Hey guys! So today I’m switching things up a bit with some fun stuff about the blog world. Yay! I know I love reading posts about tips & tricks and I’m always wanting to grow in the blogging world, so I thought these would be useful, especially for the new bloggers out there. I’m certainly not a professional blogger, but I don’t consider myself a rookie anymore either. I never knew what this world entailed- it’s truly a large community where you can express your thoughts, make connections, and just have fun! Here are just a few of the things that I wish I would’ve known when I started blogging and would have made life so much easier:
1. Don’t be a “no reply” blogger
I’m sure no new blogger is aware of this and I truly don’t know why Google has this setting, but whatever. I used to comment on all these blogs and never knew why I wouldn’t get responses. If you comment back on your actual blog post, other readers will see it, but the person who left the comment doesn’t get a notification. You want to make sure they’re getting your response right? And this way you can have little email convos back and forth, which are always fun!
To fix this problem, go to: Settings —> Mobile & Email —> Comment Notification Email
Next, fill in your blog email into the text box… and you’re all set!
2. Streamline your photos
Back in the day, my photos were all over the place until I finally discovered how to make them all the same width. Perfect for the OCD in me! Not only does it really clean up your blog, but it actually helps your page load faster!
I’m not able to find the exact HTML on my blog since I’m using a template (God bless the coders out there… this stuff is basically like a foreign language), but what I can do is redirect you to the resource that I used to streamline my photos. Check out this post from XoMisse for some HTML codes to get all your photos to be the same width.
3. Following on Google Friend Connect
Some people prefer Bloglovin’ and some prefer GFC. Personally, I like GFC because that’s where I log into for my blog posts and I like scrolling through my favorite blogs each day. I used to think that if someone didn’t have the GFC widget on their sidebar then I could only follow them on Bloglovin’ (which isn’t my favorite for some reason). Thanks to the lovely Zelle, I learned that you can follow any blog through GFC by simply clicking the “Add” button and pasting the URL of the blog you want to follow.
4. Latergramme can be your best friend
Ok, so this one doesn’t directly deal with blogging, but Instagram can be just as important. It can take some preparation for these posts, especially if you’re doing something like a giveaway. Sometimes it’s hard to post on social media when you have a demanding job (cough cough, PA school) and can’t constant be on your phone or computer. For all you planners out there, Latergramme easily lets you plan out your posts and when it’s time to go, you receive a quick push notification and all you have to do is swipe right.
5. Create a separate blog email account
Why I waited so long to do this, I’ll never know. I would definitely recommend setting up a separate Gmail account for your blog ASAP! This will be a place where you can respond to comments and communicate with brands and companies. Organization is key and will make your life so much easier in the long run, trust me!
6. Leave the design up to the professionals
For about a year, my blog design was one that I created myself. I wish I had a screenshot of it to share with you, but sadly I don’t. It was cute, don’t get me wrong, but not as clean as I wanted. I did feel a sense of accomplishment for creating it myself, getting familiar with HTML codes and all that craziness, but you don’t even want to know the hours I spent doing that. One of the best things I did for my blog was purchase my site design (through one of the many companies on Etsy– most are around $30)! Do I think you should fork over $150+ for a custom design when you first get started? No. Do I think you need a clean, easy-to-read design to build your brand? Yes.
Hope some of these were useful for y’all and if you know of any other tips that have made your blogging life easier, please comment below! If any of you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to email me at medicineandmanicures@gmail.com.
I am not a fan of bloglovin either – definitely prefer just following people on Blogger since that's where I create my posts too! Great tips!
I like bloglovin because it shows posts closer to when they publish than blogger. But I use both.
The separate email is so key!!!!
I just finally set up a gmail for my blog! Thank the lord for taking that off my personal account. So much more organized. The only downfall is that my Adsense and Google Analytics are now on my personal gmail instead of my blog gmail….Frustrating!
I used to be a no reply blogger and had no idea!! It was terrible, so much better now!! There is nothing better than having a separate blog email account, I love it! Great tips 🙂
Love this! I never knew you could add any blog to your GFC! I use Bloglovin now but that would have been so great to know back when, haha. Off to check out the resizing photos article and Latergramme!
