Are you a new blogger or are thinking about starting your own blog? Is the information out there too overwhelming and tough to muddle through? Blogging can be tough, the ultimate guide for new bloggers article aims to help you on your new journey.
When I started blogging I had no clue what I was doing nor did I do any research into it. I jumped head in first and learnt as I went along in my blogging career. Five years on I have picked up a few tips which I hope to share with newbies and fellow bloggers. Don’t forget to check out some of my other blogging tips: What I wish I knew, What you should do before you publish.
Passion is Key
Just like anything in life, you need to be passionate about blogging to last. When you’re not passionate about blogging it starts to feel like a chore and you will quit before you know it. Remember the reasons why you wanted to start blogging, keep that passion burning.
Promote, Promote, Promote
One thing I learnt pretty fast after I started blogging was the importance of promoting your content. When I started blogging I thought all I had to do was write and wait for the readers to find me. Little did I know that if people don’t know about it then they won’t knowto read it. Definitely promote it on all your social channels as often as necessary and participate in blogging groups.
Google is your best friend
Another thing I learnt pretty quickly was that Google was my best friend when starting out. You will Google practically everything, I googled what ‘a tag line was’ even howto insert images into posts. Even though I have been blogging for over 5 years now I still google things but mostly I check Pinterest.
Organisational Skills are needed
One of the most important skills you need in life is being organised whether you blog full-time or part-time. You need to know how to allocate time to your blog and incorporate it into your life. Blogging takes a lot of time, I work full-time and blog part-time and even then I spend every waking day on it. Most weekends if not traveling I spend working on my blog and social media.
Blogging is hard work
I can’t stress enough how true this statement is, you will learn early on how much work it needs. When people learn you’re a blogger, they underestimate just how much work goes into managing blogs. You’re not just a content creator but editor, promoter and much more. Be prepared to put in the hours into your blog especially if you want to take your blog to the next level.
Invest in a good Camera
Whilst mobile phones like iPhones and Samsung have great cameras, I can’t stress enough the importance of investing into a good camera. Almost all pictures on my blog are taken by my Samsung or my canon PowerShot. It’s not a top range camera but its good enough for clear and quality pictures that I need for my blog to look more presentable.
Not everyone will like you
It hit me like a tonne of bricks when I first got some haters and for no apparent reason. I realised then that not everyone will like me no matter what I did, I chose to blog for me and not to please anyone. This was a hard lesson for me to learn but it was one that I needed to take on board and am much happier for it. The online world is filled with so many wonderful people but among them are bad apples that aim to bring people down. Take it from me, live for you, blog for you and leave everything else to the waste land.
Blogging Courses are not always the best
I have never attended a blogging course before but I have attended blogger workshops which have been fantastic and informative. One thing you will find in the blogging world is an abundance of blogging courses, not everything is worth attending. I have seen people attend blogging courses, paid loads of money and learnt next to nothing. If you think it, you can google it and I guarantee you someone has done it before.
Patience is NOT optional
This you will learn pretty quickly, unless you intend to buy views and followers everything takes time. Patience is needed and in abundance, you will have highs and lows and times of bloggers block but that’s ok. I always think of it as a sign to take some time out and focus on something else or another part of my life. Blogging is fun and fulfilling but it is not easy, don’t compare and focus on your own thing.
Not a get rich quick career
Most people have this illusion that blogging is a get rich quick career but honestly it is not. There is so much work involved in running a blog and most of us didn’t earn anything for over a year. When you read most passive income reports, many are earning from creating courses or writing a book. It can take a long time before you make a penny from your blog, in 2013 I earned £0 in 2018 I make any from £500-£1500 a month. Trust me when I say it’s NOT a get rich quick scheme, it requires your time, patience and money.
Affiliate Marketing is NOT for Everyone
Adding on to the above point, other influencers make money via affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is where you make money after someone uses your unique link to purchase an item and that retailer pays you a %. Obviously it’s not always that straight forward because some retailers pay-per-click whilst others only pay per purchase. You will find that not every one of your readers will click on your links or even when they do, they don’t purchase using your link. Affiliate marketing can be a lot of work but if you have a truly engaged audience and share articles that are relevant to them, they might just purchase.
Attend Influencer Events
When it comes to blogging you will realise that you need to be around fellow influencers to learn and grow your blog. Not everyone is comfortable attending events and meeting new people but its an important part of blogging. Make friends before attending an event and meet up before an event to get to know each other. Even just having one person to talk to definitely makes for an enjoyable event. Attend as many influencer events as possible especially if they include speakers or workshops where tips and tricks are shared.
Outreach is Important – emails those brands
When you’ve developed your brand and are ready to take it to the next level, consider outreach. It took me a couple of years before I was confident enough to reach out to brands. Some worked out and some didn’t but that’s ok, it’s all part of the process. Before you reach out to the brands, make sure you have read up about them and up-to-date. Prepare a pitch that allows for the brand to know what you can offer them not just what you want.
Take a break from Blogging + Social Media
This is one thing I did not realise until I was headed for a burn out, you need a break. Blogging as fun as it is, it has a funny way on taking a tore on people’s time and health. Make sure when you thinking about your blog, you also make time to for yourself. Log off all social media and from your blog and just enjoy being alive, tomorrow is another day.
Antionette Blake says
Great tips for beginner and good reminders for others.
Angela Ricardo Bethea says
Those are some great tips, especially for beginners. This would’ve been helpful if I knew this all from the start.
Farrah Less says
When I started blogging my main purpose is to share my travel photos and stories. I didn’t know you can monetize blog by posting good content. Since then it gives me motivation to do well in blogging.
Mellissa says
These are some really great tips! I really need to Promote. Promote. Promote more for sure! There are a few other tips that I need to grab a hold to as well. Thanks for sharing.
