Top Tips For Bloggers which may surprise you
As I have blogged since early 2009, I reckon I must have learned some things of value to bloggers whether new to the exciting game of blogging or old hands. Here are my 5 top tips for bloggers.
1. Make your blog your own in terms of content and style. Don’t try to please the crowd because it is false. Be yourself and perhaps get a real wake-up call when you realise you are not alone with your thoughts and feelings. The more true and heartfelt you are on your blog, the more people will like and respect you as the individual you are.
2. Network for advice and support. You will be delighted at just how willing most bloggers are to share their tricks of the trade with you. There are lots of networks for bloggers both at home and abroad. If you don’t know their names, just join Twitter and ask on there. I am a member of Netmums, BritMums, Mumsnet and Love All Blogs. They all provide slightly different things so go and find which one/s suit you best.
3. Don’t write yourself off on the technical side of things. When I started I knew nothing about themes, widgets, buttons and all those sparkly bells and whistles. My friend Kat gave me some help via emails and then I just realised that perhaps I should have more faith in myself and have a go at the techy stuff myself. I am the most untechy person you could wish to meet so if I can do it, so can you.
4. Don’t become a slave to reviews, awards or statistics. They are all entertaining to an extent but it is easy to get sucked in to thinking they define you. They don’t and that way insanity lies. Believe that you are worthwhile in your own right and if plaudits come your way, celebrate them but don’t get needy for them.
5. Expect the Unexpected. Blogging is an unpredictable and exciting journey. My first surprise was when people read my blog and commented on it. My second surprise was realising that I was not quite as weird as I had previously thought (or that if I am, there are an awful lot of folks like me out there). My third surprise was when a public relations firm asked me to review a toy. My fourth surprise was when a founder of one of the networks listened to me and appeared to value my opinion. My fifth surprise was when I was asked to speak at Britmums Live. My sixth surprise was when I was featured as Blog of the Week on Netmums. My seventh surprise was when old college friends found and read my blog. My eighth surprise was how blogging helped my relationship with my stepdaughter. My ninth surprise was when famous authors and journalists read my blog and encouraged my writing. The tenth surprise may well turn up today!
Did you know blogging can make a great career for parents?
Do you have any top tips for bloggers to share?
Originally posted 2012-01-14 14:18:35.
24 Comments
Lesley Beeton
Thank you for your 5 tips. It’s nice to get encouragement though, helps to keep going and writing what’s in your heart.
Mummylish
Hi Kate, A great post for all bloggers. Thanks! I am a brand new blogger and sometimes doubt myself in terms of what I write about on my blog. Like you said I try to remind myself it is MY blog and just to stay true to me. I can’t wait till I have some unexpecteds of my own 🙂 And now I’m going to check out what this groovymums is all about 🙂
Mistress Mummy
Brilliant, thanks for the advice! Sounds like you’ve achieved some great things through your blog
anna tims (@ageingmatron)
I’d feel smug if my blog were half as good as yours. You do a fine job in making the quotidian readable.It’s handy to hear wisdom from a pro. You’ve inspired me to restrict myself to checking my stats half hourly in future!!
Emma Lee-Potter
Such an encouraging blog. Thank you for the useful tips and the advice to keep going. Sometimes I wonder why I’m writing mine and worry it’s self-indulgent but your blog was v inspiring!
Littlelightwork
You’re right – fellow bloggers are a friendly and helpful bunch, as this very post shows, and I find people on Twitter very encouraging. Thanks for the words of wisdom!
bubbablue
So true about the unexpected. That first comment is always exciting on a new blog, and the little thrills everytime you’ve made someone enjoy your writing enough to write a comment, is great.
Think I obviously need to find a lot more time for twitter. Not sure how, but maybe 2012 is the year to do it.
Mummy Bear
*flashes boobs* Surprise! That’s your number 10, right?
I definitely agree with the techy side of things. It all seems so complicated at first but once you’re used to it then it’s amazing what you can create.
Downs Side Up
Thank you, very reassuring for a new blogger
Alexander Residence
Great tips, I left linkys for a bit to find my own way, but I really feel like joining in again now, hence I am here! I love your surprises, and your support has helped me beyond words over the last year 🙂
Kate Takes 5
What a fab list. Love you no. 5 x
jell jell @ I'll Sleep When They're Grown
I love the unexpected idea! It really is hard to predict where this blogging thing will take each blogger.
Littlesheep (@Littlesheep)
Those are great tips – hope you get number ten shortly!
Nickie
Fab tips… stealing some of them for myself 😉
The Boy and Me (@TheBoyandMe)
Wow to number 5! What a lovely lot of surprises you’ve had, can’t wait to hear what number 10 is.
Mummy2twindividuals
I think it true not to get caught up in the stats. It’s easy to be constantly checking and it does nothing to improve your blog #thelistlinky
Rosie
This is such a wonderful post Kate. I’ve been blogging for over 3 years but still mostly feel like it’s all new at times 🙂 I am beyond hopeless still with the techy side of it but I seem to manage when it’s needed of me 🙂 I’m off to pin this post to my blogging board, thank you so much for sharing, sending heaps of hugs x
Kim
Great encouraging post! I love reading tips from established bloggers like yourself 🙂 #TheListLinky
Su {Ethan & Evelyn}
Gosh! Lots of great points and surprises! Congratulations! I look forward to hearing you speak at Britmums. You are Amazing by the way! xx #TheListLinky
Victoria - Lylia Rose
Yes to all of these 🙂 Definitely be yourself and write in your own voice – not only is it more honest, but it also makes writing posts effortless and natural 🙂
obsessive.compulsive.mother.
Thanks for sharing these tips, it was a really encouraging read – I should really just get on with it (my blog) more I think! 🙂
JADE THE PARENTING JUNGLE
What a fantastic list of points, I found myself nodding to so many, you have achieved a massive amount. I think I have suddenly got wrapped up in reviews, I want to try and get back to my voice and focus on more narrative posts which I enjoy and forget about perfect Pinterest posts etc! Fab post #Thelistlinky xx
Mama Mia
Great post for a newbie blogger like me! #thelistlinky
Susie at This is me now
Ha I love the bit about finding out you’re not that weird, or if you are, other people are too. I’ve found that too about a couple of my most personal posts! Great post. Visiting late from #TheListLinky sorry, hard week! x