Tips for New Bloggers

Remember how I told you bloggers are generous? Well, I asked the bloggers on my Facebook page to share their #1 tip for new bloggers. If you’re just getting started with blogging, pay attention! These are great tips!

Julie from BalancingMama says:

Do it b/c you love it. Not to make $$$!

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve told you before how I make money blogging, but it’s not a very good reason to start a blog. It takes lots of time and effort to get your blog to the level where it can generate an income. If you’re only in it for the money, you’ve got a long disappointing road ahead of you before you get anywhere near that goal.

Ann from Mundane Magic says:

Consistency

This is one area I struggle in, personally. My mind is always getting pulled in different directions and my blog usually follows suit. I write about much more than niche-specific posts, but that’s not the type of consistency we’re talking about here. You can be consistent in your writing, without being consistent in your topics. Part of that is making sure your audience knows when to expect your next post.

Joyce from Mommy Talk Show says:

Ask your readers what they want to know and answer a question for them. Shows your expertise and listening skills.

This is actually one of the areas where a good blogger can build an incredible network of readers and friends. By listening to their needs and meeting them, you can gain a very loyal following of readers. More importantly, by sharing your expertise and knowledge, you are showing your readers that you are friendly, approachable and real. That’s what builds relationships, people.

Julie from Sober Julie says:

Don’t use other people’s photos

This one can be a hard nut to crack. The general rule is, never use a photo without express permission from the photographer. There is nothing that will bring you worse karma than stealing content (that includes pictures) from another blogger. For an in-depth look at this subject, check out: “Can I legally use company logos on my couponing blog?”

Angela from Edge of Insanity says:

Be yourself. If you try to act like all the other bloggers, that’s all readers are gonna see you as. Carve your own niche.

This is absolutely the most important thing to remember. If you are not you, you are nobody.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Dr. Seuss

Beth from Beth: A Work in Progress says:

Be genuine to who you are. Don’t try to copy format, design, content, etc. from someone else … and turn off CAPTCHA and auto-playing music!

Beth touches on the previous tip and is, of course, right on the money. But her additional tips are not to be ignored, either. Part of being unique is having a site that doesn’t look like it came from a cookie cutter factory (or a WordPress template). Basically, you want your readers to want to stick around – not click the X as soon as humanly possible.

Tammy from Tammy’s Two Cents says:

Take the time to meet other bloggers via comments. I made some of my best blogging friends by connecting with them…which might turn into your support system like mine have.

Tammy makes an excellent point. Some of the greatest people I have met online have started out as commenters on my site (or me commenting on theirs). This is why it is so important to leave meaningful comments on the sites you visit. Nobody is going to strike up a conversation with you if all you have to say about their post is “Great site! Come visit mine!” <—My #1 pet peeve

Barbie from My Freshly Brewed Life says:

Building community through comments is key. I would probably not be as consistent as I am today if it were not for this huge community of beautiful woman I have around me.

Clearly, this is important, but I want to expand on it a bit. Comments are a great place to start building up a community, but they’re not the only way to do it. You can also build community by going out and joining a great forum of other like-minded bloggers, going to local blogging functions and actually getting to know other bloggers on a more personal level.

Stephanie from A Professor’s Wife says:

I would say – believe in what you’re blogging about. Welcome criticism, be open to new ideas, and enjoy it. If it becomes a chore, it’s not for you

If you’re putting your thoughts and ideas out on public display, be ready for others to disagree with you. Because they will. And there’s a good chance that the people who don’t agree with you will likely disagree in a not-so-nice manner. You have to have a thick skin and be ready for the criticism that may come. I will say that I have been lucky in this area, but I also don’t generally write about very controversial topics. If you do, be ready.

Lisa from Mompreneur Mogul says:

Ignore negative comments. It’s tempting to answer back especially if they insult you , but it’s wasted energy and just shows they are a frustrated person. Better just to pray for them.

This does go along the same lines as the last tip, but it is worth repeating. If you do run into that negative commenter or someone who just needs to disagree for the same disagreeing, do not give in to the cycle of a mud fight. It makes you look unprofessional and unfriendly. As a blogger, your first impression on a new reader is everything and if the first thing they see if you fighting with someone in  your comments, you’ve lost them before you ever even had them.

Ask Away!

New bloggers: What are your questions? Ask away and I will answer everything I can!