Now I am probably considered new to blogging as I started 8 months ago. However my best advice would be to GO FOR IT! I had the idea in my mind for quite a while and just didn’t have the confidence, then one day I just organized the hosting, built a website and posted my first blog!
It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time but looking back now, I am so glad I did it.
I’ve learned so much over the last few months and a recent nomination for the Blogger Recognition Award required me to give my advice to new bloggers. I thought to myself ‘I wish I had known someone who could have advised me’. Life would have been so much easier.
So here are 8 things I wish I had known when I started blogging which will make life easier for you as a new blogger.
Here Are My 8 Top Tips to New Bloggers
1. Go for It – Don’t be afraid!
You have an idea and aren’t sure or confident about taking it to the next level and going public. Face your fears and do it for yourself. You might say “What if no-one reads it?” Well it won’t be the end of the world however you will be pleasantly surprised that people will read it!.
Unless you really have a specific topic to write about, don’t worry about your niche. By all means think it through but you will find that as you start writing your blog will evolve and you WILL FIND YOUR NICHE.
[bctt tweet=”Have faith in yourself!”]
2. Respect Your Readers & Other Bloggers
- Make sure you write from the heart and connect with your readers.
- Always reply to the comments you receive with a genuine reply. People aren’t stupid they know if you really appreciate it or not.
- Leave meaningful comments on other blogs or don’t comment at all.
- What you give will be given back to you.
3. Find A Mentor & Learn, Learn, Learn
I have several wonderful bloggers that I have met who have guided me through all the paths of blogging. When I started I didn’t even know there were link up parties and free courses you can do.
I have also found a great course through Daniela Uslan. She has some great ideas – free too! I especially like her blog makeover challenge and there is plenty more information and information at her website – Have Your Cupcake.
Keep learning and reading other people’s blogs, especially in your niche. Don’t copy but look at how they write, the topics they write about, their graphics and their presentation.
4. Build Relationships with other bloggers – Get Noticed!
- Link up your posts to link up parties Make sure you comment with a meaningful comment on other posts and don’t just link up and run.
- Try co-hosting a link up party – I co-host two and have built strong relationships through them. It is hard work so read my post on Why You Need to Be Selective With Link Up Parties
- Join Facebook Groups for Bloggers – I have found other bloggers have been so supportive and if I ask a question I am sure to receive an answer to help me.
- Post to Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram – you need to have a presence and build a following and a network.
- Follow others on Social Media and you will soon find they are following you.
- Subscribe to blogs that interest you
5. Quality over Quantity any day
Quality over Quantity any day – Don’t rush a blog post because you feel you need to get one posted!! The quality will not be up to standard. People may forgive you at first but if you don’t put the effort in it will show.
[bctt tweet=”Quality over Quantity is one of the most important blogging tips to remember.”]
6. Where to Find Images
Suitable Images are difficult to find, however they add to the interest of your blog and breaks up the writing. You need to be aware that you can’t just download any image from the web. Some have copyright, others don’t.
The main two I use are Pixabay for free images and Canva to design and is easy to use. Canva also have images for as little as $1. However, there are many options and blogs have been written detailing all your options. http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-find-royalty-free-images-for-your-wordpress-blog-posts/
Brand your images – here is a great article from Dre, The Branded Solopreneur on how to brand your images effectively.
7. Be Patient
This is the hardest part of blogging. You won’t be able to achieve everything in your first week but if you put the effort and time in you will see results.
8. Enjoy Blogging & Cut Yourself Some Slack
The day you don’t enjoy blogging is the day you should walk away from your laptop. We all have good and bad days so if you aren’t enjoying it, give it a break. It is your mind telling you to have some time out and come back refreshed.
I realise that it is easy for me to say walk away, because sometimes your blog is your only source of income so you need to keep producing good quality articles.
Don’t worry if you can’t think of a topic or have writer’s block. Sometimes I have no idea what to write about and then suddenly I am in the middle of a run and have an epiphany!
