7 Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging

By: | January 10, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , |
I found this blogging class on Googlefreeimages, but it originally came from Flikr. Look at the very bottom, and you'll see credit is given. This is important if you don't want to be sued.

I found this on Google’s Royalty Free Photos, but it originally came from Flikr. Look at the very bottom, and you’ll see credit is given. This is important if you don’t want to be sued.

Are you a new blogger looking for advice?  Are you a seasoned blogger concerned there might be advice out there you’re not privy to?  Then, this is the blog post for you!

In the ten weeks since I started blogging, I am still discovering many “tricks of the trade” that I wish I knew when I first began.

Tip 1 There are guaranteed ways to get more traffic. 

Sound gimmicky?  No.  Actually, it’s a great idea.  I am a member of three Facebook groups where you are guaranteed at least two page views if you post your link in their site.  The rules (and they really are rules) are that you click on the two links above you and comment while you’re there.

It’s ingenious.  First of all, after all my efforts writing the post, it is gratifying to see my post get traffic.  Next, the two bloggers under me might want to stick around permanently and follow me.  I, in turn, have discovered many great blogs this way, and followed others.

Here are the links to the three I’m in.

http://ultrablogchallenge.com/

Bloggers Corner

Bloggers Helping Bloggers

Tip 2 Twitter Hashtags

You don’t want to play to an empty room.  Write for an audience.  To quote Lady Gaga, we “live for the applause,” or at least the virtual applause. Right?  People have to be able to find you to give you that validation.  How many billions of people are on this planet?  Let them find you by using specific Twitter hashtags which were designed just so bloggers can find each other.  Very cool.

Monday – #Mondayblogs

Tuesday – #TurnitupTuesday

Wednesday – #wwwblogs

Saturday – #ArchiveDay

Sunday – #Sundayblogshare

All Weekend – #WeekendBlogHop

Now Twitter gets even more helpful to bloggers.  Are you ready?  There are certain hashtags that enable types of bloggers to find each other.  For example, when you Tweet your link, if you are a lifestyle blogger, you should add @lbloggers_RT, and it will go to a person so supportive of lifestyle bloggers, she (I’m guessing female) will retweet their links to get their writing more exposure!  The same applies for female bloggers.  You add @femalebloggersRT and it goes to someone who retweets female bloggers.  (I just read about this last night.  If I’m not understanding all this correctly, I assume my readers will correct me.)  If you are a parent blogger, use #pbloggers with your link and add @pbloggersnet when you post your link on Twitter.

Tip 3 Free Photo Sharing Sites

You don’t want to take liberties with someone else’s photo.  We don’t have the time, money, or desire to be sued.  No problem!  There are so many free photo sharing sites out there.  At the most all you have to do is give credit to the photographer.  There are many others.  These are the ones I use.  Readers, I hope you will add your favorites in the comments section.

Canva

I made this with Canva.

I made this with Canva.

bananas-311788_150

I got this banana from Pixabay.

Pixabay

MorgueFiles

Flikr

GoogleFreeRoyalty Images

Tip 4  The Word Press App

At first I was reluctant to check it out assuming it was just another app that would clutter up my phone or Ipad.  However, I am constantly checking my phone for Emails that tell me if I am getting new followers, comments, and likes.  If you are like me, this app is for you.  Even your stats are there.  Why wait till you get home to be obsessive like me, right?

Tip 5 Linky Parties

Very Cool.  Tip 1 discussed groups that will guarantee you traffic, and they will–it’s the rule.  Linky parties vary.  You find a link to a “Linky Party.”  You go there; it’s generally at someone’s web site in the form of a blog post.  You find the words “Add Link” and you click.  There, you will see rows and rows of links others before you have posted.  I believe the words “Add link” appear and it tells you when the link closes.  In contrast to Tip #1, Linky Party hosts generally strongly suggest you check out others sites.  (Check back to my site, mycurrentnewsblog.com this Monday.  I will be co-hosting my first Linky Party!)

Tip 6 Other Helpful Groups

These groups allow you to leave your link for exposure.  On Saturdays the #SITS Girls let you leave your link because they host a linky party. (See Tip 5).  Last Saturday, 10% of my traffic came over from the #SITS girls.  The earlier you can get your post linked up, the better your chances of receiving traffic.  I’ve read being in the first 20 is ideal.  In addition, they have great articles on blogging.  Here is their link.  #SITS

I hear people’s opinions of Google + is mixed.  However, many days the bulk of my traffic comes from Google +.  They have communities on topics your posts might be about.  I may post this in a blogging community for example.  However, I caution you: not all communities welcome links.  They frown on self-promotion.

