I recently posted about my milestones of 100 posts/100 followers. I opened the floor to questions and was asked about basic blogging advice. So for what it's worth, here goes.
1. Make your blog easy to navigate and easy to read. Use pictures, especially if you are doing projects or crafts. People want to see, not just be told.
2. Be consistent. If I say I am posting Art Adventures every Tuesday, I need to actually post an Art Adventure every Tuesday. I also need to post the other projects regularly. Right now I am doing four posts a week. It's hard to know the right amount, we all just have to find what works.
 |
| I use spreadsheets for each day to keep track of what posts were linked where. |
3. If you want traffic, link, Link, LINK! When I first started I naively thought that 3 or 4 link parties was sufficient. Then I notice that blogs that grew faster linked more. There are so many great blogs out there. If you want to be noticed, you have to put yourself out there. I think I do about 30 something link parties a week. And make sure you link back! That's just basic etiquette.
 |
| We all love to see comments! :) |
4. Visit other blogs and comment. We all love comments. It's the best way to make inter-friends. Also respond to your comments. I either email back or respond in the comments. I don't know which is better. Thoughts?
 |
| This pillow was inspired by the company At West End. |
5. Give credit where it's due. If another blogger's project inspired you (or company or whoever), say so and provide a link back. I don't know a blogger that doesn't appreciate that.
6. AdSense. What I wish I knew going in is that it takes a LOT of traffic to make any money at all, more than you think. You have to earn $100 before they cut your check and if you really weren't ready, it can feel like it's taking forever. Also, you don't know if anybody is going to click ads or how much, so there is not consistency in how quickly your pennies add up. Sponsorships would provide more consistency, but it also requires more work on your part. I haven't really sought sponsors yet.
I have found that so many bloggers are willing to share their advice and help if you just ask. There are bloggers out there who have been at it longer than me, and I have never been rebuffed for asking a question. :) Feel free to add advice in the comments.
I keep wondering about AdSense... thanks for these great tips!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your advice, it is all very helpful and like Jamie i have been curious about adsense so the insight is great. Lynda
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this, Jen! I would love to have 100 followers someday! I appreciate the advice. I also remember you offered an invite to Pinterest...I think I need to check it out (I've held off, not sure why), so I would love an invite!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. I was looking around your blog a bit and ran across this post and had a question for you. Do you find that when you post to that many parties (30 or so), that you get traffic from most of them? I have a few parties that I link to that consistently bring 100+ page views a week. But I have linked to some other parties that I get virtually no traffic from. Like 2 page views and one of them was from the party sponsor. If I link to one of those parties and don't get anything from it, I cross it off my list because I don't have time to participate in a lot of parties at once (comment and visit other participants) so I try to be choosy about it. Just wondering if you have found that more parties equate to more page views?
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your blog. Very cute photo on your About page.
Hi Pam, Good question. I am always tweaking my parties. Yes, it's true that some don't bring many pageviews.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple things I try, first I make sure that what I do fits in what is typically linked at that blog. Even if it says anything goes, but it's clearly a craft blog, they may not care about my curb appeal, or whatever. So, I either link an Art Adventure there or if I have nothing that seems to draw views, I drop that party from my list. But, I usually give a party a month's worth of try before I decide.
I try to link to where I am invited, but it doesn't always work out so well. I'm actually in the process of scaling back. I'm adding Google Analytics in hopes of getting more info about who is coming from where so I use my time more effectively.
In general, more parties does equal more views though. If I have three parties that only yeilded 5 pageviews each, that is 15 views more that day than I would have had. The little amounts can add up quickly especially when you are still small. Also, check how many come over time. My traffic always picks up on Friday night. I assume more people have time then. So, I get hits from Monday's parties on the following weekend, etc.
But, yes, if I don't get traffic from a link party, eventually I will stop messing with it. I hope that answers your question.
Great advice! One thing I am not good about is consistency on topics. I began blogging as a way to meet other chronic pain patients, but soon realized I also love blogging about my family, my work as an Obstetrical Nurse and crafting. Also, I don't link up...maybe you can explain how I do that? Sounds silly, I know, but I'm not sure how!
ReplyDeletegreat blogging advice! thanks for sharing your thoughts. i really appreciate your advice on adsense. enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDelete