Blogging tips

I have to admit that no matter how long or "experienced" I feel with blogging, I love reading tips on blogging.  There's always something to learn, and even if it's the 5th time I've read a particular tip, it might mean something a little different to me that time than it did the first.

So...here are a few blogging tips.  Some you've probably read, and some are specific to my quirkiness. :)

1.  Make sure that your pictures are not only big, (the bigger the better!), they are the same width.  

For some reason, pictures that aren't the same width make my eye twitch.  For example...

Oh my.  I can't.  How to fix this without making your picture distorted?  First, in the "Compose" section of your blog post, click on the picture and push "X-Large".  Then, go into the "HTML" tab right beside compose.  The HTML of your picture will look something like this.

This is the HTML for 2 pictures.  Erase the "height" number for both pictures.  Then change the "480" and "264" in the "width" numbers to matching numbers.  I usually change mine to somewhere between 600 and 640 depending on the picture.  Your HTML will then look like this.

And your pictures will match up.

So much better.

2.  Speaking of pictures, go ahead and name them.  

So instead of adding a picture entitled img_001 to your blog post, change it to something that will drive more traffic to your site.  

Give them names relevant to your post.  Fall-outfit-with-riding-boots or halloween-recipe or 10-workouts-for-the-busy-mom.  Things like that!

3.  Have a nice, clean layout.  

I read somewhere that people give your blog 5 seconds or less to decide whether or not they will stay.  

What do you think is wrong with this particular blog layout?  Besides everything.

• Too many colors
• Too many fonts; including a super boring header font, and too fancy of a font for the text.  Ahhh...my eyes!
• Way too busy with everything; especially pattern
• Not enough white space
• Too many big ads that have nothing to do with my content. 
• No profile picture.
•  A profile picture is SO important.  Readers like to see who is "speaking", and it also helps your readers connect with you.
• No description of what the blog is.
• No Social Media Icons.
• No picture in the actual blog post.

There are many blog tip posts specifically for blog layout.  One of the biggest ways to learn about this, however, is to make notes about what you like from your favorite blogs and what you don't like. Make a Pinterest board specifically for your blog, and to keep a record of your likes and dislikes.

4.  Speaking of a nice, clean layout....Unless you are a pro, invest in a blog designer.

Carrie from Carrie Loves Design Studio did my current blog design and she is fantastic.  Sure, I could've spent hours and hours researching how to do my own design....but not only would it still look semi-decent (at best), I would've probably thrown my computer across the room by the time I was done with it.  Invest in someone who knows what they're doing.  Trust me!  It's worth the money.  (There are also a ton of great pre-made templates on Etsy that are fantastic.)

5.  Try to always find a way to link back to an old post within your current post.

I am not fantastic at this, but I am trying to make a conscious effort now to do it with every new blog post.  Whenever I find a new blog, or whenever I'm reading the ones I always love to read, sometimes I'm in the mood to just do a whole bunch of blog stalking.

If you link back to an old post or one of your social media sites, (organically, of course...don't make the link-back weird), it will keep readers on your page and interested in what's going on.

With this post, I linked back to an old blog post and an old Instagram picture to explain something a little further.

6. Do not post the same picture to all forms of social media.

This is one of my quirky tips, and I know that many people will disagree with me.  

But, why...why? do I need to follow you on every single social media platform when you post the same thing to Instagram, FB, Bloglovin, Twitter, and Pinterest?  That makes no sense to me.

Sure, promote your blog posts on all forms of social media.  That's totally fine.

But if it's a picture of your kids, or your OOTD, or a quote....just pick one (or 2 at most if it stresses you out for your information to only go to one place)! :)  It will make me more interested in following you on different platforms.  

One exception is if there is BIG, big news.  Like a pregnancy announcement, baby birth, marriage picture, graduation, etc.  But for every day things...pick one!  pick one!!

7.  If you don't have a Facebook page for your blog, get one!  (and while you're at it, get a Twitter account as well.) 

I know that Facebook has a bad rep these days...it really does get so annoying with crazy statuses and too much of everything.  BUT, everyone...everyone(!) has an account.  

For that reason, having a Facebook page for your blog is so important.  Don't just drop your blog post link every day and leave.  Make it a place for conversation.  I love it for that reason.

And as far as Twitter goes...it is super confusing at first, but once you get the hang of hashtags and replying and all of that, it's a piece of cake.  Plus...bloggers are on Twitter!  If you want to connect with other bloggers, brands, etc...having a Twitter account is a must.

8.  Pay it forward.

If there is a particular blog post, outfit, tweet, etc., that you genuinely like...share it! pin it! retweet it!  We're all in this together, so what better way to help each other out than to share each other's material? (if it's something you really like, of course.)

And just for fun....a few beginner blog tips:

*Make sure your email is linked to your blog profile.  Tutorial of how to do that here.  This will allow other bloggers to respond to you.

*Make connections with other bloggers.  The blog world is so great, so comment on other blogs, and interact with them on Twitter. (Attend blog conferences as well to connect and learn.)

*Do not focus on making money....especially not in the beginning.  Anyone can tell a blogger who is just in it to make money, and those blogs never last (because no one wants to read them!)  

*Going along with that one...bloggers receive lots of pitches and opportunities to receive free products and sponsorships.  Don't take everything just because it's something.  It's exciting, yes, but be sure to stay true to who you are and what you want your blog to represent.  

*Go ahead and buy your domain. (I bought mine on GoDaddy.) Having a .com instead of a blogspot.com allows your blog to look way more professional.

*Especially at first, participate in link ups!  I still do this (usually) every Wednesday with The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesdays, and Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesday.  Link ups provide the opportunity for people to find your blog, and help you find new blogs to read!

*Create a mission statement for your blog.  This will help you stay on track with what you want to accomplish.

*Like I said before, research other blogs; their design, their content, their pictures, everything.  Make notes about what you like and what you don't like!


There a billion other things that can be said, but these are just a few that I think are really important.

I would love to hear about anything else you would add!