I feel a fraud writing this post, I haven’t been blogging for a year yet. I am by no strength of the imagination what they call a big blogger. I am a newby, still learning.
But maybe it is a good time to write it. Why? While its all fresh in my mind. I have made lots of mistakes. I have gradually built my little blog into something I am enjoying, something that I get so excited about.
So from my limited experience here is what I have learnt.
- Choose your name wisely. Search chosen names on the Internet to check it isn’t already used in some form. Make sure it is a name you love, something you won’t get bored out of, or grow out of.
- Think about your design and layout. This is such personal thing. I sometimes look at other people blogs and think, ooh I love that; that’s how I want my blog to look. It is a little like being a child in a sweet shop. All bloggers have a different style. It took me ages to find my own. And I still make changes every now and then.
- If you are serious purchase your name. You can just buy for a year from as little as £3.50. I used TSO host, and bought my name from day 1. This means that if you change your blog host you keep all your readers stats etc. Your name is your unique identity, so the less you change it the better.
- Decide on a blog host. I started on Blogger and moved to WordPress. I did this, as I wanted to go self hosted and own my own site. (You have to pay for this) I would read as much information as possible on this subject. There are quite a few options, and there is no right or wrong. One of my favourite bloggers who is a hugely successful, award-winning blogger is on blogger. So if it works for her then it must be ok. Every one you speak to has a different opinion on this. My advise is read up on it, make a decision and stick with it. I changed after 6 months and it was a nightmare.
- Read other blogs. Not only do you learn so much about blogging this way, you make wonderful friends. I have met some amazing friends through my blog. People whose judgment I trust 100%
- Engage in social media, you will meet some wonderful people. This for me was the hardest part. Feeling brave enough to chat to big bloggers. But do you know what? Everyone I have engaged with has been lovely.
- With social media in mind, be careful what you say, how you represent yourself on social media is how other bloggers and PR’s see you. Everyone has his or her own opinions and personalities. But something’s are best kept off twitter.
- Get involved in Linkies. This is how you start to network; it’s a great way to meet blogging friends. Develop your blogging style. And get honest feedback from others.
- Don’t worry about statistics, and figures. And don’t compare yourself to other bloggers, we are all different and all have different niches, and styles.
- Be yourself and enjoy your blog, which is what it is all about, it has to be or what is the point. I can honestly say that the moment I pressed publish, I did 100% the right thing and I have never looked back.
Very useful list! I wish i had read it before i started!
Ha ha yes me too x
Totally agree with these points 🙂 x
Thank you, I just wish I had known them from the start ha ha x
I’m also a newbie – 3 months in to blogging – and finding my own voice and fellow bloggers. I’ll try to find you on twitter
I found you, yes as a newly I am constantly reading how to posts they all help so much don’t they x
I think it’s great to see posts like this from new bloggers. I am just six months into it myself, so it’s great to hear from others in the same position. I think maybe three years down the line, I may have forgotten what it was like starting out, so it is good to get this all down while it is all fresh in your mind. #thelist
Thank you and yes, its all fresh at the moment I am sure if I am lucky enough to survive the net few years, I will have forgotten al the details x
I’ve only blogging for 1 month, so this fab post is incredibly timely. I especially love your last point. I’m still trying to find my voice, but I’m sure that as I continue writing it will come! #thelist
Thanks Fatima, when I started I aimed to write much more about hair, and beauty as that is my background. But I just evolved into Family and Travel my life passions. I would say be patient and enjoy writing and your voice will evolve and your blog is fab, so stylish x
I would say if you’ve not been blogging a year yet, and you’re top 500 in Tots and #117 in Foodies then you absolutely should write a post like this and share your knowledge – you’re obviously doing something very right!
Found you via YouBabyMeMummy’s #TheList.
I co-host a Weekend Blog Hop that opens this evening; would love if you’d come and link up x
Ah thank you that is such a lovely thing to say, and yes I would love too. See you there later x
The fact that your in the Tots 100 top 500 is a pretty big achievement for your first year, so you should feel like you can share your tips. Agree with all of the list and hope that more newbies see these points before starting 🙂
Thank you, that is so kind. Yes I had no idea what was involved in blogging when I started out. I thought you just wrote and that was it #naive
great tips, I agree with them all just wish I’d found a post like this when I started out! #thelist
Thanks Ali, yes we learn by our mistakes don’t we, I know I did x
Great list. I have been blogging for four years now and I still find myself occasionally worrying about statistics! I have to tell myself off, haha!
