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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

You asked! Part 3 // blogging tips

Hello, peoples! Part 3 was supposed to be a vlog, but I've had some type of (very possibly canker) sores in my mouth that. . .well, sort of make talking difficult, eating impossible (who know dieting could be this easy? :P ) are extremely painful, and give me a swollen, I'm-going-to-die-right-now look. Not pretty. Finally seem to be going away WITHOUT a dentist, which is a huge praise. I'm feeling mostly-human again. Which is very good. ;)

Small update aside, a reader (which, btw, thanks to all who have recently filled out the survey! Please continue. :) ) asked awhile ago for blogging tips. I've heard this question several times. . .and am actually trying to figure it out myself. Anywho, I will do my best. :)


Content/subject matter:   What is your blog about? Depending on the type of audience you are seeking, one or more main topics (aka, features or series) keep readers coming back for more. Often I stumble into every day, journal type blogs that while nice, aren't very interesting. Nothing wrong with sharing life events--actually, life-style blogs are often the most popular (how else can stalkers make a living? ;) ) but two small sentences about the zoo, or senseless captions between 500 pictures of elephants and lions. . .is not exactly interesting. It's important to remember that even if your life (speaking from experience, ;) ) doesn't seem exciting to YOU, it CAN be to others, depending on how it's presented. Visited a park? Talk about the sunset, the way the clouds looked, the fresh spring breeze. Be creative. Another good way of sharing life events is through regular, featured posts--you can showcase an outfit, summarize the week, or talk about your favorite foods. Imagination is the key.

Lastly, readers tend to like themed blogs. For ie, I follow several blogs geared specifically towards modest fashion. Or take my mom's blog--she scours the web (and sometimes writes herself and/or features a guest poster,) for relationship articles. That's it. Themes are helpful in making your blog stand out-- "yeah, I love that blog. It's all about purple polka-dot socks!"

Writing style:  This one is tough, since not everyone is a gifted writer. My mom will be the first to admit that she just can't write--that's why she steals articles from the web. Not really. :P You don't have to be an especially talented writer to maintain an audience, but anyone is capable of creativity, wit, some sarcasm, and presentation. Are you a comedian? Use your funnies in a post. More of the serious thinker? Write on world events, the Bible, theology. And if your one of those people who creates pictures with words. . .DO IT. Develop your style, and remember, be yourself! It is so, so important for readers to see the real you. Don't feel like you have to be fancy just to gain audience--often the simplest blogs are the most popular. Show your heart. Be open, raw, and real. Whatever you do, don't fall into the "oh my goodness, I'll never write like HER!" or "but she has this many more followers. . .better copy her style." Blogging is a great exercise in being oneself--it is so easy to cast an online image. Hiding behind aliases, fake profile pictures, and overused themes can be boring. Lemme just say this, it's really difficult talking to a giraffe named Bilbo Baggins. Of course if you have preferences regarding privacy, then no judging. :)

Name that post!: Back to our trip to the park. Imaginative titling can be a HUGE incentive for page views, comments, and traffic. Instead of "a day at the park" why not an eye catching bit of drama like "A Walk Through The Shire" or "Rambling in Sherwood Forest". (and here I called mine: blogging tips. Ahem.) Of course, if your titling a movie review, just stating "The Desolation of Smaug" is perfectly acceptable. B)

Advertising: Here I really have no place to talk, since I am the WORST commenter in the world. However, it is very, very helpful to leave comments wherever and whenever you can. If you leave your blog link, be sure to firstly mention SOMETHING about the authors post--sound interested in he or she, and in what they have to say. Afterward you can mention something like, "I'd be honored if you'd check out my blog here:" Just don't be offended if your blogging-idol never shows up. Its the chance you have to take.

Another easy, fun way to advertise? Set up a Facebook fanpage, start a Twitter account, link to Pinterest, Tumbler, or Google+.

