Ignore Analytics

It’s easy to mistakenly think that the amount of readers you have equals the success of your blog. On average I receive about 50 visits per day and I’m shocked that there are that many people who give a shit about what I have to say. When I first started my blog I obsessively checked google analytics to see if my numbers spiked after I’d published something I thought was pure gold. I was always disappointed when I realized that I had received 3 visits (2 from me and one from my mom no doubt).

Your ultimate goal may be to get some free stuff, more sponsors, or tons of comments, but if that’s why you’re blogging then you are doing it for the wrong reasons and readers will see right through you. Uninspired, unoriginal, less than genuine posts always seem forced. As a blog reader I can tell when a blogger is insincere. Their blogs tend to lack passion and personality and I lose interest very quickly.

Don’t Copy Other Bloggers

A good way to lose respect quickly in the blogging community is to “borrow” ideas without giving credit where credit is due. When people borrow my photos without asking and without linking back to my blog it feels as though someone took my baby out for ice cream and said thank you when the woman behind the counter told her she had a lovely child. OK, so maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but do you see what I’m getting at here? Bloggers spend hours on their content and it’s a slap in the face when someone else gets all the credit for it.

If you come up with your own content it will turn your blog into a labor of love rather than a carbon copy. That’s not to say you can’t play along with the other girls posting outfit photos or blogging tips .

Make Friends

Even more fulfilling than a growing number of subscribers are the friends I’ve made through blogging. Never have I met such a supportive group of positive ladies. In a world where girls can be catty, competitive, rude, and insulting, our little blog world is everything but that. We encourage each other when we’re down, compliment each other on our accomplishments and support and inspire one another. Take advantage! Make friends. You never know what you’ll have in common with women you never would have met otherwise.

Blog as if everyone is watching

Whether you have 10 readers or 10,000 readers you should be posting the best possible content.

1. Take high quality photos with natural light. This can be difficult if you work a 9-5 and get home just before sundown like I do.

Tip 1: take your photos on your days off so you have ample daylight. Plan ahead for your blog posts for the week so you can make the best of your free time.

Tip 2: if you’re really serious about blogging, invest in a lighting kit (and learn how to use it properly).

2. Write quality content. Think of things that interest you. Chances are if these topics interest you they will interest others in your community!

Tip: Take the time to organize your thoughts. Brainstorm some ideas that peak your interest. Make a list with as many topics as you can think of no matter how absurd you think they are, then pick your favorites and expand on those. In no time your blog posts will be writing themselves.

3. Show your personality. People are reading your blog to get to know you. Don’t feel like you have to reveal every little detail about your life. Some things are better left private, but don’t feel like you have to take on a certain persona to fit in.

Tip: write a post with some fun facts about you. Choose quirky habits, hobbies and stories about you or your childhood that people may not know just by looking at a photo of you.

Evil Anons Be Gone

Just like my “ignore” post said, it’s inevitable that you will eventually get some negative feedback from an anonymous commenter. Ignore the negative comments. You will get far more worthwhile feedback than the pointless comments from the evil anon club, trust me.

Don’t Force It

You may feel like you have to post every day in order to keep your readers coming back, but don’t force it. If you don’t feel inspired to blog, if you feel like vegging out or catching up with friends instead of creating a DIY, then do it! Having a life outside of your blog can and will fuel your blogging fire and get your creative juices flowing.

Have Fun

Don’t take blogging (or yourself) too seriously. Blogging is a fun way to express yourself and meet new friends from around the world. Don’t think of it as a job because even if you end up doing it full time, you started blogging because it was something you found interesting and fun.

Some bloggers can get burnt out and blogging stops being fun. If this happens to you try something new! Write about something you wouldn’t normally think about posting, rebrand yourself, or give your blog a new look. Sometimes little changes give you the charge you need to have fun again.