15 Steps Every Blogger Should Take…Today!

15 Steps Every Blogger Should Take…Today!

Last Saturday I attended Bloggy Boot Camp in Las Vegas and it honestly has changed how I look at blogging in almost every way imaginable. I learned sooo much in just one day – it was amazing! I went to the conference expecting to gain some valuable information and I came away with so much more! The inspiration that I found at the conference was phenomenal. Listening and learning from experienced, successful bloggers really gave me the courage and motivation to take my blog to the next level.

I have always been fairly satisfied with Mom On Timeout. I realize now that I should never be satisfied and should always be striving to better myself as a blogger with the goal of making my readers experience better and better.

One of the main reasons I chose to attend Bloggy Boot Camp in Las Vegas was because Laurie Turk of TipJunkie.com was speaking. I think Laurie is the epitome of success in blogging and I was eager and anxious to hear what she had to say. I was not disappointed. The conference was jam-packed with amazing speakers and information designed to help bloggers become more successful. I have lots to share but I wanted to start with 15 simple steps you can take today to improve yourself and your blog.

1. Work smarter – not harder. This is something that I struggle with daily. No, hourly. I find myself wasting so much time at the computer because I don’t sit down with a clear purpose in mind. Know what you’re doing and how you’re doing it and figure out ways to save time and energy on that task. Identify you most important task and start with that.

2. If you want your blog to be a business – treat it like one. Fill out a one-page business plan to kick-start yourself and your vision for your blog.

3. Develop a brand. Your brand is your business and it should represent you. Don’t have a brand? Get one! All images should have text, URL, and a logo. People will steal images – so be careful! {I sat next to one blogger at the conference who casually told me that she searches for recipe images that look like what her recipe “could” look like and uses them – IN HER BLOG! She passes them off as her own. I had to literally hold myself back and calmly explain to her why this was SO WRONG! It happens people!}

4. Never automate something that can be eliminated; never delegate something that can be automated. Laurie talked about using time-saving tools such a HootSuite to schedule tweets. Every minute you save is a minute you can be doing something else productive for your blog or your family.

5. Let your readers in. Share yourself and your life with your readers. In order for someone to become invested in you, they need to know you. This is really hard for a lot of bloggers but is essential for building relationships with your readers.

6. Avoid blog envy. This is a huge trap for bloggers. Let me just tell you right now that there will always be a blog bigger than you, a blog doing better than you, and a blog with more opportunities than you. Get over it! We should be working together and supporting one another. You have to be the best you can be with your expertise and strengths. Which brings me to the next topic…

7. Know your strengths. What is it that you do best? Don’t know? Look at your top five posts. Your readers are telling you right there! Focus on developing your strengths and delivering your expertise to your readers.

8. Set goals. Set a 3 month goal, a 6 month goal, 1 year goal, and a 5 year goal. If you know what you are hoping to achieve you can more easily plan out the steps to help you get there.

9. Use your profile picture in every post – not your avatar! People do not connect with avatars no matter how cute they may be. People connect with people!

10. Your blog should load in 3 seconds {one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three} – check it and then come back….Longer than three seconds? Look at your blog and start eliminating. What really needs to be on the front page? Can certain things be moved to other pages? Can they be eliminated?

11. Are you on Blogger? I am – but not for long! Making the switch to WordPress can be daunting but it’s worth it. Presenting a professional appearance is super important if you want increased opportunities and visitors to return.

12. What browser do you use? Guess what? It doesn’t matter! What does matter is that you open your blog in every browser you can think of to make sure it loads and looks right.

13. Your header should be 250 pixels or less. Guess what mine is right now? 400 pixels! Ouch! I’ve already designed my new header that is 200 pixels that will be used in my new WordPress design.

14. The top left area of your blog is the most viewed. What do you want readers to see when they come to your blog – an ad or YOUR CONTENT??

15. Make sure you back up your blog! Too many people have been devastated by the loss of their blog – don’t let it be YOU!

Okay. So I realize this is a lot of information. Pick three steps you can take right now and start there. When you’ve got those taken care of, come back for more 🙂

I’d love to know how long you’ve been blogging and what platform you use. If you could give a new blogger one piece of advice, what would it be?

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