Blogging 102: Taking it to the Next Level

here it is…the second installment in the blogging faq series!  if you missed the first post (blogging 101:  getting started), check that out here.

today we're talking all about taking your blog to the next level.  in this post, you'll find some answers to questions about crafting great posts, gaining a following, and advertising!  if you've gotten your blog established and now are trying to figure out how to make it grow, then this post is for you!

i've asked a few bloggers to join me in answering some of the questions that have been submitted.  joining in today are meg of rivers & roads and heather of honee bee.  check the end of the post to find them on social media.

  

What camera do you use?  Who takes your pictures?

I have a Canon Rebel XS and I also use my iPhone. To be honest, I use my iPhone a lot more these days for taking my day to day shots for my posts.  It's a whole lot easier to tote around on a daily basis :)  I do love it when I am able to get my DSLR out for a photo shoot.  There's just something about taking pictures with a real camera.  I take all of my own photos that you see on my blog, unless otherwise noted.  I currently don't have a style post series because I don't have anyone to take those pictures for me! :)  –Meg, Rivers & Roads

i use a nikon d7000 and my most-used lens is a 50mm.  i take the majority of the photos on my blog (basically anything i’m not in), but for the rare outfit post, i either use a tripod or ask someone like my brother or my boyfriend to shoot a few pics for me!  but don't discount your iphone either…i use a ton of pics from my phone on my blog all the time! –betsy, heavens to betsy

Is there a standard sizing for photos in blog posts?

no, not necessarily, but i’d recommend making all of your photos the same width.  see more of my tips for photography and blogging here. –betsy, heavens to betsy  

the bigger the better! photos and photo quality are the number one drive to your site. make them good, use GREAT lighting, learn more about photography, this will be the biggest thing you can do to make your blog grow! –heather, honee bee

What do you think is the most important thing about a blog post?

the photos, hands down. sometimes photos dont matter but always make sure to include ONE photo, even if it doesn't super apply. but I cannot stress the importance of having GREAT photos. Invest in a nicer camera or teach your self composition tricks, it will do wonders! –heather, honee bee

i’d say 1) having eye-catching photos and 2) making sure your content is well-written and helps your readers connect with you.  ending your post with a question is always a great way to engage your readers! –betsy, heavens to betsy

Good pictures and authentic content.  I'm going to be honest, if your post has a lot of text and zero pictures, there is a high possibility that I will not take time to read all of it. I'm a very visual person, so pretty pictures definitely help.  I will remember your post better as well if you have pictures.  Also, you want to post authentic content. Don't post content that you don't really believe in or support yourself. You want to connect with your readers on a personal level. Be yourself, talk about things that you like, review products you would actually buy, and so on.  –Meg, Rivers & Roads

How do you gain and maintain a readership?

engage, engage, engage!  comment back on comments that people leave on your blog, read others’ blogs and let them know you stopped by, sponsor other blogs, become a great, reliable blog to sponsor, partner with other bloggers on link-ups and giveaways.  consider the bloggers you care about to be your friends and treat them that way! –betsy, heavens to betsy

post often (at least once a week), comment on other blogs, sponsor other blogs, find your favorite bloggers and follow them on twitter and engage in conversation! starting out you need to be willing to make partnerships and friends, and it works best if you are reaching out!! –heather, honee bee

How can I make money?

it’s not easy!  if you’re looking to get rich quick, blogging isn’t your answer.  the most common way to make money for smaller bloggers is through sponsorships (sites like passionfruit make managing your sponsors really easy!).  some companies also offer affiliate programs for bloggers (like shabby apple and bonlook), where you can earn commission by referring readers through links on your blog.  it’s definitely possible to make money on blogging, but my advice is to not let that be the only reason you blog! –betsy, heavens to betsy

Do I need a button for my blog?  How do I create one?

If you are wanting to do any kind of advertising to grow your blog, then you definitely need a button.  There are a lot of blog button instructions out there as far as creating the html code for yourself. Design-wise you want something that reflects the design elements of your blog. Maybe it has a picture of you or maybe it's just your logo. Designers tend to offer some services a la carte, so if you aren't design minded, it's very possible you could have someone else design a cute button for you at an inexpensive cost.  I am currently offering button design services for $5 per design! –Meg, Rivers & Roads

if you want other bloggers to promote you, then yes!  some bloggers will create one for you if you ask really nicely and maybe pay them a little.  but you can also create buttons through basic design software.  every blog will have different, specific dimensions that they’ll need for a button.  not adhering to these dimensions will result in a stretched or distorted button, so pay attention to those guidelines! –betsy, heavens to betsy

Is advertising important?

offering ad spaces and advertising on other blogs are both great ways to build partnerships, discover other bloggers, and gain readers, so yes, advertising is important!  Monetizing your blog and allowing google to put ads on your page is a whole different ball game, and that’s a personal decision you need to make!  -betsy, heavens to betsy 

What if people do not read my blog?

keep at it!  if you’re passionate about what you’re writing, then don’t get discouraged.  start promoting your blog on social media, and then go out and find other bloggers and comment on their blogs!  i try to click around every day and find new sites, so if you’re engaging in the blogging community, chances are you’ll build a readership eventually, it just takes time! –betsy, heavens to betsy

still have questions?  submit them in the comments section!

connect with meg here:

blog // instagram // facebook

connect with heather here:
blog // facebook // twitter

Blogging 101: Getting Started

well you asked, and i listened!  there were so many questions submitted for a blogger faq that it's actually become a series of posts! 

today's topic is blogging 101. these are some great questions to ask if you're just starting out, or considering starting a journey into the blogging world!  blogging can seem intimidating, but trust us, you can do it!  there's a lot of text in this post, but there's also a lot of wisdom, so grab a cup of coffee and join us!

i've asked a few bloggers to join me in answering some of the questions that have been submitted.  joining in today are meg of rivers & roads and elizabeth of oak & oats.  check the end of the post to find them on social media.  these girls have added some great advice from years of blogging experience!

  

How do I get started?

Start with a brainstorm session! Take a Saturday afternoon to write down your blog thoughts. Names, themes, ideas. Then just start! Read other blogs, reach out to bloggers you admire, and try new things. Blogging is an evolution - If you went back and looked at the first post from all your favorite bloggers I am sure you will notice a difference! It is something that you learn and grow in while you are in the midst of it! You cannot perfect your blog before you start so just dive in! – Elizabeth, Oak + Oats

getting started is probably the most daunting part of the process…but i’d say just start writing.  don’t worry too much about finding your voice right away, that stuff will come.  figure out a name that works for you, bounce a few ideas off of friends and family, find something catchy, and then ask yourself why you want to blog.  the answer to that question can be instrumental in helping you figure out what to write about!  -betsy, heavens to betsy

How do you choose a name?

Picking a name is an exciting thing! Before you slap the first thing that pops into your head all over the internet, here are three things you should do first:

1. Figure out what you want your blog purpose or mission statement to be. Find a name that represents that and at the same time is timeless.

2. Google said name and see if any other blogs are using it. If your blog takes off, you don’t want to not be able to own a custom domain name because www.abeautifulmess.comis already taken. Also, you want your readers to easily find you - not search through a list of “Whatever is Lovelies” when they are looking for you.

3. Pick a name that is unique but simple and easier to remember. When you are blogging you are starting a brand. You may end up huge or your may have a smaller influence but either way, it is always important to treat yourself as a brand. Value the work you do and take time to pick a name that can stay with you. – Elizabeth, Oak + Oats

I think it's important when choosing a blog name to choose something that encapsulates both your personality and what you want to write about! I love adventures and the outdoors, and I also write about those things a lot. So Rivers and Roads is a name that really fits me and who I am as a person and a blogger.  Also, if you are thinking of starting a small business, etsy shop, etc., that should probably affect your name choice as well.  Create a name that not only is a good blog name but also flows well as a shop name.  Most of all, be creative! It's your space and your name, so make it unique! –Meg, Rivers & Roads

I’m new to blogging…got any tips?

blog for you!  the moment blogging feels forced, that’s when you’ll feel dry creatively and that’s when it’s not fun anymore!  this community has so much to offer, so be sure to invest in other blogs by commenting, sponsoring, reaching out to other bloggers.  most bloggers i’ve worked with have been more than willing to help a sister out, so take advantage of that! –betsy, heavens to betsy

Be you, keep learning, comment on other blogs, and enjoy it! The only blogs worth reading are blogs that are written by people with passion and purpose! – Elizabeth, Oak + Oats

What platform do you use?  What’s the difference between blogging platforms?

I do not know a ton about this! I know I use blogger and so do a lot of other people. I know also, that a lot of people use Wordpress. I say, look into both of them and see which one makes more sense to you! – Elizabeth, Oak + Oats

i use blogger.  i like the ease of it, but as i’ve grown, i’ve contemplated a switch to wordpress more than once.  both have pros and cons, both can be customized to look like an awesome blog that reflects you, they just look different on the "backend" (the part that you, as the blogger can change and edit).  a lot of careful research can help you figure out what will be best for you!  –betsy, heavens to betsy

What should I blog about?