Picture-perfect: Pictures! VERY important. Even if you don't have anything to say, a picture covers a multitude of sins. Pinterest is my personal favorite for brightening up a post, though the links sometimes break and need refreshing. (as I'm finding lately. Nothing is more irritating than broken picture-links.) Also, a small tip--uploading photos privately to Facebook enables you to move a picture ANYWHERE within a post. Oh yes, and if your a photographer, please share! Personal photos are always popular.

Gimme that: Giveaways are good for growing a follower base, and/or keeping readers attention. However, be prepared for very possibly losing audience afterward; people are apt to follow just to win, not because they are interested in a blog. That's why its always really special when someone follows because they actually enjoy the content.

Annnd there is my very scrambled attempt at a post. :) If this is helpful at all, let me know!--and don't forget to mention YOUR tips for successful blogging.

25 comments:

  1. Loved your thoughts on a specific theme! That is very helpful. I write about a lot of things but am trying to keep it limited to things people are actually interested. Oh yes, and commenting is helpful with traffic. I've been trying to comment more this summer. Not only does it show that you are active in the blogging community, but people do sometimes click your link. Oh, and pinning posts to Pinterest is also helpful with traffic. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Glad it was inspirational. :) I should take your advice. . .and my own. . .and start commenting. :P New goal!

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  2. Ok, first my sister Moriah, _who is reading over my shoulder right now_, says she's really sorry about the sores! Second, I am too, and I'm really glad that now they're going away. :o )
    Third, this is helpful although at present I don't have a blog I was thinking about making one. ;o ) I have idea what I'd write about.......I love reading yours though!! I laughed my way through this post, especially at the part where you thanked readers for filling out your survey.............you have the number one funniest blog I am reading so far! God bless Michaela!

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    1. Awww, well tell her thank you. They are all gone, and I am a much happier woman.

      You should totally start a blog. Really, all your little comments here and there make me smile. :) Its an honor to be considered funny. . .a lot of times I'm not even trying! :P

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    2. She says "uuuuuuhhhhhhhhh Okey dokey!" and "I like being funny. Sometimes I'm not even trying to be funny, but then that's when I'm funnier, and I like being considered funny too, although I'm often being called crazy. Loco, crazy, you know." And she's fighting me over what part of that I was supposed to say..... ;o ) Glad to hear the sores are gone!

      lol thanks! I'm glad my comments make you smile... they make me smile too, and I love considering the reactions they'll get! :o P I don't just consider you are funny either, I know you're funny! I have also been reading parts of your blog aloud to my siblings (who love it and anything and everything you ever mentioned about Beyond the Mask), and we spend most of the time laughing. When we're done we usually have sore cheeks from smiling and then we get to say "remember when" "do you remember how" "wasn't the picture of ___ funny". So... all this to say that your blog is fun to visit and comment on! lol
      God bless!

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  3. Thank you, Michaela! I love, love, LOVE it when bloggers post on blogging tips, but I can't exactly justify doing that since I only have 40 GFC followers ;) I can't remember if I was the one who took the survey and asked for blogging tips or not ... it sounds like something I would do, but I don't remember.

    Content/subject matter: Agh. I'm interested in so many things that I like to post on everything on my blog and fear that I don't have the best "schedule" with them. Or number of posts, or whatever. (Sorry if that didn't make any sense....) Anyway. Something to work on.

    Writing style: Wow! Can some people make their lives sound incredible! There are probably a few bloggers out there that can do this beautifully, but two that come to mind are you, Michaela, and my sister, a photographer. I technically consider myself a "writer" but I just don't seem to be as naturally gifted as either of you. Well, I suppose if I practiced enlivening my words I would probably get okay at it ... but I wouldn't want to do what you said and "copy" another blogger.

    Name that post!: Yes, so important, and unfortunately I'm not the best at titling. Another thing to work on.

    Advertising: Something I have no trouble with. I don't comment just to leave my blog signature--I actually don't leave my address in my comment--but I in my talkativeness usually find something to say, even if it isn't very important. But I think I've got everything else down pat when it comes to advertising....

