Blogging Basics

I haven't been blogging for all that long, but I thought that it would be useful for me to have seen a post like this before I actually began blogging. These are just the blogging basics. For all of you that are new to blogging or thinking of starting a blog I hope that some of these tips help you to be successful. I shouldn't say I know a lot about blogging because there are many others that have been blogging for longer than I have and are much more successful than I am, but I still thought this would be a good post to write. So without further adieu, these are my top tips to making it in the blogging world. 

Be Authentic

Authenticity is key when you're blogging. Going on someone who has a very professional blog and just stealing what they write is not going to help you make it whatsoever in the blogging world. Being original and writing about whatever makes you happy will just naturally attract followers. Also, using a voice that is personal to your readers is extremely important as well. You want your readers to feel like they're connected to you. Just making your blog original will definitely help you gain more readers. 

Write About What You Like

Obviously writing about something you're not interested in is not going to be fun at all. Blogging is supposed to be fun. Sure, it is hard work and is very time consuming, but if you like to do it it doesn't seem like work at all! Pick a topic that interests you. For me it was preppy fashion. Now that I'm getting older preppy fashion may not be the only thing limited to this blog, but mainly style is what my blog focuses on. Pick something that you love and write about it! Others that have similar interests will love reading about it!

Let Your Blog Grow

Your blog may start out with one topic, but sort of gracefully extend to another. For me it started out as strictly "preppy", but now as my style changes a bit it has grown into a more general style. This can include many different styles. As you get older you're going to change so let your blog do the same. Just be sure it's a gradual transition. Also, if there are opportunities for your blog to become more public and more popular, take them! Don't worry about other people finding out about your blog because usually people think it's pretty cool that you blog. All of my friends and family are super supportive and read my blog. 

Don't Compare Yourself

There is always going to be someone else's blog that is more popular than yours. Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle. Some of my favorite bloggers are my age, but they have more followers than I do. I don't let this get me down because I haven't even been blogging for a full year, while they have been blogging for longer than me. With time and continual effort your blog will continue to grow. 

Be Consistent

Bloggers that blog every day or have a certain blogging schedule tend to have more followers. If you're just going to post sporadically it's going to be hard for your readers to keep up. Personally if someone posts almost everyday or I know when they're going to post I tend to read their blog. If I notice that someone has been absent from blogging for a while {without a post explaining where they are/when they're returning} I don't really like to read their blog. 

It's A Commitment

Blogging takes a lot of time, energy and work. Be sure that you're up for the challenge! A lot of people start blogs, but they don't stay committed to them. My logic is if you're going to put all of the effort into starting a blog, you should stick with it! Just know that it does take a lot of time. It can be hard to manage, but it's totally worth it. I absolutely love blogging so much that I don't think I could ever quit. 

Get Connected

Connecting with your readers and other bloggers is extremely important. Comment on as many blogs as you can, but don't spam. Truly read other blogs and comment meaningful responses and also leave a link to your blog. If someone comments on my blog I almost always check out their blog and read a few of their posts. Just be sure to comment something that goes along with their post and don't only say that they should check out your blog because that's an immediate turn-off. Also connect with other bloggers for help if you need it. Make friends with bloggers too! My tips on that is connecting with bloggers you have some relation to or other bloggers that have a similar number of followers. No one wants someone to be friends with them just to gain followers. 

Some other random tips include ::

-have a clean design that is easy for readers to navigate

-have a name that is intriguing for readers and that makes sense to what you're writing about

-stay active on social media

-have fun! blogging is about having a creative outlet and it should be something that you like to do, not a chore

I hope this helped you guys! Leave your tips in the comments below!

XOXO, Kate