While my blog is still relatively new, I thought it would be helpful to write a post for other new bloggers about what I have learned this far in my journey. Some of you may be farther along in your journey blogging, but I have found the following 7 tips very beneficial in my blog and I hope they will benefit you as well!
- Have brain storming sessions as often as possible. I try to do this at least every other week. When I do these brain storming sessions, I write down post ideas, things I need to do on the blog, new projects I want to work on, and printables I want to create. I set the timer and go through my categories and write these ideas under each category, one by one, until I’m out of ideas. Then I move on to the next category. By doing this for 30 minutes, I have came up with many, many more post ideas than when I open Word Press and stare at the screen hoping that something great comes to me!
- Use the Word Press Editorial Calendar! If you are like me and have a paper planner, but don’t always have it with you when you are blogging, tend to misplace your papers, have 5 notebooks where you have blogging notes, have little helpers who like to use their markers on your notebooks and paper, can’t read your own handwriting, or have any other organizational problems…this plug-in can probably help you! I take my brain storming session ideas and place them in the calendar of when I want to publish the posts.
- Use Google Drive to organize Pinterest and Linky Parties. I use Google Drive to create a spreadsheet to keep track of what post I have pinned to which specific board or linky party, the date I added it, and any other information that is vital to remember. This has really helped me organize and even though it took a little time to develop what I wanted, it has saved lots of time in the long run as I’ve used it.
- Keep ONE notebook for your blog with you at all times. In this notebook you will be able to write down post ideas, notes for your blog, or reminders . Don’t switch to other notebooks and as soon as you get in front of your phone, tablet, or computer add those ideas into your editorial calendar!
- Write from the heart and about what you love. If you are writing on a topic that you aren’t passionate about your readers will be able to tell. I recently participated in Blogelina’s Commentathon and read over 50 posts written by various bloggers. It was obvious which ones were passionate about what they were writing about. Those posts were much more interesting to read, even if it wasn’t a topic I would write about!
- Follow a blogging schedule. Within this schedule include your blogging time, social networking time, time spent researching online, etc. Schedule your time like an appointment and stick to it. This has been vital to me not blogging all day, getting other things done around the house, and giving my children the “mom” time they all deserve! There is always something to be doing with the blog, but there are other commitments that are just as important. (I also think since I’ve given myself a specific amount of time to blog, I’m getting more accomplished!)
- Set weekly goals. I am a huge advocate of setting goals. By setting weekly goals (I post mine each Monday morning, it makes me accountable not only to myself, but to my readers. There is strength in numbers. I accomplish more by posting my goals than when I don’t! If you need help with goal setting I have a few posts that can help you! How To Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Living An Intentional Life: How To Set Goals.
What is your favorite tip? Do you have any other tips that someone new to blogging should know?
Good tips. While I do several of these things differently, I wholeheartedly agree with “write about what you love.” I sat down to brainstorm a list ONCE when I very first started blogging. I’ve never even written about most of the things on the list, because my ideas come to me faster than I have time to type them all up!
Great tips. I need to be organized. I tend to focus on the creative side that I like more than keeping track of where I linked things and planning future posts.
Good tips to share. I personally give myself a goal to post something each night after my baby is in bed. And with my niche, it’s easy to make a post considering there is always a deal to be found and shared 🙂
Thanks,
Debbie
http://couponsandmore.org
i just stumbled across your blog and I am so glad I did! These are great tips and I can’t wait to start using them. starting my first brainstorming session now! 🙂
I struggle with fitting everything in between the volunteer commitments made prior to blogging. It’s like I had a full-time job added to my full-time volunteer and family jobs. Your scheduling advice makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing what works for you. 🙂
Blessings,
Kim
Thank you very much for this post. I really need to focus on goal setting and blog scheduling. I know both of these could really help me get more followers to my blog.
Thanks for the tips!
I followed a link-up from Teaching What is Good.
I liked all of your tips, but the Google Drive tip really piqued my interest. I’m still learning all of the ins-and-outs of blogging and this is the first time I’ve read this tip. It gave me something to think about for the future.
I would definitely give it a try! It’s really helped me organize myself and it’s free. Thanks for stopping! 🙂
Great post. Thank you for these tips. I am sort of new to blogging and this was helpful. I am in need of all the tips I can get right now. I have a notebook/planner, but like you said, I do not always have it with me….I needed that tip for sure. I am working on a better schedule for my blogging time…it is definitely a work in progress. 🙂
Thanks for stopping in, Amanda! 🙂 I hope to see you again!
I love reading post like this great idea and inspiration
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
So true about organizing linkys! I just created a spreadsheet yesterday, actually, to track all mine because I realized I couldn’t remember where I had submitted what. You don’t want to submit the same link twice but you don’t want to miss one either! Better to just get organized from the get-go.
I had that exact problem! 🙂 I hope this will help you out! Thanks for hopping over!
There’s some awesome tips here! I am going to check out the Editorial calendar and I never thought about using Google Drive to organize what I have posted to link parties. Many thanks! Visiting from the Wake Up Wednesday Linky!
I could never remember what I had posted to which party, so the Google Drive tip really helped me! I hope it helps you as well!
I found your blog at Welcome, wake up wed! I’m so glad to have read your tips, and I plan to incorporate some of them in my daily plans. I started a travel blog some years ago, as a way to keep a diary of my trips. I’ve started writing more now that I’m retired, and have been working on making my blog more interesting to the public. Stop by if you like, and take a look. 🙂
http://karanandmichael.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-do-you-fit-everything-into-one.html
Very helpful advice. I just started to visit linkups and I like how you keep those organized. Thanks!
Great tips! Had I known these things 5 years ago I can guarantee you my blog would’ve been MUCH more successful. Thanks for sharing. Pinning.
This is really great advice. Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
Great tips! Back at blogging so I am loving all the great advice! Thanks! Found you at growing home makers 🙂
I love the weekly goals tip and I currently am learning to do just that. I found you today via the Homemakering Linky party
I have found that setting goals really helps! Feel free to link them on mine every Monday if it helps you having an accoutability partner! 🙂