Hi friends, happy Wednesday! How are you all doing? I hope you’re having a lovely week so far. Today I’m thrilled to be back again with my blogging ways feature, and my second “How to” blog post! After the lovely comments I received on my first post with tips and tricks, I was impatient to write more. I hope you’ll enjoy that one as well!
Today’s topic is going to be all about growing your blog, but before diving in, let’s ask ourselves one tiny little question….
What does growing your blog mean, exactly?
We could be talking about a lot of things when it comes to blogging and, depending on where you situate yourself on the whole blogging spectrum, growth can mean loads of different things.
We could be talking about pageviews, followers, overall statistics and numbers, which is something that feels good for sure but is, for me, more of a paid-bloggers-goal ? I don’t know, my personal opinion here, even if let’s admit it, I dream of thousands of pageviews as well.
We could also be talking about growing your blog in terms of community. Of bloggers’ references. Of overall, having the feeling of being “known”, not because you are famous and making tons of money, but because you are making sense in the community: exchanging, talking, fangirling, overall feeling like you have a presence there. If I make any sense?!
No matter what your goal is, growing your blog is something we all have in mind whenever we’re starting to blog, right in the middle of it, or in a bit of a blogging slump. In my two and a half now years of blogging, I like to think that I have got this blogging sh*t together by now but oh, I wish I had it all figured out – to be honest, I’m still quite of a mess at times. ANYWAY, I still managed to learn some things along the way, a couple of quite simple yet effective advice to overall feel less alone in your blogging thing!
5 tips to grow your blog
THINK about your blog in terms of design, brand, personality, EVERYTHING
Whenever you are blog-hopping or finding out new blogs, do you often stop to look at the blog’s design? Do you pay attention to it and, sometimes, do you *gasps* close the window without reading it because it’s too messy, unreadable or anything else that bothers you? We are ALL guilty of that – it’s only natural to stop at that even if it’s a bit superficial.
This is the reason why my first advice here to grow your blog is to attract people to it by having a “good” design. Whether you like blue, pink, yellow, a side bar or no side bar, a header with a big logo or a tiny one, emphasis on images or little widgets on the sides, YOU CAN DO IT YOUR OWN WAY. You don’t have to – and should NOT – copy another bloggers’ design because it is WORKING for him or her. Inspire yourself from other bloggers’ designs for sure, see which layout you enjoy, which blogs are agreeable to read for you and ask yourself WHY. Then apply these things to your own blog your own way to make it all beautifully yours.
Blog CONSISTENTLY – or at least, try
If there is something that works to grow your blog, it is to try and write blog posts consistently. For some people, consistent is all about having a blogging schedule and being able to keep up with it -like me!-. Some days are dedicated to particular posts and some others to other posts, some days are without any posts which allow me to take a breather once in a while. For others, it might be writing blog posts each week but not having strict schedules.
Do not think that consistency means having to post every single day. I’m not doing it and I do not know a lot of bloggers doing this because work, school, real life exists besides blogging and if it feels like a job, blogging IS NOT MY JOB (insert crying here).
Consistency, really, is all about being there in the blogging community: with blog posts, with comments, with engaging with others and most of it all, with working your presence online. Blogging hiatuses are, obviously, something that can happen and NO ONE WILL BE MAD at you for having to take a break, though.
On writing: what interests your audience but most of it all, what you love
When I first started blogging, I thought I had to pay attention to the blog posts I would write. I thought I had to participate in what every one else’s was doing, like blogging memes such as Top Ten Tuesdays, Waiting on Wednesday and more.
I am NOT here to bad-mouth these memes, on the contrary, I LOVE these and they are and were definitely so helpful in growing my blog. However, with time, I found out that these posts weren’t the most interesting for me to write. They took me hours to think of, I wasn’t entirely happy about doing these and they just overall felt like a chore. So, I decided to stop and focus on what interested me more, such as blogging discussions, bookish discussions and reviews.
It worked, because it both interested my audience, which I am so grateful for, but also, because I poured my heart out in every single one of my blog posts. I sometimes scream, fangirl, sometimes I’m just overall mildly confused about things, yet I found out that whenever I wrote my blog post with HEART and not with the feeling of being forced to, I got both great feedback and more happiness in my blogging life. Point is here: WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE because it shows.
Communicate with the community
To be honest, this should be my number one advice on this list because for me, growing your blog is all about being part of a community. I know I’m not a “famous” blogger or anything, though I feel like I have people to talk to and fangirl with about books, which is the BEST thing that happened to me in blogging. My blog’s growth is that: you, people reading this, commenting and all. Question here is: how to FIND the community, how to talk to them and how to basically, grow your blog this way?
Comments are, for me, everything. When pageviews matter to others, for me, it’s comments, and not only on my blog – though it feels awesome to get comments on a blog post, best feeling, ever. Engaging with other bloggers did wonders for my blog’s growth but it also made me happy, which, let’s be honest, matters most.
I answer to every single one of my comments, which, when I forget to or take a little break, takes me hours to catch up on at times. But it’s worth it. Show people you care because yes, they took the time to leave a comment and isn’t that the best?! , engage a conversation, ask questions, answer thoughtfully because it both works and feels good – doesn’t it?
I comment A LOT on other blogs. I blog-hop every single day and try and leave thoughtful comments as much as I can on the blog posts I enjoyed. More than “Great Post”, I talk about my feelings, share my thoughts on the book or topic at hand, overall try my best to leave a genuine comments like the ones that makes me happy to read.
There’s no RULE to blog-hop or answer to your comments all the time: the only rule here working is to PAY ATTENTION to others, comment and answer your comments and engage with people, on the daily-weekly-monthly-whatever basis you can handle.
Be yourself
I KNOW. I’m saying this all the time – but I do think that what makes a blog stand out, what makes it grow, what makes it unforgettable, is YOU. There will always be a blog that looks like yours, in terms of design or the books they talk about or like, in terms of the discussions they post. It is hard to be unique and original as a book blogger these days because we are billions.
