Blogging is hard work. It’s fun, a creative outlet, and very rewarding, but takes so much time to learn the tricks of marketing and promotion. I am by no means an expert, but have seen significant growth in the past six months in visitors, sponsored opportunities, and have had success in syndicating my posts to several other larger sites. So I thought I’d share what I’ve learned so far, here are my 5 Tips for Newbie Bloggers! (Links and other resources to supplement what I’ve outlined in the video below!)
resources for newbie bloggers
PHOTOS
I take most of my own photos, or use free stock images. I use the VSCO Cam app on my iphone, or use my Nikon 5000 with a 35mm lens for food or props.
Free Stock Images for your site: Getty Images , Slap Dash Mom & Buffer have great roundup of sites. Oh and name your images to optimize SEO. This is key!
To make your images “pin-worthy”, make sure to install a pin it button over your pictures, and use Canva or Pic Monkey to add text, watermarks or clip art!
HOW TO INCREASE TRAFFIC
Blogging for a hobby is one thing, but after a while profit becomes the goal for many. It’s imperative to get our numbers up, as more page views equals more money right? But how? That is the question….
Here’s a great post from Carrie Elle on how to increase your readership, and another about growing your blog from A Blossoming Life. Also, linkups are a great way to meet people and expose your site to others, Elizabeth at Rockabye Parents can help!
BLOGGING TIPS
How you write your posts is crucial, did you know that? I didn’t, here’s an anatomy of a blog post from Play to Learn with Sarah. (Pin this! You will use it often!)
My favorite blogging group is The Blogging Bunch – they have an amazing array of content on their site that has helped me tremendously. Come hang out with us on Facebook.
Also, one of my favorite bloggers, Katy Widrick has terrific advice on her site. She has been a huge help and mentor throughout my blogging journey.
You can find even more great articles and tips on my Pinterest page. It’s takes hard work and continuity to really see improvement on a daily basis, stick with it and good luck!
oh and since it’s my birthday, will you pretty please click below??!
Been following you for a while Kristen and have watched you grow. You have been killing it and proud to consider you part of my tribe. Happy Birthday! Wishing you continued success!
You as well Tara! Thanks for your support as always!
First of all, you’re adorable.
Secondly, this is an AWESOME resource. You have helped me tremendously with my photos and I know I still have a lot to learn. Thank you for sharing your organization tips. I would like to get to a place where I edit all my pictures on a certain day, do my commenting on a certain day, etc and it was helpful to know how you do it.
Third, thanks for the mention in the video 😉
And finally, happy happy birthday my friend. I am so glad we crossed paths.
Of course you deserve a shout out, thanks for all of your help!
Fabulous tips! I’ve been blogging for hobby for a while and I am jumping into creating a better site with more content and hoping to monetize. Your tips are just what I have been looking for!
I’m so glad this helped you Jessie! Please hit me up if you ever need anything!
What great tips! Pinning!
Thank you so much!!
This is fabulous, Kristen! It’s a great resource, and I am honored to be included.
Annnnnd…Happy Birthday!! 🙂
And I am honored to have you helping me along the way!
Happy Birthday!! What a nice gift for you to give US a gift.
I’m not a newbie but I always have things to learn. And it’s nice to hear your first tip and know I at least have that one in the bag. I love wide photographs! Itty bitty is no good.
Finding a tribe has been life-changing, although it took me three YEARS to finally get it. I’m so happy now! It has given so much to my life.
I’m not great at promoting but I’m learning. I haven’t gotten the hang of Stumbleupon yet! I’ll stumble this!
You are totally not a newbie! I aspire to be like yoU!
such good information. something i really need since i’m sort of a technical/blogger buffoon. i’ll be checking that stuff out…soon.
good luck! baby steps…seriously!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I love this post – I have not yet made my blog profitable and really want to focus on that once my blog hits it’s 2-year anniversary next May. I am totally pinning the crap out of this post!! Awesome advice.
Thank you! Hope I can help you get there!
I enjoyed reading your tips. I’m not a new blogger, but I don’t feel like I’m a PRO by any means.
Thank you for all of these amazing tips and links! I’m going to check out a few of them now.
Hope it helps you!
This was a great post and I got a lot of good info out of it. Thanks
Glad it helped you!
Love this! So many great tips here, I will have to come back to this one.. pinning for later! 😉
thank you! Glad it helped!
Way to go Kristen! This is so helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I’m so glad it helped – and I appreciate you watching!
Thank you for such great tips! I’m a newbie blogger and loved everyone – especially the tip about StumbleUpon. I just set up a StumbleUpon account and wasn’t sure if it actually worked for promoting, great to hear!
I’m so glad it helped! If you need anything else let me know!
These are great tips! One question, when you talk about networking with your tribe, what do you think is an appropriate size as far as close connections? This is one that I’m working on now and want to build a good relationship with my tribe, but don’t want to be overwhelmed with trying to have too many close connections and not being able to give them all the time they deserve. (Stopping by from SITS Girls Sharefest) PS your video was so well put together, loved it.
Hi Jennifer, so nice to meet you! I have 1 close blogging BFF. We comment on each others posts, and share them daily on our social media. Then I have about 5-6 other bloggers that I religiously comment on their site, and they do mine. But honestly, I have about 30 bloggers that I regularly comment on, and rotate througout each week. Good luck, heading over to your site now!
What an amazing resource! Thanks for sharing! (Much love from SITSgirls).
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for the tips! I’ve been blogging a little over a year now and would love to grow. I will definitely bookmark this page! Dropping by from SITS Sharefest!
Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks so much for these tips. I’m not really “new” but definitely still have so much to learn about the blogging world!
Great advice! I’m not a new blogger, but I’m always open to learning more. It’s how we grow right? :o)
Vote submitted and happy birthday!
V
Life+1
Awww…thank you!
Thank you so much for this post and video! I just started blogging a few months ago, and I’m overwhelmed by 1) how much there is to learn, and 2) how helpful people in the blogging community are in terms of sharing what they’ve learned with others. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m having fun in the process, and it’s nice to know there’s a supportive community of experienced bloggers out there.
Blogging is a community, we are all here to help each other. There is enough “space” in cyber world for us all to exist, and you catch more flies with honey!Plus I just want to pay it forward and help others as I was helped!