There are many other helpful groups I’ve discovered on Facebook.  Here are some of the groups that I belong to.

SoCal Lady Bloggers

California Mom Bloggers

The Women of MidLife

Post & Share on Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook

Mamapedia

Write It, Love It, Share It

Southern California Bloggers

Tip 7 There are guaranteed ways to get more followers.

Speaking of self-promotion, I started a Follow to Follow group.  I was told there were blogging directories where I would follow someone, and they would follow me.  It didn’t work that way.  What if I’m someone is interested in reading my topics, but I’m not interested in reading that person’s topic?

So, I started a Follow to Follow Back page.  I tried to recruit a blogger who responded that he doesn’t support bloggers because our posts are only three sentences long.  Then, we spend the rest of the week promoting it.  Three sentences?  If you are still with me, you have read 1134 words!  (I thank you for your continued interest.)  I sent him the link to my thousand-word post.  He complimented my writing and then still refused on the grounds that my Follow to Follow back directory was gimmicky.

Gimmicky or no, I have met wonderful people, from different cultures, countries, and walks of life (What No One Tells You About Blogging). We have many supportive bloggers, people who’ve reblogged my work and promoted it on Google +.

Our list is getting extensive, but you get out of it what you put in.  Follow 5, follow 20.  It’s up to you.  The only “rule” is you have to follow that person back within three days.  If they don’t, just unfollow them.  If you are interested in checking us out or joining us, here’s the link: How to Get New Blog Followers.

If you think these tips can help other bloggers, please share.

Readers, I’ve only been blogging ten weeks.  I’m sure you have many more helpful groups, sites, and tips than just what I’ve shared.  Please put them in the comment section to help other new bloggers like me.  I look forward to learning from you.

 

 

  1. Debra Block

    No I don’t blog however I like to read yours. Debra Block

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    • Janice Wald

      Thanks!
      Too strange yesterday morning. I went into panic mode. I mean, it’s hard enough to get traffic without “comment” and sharing problems. She recommended Sharaholic for sharing ease. Do you use it? I don’t think I saw it on your site. I’m concerned I’d have to deal with code which I’m not confident about.
      Janice

      • K. Renae P.

        I’m not self hosted (WP.org) so I don’t even know if we can use Sharaholic on a WP.com site.

        I haven’t had any issues with commenting.

  2. Snarky Momma With (

    HI Janice,
    Sorry its so late. But today was the baby’s party day,
    Yes, finding all those graphics is difficult. I easily spend more time searching for the right picture to go with each part of my blog than I do writing it. You probably spend a ton of time doing research because you write more about “real world”.
    I sort of wing it because I am writing about my life mostly. Not a lot of research needed there. But the graphics kill me.
    I am starting to take pictures of everything and trying to learn how to do things myself to avoid the evil of Royalty Free. That is what takes up my time.
    I always post attributes on my page if I am linking back to a web page. If I have taken the picture from a Free page that is open use based on download. Then I don’t attribute unless it is required or requested. I have the website I downloaded it from saved but I don’t want to pass on false info in case someone should not have used the image. So…better safe than sorry.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      1. No apologies needed
      2. I am choosing the license that says “available for commerce reuse without modification”. Here’s to hoping that’s right.
      3. Do you remember when you linked your blog post to my Quick Guide” Genetics? Someone read it, and clicked on my link. You wrote the post a while back, but they just clicked the link today! It goes to show you just never know. That’s why I feel (and many disagree) it’s good to write a lot, because you can keep getting traffic on the old as well as the new.
      Janice

  3. levraphael

    Terrific advice all around–and it’s important to remember that the competition, so despite our dazzling wit not everyone will find us and even when they do, they might not be interested in our books (if we’re authors), just our blogs. I re-post lots of blogs from a group blog or my Huffington Post blogs to the blog on my web site–I want them available for people trying to get to know me work. http://www.levraphael.com.

