When I first started my own blog, I’m not sure I realized how much running a blog actually entails. I’m pretty sure I thought I’d write about whatever I wanted, post a few pins and insta-find my audience. Hate to break it to you beginner bloggers but it’s nowhere near that easy.
As an owner of a blog you are your own web designer, photographer, author, editor, advertisement agency, marketer, and tech support. You have to figure out how to run and organize your site. You have to not only write your posts, but also take photos or find ones that are allowed to be used in the public domain. You have to proofread each of your posts on multiple formats to check the grammar and flow. You have to create pins that actually entice readers to click on them and be your own biggest fan, promoting across multiple platforms so that your audience can find you.
So as the final post in my three part beginner blogger series, I thought I would clue you into the lessons I’ve learned over the past month so hopefully you can have come idea of where to begin on this potentially overwhelming journey.
Make Pinterest Worthy Images
When I look back at my images from my first posts I cringe internally. They were often horizontal, contained text I added to the best of my ability in photoshop, and certainly weren’t doing enough to gain anyone’s attention. So save yourself and go download the Canva app on your phone right now. Do it this very second, the rest of my post can wait because this is important!
I actually stumbled across Canva when looking for a different app in the app store. I downloaded it out of curiosity and had the epiphany “so this is where all those Pinterest images come from.” I would hazard a guess that 75% of images containing text on Pinterest are designed using Canva. After using it myself I see why, it is easy to use, allows you to create ideal sizes for your separate social feeds, and so much more.
Keep a List of Ideas
Currently on my phone I have a list of no less than 450 post ideas. I have written them down as soon as they have flittered into my lil’ noggin. Otherwise I will forget, try as I might to remember. Writer’s block will happen to the best of us and by having a diverse list of ideas you have won half of that battle.
Treat it Like a Full Time Job
I hear you saying “but I already have a full time job?” Well, if you want to get anywhere in the next few months you now have two. I have spent around 40-50 hours on my blog a week since launching and most of that has been after my husband gets home from work, meaning there have been some LATE nights. That being said, you also don’t want to burn yourself out. I do take breaks and I do still make time for my family. You still should live your life, but reassign all those hours you previously spent on Netflix to your blog.
If you (understandably) can’t do 40 hours a week, do 20 or as many as you can. The sooner you get your blog set up, get quality content on there, and get your Pinterest game on, the sooner you will see growth. These things take time and are no shortcuts (well there are web designers but they cost moola).
I launched my Pinterest account April 3rd with 0 viewers and 0 impressions, today (a month later) I am at 6,342 viewers and 7,692 impressions. The number of blog visitors has climbed from 3 a day (my husband, my mom, and myself) a month ago to an average of 50 a day this past week. My blog visitors may not seem crazy high but those are 50 readers I don’t know who are taking the time out of their busy lives to look at what I’ve created, which is pretty mind blowing. None of this growth would have been possible without the time I committed to my website design, my posts, and all the other kicks and knacks of running a blog and the growth keeps me motivated.
Quality Over Quantity
I am proud of every single post I have written over the last 31 days. I don’t just type up some unuseful gibberish to meet my self-imposed quota. I take the time to make sure each post is exactly how I want it, even if adding a clickable directory takes an extra hour. A good test to go by is: if I were a reader would I take the time to read this? Would I come away from it feeling like I learned something or that it was worthwhile? If not and you are writing it for yourself than go for it, but don’t expect it to drive traffic to your site.
Work Ahead
There are some days I have lots of extra time on my hands and feel really inspired, there are others where I am running off of four hours of sleep and have had it with life in general. If I hadn’t knocked out a few extra drafts on the days I was feeling productive, there is NO way I would have been able to stay consistent with my posting schedule. So keeping in mind you won’t always feel like writing, finish a few posts and refrain from hitting that publish button. I know you are excited to share your latest masterpiece, but save it for a rainy day.
Add Plug-ins
If you don’t know what a plug-in is feel free to check out the Beginner Blogger’s Dictionary, but essentially these are programs you can add to your site to make your life easier. There are plug-ins to add subscriber pop ups, insert header and footer text, give you detailed analytics, and so much more!
Here is my current list of must-have plug-ins in case you don’t know where to get started
Jetpack – This plug in allows my self hosted site to still have all the benefits that come with a wordpress.com site.
Broken Link Checker – Alerts me to if any of my posts have broken links or missing images.
Column Shortcuts – Allows me to place columns in my posts (although in my experience the columns aren’t as responsive on mobile).
Google Analytics Dashboard for WP (GADWP) – Gives me detailed analytics to see how my blog is performing
Insert Headers and Footers– Allows me to easily change my header and footer text.
Like Button Rating – I added this after realizing the default jetpack like button required users be logged into WordPress in order to share the love.
Pinterest Pin It Button On Image Hover– Allows users to pin from my site just by clicking on a hover button.
Social Warfare – Adds a social bar for easy sharing across multiple social media platforms.
Thrive Leads – This is a paid plug in but it allowed me to create and customize my subscription opt-ins exactly how I wanted them.
Wordfence Security – To protect my site firm viruses and other cyber issues.
Yet Another Related Posts Plugin – Uses an algorithm to determine and display similar posts. If you post about multiple topics it can help drop your bounce rate and keep readers engaged.
Yoast SEO – I’ve just recently started dabbling in SEO but this app provides great feedback as to how you can improve each posts SEO friendliness and readability.
Cookie Notice – I currently don’t have this one activated on my site because I’m trying to design my own on Thrive Leads, but with the GDPR deadline looming it is an easy way to comply with having a cookie notice.
Don’t Take it Personally
I’m lucky that two people close to me support this crazy adventure I’m on. The rest of my close friends and family have either ignored it completely or been openly hostile. It was a pretty tough pill to swallow that these people, who I would do anything for, just didn’t understand or appreciate me blogging enough to even say a positive thing much less actually read it or accept a facebook invite. Just remember that they are not the audience you are after, and that they don’t understand what blogging is about (despite the hours they themselves spend on Pinterest).
Find Your Own Support
No one understand the struggles of blogging better than those who run a blog, and there are some wonderful supportive blogging communities that can be found on Facebook. I highly recommend joining a few. Some exist just to share each other’s content but others are gold mines of been there done that blogging gold. In the interactive groups you are allowed to ask questions, request feedback , and truly get to know and interact with your fellow bloggers.
I hope I’ve helped you to begin your journey a few steps ahead of where I was when I started. More than anything just remember you are doing this for you and have the faith in yourself. Celebrate any small milestones whether it be growth or successfully overcoming a challenge. Let these successes motivate you to be persistent in reaching your blogging goals, whatever they may be.
If you found this post helpful or are looking for a new blogging friend, feel free to drop your blog domain or Pinterest account link in the comments.
