Blogging

Blogging: Tips for Beginners

blogging tips for beginners

Where do I start? What do I write about? How do I get people to read my blog?

These are some of the questions I get asked almost daily.

First thing I always suggest to new bloggers is to concentrate on creating some content. Write about things you like, things you are passionate about, things that interest you. I’d say having about 10 or so posts is a good place to start. My next suggestion is to always network and connect with other bloggers. Visit other blogs, leave genuine comments (I think we’re well past the “want to follow each other?” or “love this post, check out mine right here!“) and build relationships. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with leaving your blog link with your comment, but make sure to only leave meaningful comments. Connecting with other bloggers will build a good audience foundation.

My next suggestion is to get on Pinterest. I know it seems like I mention in every single one of my “blogging” posts but seriously, it’s the place to be and I get numerous emails from those who finally started utilizing Pinterest and love the results. See, the thing about blogging is that some bloggers get lucky and their blogs expand overnight, but more often than not, growing your blog actually requires a lot of work. Which is why you need to be smart about where you invest your time. Invest it in Pinterest, trust me. I have written a bunch of posts about Pinterest and you can find most of them linked down below.

I wrote this post/summary of some of my best tips after it was requested by a few readers who are new to blogging, but if you can’t find an answer to your question, leave me a comment down below.

GROWING YOUR AUDIENCE + TRAFFIC

PHOTOGRAPHY


CONTENT

BLOGGING + LIFE

blogging tips for beginners

My last tip is to remember this: there is no right or wrong way to blog. There’s only the way you blog, and the way others blog. A lot of the *blog tips* posts and articles online assume that everyone who blogs does it because they want to eventually do it full-time or they want to get rich or start an online business- and I realize, that isn’t always the case. If you blog for yourself or just as a hobby and aren’t interested in a lot of people actually reading your blog, then these tips obviously won’t necessarily apply to you- although I do suggest you still do things like back up your content, etc. BUT if you want to grow your audience, improve your blog and maybe make some extra money or connect and work with some of your favorite brands, then you need to be prepared to put the work in. If you’re just starting out, it can very easily feel overwhelming. Concentrate on creating the content you love, talk about the things you love and network- this is, once again, a good place to start. Try new things, see what works and what doesn’t – don’t try to do it all at once.

Want to launch your own WordPress blog and start earning money? Check out my step-by-step guide to starting a blog right here + a list of all my blog resources, including my favorite affiliate marketing programs, right here

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64 Comments

  • Reply
    Gia Gianina
    April 7, 2017 at 10:13 am

    Just shared this on my FB page. Here are a looot of useful links to you articles and let me say that i read almost all of them. You are such an inspiration for me, Paula. And i always check your blog posts. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing those tips with us. Really appreciate!

  • Reply
    Maddy
    April 7, 2017 at 10:49 am

    I love this post! All of these tips are really amazing! I didn’t even know you had so many posts about starting blogging.. I’m going to start binge reading these this weekend… I also really like your last tip! I have trouble finding articles about starting a blog that don’t assume I want to become rich from blogging. Thank you for sharing!
    -Maddy
    cheers-maddy.com

  • Reply
    Linda Libra Loca
    April 7, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Okay, okay, okay, I am going to schedule a time slot to finally start using Pinterest more. I have been postponing doing this for so long now.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

    • Reply
      Joanne
      April 7, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      Hi I know what you mean about postponing. My idea is to get motivated and do it. Paula, you give some great tips and ideas. My hope is to do some reading.

      • Reply
        Linda Libra Loca
        April 8, 2017 at 4:05 am

        Just do it Joanne. Blogging Is amazing, even if your not completely set up. Look at me, three years in and still no clue about Pinterest.

      • Reply
        Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
        April 10, 2017 at 8:39 pm

        Thank you Joanne, I agree with Anne, just do it- you’ll figure out everything else as you go :) I still learn new things every single day.

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 10, 2017 at 8:39 pm

      I love Pinterest, it’s definitely a great place to be if you have a blog.

  • Reply
    Alice Grace
    April 7, 2017 at 11:18 am

    I have so much reading for the weekend now, thanks to this post! Great tips, I can’t wait to get stuck in :)

    Alice / Alice Grace Beauty

    x

  • Reply
    Ana
    April 7, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    Thank you for these tips! They are so useful for people like me who are starting in this blogging world xxx
    http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2017/04/instagram-inspiration-march.html

  • Reply
    Sharon Then
    April 7, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    Paula, I can’t wait to read all of your blogging posts. This post is amazing. As a new blogger I still have a lot to learn, but your blog is the only one I’ve subscribed to so far and I’m gotten so many great tips from you. Thank you!!!