    • Janice Wald

      Huffington Post, I’m impressed, and slightly jealous. I’m sure it’s every bloggers’ dream to write for them. Thanks for sharing.
      Janice

  4. JoAnn Chateau

    It is very generous of you to reveal this tips! Planning to check out #1 today. Thanks!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      1. I got notice you are a new follower. Welcome!
      2. I enjoyed your article about George W. I am not a George W. fan. Kind of glad he’s getting those repercussions.
      3. Glad you found my tip helpful. Tip #1 seems to work better on weekdays. I find more people go into those groups then. But, if anybody comes in under you, you’ll get the page view.
      Nice to “meet” you.
      Janice

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  6. Lysa

    So glad I stopped by to read one of your blog posts because now I have found several others that were so incredibly informative. Thanks so much for sharing!

    xx
    Lysa

  7. Terri Webster Schrandt

    As usual, great post!! I knew about the Twitter hashtags but not the turnitupTuesday. Images are very important to a blog–dare I say a picture is worth 1000 words? 😉 that’s why I mostly use my own images. I also join a lot of photo challenges which gives me lots of images to use.

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  9. suzie81speaks

    Thanks for promoting #SundayBlogShare! I only started it at the end of last year and it has been doing brilliantly! Really enjoyed your tips!

    • Janice Wald

      Suzi, if you have a moment, could you please share it out? I would really appreciate it. Thanks Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you. I actually just turned on a new Twitter user to the article so they can see the hashtags, so more Twitter traffic should be coming your way!
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Gavin,
      Thank you for coming over and checking out my blog this morning and for the compliments on my time-saving tips. Nice to meet you Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Garvin,
      Thank you so much.
      Nice meeting you. Are you Sally’s follower? Did you read the post on her site? She reblogged it.
      Thank you again for reading what I wrote and the kind words.
      Janice

  10. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    Some tips for those of us who are still getting to grips with blogging and a very useful one that I find a great boon.. free photograph sites. Thanks to Janice Wald on My Current News Blog

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Sally,
      You are so kind. I read your comment about @ and your name–sending you my links on Twitter. I sure will. I wrote Hugh and told him what you did for me. My readership increased by almost 3%! One of your readers even reblogged it! You are even nicer than he said you were. We bloggers are lucky to have your support. Thank you again for the reblog and the offer of future exposure.
      Janice
      Janice

      • Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

        My pleasure Janice – after 18 months I have come to see fellow bloggers not only as friends in a thriving community but also family. see you soon.. Sally

  11. Rebecca Meyer

    Thank you for writing this. I have found that Twitter is amazing for connecting with other bloggers. I have met so many awesome people that way. 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Rebecca,
      Thank you for your feedback on Twitter. A lot of people are writing not knowing about Twitter, and they are learning from your comments. Others are writing confirming your opinion.
      Thank you so much for following my blog this morning. I look forward to getting to know you better.
      Janice

      • Rebecca Meyer

        You’re welcome, Janice! I’m glad you wrote this. It’s great to get the word out about how useful Twitter can be for blogging. It’s an awesome tool.

  12. Let's CUT the Crap!

    I need to take a look at Twitter one of these days. Thanks for the tips.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I find the research is true about Twitter–they’re at work during the week, and they read blogs more then. The work crowd finds the links on Twitter.
      Nice meeting you. Thank you for reading what I wrote and writing me.
      Janice

      • Let's CUT the Crap!

        You are welcome. I am overwhelmed with all this media. There aren’t enough hours in a day but I have been curious about Twitter for quite some time. Nice to meet you too.

  13. roughwighting

    Well, I found this because of a tweet, so look how well social media works. I began a blog three years ago (about writing, and ‘flashes on life’) with one follower (me) and slowly have built up my followers to over 600. Consistency is important – (I blog every Friday) and loyalty to other bloggers is important (I make sure to read and follow and comment on my favorites). Also, FB, Twitter. Most importantly, of course, is to write something others will enjoy! Nice to meet you here. Very informative post.

  14. Janice Wald

    Hi, thank you for the kind words about my post and for following my blog. Thank you also for telling me how you found me because I always wonder. Also, thank you for writing how effective Twitter is since it gives credibility to this information on the post. Nice to meet you too.
    Janice

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    • Janice Wald

      Hi!
      Thank you so very much for the link back to my post. I am always so grateful the opportunity to be exposed to new readership. I really appreciate it. Nice to meet you.
      Janice

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  21. Smiling Notes

    These are some excellent tips! As someone who is just starting out, I am learning a lot from you 🙂 Thank you so much.

    • Janice Wald

      Thanks so much. I am getting ready to move to mostlyblogging.com. I hope you’ll follow me over there.
      Janice

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  24. Mark

    These are seven excellent tips Janice!

    And they definitely would have moved your blogging progress
    ahead even further, if you had known about them
    and been able to apply them before hand.

    Thanks so much, shortening our learning curve!

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