My first blog post was published on July 14th, 2014. I didn’t really know what I was doing or what I was getting myself into when I started a month ago, but I am so glad I did it. Blogging has opened up to me a brand new community of such happy, outgoing, creative, interesting people. Having only been blogging for a month, I realized that it’s nearly impossible to know exactly what you’re doing from the get-go. So don’t stress about it!
- changed my blog title 3 times
- changed my blog theme 4-5 times
- considered deleting it twice
- changed my blog’s twitter handle
- made two different email accounts for the blog
1. Wait until you have posted at least 2-3 blog entries BEFORE you share your blog.
No sense sending people to your blog when you have 1 post titled “About This Blog”. If you have more than one it makes you seem like you know what you’re doing a little better (even though you probably still have no clue, it’s fine).
2. DO YOUR RESEARCH when it comes to hosting, domains, etc.
Hosting is super confusing so make sure you know EXACTLY what you want/what everything means before you pay for anything. Side note: if you need help switching from yourblogname.blogspot.com to just yourblogname.com THIS article was super super helpful and the best step-by-step guide I found!
3. Don’t worry when you can’t think of anything to blog about.
When in doubt, just start writing! If it ends up being a terrible post, then scrap it! But at least you got some words flowing and maybe a new idea popped into your head while you were writing.When I’m completely stumped, I browse other blogs for inspiration and Bloglovin’ is a great resource for that which brings me to my next tip…
4. MAKE A BLOGLOVIN’ ACCOUNT!
It makes it SO easy for others to view your blog posts all in one spot! It’s also helpful for you, too, so you can keep up with your friends and favorite bloggers.
5. Make a separate Twitter account for your blog.
I have a personal twitter, but I know not all my followers care about my blog and want to see me tweeting about my blog posts every 12 seconds. INSTEAD, make a separate Twitter and link them! In the Twitter app, you can click the little button next to the gear on your profile and link two accounts. I wrote a post on all of the reasons why I decided to make separate Twitter and Instagram accounts for my blog.
6. On your new blog’s Twitter account, follow as many blogs as possible!
Twitter is a great place to connect with bloggers! Follow anyone that looks interesting to you and start from there. You’ll be surprised at how many people you meet if you just tweet and follow people that look nice/interesting!
7. Tweet at people! Don’t just post about your blog all the time.
Make some friends! If someone tweets a question, answer it! Also, if you see any Twitter chats going on join them! That’s an AMAZING way to meet new bloggers. Some of my favorite Twitter chats are the #BloggingCollege Twitter chat that I created (follow @BloggingCollege!) and the #GalPalChat. Search the hashtags and you’ll be able to find the Twitter account that hosts them!
8. Join FB groups to promote your blog and meet new people.
Sometimes it’s hard to find the right group but some more of my favorites are The Blogging Elite, Blogging College, and Gal Pal Girl Gang!
9. Add your blog to ALL your social media accounts.
Twitter bio, Instagram bio, Pinterest, Linked In (if it’s not something totally unprofessional. Having a blog could definitely set you apart from the competition!), YouTube, Facebook…
10. Last tip is make a FB page for your blog and invite everyone on your friends list.
Seriously. Almost everyone will be willing to help you out and click “like”. Post regularly on it, and thank your “likers” when you reach a milestone!
If you’re a newbie blogger, comment below and I’d love to check out your blog!
Hey Kayla, great post! I started y blog late June this summer and your article was super helpful for me. I totally agree with everything you suggested and think it's great that youre sharing your tips for success with other bloggers! Great job <3
-Jessi
http://www.confessionsofacollegejournalist.com
Kayla,
This is such a great post! I loved it. As a new blogger, I definitely agree with all of your tips you shared! I am totally going to have to steal this idea (as long as it's okay with you) for the future!
Xo, Rach
seashellsandsparkles.wordpress.com
Thank you Jessi! I checked out your blog & saw you go to URI… one of my friends from HS, Molly, goes there! She's studying pre-pharmacy and is in the marching band idk if you would know her.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! xo
Thanks Rach! I'm so glad you agree with me!