Yet, we are ALL ORIGINAL in our own way. Tons of bloggers, bookish or not, already wrote about tons of topics I tackled on the blog lately. If that made me confused of hesitant to write mine, I did it anyway because…well, I’d like to think I have my own way of talking about things – just like anyone else has. Don’t let anything stop you from being yourself, really. It’s that, it’s your blogging voice overall that makes you stand out, make your blog grow and most importantly, makes you happy every single time you write a blog post.
YES YES YES MARIE. This is so true and I 100% agree with this! I definitely think that commenting and blog-hopping is one of THE most important parts of blogging. I really really try to comment on the blogs of those who comment on mine, to show the same support. I also try to comment on pretty much all the posts in my Reader. IT’S TIRING. But it makes me feel happy, like you said.
I also agree with making your blog visually appealing and being yourself. It’s super hard for me to enjoy the content… if the content doesn’t LOOK good. XD And being yourself is always a good thing! Now as I’ve grown as a blogger, I’ve felt like my blogging voice has grown more “me”, whereas at the beginning it was like a whole other “being”.
I really enjoyed this post, Marie! They’re awesome tips. 🙂
AW thank you so, SO MUCH May for your sweet comment, you’re the best <3 < 3
Blog hopping easily is the number 1 thing on my to-do list whenever I get to blogging. It's exhausting and hard at times – sometimes I just blank in front of blog posts, the words won't appear while in my mind it's a mess haha -, yet it makes me so happy to TALK with other bloggers and chat and fangirl and just, BE a community. It's the best thing both to have fun while blogging and to grow your blog 🙂
I'm so happy to hear you found your blogging voice – at the beginning I didn't feel like I was quite there yet either and now, well, seems like my ramblings are, "Me", ahah 😀
Thank you!! <3 <3
Mo problem, Marie! <3
Blog hopping is definitely a win-win! You get to make awesome friends and get attention for your own blog! And haha, I think you have a very distinct voice… but I really can't explain it! 😛
Ohh thank you! I wanted to try and explain it but…I don’t know how or why, it’s just how I write, it happened like that hahhaa. I guess that’s how you know you’re actually having a blogging and writing voice? Haha. I know YOU definitely have a particular, amazing voice on your blog! 😀
Yeah, it’s good that you can’t describe it because it’s just a part of you! And aww, thanks! 😛 <3
I really love commenting too, it’s my favourite part of blogging (though it took me a while to discover that) I think interacting with others and sort of ‘keeping up with the news’ definitely helped me to grow my blog!
I’m so glad to hear that! I didn’t think that was what would make my blog grow at first, but then I realized how much started changing when I started to comment and interact with other bloggers 🙂 Thank you so much Shanti! <3
Awesome post, Marie! As a new blogger, I want the interaction with people, I want the sharing and great chats that come about with meeting new people. Pageviews for me don’t necessarily mean that they liked your stuff, or even read it! But the comments give that affirmation that people enjoy it and will hopefully come back.
Oh thank you so much, Jo-Ann! I’m so glad you liked this post I agree with you so much about this – pageviews certainly means something in our minds, I mean somehow we are made to think big numbers are good and to feel happy whenever our pageviews grow. That being said, I always pay more attention to comments and love them all the more because if a visit can happen in a second, a comment takes time to write and it’s just the best feeling, knowing someone took the time to answer to your post.
Thank you so, so much again! <3
Absolutely! and if you rely on page views, blogging would be totally like work. Chatting and having fun is well…fun!
Agreed! 😀
As a newbie blogger, I don’t think views matter as much to me as likes or comments. Likes matter because they let me know if I’m doing things right. Sure I write things I want to write about but it should also be something others also like to read. Comments matter because the whole point of blogging is to meet and interact with people who are interested in the same things as you.
As a sort-of-old blogger (is two years and a half old? I don’t know anymore haha), I don’t think views matter as much as comments either, so I 100% agree with you here 😀
If blogging makes me happy in the sense that I love writing and talking about the books I love, I also LOVE to interact and meet new bloggers. Comments mean the world to me and definitely are what I look forward to – I think this is actually how I measure a blog post’s success and a blog’s overall success 🙂
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts about this! 🙂
This is such an awesome post!
Oh thank you so, so much Dacian! I’m so happy you enjoyed this! 🙂
As a newbie blogger, I greatly appreciated these tips. I feel that right now, interacting with the community is my main goal and everything will follow from there. Thanks so much for the awesome post!
Oh thank you! I’m so glad you liked this 🙂 I hope you will have tons of fun interacting with the community! 😀
Thank you!
Hello Marie,
Thank you for your post it was very helpful. I am new to blogging and I am struggling on growing my blog. I started my blog as I prepare to publish my memoir as a survivor of domestic violence. This will be my first publication and my blog is to generate followers/audience for my furture pieces of work.
Based on your tips listed above, I think I have done all of them and there is still no real activity. I have my page linked to my Facebook page. I was thinking of looking into starting another social media page, but I am a little hesitant.
Do you have any ideas on how I can get more exposure?
Be Blessed,
Natalia
Hi Natalia!
I’m glad to hear this post was helpful, thank you so much! 🙂 If you feel like it, I found out that Twitter was a fun way to connect to other people and also grow your audience, all thanks to wonderful communities such as the #blogginggals, #lbloggers (lifestyle bloggers) and so on. Finding bloggers that respond to your content – bloggers that have the same interests as you – can take a bit of time for sure, but they’re out there, there are billlions of bloggers 🙂
Thank you for the response. Looks like I have some serious work to do. How do you find the balance?
I wish I could answer this question…but I don’t know how to find the right balance ahah, I wish I knew. I like trying to be organized and dedicate particular days and moments to particular blogging things (writing, commenting, brainstorming and more) and I find that having this scheduled helps me 🙂
Thank you for your response. Your feedback is greatly appricated. I pray that I won’t get too overwhelmed with the demands of balancing two jobs, a double major degree, my book, my and family. Lord, thank you in advance for endurance and determination to follow my dreams.
