When you’ve been blogging a while, you start to get asked the same questions over and over again. Most people want to know how to make money from their blog, but one of the other main questions I get asked a lot is ‘How do you grow your blog’?
Everyone wants more traffic, a bigger audience and more return in some form for the time they invest into their blogs. So I thought I’d share some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years for growing your blog.
- Write about what you love and keep writing – Being truthful and honest is so important. Now that doesn’t mean you have to share EVERYTHING about your life, but be authentic in the parts you do share. Write about what you love and your passion for the topic will shine through. People can tell the difference between people writing purely for SEO or those writing purely what they think will be a hit post, and those who are genuinely interested and passionate. Don’t lose faith if you don’t get immediate traction. These things take time, so keep improving your skills and most importantly keep going.
- Content is King – You will hear this phrase so much in blogging circles. However, it’s true. Try to make sure your posts are giving something to the reader; either useful information, solving a problem they may have or giving something of yourself away. A post about even the most mundane event, if written with passion and sentiment can be a great post. You have to open yourself up.
- Quantity is Queen – I have just coined this phrase! You need to read this article by Neil Patel, giving details of his blog figures and corresponding number of posts he published. He found the highest rewards gained by posting three times a day! Now let’s not go crazy, but there is no doubt that traffic and amount of content positively correlate.
- Offer value – Give your readers something useful, be someone they can rely on for great, reliable information or inspire them in some way.
- Evergreen content – Evergreen content is content that is always useful or interesting to readers; content that is timeless. My most successful evergreen posts are Blogging: A Full Time Job?, Blogging as Therapy plus all of my blogging tips posts. Creating content like this gives you a constant source of traffic.
- Attractive images – If you’re writing a personal post, then gorgeous images will catch the eye and attract people to your blog and your post. If the post is potentially ‘useful’ then make sure the images are Pinterest friendly! Remember text on the picture, will make people pin it. Why not customise your Pin it button. I have such a fun customised Pin it button over on my other site – themamapreneurrevolution.com.
- Write in a conversational style – Write as if you are talking to a friend, ask questions and build a relationship with your readers. Make them want to come back to your blog again. Dictating your blog posts can be a great way to ‘write’ like you speak!
- Support your readers – What do your readers want to read? Try to fill the demand. I was getting asked a lot of blogging questions, so I started producing content around blogging. It also helps that I am passionate about blogging and love writing about the nuts and bolts of it.
- Write a crowdsourced post – Writing a crowd sourced post, will give you a high chance of retweets and shares, as the people featured will probably share the post for you.
- Pinterest Group Boards – Pinterest is where it’s at. While Tribes are awesome group boards are awesome too. You’re sharing your content into a collaborative board which may have hundreds of thousands of followers…. it’s just simple maths. The more eyes on your pins the better.
- Be original – I admit this is difficult. In a blogosphere which is saturated with blogs, thinking of a totally original idea might prove difficult. I think it’s natural and inevitable that we will repeat each others content and ideas. However, how you deal with the topic will be unique to you and your voice. When I was putting together the Linky List, I hit a stumbling block. After spending hours putting the information together, I stumbled across another blogger who had written a similar post. My first reaction was disappointment, worrying that maybe I shouldn’t post mine. Then, I decided not to waste the effort, I took comfort that mine was arranged differently, in a way that made more sense to me and was more thorough. I posted it and that post has done VERY well for me. It’s mentioned by others on social media regularly with people tweeting others the link. So, it was worth going ahead and being confident in the originality of my take on the idea.
- SEO – This is so important! You need to make sure you are doing your keyword research, then that you are using these keywords properly in your posts. Doing this means your content will be found my those who are using search engines.
- Run Giveaways – Like it or not giveaways will give you a boost in stats. They might not lead to engaged blog readers, but they will help numbers. If you want engaged readers (don’t we all!) then think carefully about the products you are giving away. An iPhone or iPad will attract everyone and ideally you want to attract a particular group of people, those who would be interested in your content.
