Blogging Tips
I’ve put off this post in the past because there are blogs way more successful than mine and I’m embarrassed to even pretend to be in the same league.
However, a common email I receive asks for tips on how write a successful blog. And since I’ve been able to turn my blog from just a hobby into my dream job, I guess I do have some qualifications to write such a post.
There’s no way I can sum up all my blogging tips in a single post; I’ve been blogging a long time! So how about a series on blogging tips? Obviously I’m not an expert in technology (Far from it!), but I can offer tips learned from experience. In many cases, they’ll be tips of things not to do, based on mistakes I’ve made. Hopefully if I offer up my own mistakes, I can spare y’all the frustration of repeating them.
Part One: What makes a successful blog?
Truthfully, there is only ONE criterion for determining whether a blog is successful or not: Do you enjoy blogging? Are you excited to create new posts, to connect with others, to publish for the world to see?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then (in my opinion, at least) your blog is a success! It doesn’t matter if you only have five readers or if you publish ten posts in a row about nothing but your love for Boston terriers. If your blog makes you happy, it is successful. Period.
On the other hand, if you have a huge readership and yet blogging feels like a chore, I’d argue your blog is not successful. What good is having a popular blog if you don’t even enjoy writing it? That’s like those poor, rich businesspeople who hate their jobs… yes they make a lot of money, and yes they’re successful by society’s standards. But are they having fun in life?
Blogging should be Fun
Based on the above criterion, my own blog is wildly successful. I have fun with it every day. Dreaming up recipes, experimenting in the kitchen, photographing my creations, writing blog posts, and connecting with readers…
I cannot imagine anything that could be more fun, especially when so many of the aforementioned kitchen experiments involve chocolate!
Such as my peanut butter stuffed brownies.
When I started my blog, it was a lot of fun.
I had about three daily readers and barely received any comments. Yet, I loved my baby blog because it was mine. I imagined it being an online scrapbook, where I could write whatever I wanted (no one was reading anyway!). With no readers, there’s no pressure. You can blog when you want and about what you want.
How to make your blog successful:
First, ask yourself if you’re having fun with your blog. If the answer is yes, you really don’t need to change a thing! If the answer is no, here are some ideas that might be helpful:
- Look over your old posts. Was there a time when you did have fun with your blog? Are there any particular posts you were especially excited to publish?
- Look at the blogs you love most. What about these blogs makes you smile?
- Are there any aspects of the blogging process you enjoy more than others? And any aspects of blogging you hate? For example, maybe you really like the writing process but hate taking photos. Or maybe photography is your thing, but you’re not one for words.
- Change your blogging style so that it suits YOU. If you love pictures but hate writing, who says you can’t do photo-only posts? Or, on the other hand, who says a good post needs a photo? What’s awesome about blogging is that you are your own boss ;).
(It might be helpful for you to make an actual list on paper, jotting down notes on what you like and dislike about your blog, about other blogs, and about the blogging process.)
Questions of the Day:
Do you enjoy blogging?
And what are your favorite aspects of blogging (or reading blogs)?
Connecting with people who are like you? Learning about new foods and trying out recipes? Taking photos? Looking back on your old posts?
By the way, if you want a laugh, check out my very first post.
🙂
I am a big fan of pictures and recipes. It’s probably because I’m constantly in the kitchen and am always so excited when I find a recipe that inspires me for a meal. I also like when they are more narrative and not just a laundry list of what was done that day. Granted, if it’s written well those “laundry lists” can be fun, too. So…I guess strong writing is something that I look for, too!
In case you were wondering, your blog has all of the above 😀
Hey! I was wondering if you had advice on good ways to market a blog
I love blogging and reading about blogs, but I’m definitly wanting to build more a community.
Any advice would be awesome 🙂
P.S tried your blondie recipe the other day!! take a look if ya’d like (there was one minor fail on the texture…magic bullet fail lol)
I think the BIGGEST thing you can do to meet more bloggers and feel like you’re a part of a community is comment, comment, comment on other blogs. Don’t just comment once on a particular blog; keep on commenting. It might take a while, but soon the blogger (and other commenters) will keep seeing your name pop up and start to remember you.
I commented a lot on other blogs when I first started out. Nowadays, I don’t comment much anymore at all because it was just taking up too much time; there are SO many amazing blogs out there, and when you’re often getting around 100 comments on every post, there’s no way I can be fair and respond on every blog, although I appreciate the comments SO much! But if you’re just starting out, that’s a good way to get your name out there. Otherwise, no one will know your blog exists.
Also, twitter! I dragged my feet and didn’t get a twitter account until about 4 months ago, but it helped me find a LOT more friends!
Good luck!! 🙂
Oh, and I’m so honored you made the blondies! (I did read your post, but I can’t comment because I don’t have a google or wordpress account.)
Blogging is a creative outlet for me, sometimes I write about food and sometimes I share details about what is happening in my life. It is therapeautic:)
I love blogging because it is a place where I can truly share who I am.. on a daily basis..and be connected with tons of people who I share SO much in common with. I love knowing that people are repsonding to my writing..learning new things.. and supporting my journey!
Love these tips – thanks so much for starting a series like this, Katie.
I go through phases with blogging, and always realize that when I’m not being true to who I am and what I love, I get bored with blogging. Your post has inspired me to experiment more with my writing style and blogging format, so I’ll be linking back to you soon. Thanks!
Aw, I’ll be excited to hear what you write! 🙂
Aw I love this post! I focus my blog mainly on my life because that’s what I love, and it just so happens that eating healthy and exercising are two of my favorite things so I blog a lot about that.
I love this. I would love a series on blogging. I am about a month in and I’m still fumbling like an awkward teenager! I am still trying to figure out my writing style and voice.
Thanks for sharing, Katie! (:
i LOVE bloggin!! and i make sure i keep loving it!! if I ever feel like im getting in a drag.. il just take a little break or put up a small post- i gotta love what i do or it wont last long!
Great post, girl! I’m still a baby blogger, but I love it so so so much. I have such a good time with it!
Lol Katie, you don’t give yourself enough credit for how big you are. Even just from the number of comments your blog gets, it’s obvious that you’re one of the big bloggers. And it’s no secret or fluke as to why, it’s because you’re just so darn awesome!
I love reading your fun posts every single day :).