Beyond Imagination: tips

May 25, 2018 29 comments

When it comes to being a new blogger, it can be hard to get your name out there, and equally as hard to get your first initial view or follower. This can be so frustrating, especially when writing just one blog post takes time and effort. Despite this, there are multiple easy and simple ways to increase your blog traffic instantly.

Catchy Titles

One of the biggest tips for increasing blog traffic is definitely the wording of your titles. People are always looking for solutions, tips and answers daily, so by creating titles that bring this solution (e.g. 'Top 5 Tips to Become a Morning Person' or 'How I Cleared My Skin') will instantly bring the traffic.

Active on Social Media

For me, social media is my main driving force for blog traffic, and so if you're not using it, you're missing out. Social media gives you multiple platforms (Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are my main platforms) to get your name out there, alongside updating your followers on new content. Interacting with other bloggers and your own followers gives them a reason to return the favour and hopefully become regular readers! So get involved in the wider blogging community through daily blog chats, follow and comment trains and begin promoting your content!

Clear Design

I have discovered so many blogs which have messy sidebars, no information about them, random pop-ups and an overall cluttered design. Do I re-visit their blog? No, and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't either. So, my tip is to create a design that keeps in theme and branding of your blog, which is cohesive and user-friendly. Therefore, you can ensure that readers will come back for more! There are other aspects of blog design that are a must; including a simple sidebar, categories, about, contact and follow information and much more.

Stay Consistent

I struggle with this tip, and I know it's hard to keep up when you're busy working or in full-time education, but posting frequently and on a regular schedule will definitely help to increase the traffic to your blog. Remember, you do not have to post daily (I don't) and there are many successful bloggers who showcase this. Yet, readers want to know when to refresh your blog! I post twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, which gives me time on the weekend and during the week to schedule multiple blog posts in advance. I would recommend having at least a weeks worth of posts pre-written, which can be achieved by taking photos in bulk.

Create Shareable and Beneficial Content

The posts which drive the most traffic for me are ones which are helpful for my readers, usually by sharing my tips and tricks (like this blog post!). This type of content is perfect for sharing on Pinterest and I've found that I get more engagement and interaction from these posts. Linked to this tip, is the idea of the catchy titles.

What do you do to increase blog traffic?

May 18, 2018 43 comments

I recently created a blog editorial calendar and ever since it has made my life a lot easier (by this I mean not running around frantically about blog posts!) This is perfect for you un-organised people who have to juggle between school and blogging- I admit I fit into this category quite nicely! An editorial calendar is basically a simplified typed up version of a normal handwritten calendar. It keeps you on track with upcoming posts and events. So today I thought I would share with you how I constructed and edit my calendar...

Choosing your calendar:
There are many different hi tech apps that allow you to create an editorial calendar but I suggest to go for the basic option by making a simple excel sheet in Google Docs. By doing this you have easy access to it on any laptop/computer and hand held devices - perfect for on the go travelling. You'll want to create a new folder called 'blogging' and open up a new spreadsheet.

Create your calendar:
You can set up your calendar anyway you like - monthly or weekly. I decided that it was easiest if I added one tab for each month of the year. You can do this by clicking on the plus sign at the bottom. I settled to have days across the top and weeks down the side in a two tone pink to add a pop of colour! Remember, don't forget to add a column for notes.

Filling in your calendar:
Once the basic structure of your calendar is completed you can now start to fill in the spaces. Start off with the posts you regularly post (series) as you know where they should go. I also like to put in posts that I know I definitely want to include like New Years resolutions or Halloween costumes etc. However if I haven't taken the photos then I make sure to write a quick reminder in the notes! Simple so far, right?

Throughout the month you can easily edit the calendar for when a new post idea crops up. I like to keep it quite flexible so I can write up posts on any day I want. One reason why I like using this calendar so much is the fact that I can customise it in many ways. One of which is colour coding the different types of posts. I use blue for lifestyle, mint green for fashion, purple for beauty and last but not least peach for tips/DIYs. Don't forget that to create a new line in the same cell you hold down the alt key and press enter at the same time. My calendar now looks a little like this...

Editing your calendar:
The best part of having a super simple online calendar is that you can edit or even scrap parts whenever you feel like it! Where as when using notebooks the tipex has to come out!

As I edit and publish my posts I use the strike though symble to mark off each post. This way it's easy to notice if I have stuck to my schedule. Or if I have been unable to publish a post I will mark it in red so I can use it for the next month.

This was all I do to create my effortless online editorial calendar -TADAA! Even though this was a very long post I hope it was informative and helpful!

Have you got an editorial calendar?

January 22, 2015 5 comments

Everyone has to start somewhere. I only got my first follower after a few months of blogging so most days it felt like I was writing to no one! I am now lucky enough to have over 100 followers just after a year. Blogging is definitely something I enjoy and love. I've been meaning to do this post for quite a little while now, so here are my top tips on starting a beauty blog.

Platforms
The two main sites on which you can create your blog on are Blogger and Wordpress. Blogger is the simpler of the two, for the non techniqual people . It takes you though the steps to create a simple layout and is easy to navigate. Which is why I started off my blog on this platform and still am! Whereas Wordpress is HTML based, so if you are not sure what HTML even is then I'd stick with blogger.

Name & Direction
This is one of the most trickiest parts of making your blog because you're going to be stuck with it for a long time unless you change it quite early on. Try and think of something catchy and not too long. This way, people can remember it and you will still like it in the next five years. It's also a good idea to think about what you wish to blog about and how it will be different from the rest. Are you going to try and focus it all on OOTD's or just reviews? This will most likely change when you begin to blog but it's all about trial and error. In the end it will have helped you focus on a topic and be on the right track for an amazing blog.

Layout
Most bloggers will read blogs which have a well done design which isn't cluttered. This does not mean it has to be at all fancy or professionally designed but I think the main priorities should be easy to read, easy to navigate and clear social media links. It's okay to change your design every now and then because we will all change our mind on what we like. When I first started blogging my background was pink but then it quickly changed to white. I think the more simpler it is the more you will like it and not want to change it. Think about what you like in other people's blogs design i.e: a search bar or popular posts. Try and make it overall an enjoyable visit for your readers.

Photography
When you first start off blogging, it's a good idea to invest in a decent camera. You don't need one but it will make a huge difference to the quality of your pictures. DSLRs can be expensive but again will make your photos look a higher quality. A simple point and shoot camera can work too (I still use one!) If you take your own photos it's usefull to invest in a tripod which can be bought on Amazon.

It's all about the content
Content is by far the most important part of blogging. You might have an amazing design but if the content isnt great you won't get readers revisiting. Try and be original. Everyone loves the haul or hype but try and make each post unique. Think of something no one else has done - this is what will make the audience want to come back and read more. Try and be consistent, whether your uploading daily or weekly. It's nice for the readers to know when to expect a new post. Your posts don't have to be essays so try and find your style of writing. The last point is most bloggers like to see large photos rather than tiny small ones!

So I hope this post has helped you get started. The key to blogging is trial and error and to have confidence in yourself. I'm thinking of creating more of these topic posts like Making time for blogging and Using social media to promote your blog. Happy blogging!

April 03, 2014 1 comments

Double Check Your Writing

Check Photos

Tweet and Promote

Pin on Pinterest

Do you take any extra steps before or after hitting publish?

Catchy Titles

Active on Social Media

Clear Design

Stay Consistent

Create Shareable and Beneficial Content

What do you do to increase blog traffic?

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