- Respond to comments – Readers need to feel valued to return to your blog. If they’re always leaving comments on your blog and you give nothing to them, they will probably stop visiting or at least stop leaving comments. You might not think people go back to check whether you have responded (they probably don’t!) BUT the next person who reads your post will see you respond and they will be more likely to leave a comment.
- Focus on the User Experience – Put yourself in the shoes of your readers. If you were to land on your blog for the first time would you know what to do? Where to go? Could you find the most important content? You need to answer these questions honestly and start stripping off the elements which aren’t vital. If you give people too many options on one page, chances are they won’t act on anything at all! Less is often more!
- Give people a reason to sign up – Building your email list is SOOO IMPORTANT. You don’t own your social media followers but you DO own your email list. You need to incentivise them to sign up and join your list.
- Clear social media buttons – Clear social media buttons (please!) make it easy for people to follow you.
- Use sharing buttons – I use Shareaholic (WP Plugin) which puts sharing options at the end of every post. More shares equal more potential views.
- Give away your secrets – I will use my blogging posts as as example. I could keep my blogging tips to myself, but I believe together we are stronger. I like to share the information I have and by giving this information away, I get great views in return and feel I am supporting some of the community.
- Hustle – To grow your blog successfully you need to hustle. That press release you just ignore, should be responded to. Someone offered you a review you didn’t want to do, don’t ignore it. Respond, start a conversation and see where it takes you. Email your PR contacts every so often and just ask if they have any suitable opportunities. I hear people say they don’t want to bother people, but as long as you don’t pester people it is fine. You can guarantee if you aren’t emailing, then someone else is and they’re getting the work!
- Work hard – I mean REALLY hard! To grow at a significant rate, you need to put the hours in. I work on my blog 7 days a week, I write every morning, every evening and in any breaks I get during the day. If we are driving to a day out, I will be working in the passenger seat. A serious amount of graft is required to see results.
- Say yes – In another breath I will advocate saying no to small reviews that take your time. However, when you start blogging, saying yes to smaller giveaways and reviews can get you noticed. Do them well and people will notice you; hopefully they will then lead to bigger opportunities.
- Collaborate with other bloggers/sites – Tap into other bloggers networks by working with them. Collaborate on a linky, a giveaway, start a tribe, make connections.
- Comment comment comment – I mentioned it earlier, but it is so important I have put it in again! Go comment!
- Share other’s work – Sharing other people’s posts is a nice thing to do, but it also means people are more likely to share yours. I never share with the intention of getting something back, but people like to say thank you. Remember together we are stronger.
- Comment/engage on social media – Comment on people’s social networks, leave a nice comment on a IG post, respond on Twitter and Facebook status, get involved and your network will grow. Engagement, builds real relationships.
- Be visible – Blogging is a remote, sometimes solitary experience. However, being visible and present for your readers/following helps to create a community. If you regularly drop off-line for days on end, it will be hard to keep conversations and relationships going.
There you go, my top tips for growing your blog. I hope they help you grow your blog even more. What do you think are important factors in growing your blog?
Comments 118
What can I say my lovely? I am in awe at your knowledge, efficiency, organisation… as always! Posting 3 times a day sounds completely insane, but wow to anyone who manages that. I know nothing about SEO and I must read your post. You lost me with the mention of keywords repeated in the post…
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Aw thank you lovely lady. Whispers…. I sometimes post 3 x…. I know I am so torn on SEO as I just want to write 🙂 xx
Fab advice, I’m still trying to crack Pintetest. Well done on getting so far, you’re one busy bunny!