You are more than welcome to make your own post of 10 tips, can't wait to read it! xo
This is such a useful post! You've got some great tips there 🙂 xx
Very much enjoyed this post! I've been blogging for about 2 months and have learned many of the same things, although you taught me a few things as well… 🙂 Thanks for a great post! I'm @Designthusiasm on Twitter and my blog is http://designthusiasm.com. Would really love a Like on Facebook, though, if you enjoy the content, at https://www.facebook.com/Designthusiasm. Thanks!!
Thanks Carrie! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you Lory! I will check out your blog right now!
What a great post! I'm sure it'll help so many people. I wish I had seen an informative post like this back when I started my blog. 🙂
Thank you! This was very helpful! X
http://www.pollywallyblog.blogspot.co.uk
Aw thank you so much Victoria!
You're welcome! Thanks for reading 🙂
This is such a great post! It's helped me out a lot! My twitter is @NikoleeZhane I haven't made a separate account for my blog yet so that's just a mix of everything! hahaa Thanks so much for the tips 🙂
http://nikkiesays.wordpress.com
Hi Kayla! Just launched my blog today and your article made me feel a gazillion times more educated to do this! My blog is themonalogues.blogspot.ae and I'm @monagir on Twitter.
You're welcome Nikkie! I followed your twitter 🙂
Hi Mona! Your blog title is so clever, I love it! I followed you on twitter. Thanks for reading I'm glad this post helped you 🙂
Hi Kayla!! I loved this post, such a cute blog too! I'm a proper newbie as i only started less than a week ago i'd love if you'd check it out – ( agingerblondie.blogspot.co.uk ) and follow my twitter? @agingerblondie thanks!! xo
I just jumped into blogging when I first started and neglected it a little as a student. This was a good post to read to refresh my mind about how to handle a blog… and I learnt something new along the way! Cheers x
http://www.v-i-v-a-c-e.blogspot.co.uk
Hello! I just got a chance to check out your blog, it's adorable! I love the green color you used. I'm going to follow you on twitter right now! Thank you for visiting my blog 🙂
Thank you so much! I've been slacking a little since school started, too. It's hard to find time!
Kayla, let me just say how awesome this is first.
Being a very new blogger, I saw your posts and blog and knew I had to stop over and say hello. For one thing, it’s so cool to be able to see other bloggers my age and in college too, it just makes me feel a bit more connected to the community. But this post was so inspiring and so helpful, and I just feel so motivated to really step out of my comfort zone and start talking to people in the blogging world! So thank you so much for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Kayla thank you this post is so useful for new bloggers such as myself! Some fantastic tips 🙂
http://www.mattmaidment.blogspot.co.uk
Hi Kayla,
Thanks for the awesome tips! I currently have the bloglovin’ website open in another tab in attempt to figure out how to use it. I was also thinking about making a separate twitter for my blog for the same reasons you stated above!
My blog is still a little under construction with it’s appearance and getting things to go where I want them to, but I do have a few posts published so I would love if you checked it out and left me a comment! Feedback is always appreciated.
Thank you for helping out us newbies!
Madisen
missmadisen.com
Hi Kayla! You posted this over a year ago, but I found it on Pinterest, and it is so helpful! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Maddy
ncsweetheart.blogspot.com
It’s so encouraging to hear how positive you are after going through so many stages of blogging in such a short time. I haven’t been doing it for very long either and am still dreading the switching of domains. Thanks for the extra positivity!
I really love how simple you can make all these things sound – as in, not ‘easypeasy’, but just do-able. It really goes a long way to make all this stuff not so scary any more 🙂
please check out my blog ——> http://fashionfirst123.blogspot.com/
I just found this blog, even though it was posted a while back, but I love these tips. And how you changed your blog name. Haha! I can totally relate to that problem, as I’m just starting out, and it’s so hard to pick a design and name and theme! Who knew it’d be so hard??? Thanks for the tips!
Connected with you through Instagram a little while back, and loving your connect. I definitely feel you on the constant change of themes, and what else. Currently looking to change my theme, yet again – ha.
Keep up the awesome content, and would love if you check out my blog at http://www.theblonderlife.com
xx Jamie
I’m a newbie blogger, and I just came across this post through twitter. These tips are super helpful, especially the ones about bloglovin and how to make the most out of twitter! I’m going to work on implementing your tips with my blog http://www.sophiainthecity.com. Would love any feedback!