Blogger to Blogger | Tips for ‘Newbies’

photo via Into The Gloss

Happy {almost} weekend! Can you tell I’m already counting down the hours…haha. I’m excited to be back on my ‘Blogger to Blogger‘ game today – for those of you who may be new to LICP, or just stumbled across this post, I put have some ‘tips + tricks’ {slash advice, if you will} I try to put together once a month – a little thing I like to call…from one Blogger to {another} Blogger.

Today, I’ve put together my top 10 tips for ‘newbie’ bloggers. Not that I’m a certified expert by any means, heck I still learn and improvable upon things every day. But after blogging for 2 1/2 years {which I can happily call a successful full-time business}, I’ve been asked numerous questions by new-er curators in the blogosphere and thought it would be great to have those answers in one place. And not just the typical ‘stay true to your voice’ mumbo jumbo.

Hope you enjoy + find something a bit helpful!

WordPress vs. Blogger
The age old question, ‘should I use WordPress or Blogger’? The answer should always be WordPress.org {NOT wordpress.com}. Yes, Blogger is free to begin with, but in the long run WordPress.org is so much more customizable and will allow you to grow and evolve your site’s look/usability for years to come. Both are virtually the same on the back end in terms of uploading content.

Do I need a nice camera?
Would it be nice to have a professional grade camera right off the bat, of course. Is it absolutely necessary, no {although it really is a huge help}. Don’t let the lack of a camera hold you back in the beginning {I personally started with my iPhone and point and shoot!}, but certainly aim to work towards that purchase if things are going well. Quality imagery is key to longevity in blogging. Of course there’s always the alternative of hiring a photographer.

Consistent social media channels
When you’re looking to establish social media channels that coincide with your blog, be sure that your handle is the same across the board. It’s also wise to take the time to create unique header images, backgrounds, and a high quality head shot {I suggest this is also the same image across all channels} that speak to your blog’s content as well as your personality. Make it visually appealing and professional. Be sure to include a bio, about, and contact info when asked.

How do I {organically} grow my social media following?
This is the ultimate goal {along with traffic} for every single blogger or digital influencer, as it should be. And while there are a number of ways to go about this, I’ve found the best growth comes from a combination of follower interaction {respond to questions and say ‘thank you’ – as well as engaging with other influencers}, and brand partnerships – even if these partnerships are with small brands to begin with! Every single social tag, mention, and share is valuable – don’t take them for granted.

Engage with your local community
This is so so important for new {and old} bloggers. I can’t stress enough how beneficial it is to get connected and engage with your local community of influencers and brands. Attend events, networking functions and get yourself out there! If you’re assertive, doors will open.

How do I work with brands?
If you’re starting from square one, reach out to small businesses that strike your fancy! Think Etsy shops, small online boutiques, or local designers {hey, tap into your network of friends/acquaintances}. Brands expect some type of ROI when working with bloggers, so while you’re growing your readership and following, smaller brands is the way to go. It’s also a great way to gain experience working with brands and learning the ropes.

How do I work with PR agencies/firms?
Again, if you’re starting from scratch and are unsure of how to work with PR companies, a great way to start is simply to introduce yourself! Instead of waiting for a brand or PR rep to find you, be the first one to reach out – request a list of current clients that may be a good fit, or simply say hello and that you’d love the opportunity to partner in some way. A simple, kind email goes a long way and will not be forgotten.

Free product
The saying ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ still very much stands. If you begin to work with brands, typically for complimentary product initially, keep in mind that there is something expected in exchange. There are a lot of misconceptions that blogging can get you a lot of ‘free stuff, however it’s so much more than that. Keep in mind that there is something the brand that sent you free lipgloss is looking to gain. It may just be a tweet, or perhaps a full post, but be mindful of the products you accept and ensure they’re in-line with your personal tastes/views. Don’t burn bridges over free stuff, it’s not worth it. Saying no to something is ok if you’re not feeling it, or don’t have time to commit to actually putting thought/effort into the partnership.

Great resources
Aside for ‘Blogger to Blogger’ of course! When I first began blogging, IFB was a great resource for providing articles on all things blogging – definitely a great go-to.

Saying no
This is very important, as I eluded to previously…saying no is okay! If you’re not comfortable with the product or message being presented to you, don’t accept. Compromising your blog’s integrity isn’t worth a mound of free product, or even a high compensation rate. Brands do take note of who works with who, so by accepting a partnership with a brand you don’t truly love, could potentially jeopardize a future pairing with a ‘dream brand’.

Any additional tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear in the comments below!