FINALLY! Here are my 10 tips for starting a blog! I’ve been needing to do this post for about two years now and finally here I am sitting down to write it. To be honest, I feel like I myself am learning new things about the blogging world every single day.. so creating this post has been hard, but perhaps in a year or two I’ll do an updated version sharing even more with you! But for now, here are my top 10 tips for new bloggers…
- BUY THE DOMAIN!
This is a mistake I see many people make and it just looks bad.. spend the extra $ to get the real deal website, not just the .blogspot.com version.
2. Make your IG handle something easy to find.
This doesn’t need to be a quirky title or anything crazy, just something that is easy for people to find and ideally has no numbers/underscores/etc. Basically the more simple it is the easier it is for people to find you.
3. Come up with a posting schedule and stick to it!
This one totally depends on your current career, how much time you have in general, and how often you actually WANT to post! I think if you’re just starting try 3 times a week on Instagram and move up from there. My personal goal is to post twice a day on IG, but a lot of my friends post only once. You should also create a blog schedule- even if it’s only once a week it will help people know WHEN to look for a new post and helps for them to notice a schedule. Make these goals and hold yourself to them because they really will help you not only grow, but also just get better at your photos, writing, and style you want overall.
4. Hire an affordable graphic designer.
Lets say you’ve been working on the blog for a few months now and are really sticking to a routine- that’s incredible! Now treat yourself to an affordable graphic designer to help you create and customize your blog. If you scroll to the bottom of my blog you can get the link to Little Blue Deer who has created mine and for some simple work is super affordable! The more cool and custom your site looks the more people will like what they see and want to come back. It’s worth spending the extra $ to get some cool stuff done on your site that makes it unique and YOU!
5. Invest in good editing apps!
This goes without saying but pay the extra $10 for the additional filter packs if you’re taking this blogging thing seriously! If there’s a site you’ve heard great things about buy aren’t paying the extra to get rid of the watermark or have extra stuff just dooo it! It’ll help you get more creative and figure out your style. My all time fav editing apps (some are free) are Afterlight, VSCO, Facetune, Snapseed, Darkroom, and Lightroom. Do I use all of these apps all the time?! YES! Just about on every. single. photo.
6. Planoly!
A great way to get your feed looking cohesive and dreamy is to use the app Planoly! This is in no way sponsored with them, but I use this app daily. To be honest, I think you don’t need to be toooo crazy about your overall feed, but it can be such a nice tool to plan ahead. For me I’ll usually try to lay out my feed a day or two in advance to see how it looks and this app is perfect for that!
7. Tag brands and use targeted hashtags!
This is something I really contribute to myself growing in the beginning- tagging brands in the photos! This way brands like Crossroads Trading, Modcloth, etc might regram your photo or put it on their stories- giving you lots of exposure! It’s a great way to get new eyes on your page. Another thing is using targeted hashtags- not a big clump of generic ones as IG counts that as spam now. Real hashtags like #UO if you’re wearing Urban Outfitters or #NewYorkCity if you’re in NYC.
8. Connect with other bloggers with similar followings.
This is something I see gals doing now that’s awesome and really helps! Find someone who has a similar following in numbers to you and who’s feed you like. Reach out and see if they would want to do a trade shoutout on stories for each other to work together and help each other rise to the top! This may seem cheesy or you’re worried they might think you’re crazy for asking- but teamwork realllllly does make the dream work!
9. Think about what makes YOUR blog special.
There are 139124q934857 blogs out there now so what makes your blog special? Why take the time to check out your Instagram and blog? Think about this and figure out what you want that something special to be. It doesn’t have to be super crazy, but to give you some ideas: your photos are super bright and colorful, you’re a curvy inspirational gal, you love finding the best bang for your buck, etc. Just something that really makes you stand out even if it’s just the way your edit your photos that’s super special!
10. LOVE TO BLOG OR GET OUT.
This is something I can’t keep saying enough. If you don’t love to post on Instagram every day, make stories, take photos and blog posts STOP NOW! You will never succeed and it’ll just be a huge waste of your time. To be honest with you guys, I didn’t make any money off of my blog for about 1 1/2 years. I posted daily (at the time like 3 times a day) and posted on my blog 2-3 times a week without ANY money! Needless to say it just takes a huge commitment with no guarantee there will be a payoff.. it’s sort of like playing sports in that way. You do it because you love it and if you go Pro then YOLLLLOOOO!
I hope you guys found this helpful and enjoyed it! I’ve been thinking on all of these tips a lot and I wish someone had told me these when I started.
Great tIps! Im definitely going to check out all the apps you mentioned. Your insta and blog are filled with so mUch great content and I know a lot of hard work and thought goes into it! Id love to See more posts like this one, maybe the top tEn Mistakes new bloggers make and how to learn from them. Keep the awesome posts coming 🙂
@ediblehours
I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for the tips! Love your work.
THis was beyond helPful! Thank you so much ❤️ I get most of my inspiration to start a blog froM you So thEse tIps will come in handy! What camera do you use??
SUPER HELPFUL!!!! THANKS NOELLE!
Love all these tips! I really need to get more disciplined with my writing scheule. Thanks for the inspo!
Wonderful tips, thanks so much Noelle! (ps. love tip number 10 !)
Your advices are always good, positives and important.
These are great tips. I would love to become a blogger, has always been in the back of my mind, but i am just afriad to take the leAp! But, with these tips i think it might finally be time to go for it!
Thanks for taking the tIme to Share these tips!
Instagram: @ashleychitwood
i can’t say how much true are all of these points…
i would like to change my blogspot.com into domain…but i am worried of loosing all i have done in so many years….i’ll find out.
thanx for the tips
http://7-sevendays.blogspot.it/
Really useful tips. Thanks Noelle!
Thank you for the tips!! Love your blog
@ohsincity
I’ve always Thought about starting a blog but never really had any idea where to start! Now I know where to go if I decide to start a blog! Thank you! My handle is @kendravaalemOen. 🙂
This is actually my first time checking oit your blog. I loved this article and really enjoying following you on IG! You have an amazing style! ❤️
Thank you for the tips!!! I have been thinking of starting my blog. Now i wIll
@ann_freckles
Great read! ♥️♥️ Love your page and blog!
Im not a blogger, but a blogger reader amd i love your writes!!!!! Your last pOst accurately Portrays me! @pattycakesarah
So many great tips. Thanks for sharing Noelle! This keeps me motivated
@sandra_spetz
This was SO helpful! Thank you so mUch!
Loved this blog post! SO hElpful!
IG: confidenceIsMySuperpower
Love everything about your blog and ig. Youre such an inspiraTion. #goals ❤️❤️❤️
@alessandrarmartineZ
So helpful! All my questions seem to be answered! Thank you so much for this NOELLE!!
@DAPHNE.Mcg
As a new slightly struggling to keep uo with everything bloGger, this is hones some great advice. Sometimes my schedual gets all messed because of school and traveling but i Love writing for and to my followers. Great job on the blog post!!
Insta: shygurlxx
Thanks for sharing – This is great! I need to check out planoly!
@girlintheusa / @huskyintheusa
SUPER HELPFUL! I NEED TO DO STEP 1 IMMEDIATELY THANKS FOR YOUR LIST!!
❤️
@SANDANDCITIES
this is amazing and so helpful. I just started a new homE decor instagram. Just cause thats whaT i love. Deocratin, DIY, Finding good deals! i have a blog too about my life and Diy projects but i realized quick the commitment it takes to be Consistent in blogGing. And you are what i asPire to be! Taking this advice to heart for sure.
Very cool to have the inside scoop from a pro! I never would’ve found your blog if you hadn’t partnered with SRL! -@kcobBlezz
What a great, practicle, helpful post! Thanks! My insta is @erinevangeline.
Great post hun! And the Last tips, the best! I’ve always thought that if you don’t do something because you love it, why do you do it? My IG:pepitarios
Happy weekend!
Great articlE! I followed you and rachel first and through you guys i have found many other awesome blogs!
@suffolklau
Thanks for the tips Noelle! I can definitely vouch for planoly, it’s really that great!
Sora | http://dangerouslyme.com/
Thanks Noelle!
Which Domain registrar do you recommend?
You are so helpful !!! Love you….from INDIA❤️
Hi Noelle, this was an awesome and super helpful post. I am slowly taking baby steps in Building a brand for the personal blog that I want to start and these tips have given me some real food for thought. Keep doing you gal. Xx
Hahaha. I love all of these tips and im feeling inspired to start posting on my own blog! I created it about a year ago and couldnt think of a topic to stick to. My favorite part of your tips is “If you go pro then yolooo”
Your tips are definitely an inspiration!!! Thank you so much!!!
VEry helpful post! I need to stick to a schedule asap! Thanks love!
C.noEllee
I totally am in love with this blog post! Thank you for sharing i learned a lot! Such good pointers, so glad i started following you!
It was really inspirational and helpful. Thank you noelle! I just begun my blog (I’m from PAris ) and it heLp me a lot.