The most important thing is that you enjoy what you are doing and this will be reflected in your writing. Your passion will show through and your readers will be the beneficiaries of your passion.
Now Start Blogging & Enjoy!!!
these are all great tips Sue – I can relate to every one of them – especially just getting started and then finding like minded people to hook up with and get encouragement from! Thanks for being one of those people 🙂
Oh thank you for your lovely words Leanne. I have met some wonderful people through blogging including you!
These are awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Glad they were helpful Gina! Good luck with the blog
Wonderful post, Sue! I totally agree with everything you’ve written here – especially the part about finding your niche as you go. And of course, finding a mentor! Thanks for mentioning me. I really appreciate it!
Oh thank you for your encouraging comments Daniela. I want to spread the word about you as you have helped so many people. Have a great weekend!
Wonderful advise, Sue. I especially like the part about leaving honest comments on other blog posts and how it takes a blog community to blog effectively. And it is so important to be patient. I think if we take the time to put our hearts into it and show our true selves, our blogs will grow organically. Maybe not as fast as we once hoped, but with more authentic connections.
Thank you Monica for stopping by to comment. Patience is difficult but I totally agree with you philosophy. Have a great weekend! I’m running a half marathon on Sunday!
You are so right…the fear and doubt is real!! Daniela’s support and “Go for it” post prompted me to launch too!!
We can all support each other Amanda – that is what I love about the FB group. If we don’t try we won’t know what we could have achieved. Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
This blog was exactly what I needed right now as I’m brand new to the blogging world myself. Thank you so much for the advice!
Oh Jenn, I’m glad I could be of help. It is daunting when you first start but everyone is so helpful you soon find yourself. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by to comment.
Great information Sue. I could have used some of this info years ago when I started my blog. I was so clueless that I barely knew what a blog was!
Well I’ve learnt so much from people like yourself. I didn’t know what a blog was like you and link up and blog hops were a new language. I’m sure every new blogger could write this article and each learning would be different. There is so much to learn so thank you for your posts I really enjoy them.
I started blogging about the same time as you did and have learned similar things. I think you are so right to say to just go for it and start. If we waited until we knew everything we would never be able to start. It is a process, and we grow and get better every day.
Hi Michele thanks for the comment and you are right in saying we would be waiting forever if we didn’t just do it. I’m learning all the time and recently revamped my whole website. I’m still learning and I think that is an enjoyable part of blogging for me. It is amazing how we grow. I look back on my first posts and current ones and I see how far I have come. Good luck with the blog and have a great day!
Lovely Sue,
That’s great reassurance for many people.
What do they say……..”Rome wasn’t built in a Day”.
I have realized this myself. But as you said, there are
things such as FB groups that really help us move
forward.
All the best 🙂
Thanks Bryce!!! I do get impatient – it is hard not to, however I read so many posts in FB groups about bloggers who are so anxious and stressed about their blogs that I realise there is more to life and we all get there in the end. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by 🙂
I truly do enjoy blogging and that is the only reason I am still around 🙂 I hope to find a mentor soon but don’t know where to look, who is qualified, or how much is reasonable to pay…I will definitely take a look into what you suggested! Thanks again…
Well you are halfway there if you enjoy blogging – that is #1 important for me. With a mentor I just look to people who have blogs that I like and I try to build a relationship with them. Join a FB group if you can as they can be very supportive. Keep going you will do it!
All good advice especially about enjoy blogging.
Thanks Gail. If you don’t enjoy something it becomes a chore – that is for sure. Have a great day!
Great advice here, but I’m guessing you already know that since everyone is telling you that in the comments. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. I found you on the Learning From Each Other Link-Up.
Blessings,
Brandy
Thank you Brandy and I’m glad you found the post helpful. Have a great week!
Great tips! I definitely agree with the first one of just go for it!
I also agree with cutting ourselves some slack. I have learnt to do things at my own pace and not compare my blog to others who may be more established or better at tech stuff than me! We can all flourish in our own time!
