1. Write consistently
I know this sounds boring, doesn’t it? Quit yawning because it’s really important. You can’t expect for people to notice you if you wrote one post in 3 months. You need to be committed to creating content, whether it’s daily, 3 times a week or whatever you choose. Be consisted and committed.
2. Do your SEO
Google will notice you if you’ve done your SEO for each post you write. And if Google notices you, the people doing the Googling will notice you. Know what I mean? SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. Create a search-rich heading {sharing a chocolate cake recipe? Think about what you’d search if you were looking for that cake: ‘Chocolate cake recipe’ comes to mind. Then, add in a paragraph about the post too.
3. Get on Twitter
Twitter is good any time of the day, if you’re following a good handful of interesting people. But the best time to get noticed is when everyone is watching a prime-time TV show, and tweeting about it. Get on, use the hashtag, Tweet stuff and have fun. Don’t over think Twitter. Retweet tweets you like, and chat to people you want to get to know better.
4. Comment, comment, comment
Seriously, this might just be the best thing you can do. I call it falling down the rabbit hole of blogging. Start on one blog, leave a comment, click through to another blog (either via clicking on one of the comment-maker’s links, or via the blog’s blog roll) and keep falling and falling until it’s all of a sudden midnight and you should really go to bed.
5. Join a blogging Facebook group community
There are handfuls of great Facebook groups dedicated to blogging. One that springs to mind is the Aussie Bloggers Facebook Group, you can join it here. Get to know other bloggers there.
6. Create shareable content
I’m sure you’ve done it yourself before; found a blog post completely compelling, moving, useful and funny, and then shared it with your friends. Imagine if that was your content being shared around Facebook or Pinterest. Create content that’s worth sharing and it could be.
7. Be funny
I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t love to laugh, so if you think you’re particularly good at being funny… bring it out in a kick-butt blog post. People notice funny bloggers. That stuff is shareable, because it’s funny and relate-able. Blogging GOLD.
8. Write a good newsletter
Newsletters can seem like just one more thing you have to put on your blogging to-do list, but I think they’re definitely worth playing around with. Someone people really like getting something in their inbox, so offer an easy way for people to subscribe. Perhaps a reader has noticed you briefly through a great shareable post. If you’re given them an easy way to subscribe, they’re going to be noticing you more regularly through your newsletter.
9. Get out and guest post
Contact a few of your favourite blogs and ask if they take guest posts. That way their readership gets to know you, and might want to get to know you better on your blog.
10. Have people guest on your blog
Perhaps you could mention in a blogging Facebook group that you’ve joined that you’re looking for a guest poster. People put their hand up and write you a post, and then they share it with their audience, “Hey, I’m over at X today, have a read!” So you’ve got new eyes over on your blog. It’s a win-win.
11. Join a challenge
There is always at least one challenge doing that rounds that you could jump in on. It could be a blogging challenge, or it could be something like my Photo A Day challenge. For example, lots of lovely people have made friends through photo sharing. Be social and jump on in.
12. Create a good Facebook page
I say this a lot, but Facebook is where the party is at (i.e. it’s where people are already), so you just have to bring your blog to the party. Create a great Facebook page that people want to be part of. Stuck on how to create a good one? Check out what other people are doing and put your personal spin on it.
13. Get on a blog roll
A blog roll is a list of blogs that a blogger reads. It’s usually found in the sidebar of a blog. A good way to start is creating your own blog roll, emailing the bloggers you’ve listed and letting them know you’ve put them on your blog roll… and sometimes if you’re lucky, they’ll add you to theirs as well.
14. Make your headlines irresistible
Create headlines that people just can’t help clicking. It’s that simple.
15. Make everything easy for your readers
This is so easy to get wrong, and so important to get right. Make reading your blog really easy. If you’ve chosen a really hard to read font, and it’s a in a bright, eye-aching pink, I’m probably not going to read your blog. Yes, readable font can seem boring, but it’s readable for a reason. Also, make sure you’ve got easy to use share buttons and an easy-to-use commenting system.
16. Get your freelance on
Much like guest posting, freelance gets your work out there on places other than your blog. Email magazines you like, or online publications and websites. Try your luck.
17. Attend a conference
I know some conferences can be pretty expensive, but look around and find others that are within your budget. Conferences are a great place to meet new people who do what you do, and network. They’re also loads of fun!