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Thanks hun. Busy yes 🙂 x
Wow, another great list of tips Aby. Three times a day, that’s a lot! I’m not sure it’s necessary for every niche even though I value what Neil has to say a lot. I think quality content is the key, then what you do with it to give it as much reach as possible. When posting that regularly, I’d have a email summary for subscribers, but that’s the only thing I’d really do differently x
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Maybe not, I just thought it was an interesting point. x
You’re SO clever Aby! I love these posts! The Pinterest thing is beyond me totally though — you have a brilliant amount of followers already. BTW — what on earth is a crowd sourced post? Am off to Google this one — have never heard of it!! 🙂 #ShareWithMe
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
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Ah thanks hun. Crowd sourced post is one made up of comments/tips from other bloggers xx
Interesting post and good advice. I have been blogging for nearly 2 years now on WordPress but I am far from putting in all the effort you are talking about. I do enjoy having a blog though and have gone past the first disappointments of not seeing my site crash by the crazy numbers of visitors… It might never happen lol.
One thing I realised when I started
is the amount of time you need to put in… Huge!
My initial motive was photos, improving my pgotography etc but now it is more about writing and a course I’m doing in journalism.
I had one question about the income side of running a blog as a professional, does it allow you to make a living? Is the main form of income in the form of products/holidays you may review?
Thanks laura
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Yes you are right, so much time involved.
Mine does yes. Most professional bloggers made their income from advertising on their blog, sponsored posts and brand partnerships.x
Thank you Abi; so you get paid for a sponsored post and for hosting adverts on your blog? Laura
Thank you so much for sharing this, I think I need to have a think about a plan for my blog and the approach I want to take for each social media site (as well as which I want to focus on first.)
As always so helpful.
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Thank you. Hope it helps x
Anothet set of amazing tips Aby. Unfortunately for me, time is not my friend and I’m so limited in what I can achieve because growing a blog takes a lot of time and dedication. What you’ve managed to do in just two years is incredible. Well done lovely xx #SWM
That should have read under two years… Need more coffee!!
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ha ha x
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Ah thank you so much my love, very kind of you x
Fab tips as always Aby and have pinned for future reference. I definitely agree that growing a blog takes a lot of hard work! Not sure I could manage three posts a day at the moment though!
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It wouldn’t be for everyone, it is just Tim’s advice from his HUGE experience x
Fab points and definitely useful for any bloggers–novice or experienced. I would have to agree with you that Content is King. Followers and numbers mean nothing if content isn’t up to par. Thank you so much for sharing!
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My pleasure, hope it helps x
Made me feel knackered just reading that! All true though. Don’t think people realise quite how much it takes to grow your blog. #sharewithme
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No you are right, they don’t x
Some great tips here, thanks! 3 times a day?! I’d think people would be sick of me by then 🙂
#sharewithme
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It wouldn’t be for everyone, I am just sharing Tim’s advice as an example really. I sometimes post 3 x if I have a review, a picture post and then a piece of my own content. x
Fantastic tips as usual! How do I go about finding collaborative Pinterest boards though? I’ve seen other people mention them but I don’t really know of any.
fab post, I’m pinning this & your SEO one to refer back to! #SharewithMe
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Thanks hun. Hope they help x
Awesome list for new bloggers like myself! I agree with some of the comments though that posting 3 times a day seems crazy!! You would need to have other people writing for you to be able to do this in my opinion. But I will use a lot of this advice in my blog. Thanks again!!
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Glad you like it. Tim’s advice from his research, not mine. However, I do often post 3 times a day, if I have a review, photo post and a piece of my content, for example.
As always amazing tips. I really admire the way you share your knowledge and want to help people become better bloggers. Will be pinning this 🙂
#sharewithme
Becky xx
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Ah thank you lovely lady xx
Thank you so much for all your great tips. As a newbie, I’m still finding my way around blogging, and freeing up enough time around my full time job and family to grow it. I know that I have to improve my social media, and have started to put more effort into Instagram and Facebook, both of which I love. But I’m still a bit overwhelmed by Twitter (such a constant stream of so much stuff!) and whilst I love Pinterest, again, not had the time to focus on improving this yet. Maybe you could share some tips on getting all these things crammed into a day and being organised about it. It’s really impressive how you have grown your blog. A big inspiration and motivation! x
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Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It must be very hard with a full time job too. I wrote this a while ago which may help http://wp.me/p4j9O0-2R8 x
Excellent tips 🙂 I definitely agree about the writing with passion and engaging with others in comments and tribes.