Wow I hope I am still around in 4 years Rebecca thats amazing x
Great post, I wish I had read it before I made my blog, Baby Chaos… as Boo is not going to be a baby for ever! So I made the switch this week over the selfhosted and here I am with a blog name that will hopefully last forever =D
I love your new name Jenni its fantastic x
Great tips huni #SundayStars x
Thank you lovely xxx
Great post! A perfect one for any new blogger- or even an almost year old one who still doesn’t have a clue… yep, ME haha! Thanks Sarah xxx
Ha ha thanks Maria, I love your blog xx
Great tips Sarah! And you are right to write it now while it is fresh and just because you are a newbie doesn’t mean you aren’t fab!! xx #SundayStars
Thanks Katy, and yes a year down the line I will have forgotten it all xx
I am a new blogger an this post is really helpful 🙂 I love your blog and will defiantly keep reading your posts 🙂
https://lovingmyls.wordpress.com/
Ah thanks Samantha, can I just say your blog design is beautiful. I wanted a Bird cage when I started out but couldn’t find the right one, yours is so pretty x
You are a fantastic blogger and friend, you teach me something every day. Thanks for sharing all your tips, people will be very grateful. #sundaystars
Ah Karen thats so lovely, I learn from you too xxx
Great tips. Although….you ARE a big star!! You’re a super blogging star! And I love this blog 🙂 Great advice and tips, and yes, I am always learning too. I’ve made so many mistakes in the 10 months I have been blogging that I feel silly! Thanks for sharing these. Jess x #sundaystars
Thanks Lovely Jess, I am still learning myself. I can’t believe what I have learnt this year.
I’m 2 posts in on my new blog, terrified but loving it! No idea what I’m doing mind! Lots of good things to know on here 🙂 xxx
Just enjoy it Michelle, if you enjoy writing it, then people will enjoy reading it. And thanks for your lovely comments xxx
Hi there Sarah. You have a lot to answer for. I have taken your advice and “begun to blog.” OMG I am spending so much time bumbling my way round WordPress making a mess, but loving every minute. I really, really am completely out of my depth, haha. any advice much appreciated x
Adele
Ha ha thanks Adele, I am had a look the other day I love the toys you make they are so cute x
I’ve been blogging for a year now and still see myself as a newbie. I work part time and find it hard to really get into linkys and commenting on other blogs, but I’m slowly getting organised so I can fit everything in! Some really useful points here xx #sundaystars
I know its hard to keep up, i am finding myself sat till midnight commenting etc but I wouldn’t have it any other way. However I am totally with you on how hard it is to maintain a job, be a mum, wife and blogger x
Great tips. I recently had my blog birthday – 3 years man. I’m still learning half these things so you definitely way more savvy than I was at under a year!!!
Thanks for linking up to #TheList xx
Thanks Hannah, I think I have learnt the hard way xx
Fab list!! Although I’ve been blogging for almost 2 years, I feel like a complete newbie. I only really got to grips with twitter about 6 weeks ago and I only figured out what linky’s are around the same time…crazy I know!! Now I’m obsessed. I get so many more comments, I feel like part of a community and I love reading other people’s blogs and experiences. Thanks for the pointers x
Thanks Natasha, yes its weird isn’t it you feel like you really get to know people through commenting xx
Thankyou…I have been at this blogging thing for not very long myself…some days I am on the ball with it and other I am not.
Thanks Trista, yes me too its difficult to maintain some days isn’t it? But saying that I love it x
These tips are so great! Perfect for all those new and emerging bloggers!!x
Thank you Claire, yes hindsight is a great thing isn’t it x
This is a great post and brilliant advice for someone like me who is new to the whole blogging world. I am keen to step my blog up a gear, and from reading this you have inspired me to do so but also out me at ease about just being true to myself. (I couldn’t agree more about having blog-envy either, I have changed my style 3 times already haha).
Thankyou, Kimberley xx
Ah you are welcome Kimberley and just be true to yourself and then you cant go wrong x