Take a day and think about this. What do you like to do? What inspires you? Why do you get up in the morning? What things can you not imagine your day/ life without? It is okay if you have a lot of things you want to talk about, they call those blogs “Lifestyle Blogs” and yes, I have a lifestyle blog! Make sure that you blog about what you WANT to blog about not what you feel you NEED to blog about. and also be YOU! There are so many blogs out there but there is only one (or maybe more) written by you! That is what you have to offer! Say you love healthy living and also sweets! Then blog about how you live healthy and still enjoy eating delicious sweets. OR maybe you love to bike to work but also look cute - show us your outfits that travel well and look fab! You can combine your loves into your blog and that is so unique! – Elizabeth, Oak + Oats

What are you passionate about?  Chances are, when you answer that question, you’ll know what to blog about!  my best (and favorite) posts have been on topics that I really care about or like to talk about.  if you love fashion, consider blogging about your favorite trends or outfits.  if you love cooking, share some recipes, successes, or failures (these can be really funny posts!).  the options are endless and there’s a niche for everyone.  –betsy, heavens to betsy

What would your advice be to someone who cares about how their blog looks - but has NO background in design (nor do they feel confident throwing anything together)?

there are options for you!  there are tons of bloggers out there that offer design services for small fees, and there are even e-courses out there that can teach you how to make your blog look great, even if you have no idea what you’re doing.  I’m willing to bet that if you look around, you know someone who has basic graphic design skills.  but truth be told, before i became proficient in adobe programs, i created all of my blog banners in Microsoft word!  haha….sounds crazy, but it’s true.  there are also websites out there specifically to help bloggers create elements of their blog like headers and buttons, and there are even bloggers who have created templates and allow you to download them for free (you just have to look hard enough!). –betsy, heavens to betsy

I highly encourage you to look into working with a designer. I tried to design my blog for a while and it was way too overwhelming! I am a writer, not a designer! And that is totally okay! I think that when we all come together and do what we are good at, GREAT things can happen! There are tons of options out there for designs & designers. From really affordable pre made templates to custom designs & brand development one-on-one meetings! Look at your budget and shop around for a design or designer you want to work with. Do not be afraid to ask for quotes and tell people you are looking around. The one you love most might even offer you a discount to keep your business! – Elizabeth, Oak + Oats

Here's the thing, if you're just dipping your toes into the blogging world and you're not sure how much you're going to blog or exactly what direction you even want your blog to take, I'd say to start small. Do you have a friend who is good at design? Ask them if they'd be willing to help you get started with a simple design.  Or check with some beginner designers.  Their prices are always lower ($100-$200 for complete blog design). Maybe you just want to start out with a cute and catchy header and a button so that you can begin advertising.  You can purchase design services a la carte most times, which is helpful if you have a small budget!  If you're looking to make a big splash and dive in head first, then go big or go home, sister. research different designers, compare prices and services, and don't be afraid to ask them questions! they are there to help you. the moral of the story is that a good design is a big part of what makes readers stick around. –Meg, Rivers & Roads

connect with elizabeth on the following social media sites:

blog // facebook // twitter

connect with meg on the following social media sites:

blog // instagram // facebook

Blogging + Photography

throughout my years of blogging, this space has changed and grown a whole lot.  i've been thinking lately about things that i've done intentionally to try to make this blog better, and focusing on putting together good posts has been instrumental.  

one thing that i think makes a post good is the photos you use.  your photos are your quick visual:  if a reader doesn't have time to read your whole post, or if they're trying to decide whether to spend the time reading it, your photos can either convey the content of your post or draw them in and convince them to give you their time.  

here's an example of a featured post image that helps draw a reader in and gives a clear expectation of what they will learn from the post:

(bonus:  if someone happens to pin this photo (original post found here), it will tell them exactly what it's going to link them back to)

i have to be completely honest here:  crafting great photography for posts takes time.  and personally, i'm not great at making that time.  i happen to own a really nice camera and a bunch of lenses that i love (check out what's in my camera bag here), and i actually run a photography business on the side, so i should have no excuse.

but if you're like me and blogging isn't your full time job, you know that oftentimes, it happens late at night or on your lunch break or even early in the morning before you've become a real person aka showered.  in a perfect world, i'd be able to take tons of awesome photos on some cute brick alleyway in a hip city with perfect magic-hour daylight and a rockstar outfit.  but that's not my life and sometimes a lot of the time, i'm crafting a post with zero daylight in my bedroom in my pjs.  

