What advice would you give to a newbie blogger?
As you may have read in the earlier article, I have just launched a new site and service setting up WordPress self-hosted sites for free. Yes really. Find out more at Blogger to WordPress. It’s not just for those who currently use Blogger, or even WordPress.com. Its for everyone – so if you ever wanted to start a blog – I’ll set you one up for free.
It’s had a great response – why not – it’s free, I’ll pay for everything!
So we will shortly have some new bloggers joining us online. Which led me to thinking. When you start blogging, it’s a really sharp learning curve. There are all the technical aspects about:
- how to write a post,
- how to format a picture,
- thinking about categories and tags,
- setting up menus,
- making your pages look like they should.
Then quickly you move onto:
- how do I make this change to my site?
- how can I add those cute social media buttons?
- how do I change my theme?
Then you start thinking outside your site:
- where do I promote my site?
- where and how can I get visitors?
- how should I use social media?
- should I have a mailing list and how do I do it?
- is there blogging etiquette I should know?
And maybe even eventually to:
- How do I get sponsors?
- How do I get money for blogging?
- Can and should I review products for money?
These new bloggers will have so many questions and I can’t answer them all. Which is where ALL OF YOU come in. You know how to do it, you’ve been doing it for a while now. Or maybe you are still quite new yourself and can remember what it feels like starting out.
What advice would you give to a newbie blogger? If you had to pick one small topic, what would you tell them about? What question would you answer? How would you inspire them when things got tough? Would you give a blogging reality check about how hard and long you have to work? What has surprised you about writing a blog? What was the most important/unexpected lesson you learned in the first year of blogging?
I’d love to start a weekly series of posts from the Moms Make Money readers giving their advice on simple blogging topics. As you know, guest blogging on other sites is a great way to get links and traffic back to your own site.
So who wants to start? Who wants to take part and share? It doesn’t have to be a long post over thousands of words – this can be part of the Tiny Tips series. 10 minutes to read and act and improve your blogging. I’m dying to hear what you all have to say.
To take part, just drop me a line to deby@moms-make-money and I’d be delighted to have you as a contributor.
September 11, 2013 @ 8:50 pm
Hi there! Stopped over from The Project Stash, and had to come check out your post. Being that I’m a new blogger, I always appreciate any input and advice on moving forward. Great topic – I’ll be sure to stay tuned in.
September 11, 2013 @ 11:03 pm
Great topic – looking forward to reading future posts 🙂
September 12, 2013 @ 9:04 am
I’m looking forward to all the awesome advice that comes rolling in 🙂 My blog is just over 2 weeks old and I can’t even believe all the questions that have popped up and the ways I’ve muddled through some of it. Thankfully, I’ve made some sweet blogger friends already who have answered questions and pointed me in the right direction. A series like this would be invaluable to me 🙂
September 13, 2013 @ 8:35 am
Glad to find this. I’ll keep my eyes on it 🙂 Thank you.
September 13, 2013 @ 9:23 pm
I’m a new blogger as well. Can’t wait to read more!
September 14, 2013 @ 8:53 am
I started out blogging about a year ago but I still feel like a newbie! There’s so much to learn! I’d love to contribute a post I wrote for newer bloggers and I’ll be emailing you.
I’m stopping by from It’s Overflowing (#54 How To Put A Label On A Photo) Have a great weekend!
September 14, 2013 @ 8:57 am
I’m still pretty new myself, but I’m learning that I need to be more “social” with other bloggers that I admire. They are influential, and will really promote a newbie if they feel the love!
September 15, 2013 @ 8:25 am
You are absolutely right! There are lots of ways to promote yourself and be promoted by others. Many bloggers got help when starting out and a boost by a particular post or share. Have you considered guest posting? You know I have this series coming up with advice for new bloggers – that doesn’t mean only big blogs – as a pretty new blogger yourself you remember exactly how it feels to be starting out and I bet you’ve already learned loads. Why not consider sharing something with the MMM readers. Drop me a line if you would like to write a post on any subject. All insight is welcome.