18. Do one thing really well
Lastly, don’t get overwhelmed by trying to do EVERYTHING. Pick one thing and do it well. Love photography, kick butt on Instagram. Do funny well? Share it on Facebook (I am absolutely in love with the way Em Rusciano shares her witty bits on her Facebook page).
Thanks for the really helpful post! 🙂 I’ve been blogging for a while, but only begun to take it seriously recently, so it’s good to have some tips from the pros! Definitely going to take into account SEO from now on, and am off to go and read lots of blogs (any excuse, right?!)
Thanks for the really helpful post! 🙂 I’ve been blogging for a while, but only begun to take it seriously recently, so it’s good to have some tips from the pros! Definitely going to take into account SEO from now on, and am off to go and read lots of blogs (any excuse, right?!)
Oh man, apologies for the duplicate post – bad internet connection so I double clicked. Feel free to delete the duplicate! 🙂
Great tips, Telle. Thank you for sharing. I’m just getting back into my blog after a little break, so this has come at a great time.
Love this post, great advice. Number #1 sticks out to me: be consistent & be committed. Might adopt this as my new blog mantra!
Feels like a really good wrap up of everything I’ve heard over the last 2 days! Totally bookmarking this for future reference (once I get an opportunity to sit and really reflect and sort through all the craziness going on in my head right now!)
PS… Loved listening to you in your session yesterday.. You rocked!
Lots of useful information, thanks for sharing it with us Chantelle. Especially the Aussie Bloggers Facebook Group link, that’ll definitely come in very handy. 🙂
This post is fantastic, Thank you!! I was checking on each point in my head. The one i most scared to do it contact others to do guests posts or ask others to do a guest post as my blog is only 6 weeks old so i feel people wont want to. Hopefully we will learn more about that in Clever Cookie School 🙂
The SEO tip is just the reminder that I needed! Thank you!
Top tips! Thank you!
I just love the rabbit hole! And I think I should work out SEO, as I’ve been putting it off for quite some time now. Maybe I just should dive in. Thank you for these tips!
I have been blogging for ages, but it was just a place to get thoughts out of my head, until I found your blog and all the useful tips. Reading your blog has made me want to take my blog to the next level and since changing my mindset towards blogging, I have found some really lovely blogs that I now read and it goes without saying some really lovely bloggers. You truly do live life inspired as you inspire others. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and success.
Oh – quick question for the SEO dunce – what does “then, add in a paragraph about the post too” mean from point 2? I understand making rich titles, using keywords and alt text for images but not sure about adding in a paragraph… help?
I’ve just started adding search descriptions to my posts. Its something I’ve totally overlooked for the past two years because I never understood it. An easy commenting system is a definite, captcha does my head in.
Think this has come at the right time! Was thinking the other day that I should revive my blog and start writing again!
What a fabulous read. I’ve just started blogging and you’ve provided me with some great information and ideas for my blog. I’m so excited to grow my blog! Thank you.
I’ve just started blogging and wauw! You gave me some amazing information! Thankyou for that! You’re on my blogroll now! Such a smart thing! Lots of love , Nadine Naomi
nadinenaomi.wordpress.com
Great suggestions. I had no idea that there might be a Facebook group for bloggers in my area… and now I found two.
Perfect timing for me this post is (sounding like Yoda I am – not sure why!) x
Came to your fabulous blog via your talk at Problogger. So loved it and I’m now a massive fan!
Great advice Chantelle!! Still working on it (for more than a year now), but will keep every bit in mind.
Thanks!
Trying my best to get through all those. Hard though when I’m having difficulties blogging about stuff. :/
How do you comment on blogs on Facebook with your page name rather than your personal profile?
I started a challenge at http://nadinenaomi.wordpress.com.
Thanks for the amazing tip!
A truly fantastic list and I’ve written down these 18 points and about to post on my pinboard, then I will share on IG so you know I’m not a liar liar pants on fire!! xx
Yep, comment comment comment! That’s how I’ve found some of my favourite blogs and likewise, how they’ve found me!
Great tips Chantelle!
I remember about 18 months ago a couple of newbie bloggers asked me how to get more readers and comments on their blog, and they really weren’t impressed with my answer of comment, comment, comment. It really is the single best way to get more readers and people to your blog. Bloggers are a lovely bunch of coconuts and if you visit them they will often try to repay the favour. And then, if you’ve followed tips #1, #6 & #15 they’re more likely to stick around and become regular readers. I think it’s easy to forget that at it’s heart, blogging is all about the community, it’s the original social media and without putting in the time to be a part of that community, you can’t expect to get much back from it.
