2. Tips for New Bloggers

by Elyse of Give Me Bows

So you want to start a blog. Where should you start? What should you write about? What are the unspoken rules of blogging? I know how daunting being a ‘newbie’ can be, because I started my own blog at the beginning of this year! So I have compiled a little list of ‘tips for new bloggers’ in the hope that they will help you find your feet when you are starting out on the awesome adventure of being a blogger.

Be Yourself: As a new blogger, it can be tempting to look around at other blogs and try and ‘fit in’ by replicating their style/personality/blogging formula. It’s important to remember that your most valuable asset is your individuality. There is nobody else in the world like you, with your passions, interests, personality or life experience. In your real life, people value and appreciate you just as you are. So when you sit down to brainstorm ideas for your new blog, make sure you choose key themes or topics that you feel passionate about. When you begin drafting your first posts, try writing content from your point of view.

Write an ‘About Me’ Page: An ‘about me’ page is one of the first things people will look for when they read your new blog for the first time. It’s a great opportunity to give people an insight into who you are and what your blog is all about. I have to admit that I was a bit slow and only wrote an ‘about me’ page recently – but my statistics show it is now one of my most popular pages!

Stay Organised: In a year from now, you don’t want to find yourself tearing your hair out because you didn’t save a copy of the original HTML code for your blog template, your computer desktop is cluttered with old outfit images, and you can’t remember the brilliant idea for a post you wrote on the back of a napkin and have since lost. Start your blog on the right foot by implementing good habits – create a folder on your desktop for blog-related information and images, carry around a special notebook to write down blog ideas or even use your phone – whatever system of organisation works best for you.

DIY Design**: It never ceases to amaze me what you can learn from a quick Google or YouTube search. Be proactive! If there is something you want to add to or change about your blog template (a custom background? a new border? a different default font? a blog button?) don’t be afraid to search for an easy-to-follow tutorial and give it a try yourself. (Tip: Make sure you back-up your old template first.)

Set Mini Goals: While you may have a huge overriding dream for your blog, setting mini goals along the way can help keep you focused and motivated. Your mini goal could be to post three times per week, or to create a weekly outfit post, or even to comment on a new blog each day. Make a mini goal that fits in well with your lifestyle and time constraints.

Be Patient: It’s sometimes easy to forget the fact that all blogs start with zero followers. While a handful of new blogs will surge in popularity almost overnight, for the rest of us, it takes a long time to build a readership. Be patient and persevere – if you have fun and enjoy what you post, I promise you that you will slowly-but-surely start to gain followers and receive comments.

Be Friendly: The blogging community is home to some of the most thoughtful, sweet, friendly, creative and clever people you will ever encounter. Make the most of it by getting involved. Reply to any comments or questions on your blog. Comment on other blogs when you have time (especially other new blogs as they could really use the support). It goes without saying, but always treat other bloggers with courtesy and respect.

Enjoy Yourself: The majority of people start a blog because they are looking for a source of enjoyment. Maybe you hope to use your blog as an online diary where you can remember and appreciate the little things in life. Maybe you want a creative space to share your art, designs, handmade goods or photographs. Maybe you want to learn more about yourself and to grow in confidence. Whatever the reason behind starting your blog, don’t lose sight of it! If you are feeling pressured or stressed out, take a little break.

Just Do It: I wanted to write my own blog almost a year before I actually started. I kept waiting for the ‘perfect’ set of circumstances – a better camera, a better understanding of web design, well-thought-out content ideas – and if I had continued to wait for every little thing to be in order, well, I wouldn’t be here blogging today! While beginning a blog can be nerve-wracking and anxiety-inducing, it's amazing how much you learn and how much your confidence grows with every single post. I encourage you to give it a try.

**There will be a post on blog design later this week, so stay tuned!