so you want to grow your blog

One of the questions I receive every now and then is from a friend or someone who has started a blog. And they want to grow it. And they wonder how to do it. There are so many blogs right now but there is always room for more. Here are a few ideas and tips that I hope help you………….

There is no magic formula

Yes I’m sorry to say there is no recipe to grow your blog. No special things to do or a list to follow that will guarantee success. There are no overnight success stories just people who have put in time and effort.

Be consistent

Time and effort are what is required to grow anything. It doesn’t have to be in the middle of the day, you might do your work at night and just check emails during the day. You can definitely work around other commitments but you can’t get away from putting the time in. And not just on your blog. Across everything – facebook, pinterest, instagram, your emails, reading other blogs and more. I’ve been blogging for 9 years and am definitely of the slow and steady blogger.

Use social media

Facebook can be a right pain when you think no one is reading your posts but its important to be on there. Make sure you have your blog name across social media and share your posts and use social media to grow your blog. I love Pinterest and Instagram right now. Follow people who you like and find inspiring and in your same niche. When it comes to Facebook share a variety of information – are you teaching your lovely readers something new, sharing something funny, letting them know something about you, is it relevant, do you love it, is it in your style. Follow lots of great bloggers, celebrities, websites, pages that relate to your niche and share little bits with your readers. Make it fun, keep it positive and don’t give up!!!!!

Have a newsletter

Mailchimp is a great way to keep your readers posted with what’s been happening and avoids your message getting lost in social media. Mind you this takes some work to get a newsletter out and I’m not the greatest at it but it’s well worth having an email list. Especially when you have something special to share or a giveaway. I am not so good at the newsletters and I’m OK with that.

Know your reader

Know what you will and won’t blog about. Do you think your target market might be offended with your language (mind you some bloggers are known for their language and that is why people read them but you need to think about YOUR readers). Make a mental picture of your reader and what she (or he) is interested in and needs to know.

Get out there and meet other bloggers

Meet ups, conferences, events, nights out, online blog post sharing….you need to get you and your blog out there. You don’t always have to leave home to do it but you do need to put yourself out there. Leave comments on blogs and social media (don’t spam!), go to conferences, join facebook groups (Blog Chicks, Digital Parents, Problogger) and learn from others. I find Digital Parents and some of the great facebook pages are wonderful when you’re starting out or have a question and want to ask someone

Give something away

A fun giveaway, an e-book, a recipe, something you’ve bought or have that would be fun to giveaway is a great way to get people to your blog and get their attention. If you’ve got great recipes then bundle them up into an e-book and perhaps offer it for free when they join your mailing list

Be yourself

What is it about you and that makes you YOU? Not all mums are the same and not all bloggers are the same so make sure you put your personality and what it is that makes you YOU into your blog and everything you put out there. Maybe you’ve got 10 kids, or are super organised, or love chocolate, or are obsessed with craft. There are people out there who want to know something from you and make sure you are being yourself and sharing it. 

Learn how to take photos

Whether it’s on your iPhone or your camera learn a few tips and tricks that help you take good photos. If you can get off auto then fabulous if you can’t then edit your photos, crop or follow a few simple rules and do your own photos. I think it really makes your blog yours if you are using your own photos. Nothing worse than seeing the same photo on other people’s blogs unless they are sharing your wonderful work and bringing it back to you. Use picmonkey to edit or make your photos fun, think about adding text to your pinterest photos and for social media.

Follow bloggers who are doing it right

Fill your social media with people you like and admire, bloggers who might not be in your niche but are getting noticed and putting themselves out there, go global and don’t just stick to the aussies. I can’t tell you how much I’m loving the Scandinavian knitters on my Instagram feed.

Just have fun

Unique views, page views, followers blah blah blah. I check my google analytics once a month and that’s how I like it. If you’re always chasing the numbers you are not going to be the most authentic person or enjoy the ride. It should be fun and about friendship and sharing. It’s fine to set goals and things to work towards but if you really are obsessed with the numbers and why they aren’t going anywhere then it’s taking your time and energy away from everything else. Read, get inspired, get outside, go somewhere, take your camera and just have fun.

Got any advice? A question? Fire away………………..