I have read so many posts about blogging tips. I have learned a lot but most of all I have to say I was inspired. I love how bloggers support each other. Sometimes I feel like the the beauty world can be a dog eat dog world but bloggers who share their secrets always remind me of the support in the blogging community.
I really dislike it when bloggers are all about growing their own blog. When I was thinking about my impression to other bloggers I realized I haven't done my share of supporting.
So thats why I created this post. Let me know if any of my tips help you and feel free to let everyone know your tips in the comment section below.
I really dislike it when bloggers are all about growing their own blog. When I was thinking about my impression to other bloggers I realized I haven't done my share of supporting.
So thats why I created this post. Let me know if any of my tips help you and feel free to let everyone know your tips in the comment section below.
Use an IPad to write posts- Sometimes I just don't want to tote around me huge laptop. What suffers? My blog, which is not a good thing. Now I get a lot more done. I can blog on the go, in my bed, pretty much anywhere. At first when I blogged with my IPad on Bloggers website I had some difficulties with glitches. So I did some researching in the apple store and found a resourceful app that I like to use to write posts. It's called Blogtouch Pro for Blogspot and Blogger. I believe it cost me around 3-5 dollars. There's also a version for WordPress that costs $4.99. I cant say whether or not if that one is good but if it's anything like the Blogger version, than I definitely recommend it.
Just keep in mind that I don't recommend adding pictures through Blogtouch Pro. The quality is much more superior when pictures are added from a laptop directly to bloggers website.
Take photos in bulk- This is a tip I have read before but cant stress enough. Don't get me wrong, I love taking pictures but it can be a pain in the butt when I have a toddler running around. Bright lights+ pretty makeup+ a toddler= a stressful disaster. So naturally, if I don't have any pictures for my posts, then I don't blog until I have the time to take more photos. I recently just started doing this and now I have seen a huge spike in the number of posts I have created the past couple of weeks. Taking photos in bulk is a great habit to stay organized with a blog and more importantly, to stay on schedule. This tip is also good for editing photos. I despise the task of editing photos in bulk but my goodness it such a relief when I have all the photos I need for an entire week.
Create unique series on your blog-No one likes blogs that have mediocre posts. I know every blog has to post reviews, makeup tutorials, ect, but every blog also needs a unique series that has never been seen before. For example, I just started a new series on my blog called "Undercover Blogger". It hasnt been seen before and It will attract new readers. Plus, it also gives your blog a uniqueness and will show that you have something new to offer to the table. The more unique series you have, the better.
Here are a few series that are only found on my blog ( that I know of)
Undercover Blogger
Makeup Looks Using The Basic Colors: White, Brown & Black
Monthly AllStar winner
The good and the bad (of a cosmetic brand)
Plan your posts in a weeks advance- No brainer. It makes your blogging experience more organized and advanced planning keeps you and your blog on schedule.
Planning and writing an entire post in one day is the wrong way to go about it. I also think it's easier to write a post when you have had more time to think about it. For one, you'll have more notes for your posts and for two, you'll know exactly what you want to talk about.
On Sunday, I write down everything I want to talk about on my blog in a weeks advance. When I have everything planned out I don't have to take the time to come up with an idea for a new post. Instead, I can have hours or even days to take notes for each post. This allows my posts to be more detailed and well rounded. For Monday's, I usually already have that post planned out from last week. If I have any unwritten posts on the current week schedule, I'll add them to next weeks and just fill in the rest of the days that are missing a post. I guess my system is kind of like a blogs version of a cellphone companies rollover plan.
Edit your photos!- I know some people refuse to edit their photos, and that's a good thing. To an extent. Please, don't think I mean photoshop your face or whatever else you're thinking. I actually mean photos of productsyou're reviewing. When I first started blogging less than a year ago I didn't edit my photos at all, and trust me you can tell. The lighting was yellow and the products didn't look as good. Not only does this hurt your chances of loyal readers but it can also ruin your chance of working with companies.
I'm sure a lot of you are thinking you dont have the budget for an advanced photoshop editor or an expensive camera. The truth is you don't have to have any of that. I actually use a free photo editor for my blog (Picasa) and I use a small digital camera. My camera doesn't take the best pictures but editing mostly makes up for that. Even the best cameras can benefit from edited photos... But when youre able to I suggest upgrading to a better camera if you want to take your blog more seriously. I know a new camera is on my wishlist!