September 16, 2013 @ 7:09 am
This is a great post Deby and I wished it was around when I started. I’m featuring it at this week’s Thriving on Thursday linky party. Thanks so much for linking up.
Anne @ Domesblissity
September 16, 2013 @ 1:30 pm
Hi Deby!
I just found your blog (this one Moms-make-Money) via : From the Farm Blog Hop ( I linked thru Sunny Simple Life)
I found this post interesting.
I am not a big blog. I’m also not a newbie blogger. I fall in the in between category. I’m the blogger that has stalled out– I want to go from ‘hobby blogging’ to an ‘earnings blogger’.
I don’t know what I have to offer, except a little bit of advice about over coming the fear in blogging: asking questions; treading water or transitioning.
I’m hoping to learn something here from you and your readers. And who knows perhaps I’ll have something to offer as well.
I’ll email you!
Pat @ Corn in my Coffee-pot
September 16, 2013 @ 5:08 pm
I’d be delighted to hear from you Pat. Bloggers of all levels and ‘ages’ of blogging are very welcome – everyone has a unique perspective, a unique set of skills and experiences and valuable advice to offer to other bloggers of all levels. I’m very keen to hear from you – write soon!
September 17, 2013 @ 9:18 am
This is a great topic! Even as someone who has been blogging for awhile, I still find myself facing new things every day. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this at the Pinworthy Projects Party!
September 17, 2013 @ 9:19 pm
I am a newbie myself or at least I still feel like it! My #1 tip is to find balance, it is easy to get overwhelmed. I am still attempting to do this, but I have goals set!
September 18, 2013 @ 8:21 pm
Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty. My advice would be to study those doing it well and learn from them- whether it’s photography, picture formatting, site design. I’ve learned so much more that way.
September 19, 2013 @ 2:13 am
My blog is about four months old now and I am finally asking myself where I want to go from here. I started it for me, but now I really want to share it with more than just my close family and friends. Cannot wait to see some of the advice and tips from this blog!
Thanks for sharing
September 19, 2013 @ 9:05 am
It can be hard to transition from blogging for you to blogging for an audience. Suddenly your site becomes not about you any more but about your readers and what they want to see. You will need to turn your site from personal diary to business-like content and promote it to attract new readers. I took a quick look at the site – consider making it immediately obvious what you will be writing about either with a header logo with images, or include more pages/category info at the top so readers can find the topics that they are interested in. You only have a few seconds to capture their attention. Good luck with the site and do consider writing a post for Moms Make Money about how you made the transition, or any other blogging tips.
October 19, 2013 @ 12:01 pm
I am just celebrating my 1st year blog-iversary at http://vintage-celebrations.blogspot.co.uk and it has been a really steep & fast learning curve! I’d happily help you out with a newbie post as it would have been wonderful for me to have had one when i started! I am on the precipice of deciding whether to take my blog into a different direction where my real passions lie would love to be able to find advice on that too!
October 19, 2013 @ 12:36 pm
Great to hear Lisa. I’m just approaching my first anniversary too, 27th November. Like you, I’ve learned so much. I’m sure the readers would love to hear your insight and tips and the things you’ve learned. Do drop me a line at [email protected] and we can talk about your guest post on the site. Looking forward to hearing from you.
August 25, 2014 @ 3:18 pm
I definitely keep coming back to this blog for one simple reason: It has always been a source of inspiration ever since I discovered it! I hope to learn more everyday I land on this blog. Thanks for this great piece.
September 16, 2015 @ 2:56 pm
Personally i think if you are new to blogging you should stay on www moms-make-money.com, all the information is here already to have you being a pro blogger. If yo stick to the system and and read every post then you can copy the moms make moneys excellent way they have done it.
In blogging generally i think folk don’t stick to the plan or system they have been given, in a way wee always want to jump from instruction 2 to instruction 10,wanting success to quick. We need to remember its a business we are starting for long term and not just a quick sale…………Thanks Kevin.