You’re welcome, I’m happy to help! 🙂 And you can do this, I’m sure of it – just need to find the right rhythm for everything, and I trust you will 🙂
Great list! What you said about being yourself is probably the most true and difficult thing. People see other bloggers with success and want to be just like them. But being just like someone else isn’t what makes your blog unique. We all have our own preferences and voices! If every blog was the same it would be so boring! And design is also soooo very important! I’ve passed up so many blogs because they were too congested, busy, and difficult to follow. Great post!!
Oh thank you so, so much <3 I agree with you – there are so many amazing bloggers out there, bloggers I would DREAM to be like: it seems like they have the fun voice, the amazing blog post ideas, everything. Yet we can't be like them because well, we're unique ourselves and we all are fun and have great blog post ideas, we all are different and put a unique touch to our blog after all 🙂
Thank you again!! <3 <3
These are all excellent suggestions. I’m just starting out as a blogger, and I know that I need to be more consistent with my posts. Also, I love your thoughts on writing about what interests you rather than following a meme. I’m in awe of other bloggers who can do that, but I’m not sure it’s for me. Great post!
Oh thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed this 🙂 Memes are a lot of fun and even if they’re not for me, loads of bloggers are using them, putting their own twist to it all and overall are very happy about it, which is awesome, I think 🙂
You have listed out very nice tips, Marie. I try to reply to comments too. But I know that many bigger blogs don’t mainly because they have too many comments to reply to and it isn’t possible for them to reply to that many. I would not say my blogging is exactly consistent but I do try to put up enough number of posts over a month. And now I am trying to have a schedule. I was more consistent with my blog hopping but in May and June there seem to be so many other things happening in real life. But I try to visit at least few blogs in the busy days. And you are right about writing what you love. That makes blogging so enjoyable
Oh thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed this post! 🙂
It is hard to be consistent at all times, sometimes life just gets in the way but everyone can understand that – and even if we’re not that busy at all times, we all need breaks just as well ahah otherwise we might just lose our minds ahah 🙂
Blogging is so, so much more enjoyable when writing about what we love for sure! 🙂
Great post xD This is my first time commenting so I couldn’t help feeling nervous lol.
I have seen an influx of white simple design recently especially among lifestyle bloggers that I couldn’t help feeling jealous but then I realise, that all of the perfect aesthetic stock photos are not me so I decided to edit the image with my own style.
I personally want to have more views on my blog but I feel happier if I someone commented on my posts instead.
Ohhh! Well don’t feel too nervous, commenting is a lot of fun and people are nice 😀
I think it’s so great that you decided to go with your own style! I found out that many bloggers are using particular designs as well or doing tons of bookish pictures and I’m fine with just doing one ahha and doing my own thing – I feel better about it since I know I’m doing something that looks like me 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your lovely comment! 🙂
I have started in a new blog direction and Im loving your posts. The past few days Ive sat down and tried to work out a schedule and as I sat there I thought. And thought. And then had a panic! What am I going to post to keep it interesting (with work and kids I only read about 2 books a week). I think Ive calmed myself down now!
Ohh thank you! I’m so happy you like my posts <3
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better about it now – blogging needs to stay fun! Everyone has a different schedule depending on their own lives. You'll find your own rhythm and what you want to write about soon enough, take your time to get through the first weeks and figure out what makes you happy without feeling pressured 🙂
Thank you ?
I love all these tips so much! I started blogging just about 6 months ago, so growing my blog is constantly on my mind. Reading posts like this one is so helpful! I definitely agree and think that comments are super important, if not the most important part in terms of growing your presence in the community. ❤️
Ohh thank you so, so much, I’m so glad you like this post <3 The community and talking with other bloggers is both the best tip I could give, and the best thing in blogging <3
I really enjoyed this post and I like the information you give. Do you think social media is a must when it comes to bringing people in to your blog?
Oh thank you, glad you liked this 🙂 To be honest, it depends on what you’re blogging about, but I don’t think it’s a “must”. Most of my blog’s traffic comes from being active on other blogs and commenting on other blogs. However, social media can be good to find out about new bloggers and share your blog posts. There are so many different ways to do that, on Twitter for instance you can use tons of #bloggers hashtags of sorts 🙂
Love this post. It’s so helpful. My blog grew pretty fast when I was updating regularly and on WordPress more. But last year and most of this year I was SO busy and haven’t been able to get on as much as I used to, so I definitely notice the growth of my blog slow down quite a bit since. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to fully get back into the swing of things like I used to be. I will definitely be using some of these tips when I’m able to get some more free time. 😀
Oh thank you so much, Ashley! <3 I hope you'll be able to blog as much as you used to, I do miss seeing your blog posts in my feed <3
I LOVE THIS POST! ❤️❤️
Very useful tips! Thanks for sharing this fab post! ??
oh thank you so, so much, I’m so glad this could be useful! 🙂 <3
This is great! Thank you. We are trying to grow our blog and this is very helpful. 🙂 I think, like you said, commenting and trying to be a part of the community here definitely helps. Take care! – Shelly
Oh you’re welcome, thank you so much for your comment, Shelly! 🙂
An inspiring and somewhat educational post, love it! x
Oh thank you, Lise! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Youre welcome! x
I loved reading these tips! I really want to feel more involved int he community, some times I feel like a little outsider so that is how I think of growing. It’s interesting how all think go a ‘growing’ a blog in different ways 🙂
Ohh thank you so much, Amberley! I felt like an outsider at the beginning as well – and sometimes I still do ahah, but being part of the community is definitely one of the best things ever. <3
Great advice! Especially for those just starting out. The hardest part for me is talking to other bloggers. Sometimes I feel like I’m not consistent in it but I am definitely trying to work on that one. For me, the most important thing is to have original content, talk about things I actually like, and communicate with other bloggers. So, great tips!
Molly @ Molly’s Book Nook
Oh thank you so much, Molly! I’m glad you agree with my tips here – communication is the best and if it takes a lot of time, it’s a lot of fun as well 🙂
I loved your post Marie, great advices as a beginner in the blogging community this feels like the kind of guidance I need. Hope to read more of your tips soon, success Marie!
Oh thank you, I’m glad this was useful to you! 🙂
You made some good points. Thank for sharing your thoughts. God Bless
Oh thank you so much! 🙂
You very welcome 🙂
I love that you talked about more than stats here, because blogging “should” always be about more than stats. Because no matter how many views per month you have, you’ll always want more – it’s human nature!