    Picture-perfect: Yes, yes, YES! If a post has no pictures, I tend to just glance down the page with my eyes and not even read anything. And if it's a long post with only one picture, I might read a little next to the picture, but afterward kinda just say, "Agh, this is boring. Quit."

    Gimme that: I very much agree on this point. I'm planning on hosting a giveaway for my first blogoversary, but I don't really have the means to host a lot of giveaways.

    Again, thank you, Michaela! Very interesting indeed :)

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    1. Keep up the great work, Hannah Elise! :) Blogging is an art form, yes? Like I said in my post, I'm STILL working on learning all the tricks of the trade. The important thing to remember is just to have fun, be yourself, and write for God's Glory. :)

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  4. And it struck me that I ought to say--and I was really going to say it, believe me--that that was a very long comment. :) But oh well.

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    1. haha. . .no, your fine! Long comments are good. :)

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  5. Great tips! I really love your writing style, and your posts are always interesting and engaging. =)
    While I'm awful at commenting, too, it is so encouraging to get a REAL comment on a post, someone who tells you how much your post meant or impacted them, how it made them feel, what they liked about it, etc. So I'm working on writing more comments, because, as a blogger myself, it is so encouraging to hear how your posts are helping others ( or even just made them smile!).
    While comments such as "Great post" are nice, actually taking the time to write why it was great, or how it made you feel, makes the blogger feel so very special. Coming from personal experience, here. ;)

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    1. Thank you, thank you, kind lady! Totally agree on commenting--its really nice to know your words are appreciated. Big Ditto.

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  6. Hello Michaela!
    That is a great post up there! :) It's really nice to hear (read) your thoughts about blogging. :)
    And your new blog design is lovely! I really like it. :)
    xx
    Sarah

    p.s. 'I'd be honored if you'd check out my blog' (was that right?): http://afreemindsw.blogspot.com/

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    1. That was perfectly right. ;) I'm headed over there now.

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    2. Thanks! :) Aww! You're too sweet!
      sw

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  7. Hmm, maybe just inspired to start blogging again. Thank you for the encouragement. Hope you get all the way better!
    Love,
    Madison

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  8. This was a great post! I'm trying to blog more regularly, and I'm actually starting an inspirational blog for young ladies, so this was perfect! =)

    ~Hannah

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  9. Great post! I am going to keep some of these in mind when I blog! ~Paige

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  10. Thanks for this post! Lot's of good solid tips for blogging. I've been working on a blog design for a while, and I think I'm finally ready to launch my blog. I will definitely have to keep these tips in mind when posting. Thanks again!

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    1. Fantastic! Please remember to leave me your link, and I'll follow.

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  11. Hi Michaela! I absolutely loved this post and I shared it on my blog today! :) >http://whatsoever-is-lovely.blogspot.com/2013/07/lovely-links.html<

    <3

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  12. Hi Michaela! I was sooo glad that I read that post! As you know, i just started blogging and I am, like, hooked! Who needs a journal when they have their blog, right? well, usually it helps, the blogging, i mean, to clear thoughts; for me at least. i especially like the part about the "Desolation of Smaug." I just read the Hobbit and i LOVED it! Actually, long story. My dad started reading it to us when i was about 7 or 8 but we never got around to finishing it so i read it as a school assignment because i've wanted to finish it and the movie was coming out soon. so i thought that was funny how you put that in there. so anyway, i just wanted to let you know that i'm blogging and i;m gonna utry to use some of your tips. If you get a chance, stop by and feel free to give some pointers.

    <3 Mackenzie

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  13. Wow. These tips are awesome! :) I am going to have to use all of them! :D
    I would be honored if you checked out my blog. ;)
    loveandjoycanchangetheworld.blogspot.com

    Xox. Kayla!
    Ps.. I adore your blog name.. XD

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