Carol Cassara says
I didn’t care about any of these when I started blogging and I realized it would be so nice to grow a following. I think these tips are going to help new bloggers grow and market their blogs!
Glenda Cates says
Wonderful tips and I agree a Camera is a wonderful investment in your Blog and one other thing I would add is to find you a local Blogger you can meet in person as it will help you stay motivated on the days when you want to quit.
Terri Steffes says
I have been blogging for a long while (since 2005) and I still am learning all the ins and outs. It is a complicated and layered business.
Jeanette says
This is definitely a very complete list of what you need to do to become a blogger. I know when I started it was a lot of trial and error. This helps a lot for those that want to start one.
Alli Smith says
Blogging is definitely hard work! I agree that not all blogging courses are helpful or needful. When I first started blogging, I took a couple of expensive classes and didn’t learn a thing. I was so disappointed. This is all great info!
Leona says
I’m just getting started on my blog so the timing for this post is perfect. Thank you so much for these awesome tips!
Farrah Less says
When I started blogging my main purpose is to share my travel photos and stories. I didn’t know you can monetize blog by posting good content. Since then it gives me motivation to do well in blogging.
Angela Ricardo Bethea says
Those are some great tips, especially for beginners. This would’ve been helpful if I knew this all from the start.
Chubskulit Rose says
Great guide especially for beginners. I wish I have known all these right off the bat. I had to google so many things too lol.
Shell Feis says
These are awesome tips! I have definitely spent a lot of money on courses that I didn’t end up getting anything out of. And I’m still trying to figure out Google- 9 years into blogging lol
Chubskulit Rose says
Great guide especially for beginners. I wish I have known all these right off the bat. I had to google so many things too lol.
Shell Feis says
These are awesome tips! I have definitely spent a lot of money on courses that I didn’t end up getting anything out of. And I’m still trying to figure out Google- 9 years into blogging lol
Carol Cassara says
I didn’t care about any of these when I started blogging and I realized it would be so nice to grow a following. I think these tips are going to help new bloggers grow and market their blogs!
Ricci says
I love all of these tips but especially investing in a good camera and learning early that not everyone will like you or what you have to say. Those are great lessons to learn (and things to invest in) early in your blogging journey!!
Mellissa says
These are some really great tips! I really need to Promote. Promote. Promote more for sure! There are a few other tips that I need to grab a hold to as well. Thanks for sharing.
Ricci says
I love all of these tips but especially investing in a good camera and learning early that not everyone will like you or what you have to say. Those are great lessons to learn (and things to invest in) early in your blogging journey!!
Lisa Favre says
All of your points are, well, totally on point! Behind blogging is so much hard work! It takes a while to find your flow.
1stopmom says
These are some great tips. There are blogging courses everywhere these days. Do you research before buying one. A lot of information is available on Google. I use Pinterest as a back up when I want to learn more about something. I am trying to learn more about SEO and blog photography right now. I have to say the newest iPhone takes great pictures. My daughter has one and when I don’t have my big canon with me, I use it and the pictures look great.
Lisa Favre says
All of your points are, well, totally on point! Behind blogging is so much hard work! It takes a while to find your flow.
Karen Morse says
There’s so much that goes into blogging and starting a blog that people don’t really know or aren’t aware of. I think these are all key elements and it’s really important that they make an effort to do these.
Jeanette says
This is definitely a very complete list of what you need to do to become a blogger. I know when I started it was a lot of trial and error. This helps a lot for those that want to start one.
Terri Steffes says
I have been blogging for a long while (since 2005) and I still am learning all the ins and outs. It is a complicated and layered business.
Glenda Cates says
Wonderful tips and I agree a Camera is a wonderful investment in your Blog and one other thing I would add is to find you a local Blogger you can meet in person as it will help you stay motivated on the days when you want to quit.
Mary Edwards says
Great tips. I’ve been blogging for 10 years and I agree with everything you posted. Also, think very hard about your blog name. Like, in 10 years will it still apply?
Reesa Lewandowski says
I love you mentioned it is not a get rich scheme. So many of my friends think I basically do nothing and get paid A LOT of money to do it LOL! If only!
robin rue says
I have people ask me all the time about blogging and how to get started. I am just going to send them here from now on.
1stopmom says
These are some great tips. There are blogging courses everywhere these days. Do you research before buying one. A lot of information is available on Google. I use Pinterest as a back up when I want to learn more about something. I am trying to learn more about SEO and blog photography right now. I have to say the newest iPhone takes great pictures. My daughter has one and when I don’t have my big canon with me, I use it and the pictures look great.
Leona says
I’m just getting started on my blog so the timing for this post is perfect. Thank you so much for these awesome tips!
Karen Morse says
There’s so much that goes into blogging and starting a blog that people don’t really know or aren’t aware of. I think these are all key elements and it’s really important that they make an effort to do these.
Alli Smith says
Blogging is definitely hard work! I agree that not all blogging courses are helpful or needful. When I first started blogging, I took a couple of expensive classes and didn’t learn a thing. I was so disappointed. This is all great info!
Mary Edwards says
Great tips. I’ve been blogging for 10 years and I agree with everything you posted. Also, think very hard about your blog name. Like, in 10 years will it still apply?
Reesa Lewandowski says
I love you mentioned it is not a get rich scheme. So many of my friends think I basically do nothing and get paid A LOT of money to do it LOL! If only!
robin rue says
I have people ask me all the time about blogging and how to get started. I am just going to send them here from now on.
candy says
This is great information for those thinking about blogging or wanting to blog. Good reminder for those who have been blogging for awhile and might be getting burned out.
candy says
This is great information for those thinking about blogging or wanting to blog. Good reminder for those who have been blogging for awhile and might be getting burned out.