so, i've learned to take good pics with my iphone.  turns out that thing has a pretty great camera and it can really get the job done, depending on what you're trying to do!  (check out my fave camera apps here)

here's an example of a featured image that i used my iphone to create:

i cropped and added the text in adobe illustrator, but that pic was taken with my phone after a run one day.  in fact, i often use my instagram photos in my blog posts.  (original post here)

that's not to say that you never want to break out your big-girl camera.  heck, i'd be lying if i said that i wasn't really proud of myself when i can blog some good photos that make me proud to show them off.  but again, sometimes, you have to make due.  ya know, fake it til you have the time to make it….or something like that.

of course, your photography do's and don'ts will definitely differ depending on what you blog about:  food bloggers have different priorities than fashion bloggers who have different needs than diy bloggers.  so you need to figure out what makes your particular blog or post jump out.

for example:  you'll care more about your background and depth of field in an outfit post, like so:

and care more about really close-up details in say, a decor post, like this:

ultimately, like with any other aspect of blogging, you need to figure out what works for you.  these are just some things that i think makes a post feel a little more polished and a little more thought-out.  

here's a quick list of my few rules of thumb when it comes to blogging + photography:

- use good, clear, interesting images!

- make sure every post has at least one image.

- if you didn't take an image, then make sure you credit your source. (link with love, people!)

- choose or create a compelling featured post image.  it should be something that catches your reader's attention and gives a snapshot idea of what the post is about

- make all of your images in your posts the same width.  i read this advice somewhere once and started doing it immediately.  it gives your posts a more sleek and put-together feel!  (all of my images are formatted to 600px wide, with varying heights)

- add text to some images!  i like to add text to my featured image (the first one in my post) that has the post title or a quote from the post.

- if you're on pinterest and gain exposure from that particular site, try to think about what will look good and be eye-catching in someone's feed!

- when you're short on time or just can't get great images with a "real" camera, don't underestimate your trusty smart phone!


what did i forget?  what would you add?  what are your rules of thumb?

Hey Bloggers! Ask away….

hey bloggers!

are you new at this blogging thing?  have you been doing it for a while now?  what are some questions you have about the blogging world?  what are some questions you've been asked by other bloggers?

leave your question in the comment section and then watch for the answer in the next few weeks!

Utilizing Social Media to Grow Your Blog

we all know that social media is a hugely important tool for use in the blog world.  it's the main way to get your content (and name) out there and keep your followers up-to-date with what you're posting.  when i first started blogging, i wasn't the most confident.  i was ok if people stumbled upon my blog, but i definitely wasn't looking to advertise the fact that i had one.  to be honest, i still feel a little awkward sometimes when someone i know talks to me about my blog, but as it's grown, i have definitely become a more confident writer and i've found that social media plays a huge role in growing my blog.

so, as i'm sure you're aware, there are a number of different social media venues out there.  here are some of my faves:

twitter // twitter is probably my most-used social media site in terms of promoting my blog.  it's easy to post to and people typically don't mind you self-promoting on it (as long as that's not all you do).  you can utilize it to share posts, engage with readers and other bloggers, and even promote things like sales on advertising packages.  find some other bloggers to follow and help promote them by retweeting their posts.  if you use passionfruit to run your ad shop, be sure to follow @passionfruitads and @passionfruitluv on twitter to get tips, updates, and sales on blogs you might be interested in sponsoring.  

facebook // you can post links to your blog on your personal facebook, but i've found that it's more effective to create a page for your blog.  while it may take some time to gain a following on this page, it's worth it.  invite facebook friends who might enjoy your content or want to support you to like the page, and then be sure to post regularly.  facebook is one of the most personal social media sites, so this is a great venue to really engage with your readers.

instagram // for whatever reason, instagram really feels personal to me.  it's like giving people little snapshots of your day, and i use it to promote those posts that i really like.  instagram is also not the easiest for driving content to your blog.  there's no way to create a link right in the caption of your photo, so you're asking your followers to take extra steps (going to your profile) to get to your site.  on the other hand, instagram does offer a snapshot of your post, so if your content/photos are good, this can really drive followers to your blog.

pinterest // it's amazing to me what takes off on pinterest.  some of my most popular posts are popular because of pinterest (like the games i created for jen's bridal shower).  it's important to keep pinterest in mind when creating content.  make sure you include photos in your posts that will be attractive to users and that people will want to pin.  make pinning easy by including a "pin it" button that appears on your photos.

