3 Tips For Beginning Bloggers to Build a Better Blog

by Pam on February 8, 2013

“New Year’s resolutions? Are you kidding me?” That’s my standard reply when someone asks me what my resolutions are for the year.  I’ve found that when I make resolutions they tend to be impossible to keep and are usually ridiculous. “I will lose twenty pounds in one week. I will never eat chocolate again.” I set myself up for failure. Instead I’ve begun setting goals for the year. Goals are something I must strive for but are still obtainable.  If I don’t reach the goal I will have made progress, meaning I’m still better off than when I started.  This year’s focus is on blog improvement.  By the end of last year, I was suffering from a sad case of bloggy burnout. I could barely force myself to sit at the computer even though I was writing about products I liked.  I knew a change was in order and began research on what I called the “Building a Better Blog” project.  I’ve learned a lot in the month I’ve started and am sharing my top three goals and the progress I’ve made. It’s advice I wish I had when I started blogging.

Talk about what you enjoy or subjects you know,
1.       Blog About What You Love. 

This sounds simple but is more complicated than people think.  Trying to find a “niche” is difficult.  Make a list of things you enjoy or things that you are knowledgeable about.  Do you like to cook and have great recipes? Share them.  Are you a technological genius? Share your knowledge. (Please!) I made a list of the things I enjoy most and the areas people come to ask for my advice.  Then, I made an editorial calendar and began penciling in topics I wanted to cover.  It’s been fun experimenting in the kitchen with the kids, traveling and crafting again.  Plus, I’ve spent more time with my family.


Large Photos Grab Attention 
2.       Take Great Pictures.

I became interested in photography after taking an online photography class last fall.  Seeing some of the foodie photos on websites fascinated me. How did their pictures turn out to look so amazing? I wanted to reach through the computer and have a bite.  It turns out taking great pictures is an acquired skill involving a lot of trial and error and practice.   The best advice I’ve received?  Watch your lighting and make your pictures large to grab attention.


Plug into social channels like pinterest, twitter, facebook and online groups.
3.       Get Social.   

I’ve had plenty of questions over the years since I began blogging.  I joined an online group of experienced bloggers who shared advice and asked questions.  I lurked quietly in the shadows for a few months before joining in the conversations and asking questions of my own.  I asked for blog improvement advice from the mentors in another group.  I found some online friends and began chatting.  This year, I’ve plugged into the power of Pinterest.  What a wealth of ideas at my fingertips, including blog improvement ideas from seasoned bloggers.

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I am blogging on behalf of Visa Prepaid and received compensation for my time from Visa for sharing my views in this post, but the views expressed here are solely mine, not Visa’s. Discover more at http://www.VisaPrepaid.com or join the Visa Prepaid community at http://www.facebook.com/VisaPrepaid.  

Pam

Pam is a former teacher turned work from home mom. When she's not caring for her kids or cats, she can be found whipping up tasty recipes, trying her hand at the newest techie gadgets or reading. She loves to travel whenever she has a chance and spends way too much time on the computer sharing her experiences.

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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Sippy Cup Mom February 8, 2013 at 3:32 pm

These are such fantastic tips! Do what you love and you’ll always have fun!

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Emily Reviews February 8, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Great ideas. I think it’s important to stick to what you like and know well. So many bloggers feel like they have to focus on crafts or recipes because thats what so many blogs do but it’s better to just be authentic :)

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Samantha February 8, 2013 at 3:50 pm

i love your photos

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Mariah @ FormulaMom.com February 8, 2013 at 3:53 pm

Great tips! I’m actually starting a second blog and it’s weird to go back to the beginning and remember all the basics!

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AMBER EDWARDS February 8, 2013 at 5:03 pm

My goals for the new year include my blog as well! All my resolutions are more like goals. Small attainable steps. When blogging you definitely need a passion for what you write and large quality photos make a big difference. And truly without the social networking you are merely asking for failure.

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Jennifer Wagner February 8, 2013 at 5:14 pm

Great tips for beginners, especially writing about what you love. I’ve been blogging 5 years and if I didn’t love my topic I never could have kept up writing approx 5 posts a week for that long.

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Momstart February 8, 2013 at 5:52 pm

Blogging about what you love is the best tip

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QueenB February 8, 2013 at 6:34 pm

Great tips Pam!! I pinned this too!!

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Shelley Bryan February 8, 2013 at 7:16 pm

All great tips for a beginner blogger such as myself. Thank you for sharing!

shelleysallofmeblog.wordpress.com

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Mama Nibbles February 8, 2013 at 7:32 pm

After I got past staring at that big fat donut I read. Great post, very helpful and informative!

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Beeb February 8, 2013 at 7:40 pm

Great advice! Thanks for the contest link too, I’m totally entering for those prizes!

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Unknown February 8, 2013 at 9:27 pm

These are great tips and I love your resolution! It can be fun to strive to be a better blogger.

Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired

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Grace February 8, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Your tips are great ones and I’m so glad I know you and come to read your blog.

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Daisy Bryce February 9, 2013 at 12:50 am

These are very good tips. I have friends that ask me how to get into blogging and I’ll share these ideas with them.

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Kristyn February 9, 2013 at 1:12 am

all three of these are a must for a great blog, thanks for sharing!

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Melanie February 9, 2013 at 2:14 am

Wonderful tips.. not just for beginners.. always love being reminded … thanks for a great post

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Libby's Library February 9, 2013 at 2:52 am

Excellent advice. Sometimes I stop and wonder if blogging is really worth my time, and then when I get back to posting what I enjoy, it becomes worthwhile again.

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Ashley Butler Kimber Matherne February 11, 2013 at 2:53 pm

I found your blog via MBC. Your advice is simple, yet so important! Thank you for posting. I am going to start following you. Our blog is http://www.thepinningmama.com We officially launch our blog April 1, and we hope you’ll follow!

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Ashley Butler Kimber Matherne February 11, 2013 at 2:56 pm

I found your blog via MBC. Your advice is simple, yet so important! Thank you for posting. I am going to start following you. Our blog is http://www.thepinningmama.com We officially launch our blog April 1, and we hope you’ll follow!

Reply

Rob Babiak February 13, 2013 at 9:39 pm

Great tips especially #3. Interacting with people is key to being a sucessful blogger. Great post!! Thanks for sharing.

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Lindsay February 13, 2013 at 9:48 pm

These are great tips for beginning bloggers!

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Jeannette February 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm

Fabulous tips! I also think staying true to who you are is important. Early on it’s easy to lose sight of it:-)

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Kathleen February 15, 2013 at 5:20 pm

I wish I had caught on to the “take better pictures” idea when I first started my blog. My pictures were horrible. They aren’t perfect now, but they are a lot better. These are great tips for new bloggers.

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LyndaS February 17, 2013 at 3:13 am

Thanks for sharing.

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That Bald Chick February 18, 2013 at 11:51 pm

Great tips!

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Amanda March 10, 2013 at 8:34 pm

Thanks for sharing!

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Keisha March 15, 2013 at 11:08 am

Those are some great tips! I just started blogging a little over a month ago. I actually did the first before I started, the second I try to do (I love taking photos, but whether they’re great or not…ha!), and I’m working on getting social. Thanks for the pointers! :)

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