Blogging for newbies and Experts

5 tips for new bloggers

Blogging is still fairly new to me. But I already have some advice to give. I think that is one of the best kept secrets to being successful in anything. Share your knowledge and help others be successful too! I believe that by encouraging others and sharing what has helped me, I will  succeed. 

Get a planner and use it.

I know it may sound so 20TH CENTURY, but a pen and paper planner can be a great thing! Posts on blogs need to be consistent, plan your posts and keep a running/working list of ideas for blogging. Make sure you have lot of note pages for jotting down ideas and lists of what you want to write. You never know when the ideas will hit you! You can find nice planners on Etsy at DivineElementsDesign.
*****Full disclosure: I don't make a dime if you buy this one! Just happens to be free plug for a fellow blogger! She even extols the benefits of a planner on her blog, Decoratorsvoice.com *****

Where to share your posts. 

This will be a ever evolving section of this post. Right now I use Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The big four I call them. Now there are others that I am still discovering. In facebook there are several blogging groups that I belong to, #Blogsharelearn and Blog + Biz BFFs. These groups are great ways to meed new blogging friends, learn new information and share your blog. Stumbleupon is a cooler not all recipe version of Pinterest, and a great place to share!

Blog for the following you want, Not the following you have

Thank you Nakeya! I didn't come up with the phrase myself. I fellow blogger that I mention above was where I heard the phrase first. I am currently following this very thing. I joke that even my mom doesn't read my blog. But really, I am three months into this, Have a list of topics, and plans for my blogging. I am blogging as often as I can. I am promoting my blog everywhere I can find. I have only like three followers, lol. Ok, more than that are reading, but there still isn't a lot of commenting and interaction on my posts. That doesn't stop me! There are people out there who want to know what I have to say! Hopefully! LOL. My point is, I am going to keep blogging, writing, posting. The followers will come! IF you build it, they will come! Well, and share it, and promote it.......

Make contacts, make friends, promote others and let them promote you!

Join groups, make friends, follow other blogs, and comment on their posts. Share their posts, ask for shares, comments, and likes. Promote others blogs in yours, and they will help you! There are so many bloggers out there sharing the written word on everything from grass seed to the most popular colors for Spring. Find some you like or that are similar to your own! The more interactive you are, the more interaction you will receive! But, be genuine in your interactions and in the connections you make. Don't post and run, like, share and interact!
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How much time should I give to my Blog?

As much as you can! It takes a lot of time to plan your posts, write them, add interesting graphics, provide links, and get your post ready to publish. Then you have to pin it, stumble it, tweet it, facebook it. Then you have to share it in groups. It takes effort everyday.
In addition, you have to network with other bloggers to learn, share, and make connections that will benefit you both. Set aside a time everyday. The more consistent you are, the better off you and your blog will be!

What are your suggestions for new bloggers? What are you doing to promote your blog? What are you doing to grow your followers? LEt me know! SHare your blog in the comments!