For me, growing my blog right now is all about connecting with other bloggers. It’s terrifying and sometimes really time-consuming but ultimately the human connection is the WHOLE POINT of having a blog (for me at least).
Although, tbh, I should totally work on my design. I’m awful at it because I just don’t know what I’m doing, but oh well?
Oh thank you, Christine! I’m glad you agree – we always want more and more, but in the end, what makes me happy is whenever I get a comment on my blog post and when someone took time to write their thoughts 🙂 So YES, I agree with you about connecting with other bloggers. It’s so time-consuming, it takes me hours every single day at times but it’s so worth it as well <3
I have / had? no idea what to do with design either. I feel lucky to have found this theme that I love, otherwise I couldn't do my design alone haha 🙂
Idk what you’re talking about Christine! Your blog design is super cute! 😀
And YES yes yes I have to agree with that comment, your blog design looks great!! <3
OMG THANK YOU I’m literally blushing <3
This is great advice. I’m always thinking about how to grow my blog as far as design. I don’t know how to do graphics and such, but asking questions really has helped. I’ve been feeling that sense of community as well. Great post 🙂
OH I really can’t help with design as I’m not especially good at this – I’m glad to have found a blogging theme that I enjoy and the rest, I keep it simple I guess ahah 🙂
Thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you liked this post! <3
These tips are so helpful, especially for new bloggers! I think commenting on other people’s post is the one I agree with most. If I had never commented and read other bloggers post’s, I would never had made friends! Also, I know that I feel good when people comment on my blog, so I hope to make others feel good as well! 😀
Oh thank you so much, Emma! I agree with you, if I just stayed inside my tiny blogging shelf, I never would be where I am now, which is: so happy to blog and comment and talk to other bloggers on a daily basis 😀 Thank you!! <3
This is such a great post Marie, 🙂 and I love your tips as well for people looking to grow their blogs. I definitely agree with all of these, and actually it’s funny because the first point you made, about having a design, brand, personality isn’t something I thought about when I first created my blog. It’s why I went through a massive re-design lately because I started to think about that and knew I needed a bit of a change.
Community is the most important thing I think, and also continuity. No one’s really going to want to follow a blog that hasn’t been updated in a few months. It doesn’t mean posting everyday just posting regularly.
These are all great tips Marie, and I wish this post had been around when I was still a newbie blogger as well! 😀 <3
Oh thank you so, so much Beth! I had the same thoughts at the beginning – I thought that my content would matter more, and if that’s what makes me want to stay on a blog for sure, design definitely makes me want to look at a blog. It sounds a bit superficial but I guess this is true for a lot of people.
Thank you so, so much! <3 <3
That’s all right, ❤️ and at least I wasn’t the only one in that case. Yeah content is definitely important but a good design can be just as important as well. Kind of like how I have so many pretty covers on my TBR shelves, it may be the blurbs that make me stay but it’s the covers that first attracted me to that specific book.
That’s all right! 😀 ❤️
YES, oh I love that comparison <3
Ha, thanks! 😀
Memes! 🙂
Ahah yes, memes are definitely a fun way to meet new people and grow your blog 🙂
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
You’re welcome!
I think that last gif perfectly summed up my feelings for you! Haha! I LOVED this post! I actually love when big bloggers – like yourself – respond to comments I’ve made regarding their post so I do the same effort on my blog (despite receiving significantly less comments than other blogs that have been around much longer than mine since I am very new to blogging lol), but I just think it’s the nice thing to do. They took time out of their day to compliment my post or encourage me and I feel it’s right to acknowledge that they’re reaching out to me. Plus I LOVE talking to other people about books. That is literally the point for why I made my blog in the first place!
And I 100% agree with the tip about a good design. Not only is it essential to develop your blogging personality, but it’s SO. MUCH. FUN. to make your graphics. Especially the header image! 😀
Haha oh thank you, Bridget, you are way too sweet! <3 <3
Answering to comments and reading other blog posts and commenting honestly is one of the best parts of blogging and I don't think everyone realizes this. It's so rewarding to know people – like you! – are taking the time to read my ramblings and leave a thoughtful comment about it with their own ramblings. It makes me so happy all the time, and I want to try and give that happiness back as much as I can to other bloggers. We all started blogging for different reasons: my reason is the same as yours: to talk about books, so yay! 😀
I totally agree with this post! I like blog hopping and commenting on others posts. Yeah, Communicating with other bloggers is a major essential part of a successful blog.
Thanks for sharing these amazing tips! 🙂
Oh thank you so, so much Raven 🙂
Ah, these are such wonderful tips, Marie! I think I like to grow my blog in ALL ASPECTS – I love it when I beat my stats from last month because that means more people are more involved and reading my stuff, and I always manage to find new people finding and commenting on my blog (which is always awesome)! It’s always a huge personal success to me when I manage to get someone to comment for the first time on one of my posts! 😀
If I were to give any advice, it’d probably be try out one social media, and see if it works out for you, and if it doesn’t, no need to force yourself to use it if you don’t have to! And to be patient, because you won’t be getting 1,000 followers and tons of pageviews within a week of starting your blog, no matter how much you want to. XD
Oh thank you so much, Mikaela, I’m happy you like this post – especially you, the master of growing your blog – seriously, you are impressive ahah 🙂
I love your advice! Social media definitely is not for everyone – it’s time-consuming and sometimes not everyone manages to find their place on these new platforms. And yes for being patient! It takes time to grow your blog, both in terms of stats and talking with the community, but it comes eventually with hard work and passion 🙂
Aw, thank you, Marie; I’m totally not! ❤ Yeah, I used to be on bookstagram, and ended up giving it up because it was just too much work to keep up with! And it does! It took a lot of hard work, but it did come! ?
Bookstagram seems like CRAZY work – but maybe it’s just because I don’t have much patience to do so many pictures hahaha.
Thanks for sharing! Really helpful, especially for new bloggers
https://elliefelicity.wordpress.com/
Oh thank you, so glad this was helpful! 🙂
Comments are the most fun. I created my blog to share my thoughts and to discuss them with other people. Sadly, I do not get a lot of comments on my blog. Did you have that as well when you started?
