Lessons Learned From A Medium Sized Blogger

Today I am sharing some blogging lessons I have learned along the way these past 2 years.

I truly no longer consider my place in blog land as 

a small time blogger but, I also don't consider 

myself a big time blogger either.  

I'm not sure I will ever think of myself as big time anything 

(unless we are talking about my comfy pants?).

All I do know for sure is, I love blogging and I enjoy 

answering questions and helping out other bloggers 

on the ins and outs of blogging as I know them. 

That being said, I thought I'd share a list of 

tips and tricks that have worked for me. 

**Disclaimer - Your mileage may vary. 

I, in no way, consider myself an expert**

1. If someone tells you blogging is really easy, don't believe them! 

Oh they will smile and nod knowingly as they tell you this.

Blogging does take time out of your day!  Sometimes hours.

Depending on your niche, this does not even include setting up, crafting, cooking, taking photos, editing those photos, etc.! 

I seriously have no idea how there are so 

many mommy bloggers that post EVERYDAY!

I work full time, have no children at home and I can 

barely keep up with posting 3-4 times a week. 

2. Blogging is not easy but it is so rewarding!

3. You meet the most incredible people Blogging! 

People you may never meet in person but are the sweetest, 
most giving people you know.

4. It's not hard to be kind. Simple things that take zero time out of your life like, retweeting a new link party, or leaving a 

kind comment for someone that has worked so hard on a project. 

Really, it's not hard, and your heart is fuller because of it.

5. Reply to every comment on every post left on your blog. 

To me it's just common courtesy. I usually respond by email, although,
I have heard it is better for SEO to respond in the post itself. 
It's your choice how to do it, just do it is my advice.

Plus, many times, it leads to more emails and a 

deeper connection with new friends!

6. Don't be afraid to ask another blogger questions. 

(and that includes me!!) 

Not once have my silly little questions gone unanswered! 

The blogging world is full of wonderful people, 

eager to share their knowledge. 

I love to help my friends, you, out!  

My thought on this is, we are all in this together. 

Whether it be how to link up to a party to 

how to make some money blogging, 

ASK! 

We were all newbies at one point and I, for one, 
am tickled pink to see your blog become a success!

7. It takes time to find your blogging voice. 

When I look back at some of my very first posts I think, wow, 

that is not the real me talking at all. 

It took me several months to settle in and write like 

I really talk and think. 

For better, and for worse LOL, this is me!

Just be genuine.  If you have to work at it, it shows. 

It should just flow easily.  

Here's a trick to help you out if you are having a hard time finding your voice.

Next post you write, write it as though you are talking to me.

Just you and me buddy, just sitting there sipping tea, 

coffee or a cocktail, and you are sharing the story of how your recipe/ craft/ DIY project, whatever came together. 

I will bet you will see the difference :-)

8. It's okay to have a writer's/ crafting block. There have been WEEKS 

when I had nothing left in me. My creative muse had taken some time off. 

I had nothing else to post. 
It's okay! 
I realized it gave me time to visit all of you and get inspired again! 
You are my muse!

9. If you want your blog to grow, Get Out There AND Work It!  

Treat your blog like a business. Advertise it. Get it seen!
Link up to every relevant blog party you can find. 
(find my list of blog parties I link up to here.)

Make to sure to leave relevant comments on others blog posts.
Purchase or swap ad space with other bloggers. 
Make that investment in your blog.
Offer to do guest posts on other blogs.
Offer guest posts on your blog.
Get business cards made up.  
I have run into people while thrifting and have actually handed them my business card so that they can visit my blog and see what I have done to turn that less than beautiful find into something pretty.

Make sure you have a pinboard on Pinterest just for your blog 
and pin your own posts to it.
Build up your social media presence!  

Do you have a Facebook page set up for your blog??  

If you do, do you post on it consistently?  

How about Twitter?  Home Talk?  Google +? 

Do you belong to any blogging groups aka tribes on Facebook?  

How about Pinterest Group boards? 

One thing I have learned is, at a certain point, 
your blog will take on a life of its own.  
It will become a brand. 
In the world of blogging I am no longer just Kathe, wife and mother, 
I am Kathe With An E. 
And, I'm pretty darn proud of that! 

10. "Oh, I am going to leave a comment on this awesome blog post and it has word verification aka Captcha! I just love that!" said no one ever. 

Say you've created something, a first of its kind, taken awesome photos, written THE best post of your life and your page views are through.the.roof! 

But, only 5 or 6 people have commented. 

Chances are you have word verification set to "on". 

Please Turn It Off. 

It's frustrating and, most people just walk away if they see it. 

Yes, you may get some spam comments.  

I have noticed that most of the spammy comments I get are on older posts so, I simply turn off comments on older posts.  

It has eliminated 95% of the spam I was getting. 

Don't know how to turn Captcha off? 

Check out Shannon from Fox Hollow Cottage's post here to learn how http://www.foxhollowcottage.com/2012/02/how-to-remove-word-verification-from.html

11. I seriously do try to reply to every single comment. 

But there are times I can't because you have no-reply comment set up. 

If you have left me a comment and I didn't respond you are probably 
thinking that I don't care about what you have to say 

and thought about my post. 

That's so not true! 

I really really do and I want to thank you! 
But, I can't. 

You may not even realize it's set that way. 

I've heard rumors that if you use Google+ it actually resets it 

without you knowing it! 

So, go check out Amanda's post at City Girl Gone Coastal 

and make sure you can get email replies
http://citygirlgonecoastal.blogspot.com/2012/06/noreply-comments-adding-email-me-to.html

12. My final lesson learned, I love blogging and I want you to love it too.
Blogging has seriously changed me and my life. 

#1 was blogging is hard and, it is but, it's a good hard, if that makes sense. Blogging has enabled me to meet, virtually and even in person, 

some pretty awesome people from all over the world.

People that are so sweet that they bring tears to my eyes

just thinking about them! 

Blogging has also made me think outside the box and 

has enabled me to grow personally creatively. 

I want to keep learning and creating! 

I want to meet more of you because of my blog, because of your blog and, someday I want to meet you in person! 

I want to be able to personally thank you with a big hug, because, 

you have taught me something along the way. 

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for my link party.