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Thanks, glad you enjoyed it x
Another informative post that is so helpful Aby – thankyou for sharing your knowledge with us all – great stuff x
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Glad you liked it, hope it helps x
I love your tips. I nod along to them and then get frustrated that I don’t have more time! I know most of us mummy bloggers are time limited as we only have very early morning and after bed time to blog and if lucky a nap time. I am hoping to get some part time childcare soon to free me up to set up a business so hopefully I can move things along further then…. Thanks, as ever, for sharing. Oh and I absolutely agree. POP UPS are the most annoying thing ever.
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Yes it would be difficult if you work too. But these tips aren’t mean’t to be an all or nothing, just pick things you want to work on as and when x
Fantastic tips and as always I agree with them all – the thing that people don’t seem to get it that becoming a successful blogger is NOT easy – you have to work 24/7 most of the time – even when you’re not ‘writing’ you are still thinking about your blog most of the time. I would also add that for me, building my own facebook blogging community (in the North East) has really helped as well x
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Thank you huni. Yep VERY hard work but worth it x
Great advice! #brillblogposts
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Thanks! x
Very generous advice again, Aby. Agree with all of these – I much prefer posts written in the bloggers’ own voice – authentic and genuine – rather than those written with SEO in mind or written to a formula. Evergreen posts are also useful. You get out of the blogging community what you put in, so definitely it’s about commenting, conversing on social media, and sharing posts. Oh and yes, it does take a lot of hard work! xxx #brilliantblogposts
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Me too, it seems to take the heart out of it for me if it is littered with keywords. xx
Wow, posting 3 times a day just sounds nuts! Between my 2 kids and a job I struggle to post 3 times a week…
Great tips as always Aby, I really need to get my head around SEO a bit more, will read more of your Blog Club posts 🙂
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That is just Neil’s advice to reap the benefits of maximum growth. I do often post threee times a day, but then this is my job x
So many great tips – I love your #BlogClub series. The point that sticks out for me the most is that you need to work hard if you want results. Everything else is built around that. Thanks for sharing more of your secrets 🙂 x
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I am so glad you enjoy it. Yes hard work and more hard work! x
Another really helpful post, thank you. So much useful advice to absorb!
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My pleasure, hope it helps x
Thank you for writing this. It’s by turns really useful, inspiring and really frightening because I don’t know how I will ever be able to do all of this! I am managing to write at weekends and post on a Monday and I know I need to do more. But when you say you write every day, morning and evening, I feel overwhelmed. I work full time and do my share of child care as well at weekends. I think my other half wouldn’t be happy if i spent hours at the weekend blogging. I don’t like to think that blogging is hard work – i have enough of that in my life already! But I will carry on and try to take small steps forward. Great tips. Bookmarking this post. 🙂
I
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You don’t have to do it all, they are just ideas and suggestions that you can dip in and out of. I am a pro blogger so I have to write, you work full time so can’t be expected to write as much as I do. Just keep enjoying you blog, use the tips where appropriate but don’t worry you are not doing enough. Being a pro blogger is really hard work and this is what I do, but it doesn’t meen it is what everyone should do x
Great advice (I think I follow much of it already, thankfully), I struggle to share others work on my Facebook page much (time and knowing what to share or where to find it quickly) and advice there?
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Thanks. I share my own blog posts, a few pictures from IG and some friends posts and then anything appropriate from my personal facebook x
Some really useful tips here! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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My pleasure x
I am hoping to grow my blog, but first and most importantly I just love it, writing is my passion. Thanks for sharing your tips, you are so generous #THe List
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Ah thank you huni, I like to help where I can x
Oh it’s another one of those blog post of yours Aby that I need to sit and take notes and pin for later to reference. You are full of wisdom. I am still such a rookie at things. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
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Ah thank you huni, hope it helps x
Thanks for these fantastic tips! Pleased to know I’m doing a few of them already, but there is plenty to work on! Thanks for being so generous with the advice.
