How to grow your blog- Part 3

Sep 14 posted by

#1: Welcome Note- This takes 30 seconds. Click on your design tab, add a gadget, choose a text gadget, then move the gadget right above the blog posts section.
Here is my welcome note for C.R.A.F.T. :

Sometimes I take the welcome note down to announce other things. I just save this exact note in a draft of an email so I can easily get to it when I want it back and I don’t have to re make the note.

#2: Favicon- I recently did a little favicon tutorial... Just another super simple way to personalize and brand your blog.
#3: Alexa toolbar- I’m hesitant to put this one on the list… Use it nicely and with caution. It validates that what you are doing with your blog is “working” as you see your own score get lower. Basically, Alexa traffic ranks websites based on lots of factors. For instance, here are the top 11 sites according to Alexa:

First, you need to claim your site. Click HERE. You can either add an Alexa Toolbar or go to Alexa.com and enter your blog url.   Find out exactly what comes with the toolbar HERE.This is what the tool bar looks like:

I recently discovered Klout scores. I think it useful to know this kind of information. But, also realize that is just ONE score from ONE site. I get excited when I see it improving, and when it goes down… it encourages me to get my butt back on twitter.

#5: Promoting giveaways- I’ve had a few e-mails about this topic. We all want our giveaways to be successful! When I’m hosting a giveaway, I always link up to these 2 giveaway directories.
#6: Cooperate- Lorie, from Be Different Act Normal said it best when asked what is your number one tip for new bloggers. She said, “Cooperation is going to build your blog 100 times faster than competition!  That is always my answer to that question.  If you are only worried about who has more readers or how to grow your blog than you are going to burn out!  Have fun, blog about what you love, and make friends with other bloggers!” True story. Thanks Lorie!

#7: Search bar- Make sure your blog has one. It will help people find what they are looking for. If you have a blogger blog, you can find it as a gadget. See where it says “search box” (mine says already added!). Just click the plus sign and you’re done-skies. :)

#8: Try and make your blog navigation as simple as possible. The search bar will help, but have a page just dedicated to your tutorials, home tour, projects…make it make sense for YOUR blog. Feel free to use my tab titles if they work for you.  Copying is a form of flattery–that’s what my mom always said when my little sister would borrow my clothes!

#9: Back up your blog. Thank you, Thrifty decor chick. I just recently did this, and it is super easy. Go to settings, basic, export blog. SUPER SIMPLE. I would cry if the blog was gone forever. I like blogging and C.R.A.F.T.

#10: Learn SEO- Search Engine Optimization. I know, I know… it sounds boring and technical. I am NOT an expert, but I’ve been trying to read more about it. I found the Periodic Table of SEO Ranking Factors to be a very useful first start. Here is another great What is SEO? article.

These are just tips and tid bits I have learned along the way. In the end, blogging should be FUN! If you’re having fun reading, sharing, growing, meeting bloggers… then all the time and energy is worth it!  As always, leave any questions you have in the comment section and I will do my best to answer!

7 Comments
Filed Under: how to grow your blog

Comments

  1. Holly says:
    September 14, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Thank you for all your tips! It's nice getting a few hints from the experts!

    Reply
  2. MamaJB says:
    September 14, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Thanks, this was really helpful :)

    Reply
  3. Artsy VaVa says:
    September 14, 2011 at 10:20 am

    Thanks so much for all your great information!

    Reply
  4. Brittany @ My Decoupaged Life says:
    September 14, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    You have some great tips! I love reading posts like this, though then I usually end up with a huge to do list!

    Reply
  5. emerald-hills says:
    September 14, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    Thanks. always helpful. love the tips

    Reply
  6. Jessica says:
    September 14, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    Thank you again for your great tips! I really look forward to the button post. I havent had the best of luck getting mine to work correctly ;(

    Reply
  7. Quilter in the Gap says:
    September 15, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    This may seem simple but I am curious (or maybe begging)…where do you get all your "widgets" (is that even the right word?)? For example, the top right hand corner of your blog the pictures of the "t" "f" "rss feed pic" and "email pic" where do all those type of thingys come from? I know there are a ton of blogs and websites that offer them but I would have to spend hours to find them all. I wish there was a place where we could all list our "favs". If I knew how to organize this I would. Ideas? signed, clueless.

    Reply

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