Here I am a-commenting! Great read and great tips. Thank you so much!
Always great to hear your tips! I truly believe in consistency- love that point
Awesome advice thanks Chantelle – I am going to share a link to them on Weekend Rewind tonight! Thanks lovely xx
This is great advice!! Coming over from The Weekend Rewind….now I just have to make the time to do it all!!!
LOVE this advice, thanks. That last one is very important. It would have been easy to leave PB feeling overwhelmed.
Nailed it! Number 4 is my big one right now and I”m loving it. I’ve missed falling down rabbit holes.
This was a great read and very motivational! Thanks for the tips. 🙂
Top tips as always! I’m going to work on 3. 12 and 17 amongst others. I’m going to make sure I get to PB next year if it’s the last thing I do! Thanks for sharing your pearls of wisdom xx
Fab post, no surprise.. Love Em R she is so refreshing. Such a fab of Insta, I love the visual and seeing how others share their thoughts through theirs..
These are gold! Thanks for giving all us bloggers a boost. You are so right about SEO–I quit using clever headlines because they make terrible SEO. I now use them somewhere in the blog. Because funny works.
I just re-launched my blog and really want to do it right, so this is super helpful. Thanks!
Great tips Chantelle, love stopping by your blog. You are spot on in saying that time passes quickly when you’re reading ‘down the rabbit hole’! Sometime I have so many tabs open! I’m already a member of “Aussie Bloggers” on FB and thought I might try my luck as you suggested and see if anyone would like to have me as a guest blogger, or vice versa 🙂
Great tips! You’re so right about commenting on other blogs. I always notice a spike when ive done that.
Hello Chantelle, just wanted to say that this is so simple, so clear and so good…. a really helpful reminder and well laid out to. And now I am off to change my font!!
So glad I have just come across your blog! Loving it! Thanks a lot for the tips. I am also a bit confused on the SEO… Would love too make my blog bigger! X
http://themonkeyandthefrog.blogspot.co.uk/
Awesome advice, thank you! Love your blog 🙂
Great advice! Just starting the blogging journey. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Wow, really do have to pick up my game. Thanks for all the advice. It really is an art form which takes alot of work isn’t it. Thanks so much!
This is brilliant! i actually came across your blog looking for ideas for blog topics. You are now my go to for blog advice.
You do great work. Love it!!
Great suggestions all around. I look forward to implementing them! Best.
THANKS FOR THIS GREAT ADVICE CHANTELLE! I HAVE JUST STARTED MY BLOG AND NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET! CHECK ME OUT ON http://mysitkom.blogspot.com.au AND GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK! I’d love to guest post for you too, by the way! SAM x
I love reading your post and all the photo a day missions!
Thanks for the writing this really impressive post. I am quite impressed with your post.
Another great post (mmmm, yes I am reading blogging advice at work!) and I need to go through and start checking these off. Have managed a few so far but plenty yet to do. Thanks for sharing your hard-won wisdom!
Just the post I needed, THANK YOU. I’ve been blogging for a wee while but seem to have lost my mojo a bit and as a result I think I have fallen off the radar. This year, I have decided to pick myself back up and get on out there. Funny, you were the fist person I thought of to google for blog inspiration and you’ve hit the nail on the head (in about 5 different posts) so thank you so much xxx
I really love reading your blog Robyn 🙂 Glad you’re back on it x
Oh thank you Jen xxx
A great post! You’re filled with lots of great blogging tips. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Who Let the Mum Out?
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I’m a fairly new blogger. I love your points they have opened my eyes to hopefully grow my viewers. My blog is writingnatural.wordpress.com
Thanks for the tips! and Im gonna be reading some of them cos I aint finished yet 🙂 Your site is colorful. makes me happy ^_^
Thanks for these tips Chantelle – pinning this for future reference for sure. Would love to hear about how you plan/juggle your blog/business/family!
My husband and I just launched our Nashville restaurant blog yesterday (www.marriage-bites.com) and just one day into it and I already have a 1000 questions on how to make it the best. The length of the post is one area that I am struggling with. I am trying to find the balance on being descriptive (because it is a review) but yet not lose interest. I am still reading your posts, but if you have any about length that you want to point me to, I would appreciate it.
Congrats on the new blog. Here’s a blog that I love. I think the length and way she writes would be a perfect inspiration for you:
http://www.notquitenigella.com/2016/07/06/phoodle-eatery-kingsford/
These are great tips! Very helpful 🙂
-Kaylie
summerlie.com