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My pleasure x
Thank you as usual for sharing your wisdom Aby! I still need to figure out how to use Pinterest properly. That is something on my list to crack in the near future! #thelist
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My pleasure, hope it helps x
Another brilliant post, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.
I go through stages with SEO. I have a plug-in – on your advice! – and sometimes I spend ages ensuring the SEO is green for good, other times I just want to write. Some of my most successful posts have been the ones where I haven’t bothered with the SEO. You have a high-ranking, well-read, well-respected blog with great content – I think you just need to carry on doing what you are doing. Oh, and turn blogclub into a book! #thelist
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Ha ha #BlogClub book! Funny you should say that! 🙂 I do hate focusing too much on SEO (bad blogger) Glad you liked it huni x
I’m sure it’d be a best seller x
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Bless you x
I couldn’t agree more with your last point Abby – I completely forget about blogs that I used to like/read, if they are not visible enough!
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There are so many, you need reminders 🙂 x
Brilliant tips as ever Abby. Thanks.
#TheList
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My pleasure x
Being original is probably the bit I struggle with most. There’s loads of stuff I don’t do often, like reviews and giveaways, but that’s out of choice because I don’t have time at the moment. And SEO: don’t give it a second thought. But again, that’s my choice. But the originality thing? That bothers me. Sometimes I feel like I’m saying something that’s been said a million times before (often by me!). x
#thelist
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You’re right but I think it is original as it is your story in your voice x
Fab post, thanks Aby! Just wandering where I can get the WP plugin for shareaholic? I don’t seem to see it under widgets. Thanks!! xx
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https://wordpress.org/plugins/shareaholic/ There you go huni xx
Thanks so much xx
Thanks so much for sharing. Always find useful stuff in these posts of yours. You are so generous with your knowledge xo
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Ah thanks huni, glad you find them useful x
Another really helpful post. Thank you. #Blogclub is my number one blogging resource – I visit your site a lot, usually when I’m there I get sucked into reading some of your other posts. Your blog is a great example 🙂
Girl! That is a huge amount of knowledge that you just spewed all over the page. Your tendency to share is amazing. I love that! What do I think is most important? Content and comments. Everything else will follow, and I think that your post gave me a great check list to make sure that I am getting to the “rest”. Thanks, have a great week!
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Thanks huni, I am glad you enjoyed the post x
What a great post. Having worked in digital marketing for almost 10 years now, it’s not rocket science, but now that I am firmly in the Mummy blogging camp and have a completely new hat on, it’s great to be reminded. Thanks Aby! x
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Thanks huni, means a lot x
Hi! Thank you so much for writing this post..I am new to blogging and looking to get all the tips I can get. Only been doing it for a few weeks and already considered giving up as not been getting many readers. This lists has shown me there’s so much more I could be doing..Thanks again, I love your blog by the way 🙂
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My pleasure, glad it is helpful. A few weeks in is nothing, give it time xx
Another fab post … thanks for sharing what you’re learning. I agree that it’s a positive things to share one’s blogging secrets; together we’re definitely stronger. 🙂 #TheList
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My pleasure, glad you enjoy reading x
Wow, it must have taken you ages to write this post – it’s so comprehensive! You are such an inspirational blogger. The thought of posting three times a day makes me feel weak! Thanks for sharing such a wealth of information – you deserve all your stat growth, you work so hard for it. Congratulations! Thanks for hosting #TheList xx
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I really do appreciate it. 3 times a day is just Neils advice, however I often post 3 times a day and always at least twice. Thanks again lovely xx
I am continually in awe of you Aby! This list is just phenomenal. I’ve been blogging for just over three years and turned pro recently and even I don’t do or know a good chunk of this list.