bloglovin // bloglovin is basically a content feed for blogs.  you create an account, link up your blog, and follow other bloggers.  they have a great app for your smartphone or tablet that allows you to see new content from all of the blogs you follow in one feed.  while i don't feel like i get a ton of traffic to my site from bloglovin, i do think this is a great tool that a lot of bloggers use and so it's worthwhile to invest the time into setting it up.

things you definitely should do:

1.  use social media to promote your blog…and other blogs you like!  bloggers appreciate when their content is shared by others, and the gesture may just be returned!
2.  make it easy for your followers to find you.  (all of my social media accounts can be found under @betsygettis, except for my facebook page, which is titled "heavens to betsy)
3.  include links to your social media accounts on your blog (in an obvious spot like at the top of your page or right under your profile section of your sidebar)
4.  generate followers through giveaways…allow extra entires into giveaways for following you on different social media sites.
5.  this one seems obvious, but if another blogger offers you the opportunity to get your social media sites out there, take it!

things you definitely should not do:

1.  don't spam your followers!  no one likes to see the same thing over and over again, fifty times a day in their feed.
2.  don't be fake…followers are more likely to engage with someone who really feels genuine and engages back!

what tips or tricks for utilizing social media would you add?  what are your favorite ways to promote your blog?

Customizing Your Blog // Changing the Case of Your Date & Post Headers

if you host your blog on blogger, you know that customizing can sometimes be a pain.  i can't tell you how many times i've fought and fought with the backend of my blog, and then found some round-about way to make the tiniest change.

but those tiny changes are what makes your blog you.  so here is a simple tutorial of how to customize your date and post headers by changing the case.

first, you want to open up your template.  you can do this by going to your blog's dashboard, choosing "template" from the left-hand sidebar, and then clicking "customize" under the screenshot of your blog.

 once you're into the template, find "advanced" on the left-hand menu, then scroll down and choose "add css".  (css is a type of code language that is used to alter the look and formatting of a web page)  there are tons of different css codes that you can add to create changes to your blog.  this one will help you change the case of your title and date headers.

if you'd like for all of your post title headers to be lowercase, copy and paste this code into the css editor:

.post-title {

text-transform:lowercase;

}

if you'd like for all of your date headers to be lowercase, copy and paste this code into the css editor:

.date-header {

text-transform:lowercase;

}

(if you'd like either of these headers to be all caps, simply change the "lowercase" to "uppercase" in the css editor)

you can also change the alignment of your headers by adding "text-align:center/right/left;" into the coding like this:  

.date-header {

text-align:center;

text-transform:lowercase;

}

.post-title {

text-align:center;

text-transform:lowercase;

}

(this exact code would center align your date and post headers, and make both of them all lowercase)

css takes a little bit of getting used to to really understand it, and there are plenty of tutorials out there that can help you write it from scratch, but sometimes it's just easier to find little snippets of code that allow you to tweak little things on your blog!  i hope his helps!

if you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments section!

customizing your blog // changing the case of your date & post headers

if you host your blog on blogger, you know that customizing can sometimes be a pain.  i can't tell you how many times i've fought and fought with the backend of my blog, and then found some round-about way to make the tiniest change.

but those tiny changes are what makes your blog you.  so here is a simple tutorial of how to customize your date and post headers by changing the case.

first, you want to open up your template.  you can do this by going to your blog's dashboard, choosing "template" from the left-hand sidebar, and then clicking "customize" under the screenshot of your blog.

 once you're into the template, find "advanced" on the left-hand menu, then scroll down and choose "add css".  (css is a type of code language that is used to alter the look and formatting of a web page)  there are tons of different css codes that you can add to create changes to your blog.  this one will help you change the case of your title and date headers.

if you'd like for all of your post title headers to be lowercase, copy and paste this code into the css editor:

.post-title {

text-transform:lowercase;

}

if you'd like for all of your date headers to be lowercase, copy and paste this code into the css editor:

.date-header {

text-transform:lowercase;

}

(if you'd like either of these headers to be all caps, simply change the "lowercase" to "uppercase" in the css editor)

you can also change the alignment of your headers by adding "text-align:center/right/left;" into the coding like this:  

.date-header {

text-align:center;

text-transform:lowercase;

}

.post-title {

text-align:center;

text-transform:lowercase;

}

(this exact code would center align your date and post headers, and make both of them all lowercase)

css takes a little bit of getting used to to really understand it, and there are plenty of tutorials out there that can help you write it from scratch, but sometimes it's just easier to find little snippets of code that allow you to tweak little things on your blog!  i hope his helps!

if you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments section!