My Blogging Tips: Take 'em or Leave 'em

As I promised in Part 2 of "Getting to Know the Bargain Blonde" aka longest post ever, here are my answers to your blogging questions.  Again, sorry they are so long!  Clearly I like to hear myself talk.

B said, "Love your blog! Any tips on starting one up?"

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First of all, thank you so much! I'm always overwhelmed by all the love I get from my readers. XOXO

When I started my blog, I obviously had no clue what I was doing. For the first 4 months I didn't even have the "follow me" Blogger app on my page. Needless to say, I was blogger challenged in a bad way. However, slowly, but surely, I've picked up on the blogger game. Here are three tips I'd give a blogging virgin:

• Give serious thought when choosing a blog name. Knowing what I know now, I would have never gone with the name "the Bargain Blonde" because there are SO many blog names with the word "blonde" in it. Color me stupid, but I had no idea. I legit thought I was being super clever when I came up with this blog name. I should have researched the blog-o-sphere to see what was out there first.
• Be prepared for the commitment. Blogging requires a lot of time; It's not just about writing a post. You have to write, edit, take pictures, upload pictures, edit pictures, comment on other blogs, respond to e-mails, etc. If you aren't willing to put in the time or don't have the time, I wouldn't recommend starting one. I really think of blogging like a second job.
• Be you. Don't start a blog trying to be anyone but you. Write with YOUR voice and write about things that you are passionate about. I don't think you have to have a "theme" to your blog, but you definitely need some direction. I've always been a bargain shopper, so it's easy for me to come up with content. I truly love blogging and if I could make a living blogging, I'd quit my job in a second.

Katie H asked, "Do you blog/read blogs at work? How do you keep from spending hours on end trying to keep up with every one's? When you first started, did you ever feel like starting a blog is kind of like trying to sit at the popular table at lunch in high school?"

I will read blogs when I have down time at work, but I like to do most of my blogging and reading after work. Typically I'll have blogger open while I watch my TV shows at night.

As for your second question, I wish I knew. I feel like I can never catch up. I try my best to stay caught up, but it really feels like an uphill battle.

I don't think I felt like I was trying to sit at the popular table, but I totally see what you mean. I never started this blog trying to be a "popular" blog. I started it because I stumbled across Helen H (formerly "Life as a Wife") and loved it so much I thought, "Hey! I could totally do this." I seriously was so excited when I hit 12 followers, and when I hit my 50th (Raven) this February, I couldn't believe it. How in a few short months I went from 50 to almost 750 followers is confusing to me. I really don't understand it. My goal was to hit 100 followers by the end of this year and I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. I guess I underestimated myself.

Chelsea asked, "Someone asked something similar to this but what's your blogging schedule? When do you write your posts, when do you read other blogs/comment, etc.?

and

"Have you noticed any particular source for where you get your readers? Social media, links to you from other blogs, etc.?"

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When I think of a blog topic idea, I write it down or else I'll forget it. In August I started using a monthly calendar I bought at The Dollar Store to plan and keep track of my posts. On it I try to plan out my posts for the week, but I don't write them until the night before. I always write in pencil because I change my mind constantly. I never blog on the weekend, so I try my hardest to post Monday to Friday. That rarely happens, so I generally end up blogging 3 ot 4 times a week.

I think my readers tend to come from being listed on my besties blog rolls. When I first started out, I participated in "What I'm Loving Wednesday". I think link-ups in moderation when you are first starting out are a great way to get your blog url out there. However, I don't really care for blogs that ONLY do link-ups. I get they are easy to do, but in my opinion, you need original content as well.


There you have it; Blogging 101 with the Bargain Blonde.  Hopefully this helps a little.  Leave your tips in the comments if I left any important info out, which I'm sure I did. 

p.s. Tomorrow Raven and I have a fun announcement!