And I’m back with more blogging advice! I hope you all enjoyed part one (click here for that post) where I talked about advice for beginners. Now this post is directed to everyone in general, but still more for beginners. We all want to increase our followers. Followers are part of the reason we blog! Here are a few ways that you can maybe increase your blog traffic. Now just remember – I am not a blogging professional! I am quite an amateur but these are the things that have helped me personally and a few other bloggers I have talked to 🙂
TAG YOU’RE IT! BOOK TAGS HELP!
I don’t hide the fact that I don’t enjoy book tags. They’re fun every once in a while but, for me anyway, I don’t enjoy them on a regular basis. They take me forever to think of answers and formatting and editing takes longer than any other post. BUT! When you want people to start following you – they need to know who you are and what you like! The best way to do that is do tags and lists which will give your reader an idea of the books you like to read and books you’ve enjoyed/disliked in the past. Tags and lists are a great way to let people know what you’re into and what they may see from you in the future.
LOOKS ARE EVERYTHING – GET GRAPHIC!
This subheading is misleading…… looks aren’t everything! But they don’t hurt. When scrolling through your reader or looking for posts, if you have a pretty/appealing graphic, it’s an easy way to catch the eye of a potential reader. If you’re like me (computer stupid) this element can be TERRIFYING!! This was the number one thing I struggled with when I first started my blog because I don’t know what the hell i’m doing on a computer. Someone suggested the app Canva and it has been the BIGGEST lifesaver!!!!!! The app itself is free and so are the majority of the layouts, but there are a few that cost money. But you can always change the background photo of those and it automatically becomes free. You can use different sizes for different sites, change/add font, add custom pictures. Best of all, it’s pretty fool proof once you get used to it!
BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND START TALKING!
This is a very important one and one that I least expected. When I first started the blog I didn’t anticipate spending so much time blog hopping or talking through comments (both on my own blog and on others) But I quickly realized that this was a HUGE part of blogging!! And it was also my favourite part! Talking to others about the books they’re reading or have already read, sharing in the excitement, adding your two cents into a discussion – it’s all getting yourself out there. And don’t ever be afraid to comment! All bloggers love comments! You may not think your comment with contribute, but it does, and will not go unappreciated. And HOP HOP HOP little bunny! Do some blog hopping and show other bloggers that you are willing to take the time to share the love!!
POST FREQUENTLY!!!
By this I don’t mean daily – unless you want to then, even better! But I highly suggest doing at least a few posts a week. It’s hard for others to see your blog when you don’t have consistent content showing up in the reader feeds. The more you post, the more you’re putting yourself out there to be seen. It also helps to have a schedule if you’re not posting daily. Find a few days a week that work for you and make sure you always have content going up on those days.
SOCIAL MEDIA = YOUR BEST FRIEND!
Let’s face it – blogs are hard to find sometimes. It’s not like YouTube where your video may show up in a suggestion to someone who is watching a similar video. So finding your blog may be hard. BUT, if you’re active on other social media platforms, your maximizing your opportunity of being seen! Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads are great places to post content, pictures and links that will bring people to your blog. Every little bit helps!
Like I said at the end of the last advice post, please feel free to share your advice in the comments! I will be doing a post in 2 weeks showcasing all of your advice for fellow bloggers. Next week I will be doing the last post in the series where I give you tips and tricks on making blogging easier!
Until next time, happy reading!
Great advice, I especially agree with the point about interacting with other bloggers. I had no idea how important this aspect of blogging would be!! I agree, it is fun as well and you find out so much from other bloggers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s kind of like finding a family! I was afraid this would feel like work in the beginning but it’s definitely my favourite part! You’re right, we learn so much from other people and find new books which is always a huge plus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, always need more books lol my TBR is somewhere in the region of 1,000 now but I’m not complaining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Literally 1,000??? That’s no joke? Ummmmm you’re impressive! I think mine is at about 200 or so which felt huge to me…. not anymore! 😂
LikeLike
Haha I’m really bad for adding books to my tbr and I’m a compulsive book buyer 😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t see a problem with that at all!!! 😂
LikeLike
Great advice! The graphics part seems pretty daunting to me, but I’m learning. 😀 I already know that book tags aren’t my thing, but you’re right…I should probably do some to show people the kind of books I like…so thanks for that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Book tags aren’t really my thing either. But I was wondering…don’t you need to get tagged to do one?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope! If you see a tag you like then go ahead and do it! Tagging people is a way to keep it going and see what others would respond to. I’ve been tagged in quite a few and still haven’t gotten to them while I’ve gone ahead and done some that I wasn’t tagged in at all
LikeLiked by 4 people
If you don’t like tags, maybe try to do a list instead that suits your interests. If you like a certain genre you can always list the top ones you love and the top ones on your TBR. It doesn’t always need to be a tag 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I guess I’ll do that. Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the advice. Social media hasn’t really been working out for me though. I have a twitter linked to my blog and try to regularly tweet something. I have about 500 followers which is really a good start. But when I post on my blog and check out the stats, none of the reads come from Twitter. Most of my views come from WordPress itself. Who knows, maybe if I continue to increase the number of followers on Twitter, somebody will eventually visit my blog…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Twitter is a slow go for me as well. I might get a couple views from Twitter but the majority of mine is from WordPress as well. There are a few outside sources but it doesn’t specify most of those. I think I started my Twitter in Feb of this year and just recently reached 500. Twitter has been a big struggle for me too
LikeLike
All sound advices Shanah and yes Canva is a lifesaver! I began with it too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I can handle Canva anyone can. I am sooooo bad with anything computer related. It’s been a lifesaver!
