobby I love. Your readers don't expect 'perfection' - they expect 'good'!

{ Really? *credit* }

5. Be chatty. Leave meaningful comments on blogs that fall within the same niche as your own. Readers will notice your comment and if you sound interesting or your picture hooks them in then they're likely to click your link and visit your blog. Case in point - the majority of bloggers I've featured in The Sunday Click List were discovered because they left comments on my blog. Likewise, join twitter and learn how to use it. Then really use it. It's a powerful promotional tool. Talk to people. Befriend other bloggers. Become part of the community.

6. Take note of what you love about your favourite blogs. Write it all down. And there you have it - a list of what makes a good blog. Now keep those things in mind when you write your own. But don't copy - that's just lame.

7. Advertise. If you're serious about gaining a larger audience then consider advertising on a blog with a bigger following than your own. It's generally really cheap (or free if you swap buttons with a blogger friend!) and can work well. Just be sure to have a pretty looking advert (so people feel compelled to click!) and make sure your blog is sticky enough (sticky: see point 8) that you convert hits to new followers.

8. Make your blog 'sticky' - and by 'sticky' I mean this: If you're lucky enough to have someone new click through to your blog it has to stand out to make them stick around (i.e. subscribe). It might be a beautiful blog header and all round cool site design that will hook them in for a moment but they need more than that. I kept new visitors in mind in a few different ways but primarily, I made navigation as easy as possible - a Popular Posts tab beneath the header, a list of product reviews and a selection of regular features reside in the sidebar. This sends a message to the reader that if they stick around there's a whole lot more good stuff other than what they see on the first page. Another way to do this is by installing the LinkWithin widget beneath your posts.

9. Don't blog for money or for free swag. There's absolutely nothing wrong in gaining financially from your blog or in receiving products for review. Nothing. But if that's your number one priority when you sign up to Blogger you'll most likely be deeply disappointed. Instead you need to be passionate about writing. And be in love with your subject matter. They're the only things that will truly fuel your motivation.

10. Image is everything. Your blog must be aesthetically pleasing!

♥ Make your photos large. Nobody wants to screw up their eyes in order to see the images that compliment your writing. If you don't know how to make your photographs the entire width of your post then Google it. All the information you need is out there.

♥ Make your images prettier. Learn how to use photo editing tools to full effect. I particularly like Picasa, Picnik, Fotoflexer and Gimp - all free and all pretty awesome.

♥ For cute photographs to accompany your awesome writing, search: We Heart It, Pinterest, Google Image Search and Flickr: Creative Commons.

♥ Seriously consider making your background white. I don't regularly read a single blog that doesn't have a white background to the primary text. My eyes don't like it any other way.

♥ Try to include a great photograph of yourself in the sidebar. Studies have shown that a web site or advert gains far more interest if the reader sees a human face right away!

♥ Taking photographs of products? Be aware of how the background looks. An interesting fabric, wallpaper or wrapping paper underneath always looks cute. For info of what camera I use check out my FAQ page.

♥ Other elements I deem important: a search box function, interesting 'about' page (yes, I really need to work on mine!), contact and social media icons that are clearly displayed and membership of bloglovin'!

And finally, a word or two about being unique.

I appreciate that, in an endless sea of blogs, it's really quite hard to be unique. Every angle has already been covered. A million times over. But it is still possible to give your readers something they can't find elsewhere. Include your own personal photography as much as possible and develop a writing style, charm and sense of humour that is individual to you. The only thing you have that is truly unique is yourself. So be yourself and express your opinions freely. If you have new and creative ideas your blog will stand out.

Now, over to you... I need your input! Tell me what you like, love, dislike, hate about my blog - what would you like to see more of? And less of? What do you think makes a great blog! If you have any questions about aspects I failed to cover here then leave a comment and I'll compile a follow up post or get back to each of you individually.

Happy Blogging!

bloglovin' / facebook / twitter / pinterest

♥