Totally agree Ingrid although sometimes I fall back into old habits of trying to juggle too many balls. The day I don’t enjoy it anymore is the day I will stop. Thanks for stopping by to comment and have a lovely week!
Being true to yourself is so important. I have been tempted in the past to write posts that I think will get lots of views, but when I read it back it just isnt my voice im reading, so i havnt posted it. I find rhe comment thing hard sometimes. I may have enjoyed a post, but dont always have anything extra to say other than I have enjoyed it, and likewise if someone says they have enjoyed my post, all I can say back is thanks . #AnythingGoes
Yes I know what you mean about the comment part Tracey. I co-host a couple of link parties and sometimes it is difficult to write something appreciative and encouraging at the same time. Thanks for taking the time to comment and have a great day!
Great tips. I agree with all of them. I’m gradually finding my niche, and finding with every post I write I’m learning a bit more about what I want to write about and how to blog. I’m also trying to remember to take it slowly and not try to do everything at once. #anythinggoes
Yes I’m finding mine at last and another thing I’ve learned is you can’t be everything to everyone. Good luck with the blog.
These are all EXACTLY correct. I think we get so overwhelmed with trying to get our blogs up and going that we forget to write amazing content that have really amazing photos. Thank you for sharing this with us!
I know Trisha it is such a common problem and we put so much pressure on ourselves. I still find it overwhelming however there are such lovely bloggers out there always willing to listen or help which I am grateful for. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
Congratulations. This post was in the TOP TWO most clicked on Fridays Blog Booster Party #24
It will be FEATURED on Friday.
Well done,
Kathleen
Oh thank you Kathleen! It appears that these type of posts seem to do well. I suppose we are always wanting to learn more. Thanks so much for the opportunity, you have made my day. I had a bad start to the week so this has really pepped me up. Thanks again.
These are all very helpful tips; thank you for sharing them! Blogging is definitely a learn as you go process.
Oh I’m glad you found them helpful. I am still in the learning phase but what I have found that if we all share a little of what we learn it makes it easier for everyone. Thanks for stopping by to comment. Good luck with the blogging!
Great tips, you sure have learned a lot in your time blogging, I was writing alone in a corner for more than a year, you are so far ahead! Congrats and keep on keepin’ on!! Pinning to go back over your links! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Nikki, I’ve been fortunate to meet some very helpful bloggers who are willing to share their knowledge. Thank you for your lovely words of encouragement, I’m still finding my way but am enjoying the ride. Thanks for stopping by to comment and pinning! I must check out your page. Have a great week.
Great article. The point that resonated with me the most was “Be Patient.” As somebody who just deleted my old blog and started over less than a month ago, I need to work on that one.
Dana, I think that is the hardest part for all bloggers. We want it all done now! I’m the same. I’ll have to check out your new blog sounds exciting and good luck with it! Thanks for stopping by.
High-fiving you over here, Sue! Couldn’t agree more with all of your points! I also agree with Tracey’s comment above. I have often had what seemed like a great idea and spent several hours writing a post, only to have it sit there for days or weeks before finally deleting it. Sometimes I sit down and the words just flow; other times it takes a while. However, there is a difference between something just being “hard” to write (research, completeness, correct wording, etc.) and having to “force” the writing. I’m learning to delete anything I have to force. 🙂
Oh we are so alike Wendy!!!! I do the same with some posts that I write. I leave them in drafts and forget about them LOL:) I agree if it is a ‘force’ write as you call it, it will sound false, readers can see through that type of post. Thanks for always stopping by and commenting.
Such a helpful post and most of the things you mention I wished I had known too. Thank you for sharing with us on #wednesdayswisdom
Oh I’m glad you think it was helpful Jen. Thanks for commenting and take care..
I can totally relate to whatever you have said, few months back when I started blogging I was anxious, nervous ,excited all at the same time for my first post.
But now everything going smooth 🙂
I know Ritu it was so hard at the beginning. I was trying to do everything and I think all new bloggers feel like we do. It is lovely to have you stop by to comment. have a lovely day!