I had actually never heard of Latergramme so thank you for that!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
This is a perfect and oh so needed post! I want to share this if you don't mind! Thanks for the tips! xo
Love this list! And had no idea about that GFC trick! Thanks, presh! xx
this was extremely helpful, especially the comment notification email! -Jessi PA-C
All great tips! I've never heard of Latergramme before – genius!
Love this list! I'm also a lover of GFC because it's a one stop shop, and Bloglovin has been acting up lately and not showing me more than just a few posts over and over again ughhhh… and love that Instagram app. I could definitely use that as I usually don't have time during the day to post 🙂
I love GFC too! Sometimes Bloglovin' doesn't work on my iPad and then it's super annoying! I've never tried Latergramme but I just downloaded it! Haha! How did I not know about that?! And not going to lie, I wish now that I had paid someone to design my blog layout instead of doing it all myself. Although it is nice now to be able to make little tweaks whenever I want (like this weekend LOL). But designing it myself right from the start was SUCH a pain!
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
Yes! Great tips! These are all things that it took me time to learn as well. I don't use Latergramme though…I schedule my post with Blogger. How is it more helpful than doing that? Just curious. I clicked on your post today through GFC 🙂
Great tips! They were helpful for me, but I also have a friend just starting out blogging and these will be extremely helpful for her! Thanks 🙂
Sarah
Sweet Spontaneity
What a great post! I remember a few months ago when you helped me with the "no reply" issue.
Lauren xo || Right To Remain Fabulous
I love these kind of posts – such great tips!!! especially the latergramme… I need to check that out!!
all great tips! i didn't know you could schedule insta posts either. and i too, was a no-reply blogger until someone told me!
I love this post! I am a blogging newbie so I always love tips from other awesome bloggers like you! It's so hard (as you know) to find time to spend on growing my poor blog. Between school and life, I am drained at the end of the day! Love these tips and I will definitely try them 🙂
Thank you for this post! I learned so much new info I never would have known.
Shelby
http://www.prettyinthepines.com
LOVE this post! Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but I would do so many things differently if I was to start now. And how did I not know about Latergram, I just don't know. So glad I know you because of blogging!
xo
Yes yes YES to all of these! For some reason my GFC widget no longer works. I can't add it to my side bar and haven't been able to for over a year–but its' good to know you can still add people without the widget! Buffer is also a great tool for twitter to preschedule posts throughout the day!
So so so true!!! Especially the no reply and having a clean design! The templates on etsy are so affordable and really help to keep your site looking professional!
My goodness this is a great post! I love blogging but I feel like I'm always behind on how to actually work my blog. These are great tips!
These tips are so helpful Kristina! Thanks for sharing and hope you're having a good week !
xoxo
Karen
http://kensingtonwest.me.uk
All great tips! Glad I popped over from Zelle's post today 🙂
These are all great tips! Xo, Stephanie
I am definitely using Latergramme these days and it has been a huge game changer for me. Great tips! xoxo
Great list! Google reader was the greatest thing ever and I still don't understand why google shut it down!! It made reading blogs so much better. I started blogging in 2008 when people barely made money from blogging and it was more just everyone's fun hobby and everyone had the same exact blogger template just in different colors. Sometimes I miss those days of blogging- oh and pictures were sooo small. It's amazing how much it has changed over the years.
These are all great tips that I learned the hard way! Definite musts in the blogging world.
Found your blog via SBS.
xo, Lee
edfbylee.com
This is the most helpful one of these 'I wish I had known' posts I've ever read!
Thanks!
XX,
Emily
http:www.EmilySuggests.com
Great round-up of tips! I've been blogging for years and still love learning something new. BTW, you have to check out the Wayback Machine (http://archive.org/web/). You can look up any URL to see old versions of the site, template, etc. So you might be able to get screenshots of your previous design! It's fun to look back 🙂 ~Madeline
Great tips! Thanks for all the info! I agree with the streamlining your photos! Took me long enough to do this and so happy I did 🙂
XoLindsay
Sugar & Something