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BE THE READER, NOT THE CREATOR
The first thing is quite obvious, but something many of us may overlook: look at your own blog, not as the creator, but as the reader. Ask yourself the following questions: Would you follow your own blog? Do the social media links work? Does the content interest you? Is the follow button obviously placed? Hopefully, yes is the answer to these questions, but, if not then make the necessary changes to make it a blog you would follow. It is a small but significant step. An example of this is I don't have a logo, which to me, and by extension to my potential audience, is off-putting. Consequently, I am taking steps to create a logo that will accurately represent my website and complement my blog.
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ESTABLISH TURN OFFS
After establishing whether as a reader you would follow your own blog, a further step is identifying what turns you off following other blogs? For me, it is if I see they haven't made a post in more than a week. Posting regularly, shows you are an active, creative blogger; consistency is key. Moreover, if a follow link is not visible on the page that reduces the chances of me following the blog in question. Bloglovin' is currently my addiction and I use this platform to follow blogs and stay up to date with their content, so linking your blog to Bloglovin would be a great place to start as well.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
ENGAGE
Blogging is better with a community, so claim your blog on Bloglovin' and any other platforms that you like. Use social media as a tool of interaction not just mindless self-promotion. There are #bbloggers and #fblchats happening regularly that you can join. I am such a hypocrite because I rarely engage in conversations on Twitter, essentially I use Twitter to express my thoughts on the latest Made in Chelsea episode, but I should. Leaving genuine comments on blogs that you like and social media posts is a great way to get people to visit your blog. Always reply to your comments as well, as much as you can at least. It's just nice, even if commenters don't check back; it shows you care.
PROMOTION
'Blogging is 20% content and 80% promotion'.
Thank you so much for reading; I hope this post was helpful. The best advice I could possibly give anyone to achieve success in absolutely anything is just to give it your all. Don't give up and keep working and you will get there. It might not be quick, but it will definitely be worth it. Take care.
What tips, or words of wisdom, can you share, as a reader or a blogger yourself?
Love ❤
Kiran
This is such a good post, I see why blog planners are so popular now - there's a lot to remember!xx
ReplyDeletewww.secondswatch.co.uk
Haha it probably sounds more complicated than it is, I have been looking for a good planner for ages xxx
DeleteMy biggest pet peeve is when I spend hours working on a post only to receive the "great post!" comment, so leaving a good comment is key. I'm not good with small talk, so my comments aren't fabulous missives or anything, but I do try.
ReplyDeleteI think your comment just needs to show that you actually read the post, I can't stand lazy comments either xxx
DeleteAgree with everything you said :) Thanks for all the great tips x
ReplyDeleteLaura
Öku Möku
Thank you, really glad you agree x
DeleteSuch great tips especially with leaving good quality comments. You have a new follower ;)
ReplyDeletewww.majeang.com
Thank you so much! Xx
DeleteThis was so helpful! The one thing I am scared about is promoting my blog! Because I know that as soon as I post it on Instagram or Facebook all my friends and family will no about it! Ekk! Any tips?
ReplyDeleteAmelia | http://amelia-g.blogspot.com.au/
I am definitely the same as you, I really don't want my family to be aware of it so can be quite hesitant to share it. A few tips are:
DeleteCreate a new blog-specific email account and specific social media platforms for that email. Create a "Page" on Facebook. Use Google Plus, it really increases your pageviews. I do most of my promoting via Instagram and I have learnt to just brush off any comments from people I know and just underplay the whole blog thing. If it is important to you, you will find a way to make it work, So don't worry about your family and friends finding out, at the moment I consider my blog a part of me because I think about it constantly. Hope this helped x
great post !
ReplyDeletehttp://www.carolinapinglo.com/
Thank you x
DeletePromoting really is amazing for getting more readers.
ReplyDeleteAnd being an active blog always makes me want to follow more blogs :)x
Leah And Rachel Goth | Alternative beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog
I am completely the same x
DeleteLovely blog! Thanks for visitng mine, I'm following you now too! xx
ReplyDeleteVildana from Living Like V & Stalia Is BAE
Thank you, it makes me so happy to read that x
DeleteThis is such an interesting and helpful post to read! Thanks for sharing lovely <3
ReplyDeletewww.anacelinelabod.com
So glad you enjoyed it x
DeleteSuch great points! Hope you have a lovely day :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Edye | Http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
You too, Edye x
DeleteI love this. I dont have many followers or views and it is a hard work for sure! Promoting the blog is the most important thing, I didn't know that when I started blogging but now I know that it makes a huge difference! :)
ReplyDeleteYiota
Pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com
Completely, it can feel a little strange at first but the more promotion you do the more progress you will see. Just don't lose sight of the content xxx
DeleteI love this. I dont have many followers or views and it is a hard work for sure! Promoting the blog is the most important thing, I didn't know that when I started blogging but now I know that it makes a huge difference! :)
ReplyDeleteYiota
Pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yiota, I love that your comment always appears twice. It makes me smile x
DeleteI love these suggestions! I completely agree with the first one! I always sit and look at my own blog and make sure that if I happened to stumble across it, that it's something that I'd love to read! It annoys me so much when I go to follow someone on instagram or bloglovin and the links don't work! It's the little things that really make all the difference!
ReplyDeletexo April | April Everyday
So true, and they are so easy to miss as well! Xx
DeleteYes, yes, yes! So true! So very true! Personally, I think we should always be the reader as well as the creator. What we create should be a reflection of what we want to see and what we want to do. Consistency is also key, I think keeping a schedule is very good to improve your blog <3
ReplyDeletexx Bash | go say H E Y B A S H
I must say, ever since my twitter obsession started my page views and engagement has been so high! I lovw twitter for promoting and chatting, even if it feels like I am neglecting instagram :(
ReplyDeleteErin || MakeErinOver
Great points here. As a bloggers of 3+ years now, I can't agree more with you. Of course, there are many other aspects, but you've covered the most important steps :)
ReplyDeleteLu | www.balgarka.co.uk
I would say blogging is 50% content and 50% promote, both are equally crucial. I have seen bloggers who heavily promote their blogs and content but when I click the link, it's pretty rubbish and I end up closing the tab and don't read it.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
I really liked the tip about viewing your blog as a reader. I always try to do that but it's hard to be completely objective.
ReplyDeleteI also agree about promotion, google + works well. ;)I think I should do more promotion on insta too.
Laura
http://furiouslychic.blogspot.ch/
This is one of the most helpful posts I've read recently. You really covered some great tips I didn't know about before. I have a hard time promoting on Twitter, but Instagram is pretty good for me.
ReplyDeletehttp://thestylebounty.com
Thank you for these tips! As a sort-of beginner of the blogging community, I really needed these tips so thank you for sharing them!
ReplyDeletex Nicole ᵔᴥᵔ | florrall.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you for the tips, I'm really struggling with the "promotion" part but I'm going to follow your suggestions.
ReplyDeletehttp://staygoldbyjv.com/
I have just started a blog so it was really helpful to get some good advice! I am going to try using bloglovin because I need to promote my blog more. Thanks for the great tips!
ReplyDeleteblushwildflower.weebly.com
These are great tips, totally agree with you on looking at your blog from the readers perspective.
ReplyDeleteSam || Beautydetour
This post was so helpful! I've been rethinking my blogging estrategy lately. I really don't know how to use effectively my google plus account, do you have some tips?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this!
Obsessed Fashion Blog
This post is great Kiran! I agree with so much of this, especially that last point - promoting my blog more has really helped boost my traffic and followers xx
ReplyDeletewww.britishmermaid.com