OH yes, comments are the best 🙂 It happened to me too, at the beginning: comments do not appear out of nowhere unfortunately ahah. I found out a lot of other bloggers loving the same things as I do and left genuine comments, started up a conversation, and that’s how I built blogging friendships and gained comments and more 🙂
What a lovely post! I agree with everything you said! I always try to blog hop every day and leave comments on everyone’s posts but there are days when I just don’t feel like it! And it makes me feel bad but we are no robots and I need to learn to take the pressure off of myself and NOT feel bad for not commenting (or not posting for that matter)! I’ll definitely mention this post in my June Wrap-Up because it was so great to read! ?
Oh thank you so much, Jackie! <3
I get it – there are days when blog-hopping just feels like a chore and these are days when we should take a break for sure. Blogging, commenting and talking to other bloggers has to remain fun before anything else. We are humans and it's normal to need little breaks at times ahah 🙂
Oh thank you, that's so sweet of you! <3 <3
Definitely a thorough guide to making everyone’s blog bigger and better! I vouch for interaction and being yourself. I like that they were the last ones in this list. Thank you so much for making this and reminding us your own awesomeness and how successful you’ve become, Marie!! Keep up the awesome work. 😉
OH thank you so, so much Lashaan for your sweet comment, this means the world to me <3 < 3
Definitely agree with you about consistency (even if I’m struggling with that a bit right now) Love all the advice in this- it’s absolutely perfect!! 😀 <3
Oh thank you so much! <3 <3 and we all can't be consistent at all times, don't worry too much about it,I'm sure you'll find your rhythm again <3
You’re welcome <3 Yeah I know right- thank you- that's really sweet of you!! <3
Thank you for the advice! I just posted my 10th blog and can you all the advice I can get 🙂 I like the reminder to write what you’re interested in and be yourself, it’s important!
Oh you’re so welcome, I’m so happy this is useful 🙂 Hope you’ll keep on having loads of fun blogging! 🙂
These are a bunch of great tips , Marie! I’m sure these will be of great help to a lot of people ?
Oh thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you liked this <3
I love this post! <3 I completely agree with everything you've said. Commenting and interacting with other bloggers is one of the best parts of blogging and, in my opinion, it's really the best way to make friends in the community. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! <3
Oh thank you so much, Zoe! <3 <3 Commenting really is the best part of blogging 🙂
What a refreshing take on blogging and I couldn’t agree more. Blogging, for me, is all about community. My measure of “success” is often in the amount of interaction I have with readers. It’s certainly my favorite part.
So glad you shared, and you can count me as one of your engaged followers.
Oh thank you so, so much, Gabe! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Interaction is one of the best parts of blogging for sure 🙂
yes. community and growth as writers is amazing. Glad I’ve found you!
AWw, and I’m glad you found me too! Thanks again for your sweet comments! 🙂
Amazing post like always, Marie ♥
I think commenting is such an important part of growing your blog. When I first started I feel like it’s how I gained most of my followers. One thing I always made sure to do was make sure my comment sounded genuine. It’s definitely not good to leave something that’s clearly just some cheap kind of promotion, haha. Building a good relationship with your followers and other bloggers is one of the best ways to get them to stick around and to actually make friends (which is one of my favourite parts of blogging!).
Posting consistently is something I struggle with unless being inconsistently consistent counts ? but I’m definitely trying to work on it 😀
I’m glad you mentioned the design aspect too because I think that’s something that gets really overlooked! And of course being yourself!! It sounds so simple and cliche, but it’s honestly so important. When I see people’s personalities in their posts it’s so great!
Honestly wish I had a post like this when I started out because I was honestly so confused, hahaha.
Oh thank you so, so much Lauren! I quickly found out that it was thanks to my comments, genuine ones and long ramblings and overall just being myself by sharing my opinion on other blog posts, that I got the followers, interactions and most importantly, blogging friends I have now. It took time but it is the best part for sure <3 <3
I'm not saying this to make you feel better but being inconsistently consistent definitely counts ? I mean, whenever you're first starting, it's good to build some kind of schedule or at least, build your presence so people know you are here, but whenever you're into blogging, people get to know you better and the best ones always stay no matter the inconsistences of it all. It's life, after all, happening to us ?
Thank you so, so much! <3 <3
Thank you for your post – short, sharp and helpful! I’ve just started my blog (two weeks ago) after thinking about it for ages and I’m so happy to be learning something new and interesting everyday! 🙂
Ohh you’re welcome, I’m so happy you enjoyed this! I hope you’ll have tons of fun blogging 😀
Great post. When I first started blogging I had a beauty blog. Maybe the times were different or it has something to do with the topic, but it was doing great. But despite the stats, I wasn`t feeling it anymore. So I started a book blog and even though it`s not as successful as that one, I like it more. Communicating with others is essential. Not only you get readers, but you can also make friends with similar interests.
http://www.carmensreadingcorner.co.uk
Oh thank you so much! I’m glad to hear that you like book blogging a bit better – I think the best thing to do whenever you start blogging, is to find what really makes you want to blog every single day, the subject you want to talk about lots and that you wouldn’t get sick of 🙂
Thank you again! 🙂
You def have that down!