This is so useful and also, so very generous of you to share. Blogging is hard graft as we know but this list will make blogging life so much easier for so many. Thank you! xxx
P.S You are on fire at the moment! So proud of you! x
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Ah that is such a lovely comment huni, I really appreciate it and your support you gorgeous lady xxx
I swear to goodness if you write an ebook it would be so popular huni!! These tips are amazing and blog club is utterly brilliant for people starting out or for those with more experience, there really is something for everyone here. You have done so remarkably well in a relatively short space of time and I am always in awe of what you achieve. Love it, love it love it xxx
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Ah thank you so much huni, You know I really appreciate your support. Love you lots xxx
Waaaa! I’m tired just reading that 😉 there’s no doubt you are totally rocking this blog world and you deserve every success. I’m a bit of a plodder with all this (as you know!!) and get confused by my own planning, so it’s great to have it all written out here to refer back too! Great post love! xx
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Ah thank you so much. That really does mean a lot. You are definitely not a plodder my love xxxx
Excellent post. Lots of great information.
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Thanks, I am glad you liked it x
This post is so helpful. I’ll definitely be referring back to it. Thank you!
Jemma x
“Quantity is Queen” – love it! I’ve found that since I started posting a few times a day my stats have increased. Great post!
I am new to blogging. Really new …. like within the last month new. I really appreciate your feedback and sharing what you obviously enjoy doing. Its already helped me a great deal. I just added the shareaholic plugin and luv it. Thanks again.
Thanks for these tips. It does bring it home just how much work is involved in making a blog successful. I’m forever despairing at my terrible stats but I bare know how to work Pinterest, let alone understand SEO!
Hi Aby, I found your post via Wendy at Naptime Natter. She mentioned your blog in hers ‘5 Blog Posts all new bloggers should read’. She was right about yours! Whilst I’m not a new blogger (7 months), I have been a get the blog going and learn on the job woman. I had to do it this way as I would never have got started. I’m about to do a big review of where I’m at as I will have a bit of time on my ends temporarily and your tips are truly invaluable. Thank you I shall be referring back to them and checking out your other posts too. I didn’t want to read and run having found so much helpful information so thank you so much for sharing.
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Oh thanks so much for popping by, I am so glad you enjoyed my blog x
Love this, so useful! Although I need to read it again once I’ve had some sleep, I’m in the phase of ‘just get me chocolate’ after a long day with the family!
Great post! All very helpful tips!
Great advice and tips. I’m just starting to blog and I found this really helpful. Thanks Aby x
What super advice, thank you for sharing it!
Thanks for sharing your tips. I get more resources from it.
Fab tips here! I too do my research when I write a blog post and if I see something similar this puts me off
Kate xx
http://www.mummywho.com
What a fantastic and knowledgeable post. I think every day ‘why am I dong this’ ‘How can I grow my readership’ etc…. and many times I’m told to blog because I want to and it’s true. I’m keen to learn and grow but I’ve realised not to get hung up on it all too. I will definitely be following lots of your advice. Thank you.
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Thanks so much, glad you got lots from it x
Great tips, especially for a beginner! Still getting my head round wordpress, it’s sometimes frustrating the amount of behind the scenes work you need to do to get readers, I just want to write my posts really but the fact that I have hardly any views discourages a little…
I love your posts, they’re always so friendly and informative. Lots of great advice here. I’ve bookmarked it so I can keep going back to it 🙂
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Thanks so much, that’s great to hear x
Boy am I late to this party! It doesn’t really matter since all the things you say hold true today. I especially like what you say about being truthful and honest.
I’m genuinely trying to learn more about blogging each and every day… and there is so much baloney out there that adds no truth and no value whatsoever.
Something that really resonated was what you said about giving away your secrets. At times I feel as if I’m giving away too much… but really I understand you have to let go and believe that to receive you’ve got to give… it seems to be working for me far better than the alternative.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your post… it’s packed with honesty and value!
Many, many thanks for sharing.