If a product you want to review has been on the market for a while make a fun post out of it- Whew, that was long. I know sometimes I feel like I need a product but then I stop and think about how I should probably save my blog budget for new products.
Example: If you bought Mac's Pro Longwear conealer but you know a review on it is pointless. then include it in an inspired post similar to the following...
Different ways to use Mac's Pro Longwear concealer
Why I love Mac's Pro Longwear concealer
Why Mac's Pro Longwear concealer is the best on the market
Don't let the duties of a blogger keep you from trying products that are on your wishlist. Trust me, your readers really don't mind.
Show your followers you care about them- No one likes a blogger who just blogs and never replies to comments or emails. It makes everyone think you dont care about anyone but yourself. It also looks bad to companies. If you dont have a relationship with your readers, why would they listen to your recommendations? Be sure to keep a look out for their questions on your blog and the social media accounts associated with your blog. I also recommend asking questions at the end of every post. It makes your readers feel more connected with you and gives them the feeling like they can express their opinions too.
Show your followers you care about them- No one likes a blogger who just blogs and never replies to comments or emails. It makes everyone think you dont care about anyone but yourself. It also looks bad to companies. If you dont have a relationship with your readers, why would they listen to your recommendations? Be sure to keep a look out for their questions on your blog and the social media accounts associated with your blog. I also recommend asking questions at the end of every post. It makes your readers feel more connected with you and gives them the feeling like they can express their opinions too.
Follow other bloggers for inspiration- Everyone needs inspiration in their life, even bloggers. Inspiration is what keeps your blog going and growing. Without it your blog will be dull and boring. Follow other bloggers for inspiration and in return you'll inspire other bloggers. Your posts will be more creative and your photos will probably look better if your inspired by other blogs photography. Inspiration promotes improvement and if that's what your looking for, then you need to do exactly that. Get inspired and improve. It's as simple as that.
Advertise your posts on social media- Ok, I'm almost positive you have heard this one before. If you're looking to increase traffic, this is your best bet. Make an account for your blog on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Let your social media followers know when a post is uploaded on your blog. Make them curious what the posts are specifically about. When you add a link to a new tweet make the tweet intriguing. Don't just say "Hey, check out my new post:)!!". That's more likely to be skipped over than a tweet that says "Here's a new post about blogging tips that you seriously NEED to know". You'll get more views and followers that way. If you do use Pinterest, then make sure each blog post has a cute photo to pin. Fellow pinners are more likely to repin your pin if they're drawn in by a cute photo provided.
Host a giveaway atleast once a year- This attracts new loyal followers and helps your blog grow. This also falls underneath of showing your followers you care about them. Hosting a giveaway is a bloggers way of giving back to what matters most. The readers. If you're on a strict budget and cant afford a giveaway, then I recommend doing a giveaway once a year only. A good way to go about it would be saving $1 each week and by the time that year us up you will have over $50 for your giveaway. Maybe that idea would be good for your blogs anniversary.
Post regularly- I'm sure you have heard this before, in fact, I know you have heard it before. There's a reason for it too! If the last post you posted was a month ago a new viewer might think this blog isn't worth following. If the author doesn't update a couple times a week, shouldn't they just follow a blog that does? Not only does posting regularly help increase your amount of followers, but Google Search will have a better chance of picking up your blog.
Make your blog easy on the eyes- Colored backgrounds are cute but not necessary. Actually, not just unnecessary but a huge no no for serious bloggers. Colorful blogs can be distracting and hard to read. When I come across a blog I have to stuggle to read I almost immediatly exit off of it. Light backgrounds and black font are the best designs. No, I dont mean make everything look boring but keep it sweet and simple. Go read a few blogs and see what I mean. The best ones are the easiest on the eyes. Also dont forget to jazz up your blog with cute photos. The first thing people notice is the visual part of your blog and that certainly includes your photos!
Think of your blog as a magazine- This is a tip I and my blog have lived by. If I never heard of this tip, I think my blog would be very different and not for the better. Magazines contain the latest gossip, fashion, quizzes, how to's, interviews, appealing photography, information on the newest products, ect... Your blog should be the same way. Think of all the possibilities. Your blog could go from just average to innovative and outstanding.
Do you have any tips you would like to share?
Which tip from this post helped you the most?
Let me know in the comments below!