Aw you’re way too sweet! Thank you!! <3 <3 <3
Hi Marie,
I absolutely love this category on your blog. You are so honest and you don’t mind sharing tips and your personal blogging journey. Best of all, you write with HEART and passion that makes me attracted (click) every time you posted something. As a newbie, I struggle with lots of things you mentioned there. Although, I get more views now than I did on my first few months lol. I was trying to have this blogging schedule but I guess, it just won’t work for me. I write whenever I get this urge and when it happens.. I know it’s time. But most days, I feel guilty for not blogging anything although I have gazillion of ideas to blog about. I know I will get there someday. I admire how you did it and still doing so well in 2 yrs. That’s a very short time and you made it. I also absolutely agree with just write what you love (what you’re passionate about). It is so easy to lose yourself in this blogging world (because you can be trapped in trying to copy someone else’s). It doesn’t mean it worked for them, it will work for you. My hubby always tell me to just be myself with my blogging ehehe. So spot on with the blogging voice. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Anna,
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, you are way too sweet <3 <3
I'm really a "schedule" kind of person, but I know bloggers, and you might be just like them, who just have the urge to write blog posts and don't keep a particular schedule. They post a couple times a week or a month but whenever they feel like it and when inspiration strikes. If that's what works for you, go for it! Schedules can feel a bit restrictive at times for some people. Also, if you have tons of ideas, maybe try and keep a list somewhere, on your phone or computer and go to it whenever you want to feel that spark of inspiration? 🙂
And your hubby is awesome! He is SO right about this, we all should be ourselves, there are so many other bloggers anyway, the only way to be unique and to have fun is to write with our own passion and heart 🙂
I love making schedules too.. more like to do lists but when it comes to writing it’s not working lol, yep.. I am more into when an inspiration strikes lol. I keep my ideas on my phone. It helps me a lot to track them. Hmm, I think I will just keep on practicing ‘coz my goal is to blog more often now. Also, find a balance that it will not make me feel like its a chore. I think you’re a natural Marie, when it comes to blogging. You just get it. ❤️ Much love!
Oh that’s too sweet, Anna ❤️❤️ Best thing to remember is that blogging shouldn’t be a chore, and not to force it when you don’t feel like it at all ❤️
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks Marie! It’s nice that my blog is looking more like a blog now. Haha. You have the most helpful tips. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. <3 <3 <3
Thank YOU for always making me smile with your sweet comments, you’re the best! ❤ ❤
As a newbie to the blogosphere this post was EXTREMELY helpful and insightful. Beginning my blog, my intention has been to focus on book reviews and bookish discussions. However, as I blog hop and read through other’s posts I am increasingly discovering how uncommon it is for bloggers to simply focus on book reviews as I am finding so many memes or the typical April/May/June “book haul”. I began to write a post titled June book haul, but soon realized how absolutely irritated with myself I was getting by trying to copy what everyone else is doing. As a result, I am currently simply trying to read and blog about books and what I love about reading and books in general, as well as commenting on others posts as a way to expose myself more and become engaged with others in the blog world.
Oh thank you so, so much Delphine! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
There are so many kind of blog posts for book bloggers, and book reviews are just a little part of it all – I found that CRAZY when I first started as well, ahah. Best thing to do is to find the blog posts that inspire YOU, the ones you want to write, no matter what the others are doing. If you want to participate in memes and try and write book hauls or something like that, it’s great because you’ll always have your own personality and twist in the blog post – except if you’re copying word for word another blog post ahah – , so it’s great, and can also give you ideas for other blog posts, who knows 🙂
Finding your focus and what you want to blog about takes lots of time and is a constant process, but it’s a lot of fun – as long as you write with love 🙂
Happy blogging! 🙂
Thanks for the tips!
Oh you’re welcome! 🙂
Really love this post, your tips are so helpful. I think the point about writing what you love is super-important because it really shines through on a blog. Thanks for sharing xx
Oh thank you so, so much! 🙂
This is some great advice. I am trying to grow my blog and I have noticed that consistency has really helped. 🙂
Oh thank you so, so much! 🙂
This is such a great post! Thanks for sharing your advice!
You’re welcome, thank you, Maddy! I’m glad you liked this post 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your blogging wisdom! I started my blog a week ago and this has some great tips. I’ve found that leaving thoughtful comments on others’ blogs has really helped me get more involved in the community!
Oh you’re welcome, thank you for your sweet comment! I’m glad you agree with my little tips here 😀
I just stumbled across this post. What a fantastic read, I read all the way through without losing any interest. Great tips for us newbies! THANKS BUNCHES~ Much success to your blog!
OH thank you so much! I’m so happy you liked this and hope it’ll be useful to you! 🙂 Happy blogging!
This was a lot of great advice! I just started a blog myself and this post is super helpful. I loved the part about being yourself, because even if it’s a cliche, it’s still a true statement, and still holds true. Thanks so much!
Oh thank you so much for your sweet comment! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a lot of fun blogging 🙂
Thank you so much for this post. I read so many posts telling you what to do to grow your blog and following this or that writing style. None of which feel natural to me.
Oh you’re welcome, Angela, this makes me so happy. I hope these tips will help you and feel more natural then 😀
Thank you for posting this encouraging post! I’ll follow your advice for sure as I just recently started my blog. Best wishes!
OH thank you, Stella! Best wishes to you and your blog, I hope you’ll have tons of fun 🙂
I love these posts, I find them so helpful and a little bit of confirmation. I sort of just randomly figuring things out and I’m having fun with it. I like seeing followers go up but it’s not the main thing I’m looking for. I like the conversations. I feel like I should try to schedule, but I’m a little afraid of putting to much pressure on myself, right now I just do a weekly wrap up. Thanks again for the post:)
OH I’m so glad to hear it, thank you so much for your sweet comment! I’m so happy that you like the conversations you can have whenever you’re blogging: it’s the best part for sure ,so much fun 🙂
This was very helpful Marie! Thanks!
Xxxx Love Xxxx
http://www.joyyycie.wordpress.com
OH you’re welcome, thank you for commenting! 🙂
No problem xx
This were some very helpful tips Marie , especially since i just recently started blogging.
Oh I’m so glad to hear it! 🙂
Was such a good read!
Aw thank you, glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Ahhhh this is the post I needed as a newbie blogger!! Thanks so much for writing such a lovely post Marie! ? I think commenting is definitely the biggest way, in my eyes to grow your blog. It’s also the best way to make friends, and is so much fun, so really it’s a win-win situation here haha. And posting consistently, though I struggle with it at times, can also be quite important and I really want to try and make sure I do better on that front! ❤
Ohh thank you so, so much Analee, this makes me SO happy <3 <3
Commenting definitely helps A LOT – most than anything else, really, ahah, and it's fun, so double yay! 😀
I'm sure you will manage to post consistently, Analee! Just don't put too much pressure on yourself and you'll find your own rhythm 🙂
I just clicked the follow button coz, why not? haha thank you for the tips! I really find it helpful. I just started my blog here, and I really want to have atleast a sense here in community. Thank you for inspiring
Aww thank you, I’m glad this inspired you! 🙂
Thank you for writing this post. I am new to the blogging community and your post is definitely helpful as well as encouraging!
