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/
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 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.
Post & Share on Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook
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.
