10 Tips for Brand New Bloggers

Tips for New Bloggers

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!

For example, since I started my blog I have…
  • 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
At first, I was totally embarrassed that I kept changing my blog title but hey, you have to find something you love and something that sticks. Kayla Blogs content covers a lot of bases so I needed something that would work with everything I plan on blogging about. Even though I’ve only just started this blog, I’ve already learned QUITE a few things (stemming from mistakes, mostly) and I’d like to share them with you. Here we go.

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!

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32 Comments

  1. August 14, 2014 / 5:45 pm

    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

  2. Rachel
    August 14, 2014 / 5:53 pm

    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

  3. August 14, 2014 / 10:06 pm

    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

  4. August 14, 2014 / 10:07 pm

    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

  5. Carrie
    August 15, 2014 / 7:06 pm

    This is such a useful post! You've got some great tips there 🙂 xx

  6. August 16, 2014 / 5:41 am

    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!!

  7. August 19, 2014 / 2:14 am

    Thanks Carrie! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  8. August 19, 2014 / 2:15 am

    Thank you Lory! I will check out your blog right now!

  9. Victoria Talia
    August 22, 2014 / 6:46 am

    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. 🙂

  10. September 4, 2014 / 8:50 pm

    You're welcome! Thanks for reading 🙂

  11. Nikkie Ardoin
    September 4, 2014 / 11:34 pm

    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

  12. Mona Girish
    September 7, 2014 / 9:41 am

    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.

  13. September 7, 2014 / 9:48 pm

    You're welcome Nikkie! I followed your twitter 🙂

  14. September 7, 2014 / 9:49 pm

    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 🙂

  15. A Ginger Blondie
    October 17, 2014 / 2:05 pm

    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

  16. October 20, 2014 / 4:40 pm

    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

  17. June 10, 2015 / 12:38 pm

    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 🙂

  18. June 10, 2015 / 12:38 pm

    Thank you so much! I've been slacking a little since school started, too. It's hard to find time!

  19. Alexa (Misfit Alexa)
    August 5, 2015 / 7:05 pm

    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 🙂

  20. August 18, 2015 / 2:16 pm

    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

  21. Maddy
    September 19, 2015 / 12:55 pm

    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

  22. Samantha Irene
    September 28, 2015 / 9:47 pm

    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!

  23. October 9, 2015 / 5:01 am

    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 🙂

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  25. February 24, 2016 / 7:35 pm

    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!

  26. Jamie
    August 1, 2016 / 11:55 pm

    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

  27. Sophia
    August 2, 2016 / 12:52 am

    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!

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