LikeLike
Great advice! I learned about Canva is a Facebook group and have been using and loving it ever since! It is so easy to use.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic advice, Shanah! I find that the best advice to increase traffic to your blog, is to try and be part of the community. Whether it’s with participating in memes or just blog hopping often, leaving some genuine thoughts and comments, trying to start up new conversations… all of these have been huge help for me to increase my traffic and, most importantly, just make tons of new friends ❤ Canva is amazing as well, I love using it for my blog too, it's just so easy and fun 🙂
Great post! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very well said!!! I’ll be adding this to my final advice post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely agree with all of these! Social media is great though I think I MIGHT be addicted to twitter. Who can know. GRAPHICS ARE AMAZING, i loove them but it takes effort. Someone else designed my blog so i’m not too stressed about my overall design!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Twitter has been a bit of an obsession of mine lately too! It starts off slow then sucks you in without you even knowing! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! I appreciate the advice. My favorite part of blogging is blog hopping to see whatever else is posting. I’d love to know who’s on Instagram and how they use that platform alongside their blog. I’ve tried Insta in the past and really enjoy it, but I’m not sure if it draws traffic to my site or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure about Insta either. Since there’s no ability to post links it’s hard. I love taking pictures of books but I definitely don’t put as much effort into it as I do with others
LikeLike
That’s been my experience, too. I love looking at the pictures, but it seems like a dead-end in some ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the advice! Canva is definitely a life saver for me too!! Do you have any advice for gaining followers on social media? I have a twitter but I only have like 25 followers. I guess I don’t post on it often but I don’t really know what to say lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I did….. when it comes to Twitter and Instagram I’m at a loss. I’ve only just recently reached 500 and I’ve been posting every day in hopes of things picking up. My husband has 14,000 followers and I’m like 😮🤔😳😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg 14,000…500 sounds like an insane amount to me right now haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂 Twitter is an evil place!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Shanah, what a great post!! I love advice posts… I feel like even experienced bloggers can use an reminder of what needs doing…
As for advice to newbie bloggers… mine never changes… Don’t sweat the numbers. I know we all watch them and want them to go up but really if you aren’t having fun and enjoying the process of blogging you will get burnt out and won’t be able to sustain the time you need to become more popular. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well said! I will be sure to include your thoughts in the final advice post. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, especially in the beginning. But it will most definitely side track your intentions and burn out will soon follow
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Shanah!
Great tips!! I absolutely agree with all of your advice! One of my favourite parts about blogging is getting to know other bloggers 🙂
It is a good reminder to use other forms of social media. I’ve dabbled in instagram, Twitter and Goodreads, but I need to make that more of a consistent habit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! Getting to know other bloggers is such a huge part of it. We all support each other so getting to know everyone is so important!
Social media is still something I struggle with but it comes easy to some. It hasn’t helped me out a ton but I’m hoping I’ll get the hang of it soon!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t expect to blog hop so much. But you’re absolute right, it’s one of the best things about blogging so far. Getting to know other bloggers and finding new memes and tags etc. Plus you can get into some really neat conversations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the advice Shanah. I can agree with you on most of these tips. Social Media and being a part of the community are sooo important. And let’s not talk about graphics. I totally understand why graphics are sooooo important. Although I am not the biggest fan of graphics and I am really bad at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your graphics actually! They’re bright and grab your attention 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww! Thanks a lot though I am still learning(mostly from you 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aweeee you’re too sweet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great post, and I especially liked the discussion about book tags. Thanks for the advice, I think I’ll go do another book tag soon. And I guess there’s nothing stopping me from making my own too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! The community is always looking for new tags to keep things new and interesting 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pressed this post on https://daisymae2017.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice thanks! I hope these tidbits of info help others
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always, fantastic advice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great advice! I will have to check out Canva. Usually I whip up all of my graphics on Photoshop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a brave soul. Photoshop gives me a huge headache because I don’t understand it in the slightest! 😂 photoshop makes things look so good though!
LikeLike
I am a digital designer so I use it in work all the time. It’s ok once you get the hang of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh so you can definitely handle photoshop then! If you try Canva it may make you laugh at how basic it is 😆
LikeLike
Yeah I can. I sadly dont have my own copy so I make all my graphics during breaks or “practice” during work. Canva could still be useful for quick graphics when I need them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on CRYSTAL'S PHOTO-BLOGGING SITE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
reblogged this post on https://crystalsphotobloggingsite.wordpress.com and it was shared on LinkedIn too. Isn’t that great?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, I have to try Canva and the tags. I am brand new to blogging so I can say I am still learning. It will take a while to get the hang of it. Thanks a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Canva is a life saver. It’s so user friendly. Best of luck! You’ll pick up sooner than you think 🙂
LikeLike
Really good advice 🙂 Already shared on my social media!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I realise that POST FREQUENTLY! Is a must. I’m in vacation for a days, and boom my traffic goes down rapidly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really does drop immediately. It’s very important in the beginning to keep yourself out there and give yourself a better chance to be seen. Slowly you can start taking it easy and not notice such a big dip 🙂
LikeLike