Last week we started talking about the Do’s of Blogging. It was all about the basic things that bloggers, especially NEW bloggers need to know. Most of the things I shared were common sense and on the basic side of blogging know-how, This week its part 2 of the Do’s of Blogging and we’re taking the skill level up a notch… but just 1 or 2 🙂
More Do’s of Blogging…
#1. Update / Post Consistently. Your readers want to know when you’ll be around… so don’t stand them up! Post consistently -> the same days, the same (ish) length, the same voice, and the same kind of content. Posting on the same days might take a little bit of effort, but its one of the easiest ways to reap consistent rewards. You don’t have to post 7 days a week. You don’t even have to post 5 days a week. But however many days you choose to post, its important that it’s the same days of the week. Posting in the same voice and tone should be pretty easy… just keep being you! Posting the same kind of content – this one can be a bit of a challenge. It can take a while to find your blogging niche, but once you find it, stick to it! I read a ton of blogs, in a whole bunch of different niches… and nothing baffles me more than a beauty blogger posting a tech review that has nothing to do with beauty, or a food blogger that writes a “how to” post about building furniture! Strange right?
2. Link to Resources that Add Value. Deep Linking, Organic Linking… What ever type of linking you’re doing make sure they’re valid URL’s, add value to your post and make sense within the context of your blog post. There’s no point in adding a link with in your post that might take a reader away from your blog, UNLESS it adds value to the discussion or serves to emphasize your point.
3. Take Advantage of Your Blog Footer. Few blogs utilize this space to its fullest potential. I don’t. Sad right? But its on my Blogging to do list and will be take care of soon… but it makes me wonder how many opportunities I might have missed to direct a reader to some thing else on this blog that might have interested them. I’m not even remotely skilled when it comes to the technical side of blogging, but with a little help from this post from the SITS Girls about making the most of your footer, has me inspired and headed in the right footer direction!
4. Have a Media Kit. Something else that is on my Blogging to do list… *sigh* Mine is due for a major overhaul and update, and WILL be happening at an upcoming blogger work day I am hosting here in my little town. There all kinds of excellent posts out there about What and How to put together an excellent Media Kit (just search Pinterest!). Why do you need one on hand and ready to go even if you’re a new-ish blogger? Because you never know when an opportunity will present itself to connect with a brand, and you DO NOT want to be caught unprepared!
5. Follow the FTC Guidelines. New blogger or seasoned pro, it’s never been more important to follow the FTC guidelines. That means disclosing all brand relationships and affiliates… basically ANYTHING that benefits you needs to be disclosed. Believe it or not, the FTC is paying attention to what bloggers are doing, and there is no way I am willing to risk all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that has gone into this blog of mine for a few extra bucks. If you’re not sure what the FTC Guidelines are and how they apply to bloggers, I highly recommend you read this post from Pink Heels Pink Truck and this one from Rafflecopter, and this one from Bloggy Law.
So now we’ve covered the most important Do’s of Blogging, next week we’re gonna start talking about the DON’Ts of Blogging! Stay tuned!
Great post! I am going to check out that SITS Girls post!
Media Kit is on my to-do list!!! Great tips yet again girl! Thanks!
Let me know if you need help with that!! I created my own media kit! 🙂
Thanks for the offer girl!
Wow. I wasn't even aware of those FTC guidelines. I don't really post on items, but always utilized the citation rules I use for school. This was beyond helpful!
Ooh, I love this list. I'm totally guilty of not doing much with my blog footer but I'm trying to improve it!
jessica http://teamwiking.com
Really great tips! I think consistency is very important – you can choose the cadence, once a week or once a month, but then commit to it!
Awesome tips! I really need to get better with my footer too!
Great blogging tips and advice
Thanks for this great info! I have a friend who's in the process of starting his own blog, and he really needs to know this!
I am also working on my media kit. This has all been great advice. So much do to 🙂
Amen to posting consistently and following FTC guidelines! Going to check out what SITS recommends about the footer now 🙂
I also need to revamp my footer 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I so wish this post was around when I started blogging – I've had to learn so many bloggy lessons the hard way! Love your posts! <3
Thank you for these tips! I really need to get my media kit going.
I need to work on my footer!
I have been dragging my feet on getting a media kit together- but honestly? I have only been asked for one once by a PR rep. Great tips, Jennifer! 🙂
Great tips!
Great tips, I totally need to utilize my footer!
YES to allll of this!! These are such great tips!
Sounds like you and I are on similar lists of things we need and plan to do for our blogs. Great tips.
Great tips once again, Jennifer!! That footer thing… ugh. Gotta get on that. lol
Great tips! I also need a new media kit, and I need to upgrade my footer stat!
Great tips…. I do have things in my footer but I definitely feel like I could make it more useful.
The media kit was one of the best things I ever did. Mine is also due for an overhaul = Putting things in my footer also really cleaned up my sidebar!
I need to update my media kit and work on the footer. Thanks!
I have not tackled the media kit yet. I need a lot more views probably.
Stopping by from Pin Me Later Link up, and I pinned! 😉 For Later. hehe.
Love this! Thanks so much. Need to get on top of my media kit and read up on FTC to be sure I'm doing it correctly.
Great tips! PInning for reference. Thanks for linking up at Best of the Weekend!
Thank for this post. I definitely will be reading the FTC posts and the footer posts. I am not big enough for a media kit yet but when I am I will have one.
Awesome tips! 🙂
I'm loving this! You always bring such amazing things to our party. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight at 7 at our party. I can't wait! Lou Lou Girls
Congratulations on being featured at this weeks Turn It Up Tuesday! I can't wait to see what you link up this week!
Thanks!!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party! Hope to see you again soon. Shared…
Great tips! A media kit was already on my to-do list but I never thought about my footer. Thanks for linking up at This Is How We Roll Thursday. I hope you come back and share more tips!
Great tips, thanks!
I've read all your do's and don'ts. great stuff! Thanks for posting it. Pinned.
This is a great series! I'm still learning the whole media kit and FTC stuff 🙂
Love these tips, especially using the Footer and preparing a Media Kit.