8 Tips for New Bloggers
So you want to start a blog? Amazing! It will be one of the best decisions you make in your life, ever. It’s definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Starting a blog can be overwhelming. I had a lot of questions myself, but I didn’t know where or how to find the answers. I only read a handful of other blogs, and none of my friends knew anything about blogging, either. For the most part, I was on my own.
Now with over four years of blogging under my belt, I love to offer my lessons and advice to new bloggers. There’s always something to teach and always something to learn. Those who blog together stick together, right?
Today I’m offering up these eight tips for new bloggers. Keep these things in mind in your first couple of months of blogging. You’ll get used to it all soon!
Pick the platform that’s right for YOU. The two main blogging platforms are Blogger (through Google) and WordPress. Both have their advantages. I was on Blogger for three years, and recently moved to self-hosted WordPress this past June. I loved the convenience of Blogger, since I already used Google for mail, calendar, documents and other features. But WordPress has so many more features available, like amazing plugins, and there’s a ton of freedom with design and layout. Two of my friends (and blogging role models) Gina and Neely wrote awesome posts about the benefits of WordPress and its offerings. Check them out!
Keep a blogging journal. I cannot recommend this enough! I use a separate journal or notebook for all of your blog-related thoughts, notes and plans. It helps me keep blog thoughts from overlapping with my notes for other projects and assignments, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. My blogging journal is probably my #1 blogging tool (that’s not my computer, of course) and I don’t know what I would do without it.
Create an editorial calendar, and stick to it. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Editorial calendars are great for blogging organization, and for planning and scheduling posts. Plus, seeing all of your content laid out in front of you might spark some ideas for new posts! Your calendar doesn’t have to be super fancy, just whatever works for you. I’ve used a plain planner from Target and it works great!
Make blogging friends. In an earlier post, I talked about how the one thing I wish I knew when I started blogging was to be social with other bloggers. If you find a post you really loved, or learned something from, leave a comment and let the blogger know! I always try to leave a comment and follow the blogger on Twitter and/or Instagram, whichever I find first. Having a network of bloggers to follow, talk with and learn from will help so much more than you can imagine.
Start slowly, if you need to. For some, jumping in head-first helps them establish a routine and get in the blogging rhythm (or rhythm of whatever they’re doing). But for others, getting that routine down takes a little while. Your blog doesn’t have to be rushed; in fact, I’d advise against rushing, and instead suggest taking your time. Remember that blogs and websites are rarely, if ever, absolutely perfect, and are instead always growing and evolving. Let yours evolve, too!
[bctt tweet=”New to blogging? Check out these 7 #tips to help you get started!” via=”no”]
Don’t get caught up in numbers. Sure, it’s super easy to look at Google Analytics and think, aww man, that post only got 50 page views? I really thought it would take off! Numbers can be discouraging, so don’t focus on them too much as you start to build your blog. Once you post more and get into your social media and networking routines, those numbers will reflect your hard work.
Don’t let writer’s block get you down. It happens to everyone, even the blogging pros. It’s hard to keep those fresh ideas coming so frequently. Fortunately, there are ways to combat writer’s block so it doesn’t linger and you can keep blogging. I’ve read too many times about bloggers who fall off because they run out of content ideas. What a shame, right?
Make your blog what YOU want it to be. Your blog is your space, not anyone else’s. While you do want to make it pleasing and engaging for your audience, ultimately, decisions are yours. Happy blog = happy blogger, and happy blogger = happy blog.
[bctt tweet=”Happy blogger = happy blog. “]
Blogging isn’t easy, and there’s certainly a lot that goes into it. Starting a blog may be overwhelming and stressful at first, but soon enough, blogging will become second nature. It took me a little while to learn the ropes. Now, I’m always happy to share my lessons and tips to those who are just starting.
What tips do YOU have for new bloggers? If you’re a new blogger, what questions do you have?