Aww you’re welcome, thank you so much for commenting! I hope you’ll have tons of fun blogging 🙂
As someone who started her blog not to long ago, this post was really great to read. It inspires me to write more but to also stay true to myself.
Aww thank you so much, I’m so glad this inspired you. I hope you’ll have fun blogging! 🙂
Great post as usual Marie! I can only agree with all of them and I do try to put all of these into practice myself 🙂
I’m always a bit torn about this: on the one hand I do want to grow my numbers (page views, followers,…) because I do feel like despite everything, it’s still relatively low. Especially compared to other bloggers (I know, I know, big NO NO to compare, haha) But on the other hand, I don’t mind all that much about those numbers either, and I think it’s more important to grow in interaction and feeling like a part of the blogging community. And all of your tips all play a big part in that, but especially the interaction. It’s also what I love most about this blogging thing <3 But it's also what takes the most time so it's definitely tricky haha 😉
And YES to being yourself! I just recently started branching out just a bit more on my blog – it's still a book blog first of all, but I also like talking about other things I like once in a while. It feels even more personal which can be awkward sometimes, but it also made my blog feel even more like ME 🙂
Aww thank you so, so much Lindsey, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
I understand – growing numbers is something that obviously IS on my mind all the time, can’t help it ahah, and comparing myself to other bloggers just as well….so you’re not alone in this ahah 🙂
I think in the end, what matters most is to be able to feel part of a community, because for me, that’s what makes me keep on blogging – the comments, the friendships and everything 🙂
YAY! I’m SO happy to hear that – it’s good to branch out once in a while and write about other things we love, to keep things different and surprising a bit 😀
I don’t much experience in this. I am very new here. From a week I am following all these practices and yes they work well.
I believe by spending time reading other’s blog and communicating with them is the right way to expand here.
Correct me if I am wrong.
http://sagrikajhamb.com
I’m glad you found out that these work well! Communication really is key, both to make your blog grow and to have fun 🙂
Indeed! I am enjoying it alot. 🙂
I love this post – this is such great advice! (I really need to figure out how to do that “blogging consistently” thing in college, haha.) I completely agree that you should be doing what works for YOU first and foremost – I can really tell when a blogger LOVES doing a certain kind of post, has an individual writing style, etc., and that’s what makes bloggers stand out for me
Oh thank you so, so much, Emily! Finding your blogging rhythm and being consistent without losing your mind is HARD, especially while in college
Yeah so I typed enter but was NOT finished here ahah. I was saying, it is hard especially while in college or working full time. I think that for me, what makes things work is having a schedule and times in the day / week dedicated to writing blog posts, blog hopping and everything. It helps me stay organize and everything 🙂 I hope you’ll find your rhythm, Emily! <3 Thank you <3
Love the tips! I found them quite helpful.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked this 🙂
Solid blogging advice as per usual Marie!! I agree with all of your tips, and couldn’t have said it all better myself. I definitely think interaction in the blogosphere is the #1 way to grow your blog (views, followers, comments, likes, etc etc). I feel it’s one of those things that you have to give in order to receive. Along with design, ease of navigation is a big one, or so I’ve learned personally. When I redesigned my blog, I re-did all my navigation bars and made my blog much easier to navigate. I’ve found that since I’ve done this, my page views are way up because people are browsing my past posts.
Thank you so, so much, Amanda! <3 <3 I so agree with you on this – it's a community where you give and receive as well, and without that I wouldn't have grown my blog at all. Or have fun either ahah.
That's such a good tip as well! I agree – at times, when I just can't navigate on a blog, I find myself giving up on reading more :/
Communicate with the community – I can’t agree more. And it looks like you have a way of encouraging people to leave long comments instead of short ones. I think that’s key too.
Aww thank you so, so much! <3
Great post, Marie! These are some fantastic tips. I’ve learnt that leaving thoughtful comments on other people’s blogs and communicating with others is the best way to grow your blog. But it’s also great fun because you can fangirl over the same book or discuss an important topic.
PS: I’ve never said this before, but I love the GIFs you use in all your posts. I’m a huge Friends fan, too!
Oh thank you so much, Lauren! <3 <3 I agree, it's so good to talk to other people, it's fun and good for your blog to grow 😀
OH REALLY? This makes me so happy – I can't help myself, Friends is my favorite tv show of all times <3
Mine too! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it. It’s the best
I have lost count of how many times I watched it as well! It makes me laugh all the time, the characters are perfect and everything is always so relevant. <3 Who's your favorite character, if you have one? 🙂
It’s true. The characters are amazing and the things they talk about it are still so relatable even though it took place in the 90s before everything became digital.
That’s a tough question! 😀 It changes from time to time but, overall, I’d have to say Chandler. Matthew Perry is absolute gold. The writing is obviously really good, but there’s no one who can deliver the lines the way he can (I love his facial expressions!) I know that’s the same for all the other characters too, but Chandler has a special place in my heart haha 😀 I love him <3
What about you?
Haha right? I 100% agree, it’s always so much fun every single time he has to speak. I love him so much as well. I think I have a soft spot for Ross, despite popular opinion not liking him too much? I’m not sure why, poor guy awlays messes up but I don’t know, I just love him so much ahahah.
I’ve heard that too, but I think that’s ridiculous haha 😀 I love Ross, too! I will forever remember the “I’m fine!” episode xD
Hahahaha yes, that episode was so much fun!
This was a great start to my day! Good down to earth writing about blogging AND something we all tend to forget at times…. be true to yourself.
Thank you… I’ll be taking your wise words up to my writing room.
