This is a post for those of you who blog – and who want to make your blog successful! I actually posted this on the Etsy forums a while back, when this blog passed 1,000 followers/subscribers.
That was only a month or so ago, and the count has grown to over 1,200. Welcome to all of my new subscribers… and of course a big hug to those of you who’ve been with me for a long time now!
I love this blog, and I’ve worked hard over the last few years to keep it going, growing, and evolving. These are the 10 things that I believe have contributed to the success I’ve achieved so far…
1. Love it
If you don’t love it don’t bother – because honestly, it’s a lot of work for not a lot of reward for a long time. I’m staring to see the concrete benefits of all my work now (getting sales from the blog, as well as a little advertising income) but for a long time the only reward is the warm feeling of nice comments and hearing how people have made sales after being featured – all of which are awesome, but not worth the effort for some.
2. Be consistent
Decide on a posting schedule, and stick to it – or at least blog a few times a week. My blog is a business in itself for me, so I blog every day and I’m working harder at having consistent weekly columns to draw readers back. If you’re all over the place with your posting, it’s a lot harder to build a loyal audience – not to mention, the more you blog, the more chances there are for someone to just stumble over your blog because they’re searching for something!
3. Leave credit, and inform people you’ve blogged about them
My blog, being about handmade style, indie design, and crafty resources, is very image-heavy. I try very hard to always link back to and/or credit the source of images. And I also do my best to always e-mail or convo someone when I’ve featured their work. Everyone loves to know when they’ve been featured, so not only will you make them happy, but they’ll spread the word about your blog, too!
4. Decide what you want from the beginning, and choose a platform accordingly
I always knew I wanted to be serious about my blog, so right from the start I bought my own domain and blogged with self-hosted WordPress. It means I own my blog, I have a professional address (no ‘blogspot’ tacked on) and I can do whatever I want! Of course, when I was doing my research it was against the blogspot rules to have advertising on your blog – that’s obviously changed now.
5. Schedule ahead
I would go mad if I didn’t do this, due to the frequency of my posting – while I’m trying to run my jewellery business as well! As you’re browsing Etsy or the web, save interesting sites in draft posts – and when you get a little downtime, do up as many posts as you can ahead of time, then schedule them to post. I very rarely publish something right after I’ve written it – I usually have a regular schedule to stick to, and I try to have at least a week’s worth of posts scheduled ahead of time. That way, if something happens in my life, I know my blog is a-ok for a week at least without me 🙂
6. Promote! You can’t just wait for folks to find you – get the word out!
I actually have an ad or two out there for my blog, but the best promotion for me has always been word of mouth, and through forums. My street team here (DUST – Down-Under-Street-Team) has also been great! Oh, and twitter, and FB, of course. Don’t spam people, but share with them when you’ve blogged about something you think they’ll enjoy! I’ve also been featured by Etsy a few times, and by the Australian site I sell on – madeit.com.au – which helps a lot.
7. Engage your audience
I love to run projects and other things that get my community involved (a good current example is my Great Australian Granny Square project). Give people something to care about – a reason to return!!
8. Be positive
It will take time to build a following… but it will happen if you stick to it.
9. Be professional
In your blog’s appearance, especially – I work hard to make my blog look slick (and I’m sure it could look better!). I do all the work myself, but one day hopefully I’ll be able to afford someone to do it for me! (One day… a looong way away… :D)
10. Be yourself
Only you can be you – and a blog is a personal medium – don’t be bland and boring, inject your own personality into what you do – people always respond.
Hugs and good luck in your blogging adventure!
***
Have you got any questions or advice about blogging? Share in the comments!
***
Want more Epheriell-y goodness? Subscribe to Epheriell Designs! Also, you can follow me onTwitter!
Some great tips here – thankyou for sharing and congrats on 1200 – that’s awesome! Alee the best for a lovely end to your week 🙂
x donna
Wow, thanks Jess! Great tips! I’m working on making my blogs more consistent…
I think I read this at Etsy:-) GREAT advice. I JUST started a few months ago and love it all, it’s just hard to find time for blogging, craft shop on Etsy, full time paying job and being a good wife, friend etc. BUT I am investing time now and hopefully eventually I can quit my day job!!! Great inspiration thanks hun
<3 I love this! It's such good advice.
I use my blog as a means of keeping me organized; an outlet for stray thoughts and; with my top 10 series, that's me shopping, wanting and not buying (lol I'd never be able to restock my shop if I bought as much as I shopped for)
So I create blog posts to get rid of the jumble in my head; be it shopping, things I want to share, thoughts, advice. Anything making me lose focus (:
I have NO IDEA about HTML, own domains, and how to make websites look "Pretty" so, blogspot is good enough for me right now (:
Thanks everyone! Very happy to hear that it’s helped!
Great advice Jess!
REally interesting! great advice, thanks for sharing your experience with us!!!
Sofia (Italy)
Great post 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tips!
Jess,
Thanks for the great tips and inspiration. Timely advice too.
My Blog needs an overhaul big time. I started it without really knowing what it was for, just that everyone said to have one.. but I’m learning learning learning and soon, hopefully will put it into practise, practise, practise. Keep up the good work.
Great advice! I’ve just started blogging and I had figured some of these out myself. I do have to be patient though for more followers!
Vickie – yep, practice and just jumping in and DOING it are the best things! Chicgirl.. hehe, oh, I feel that pain. I would love to see my subscriber count skyrocket.. but I have to let it do its thing!
Great advice. I would have suggested all those things too. Also, I find that a great way to promote your blog is to leave lots and lots of lovely comments on other people’s blogs!
Also, a give away every now and then works wonders! We ALL LOVE free stuff… Ok.. blatant self promotion here;;;
WIN an eco friendly market bag here: http://www.adelle.com.au/sunday-superstar-arianajaquysh
hehe.. sorry. Couldn’t resist. It’s a great prize though, I promise!
adelle x x
Two excellent suggestions Adelle!! ;D
Great advice, very inspiring, thank you!
Great advice! I’ve read a couple articles along this theme, but I think this is the best. 🙂 It’s nice to read from the perspective of a blogger AND an artisan. I really need to work on #5 myself, but #10 made me smile.
Thanks!
THANK YOU! for all those helpful tips. I am just starting out and can use all the advice I can get. CHEERS!
Really helpful advice! I like the advice to schedule ahead – sometimes I have a bunch of great ideas at once and then the next week – nothing! Thanks!