~Nancy
Oh thank you so, so much Nancy, I’m so happy you liked this <3
Yes ! I agree with all you said . I personally never thought about page views , and I never really knew much about blogging but I started it just to put down my thoughts , and I must admit , one of the best rewarding feeling is comments ! It let’s you know that there are people out there that know you exist , and they took the time to read what you wrote . I met some amazing people in the book blogging community and I’m always grateful for it
Oh thank you so much – Im’ so happy you enjoyed this post. It’s so great to see people taking the time to read what you have to say and leave their thoughts about it. It makes me so grateful as well 🙂 Thank you so much! 🙂
Reblogged this on MWV Content Writers and commented:
GREAT TIPS! Thanks for the advice!
Great post! Blog comments are engaging and I like them more ☺️
Thank you so much, Janette! I’m glad you feel the same way 🙂
Do you have any suggestions or tips as to length of blog posts? Do you think people prefer long or short posts? Thanks! 🙂
Hm, I don’t really think there is a right length for each blog post – but I know that when it comes down to it, I really like to read discussions and book reviews where the blogger actually develop their thoughts a bit more, like around 500 – 1000 words I’d say? If you’re interested, I’ll have something coming up on the blog about blog posts, their length and everything pretty soon 🙂
Great advice! I feel like I really need take another look at my blog’s design and am super guilty of posting something without double checking how the formatting looks on the actual thing. To be fair, WordPress’s formatting can get a bit crazy sometimes. Haha.
Comments are definitely the best. I feel so guilty when I don’t reply to comments. Sometimes I would just stare at them and can’t think of a good way to respond, so I would leave it, intending to reply some other time, only to forget about them. And when I do remember them, it would be a month or two ago and I feel like responding to those would just be annoying the commentor. I mean, it’s got to be weird to get a reply to a comment you made months ago, right?
Anyway, thanks for the advice 🙂
Jamie, thank you so, so much for your comment! <3 Oh I get it, sometimes even when I double check I find some weird things in my posts, WordPress really does whatever it wants at times haha.
To be honest, it wouldn't seem too weird for me – I mean, we're all busy and bound to forget some things, at times. If you have something to add to the cmment, replying even months later is okay, as long as you're aknowledging the comment in some day – it makes me happy, if I'm taking my own example 🙂
You're so welcome, thank you so much <3 <3
Some days, I feel like WordPress really has a mind of it’s own. Haha.
Hmm… that does sound sensible. I’ll be sure to respond to comments, no matter how old, going forward 🙂
haha it really does whatever it wants at times 😛
Thank you so much for the tips. I’m a new blogger and I started blogging only because I like to write and read. I realise its a dedicated task that one must enjoy which also requires a fair amount of discipline and strategy in order to reach out and be heard.
And the best tip of all is to be yourself. Loved it 🙂
Oh you’re so welcome, I am so happy this was helpful! Blogging really takes dedication, but it’s a community of passionate people and I’m hoping you’ll love it as much as I do 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet comment, and happy blogging! 🙂
I love these posts Marie, thanks so much for writing them. Lately I have been really trying to increase the amount of comments that I get on my blog – I’ve been taking your advice and making a lot more time to blog hop and really engage with other people’s material like you’ve always done with mine (thank you for that). Even though I’ve (somewhat) consistently written for about the same time as you, I’ve never really made a huge effort to find myself readers, and I’ve for sure gotten way too down on the situation way too quickly when I make an effort to go and comment on other people’s blogs without any return on it at all. But I think, like you’ve said, it’s ultimately all about consistency and enjoying yourself, and in the past few weeks as I’ve made more effort to ‘put myself out there’ in the blog world I’ve found some excellent bloggers I’d probably never have known about otherwise. Whatever the engagement with what I’m writing, sitting down at least once a week and writing about what I’m reading feels like such an ingrained part of my routine now I can’t really imagine how I’d spend that time if I wasn’t blogging!
Oh I am so glad that you found some new amazing bloggers! I love it when that happens and it is so rewarding, too – when you’re putting yourself out there and somehow, somewhere on the blogosphere, you just find your kind of bloggers, the ones you’ll click with, the ones that will inspire you and so on. Really, it’s all about consistency to grow, for sure, but most importantly, it’s about passion and enjoying ourselves. It really shines in blog posts, when you’re having fun 🙂
And oh, I know – I don’t know what I’d do with my time if I weren’t blogging. Probably read more, haha, but… have less people to chat with about these books, too, haha.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! 🙂 x
This is fabulous advice that we all need to hear no matter our blogging stage or status. I am in my second year of blogging, and I am still learning so much from my fellow bloggers. Thank you for sharing these words of wisdom! 🙂
Oh thank you so much for your sweet comment, I’m so glad you enjoyed this 🙂 x
What an encouraging post, Marie! This month I want to grow my blog in terms of the comments I get and the people I interact with. I’ve kept a weekly tracker for the pageviews traffic I get just to have some idea of how interactive certain posts are.
I find Twitter to be helpful with blog hopping. Bloggers share each other’s posts and that introduces me to new people! So I’ve made it a point to do the same.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
I hope you will be able to grow your blog, I feel like growing your blog with comments is the most rewarding, at least it is for me, because I love chatting haha.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment 😀
Your points are spot on. And I can’t stress enough on the importance of the design of your blog and how easy it is to follow your blog. I so understand what you mean by not participating on the memes that everyone else does. More so because I find myself in that position too often as well.
Oh thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
I feel like memes are a great place to start, if you want to grow your blog and / or if you’re looking for new bloggers, but ultimately I know I couldn’t keep up with them and did not wanted to have a blog filled with memes, in the end. They were great to do for a while, though 🙂
Thank you for your sweet comment!! 🙂 x
thanks…getting your blog noticed in not an overnight magic….i think one requires patience and consistency and some smart tips all the time…
Agree! 🙂
Agree with all five tips.i think genuine comments really help. Writing what you love, but at the same time the reader will hopefully love too.
I think social media is important in terms of growth. But, I am not such an expert -yet!
Great post, great advise and amusing gifts.gifs
Thank you so much, so happy you enjoyed it! 😀 and yes, writing what you love and from the heart is the most important!
This was so helpful! I just recently started my book blog, and it’s been a little rough. You gave me some great ideas, and I can’t wait to try them out! Thank You!
Oh yay, this makes me so happy, thank you so much! And happy blogging <3