  • Reply
    Danielle Alexa
    April 7, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    This is such a helpful post, thank you so much for sharing!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

  • Reply
    fannyanddailybeauty
    April 7, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    Really lovely post and I couldn’t agree more about leaving meaningful comments, as a blogger myself ,I just hate it when I can tell that somebody hasn’t read my post at all! I also love your conclusion, I think we all have to do it our way!

    http://fannyanddailybeauty.com

  • Reply
    DIANA
    April 8, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    Something I would add in is just start!! Start posting, start creating an interacting. A lot of times I would feel that it was never the right time, or that I don’t have enough followers/content to do something. And if you think that you have bad photography or writing skills, keep doing it so that they eventually get good. Invest in yourself and the equipment and think about the followers/money later. This is great, thanks so much :)

    http://thedianaedition.com

  • Reply
    Jenn
    April 8, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    I just love your blogging posts. I wish I had this post when I started blogging! I always feel sort of behind the curve when it comes to blogging, even though I started more than 4 years ago. I had never thought to seek out resources to help me get started or how to improve my writing/photography until more recently. I’ll be re-binging on a lot of your blogging posts!

    Jenn │ Beauty by Jellybean

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 10, 2017 at 8:45 pm

      Thank you so much Jenn! One of the things I love most about blogging is that I get to learn so many new things pretty much every single day. :)

  • Reply
    Darina
    April 8, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Such a helpful post! I can learn a lot from them! X

  • Reply
    Paula Loreti
    April 8, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    It’s amazing how even though I am not a beginner anymore your tips always help me so so much!

    http://www.blossomikebana.com

  • Reply
    Marianne Escobar
    April 9, 2017 at 3:12 am

    Hope you share some tips on how to put ads on the site. It’s my current problem now because i can’t seem to have google adsense to cooperate with me and i have no idea how to put ads on the side bar :(

  • Reply
    Liam Havard
    April 9, 2017 at 5:02 am

    I’m not new to blogging but I found this post a pretty useful reminder of all the things I need to keep doing. Although I didn’t know Pinterest was so good. Maybe I should start using it as I’m not on it. Thanks for sharing! :)

    Liam
    liamjhavard.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 10, 2017 at 8:55 pm

      Pinterest is amazing! I get most of my traffic from there, it really helped me grow and expand my blog.

  • Reply
    Roxanne
    April 9, 2017 at 7:25 am

    Very helpful post thank you Paula?

  • Reply
    Melissa Cruz
    April 9, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    Thank you, Paula! I just started and yes… it can be overwhelming trying to learn all these stuff.

    xx, Melissa
    https://elephantontheroad.com

  • Reply
    Grace
    April 10, 2017 at 12:10 am

    Thanks for writing this wonderful and informative post :) I’ll be reading the posts that you linked. As a new time blogger, I get pretty overwhelmed at times and it can get a little discouraging but I’ll definitely look into using more of Pinterest.

    Grace
    http://glossybelle.com

  • Reply
    Nicole
    April 11, 2017 at 10:26 pm

    Loveeee all your advice that you’ve been offering to new bloggers !
    I JUST launched my blog, but I’ve actually used your website a lot as a reference :)

    You’re awesome, Paula <3 !

  • Reply
    Alice
    April 12, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    Ah wow thanks so much for this post, so many amazing links for me to use!

    Alice | alicemaysnell

  • Reply
    Diana Maria
    April 12, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    Thank you so much for all of these links! What a useful and helpful post. I really want to start utilizing Pinterest as I never have before, so I’m going to make it a goal to do that this Spring! Have a wonderful week xx

    Sending light & love your way,
    My Lovelier Days

  • Reply
    Chichi
    April 13, 2017 at 11:35 am

    THIS POST HAS IT ALL, THANKS FOR SHARING!
    http://www.thestyletune.com

  • Reply
    Paula from Her Life Is Love
    April 14, 2017 at 9:02 am

    I really like this post so I’m sharing it at #blogcrush linky. Thanks for all the advice, Paula!

  • Reply
    Lucy at home
    April 15, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Wow what a treasure trove of articles! I’ve been saying for a while that my next area to conquer is Pinterest! So I’ll be bookmarking this post for future reference. Thanks! #blogcrush

  • Reply
    haus of crochet
    April 18, 2017 at 6:23 am

    Thank you, Paula, for all the great tips! I love how you can learn something new all the time when it comes to blogging. I bookmarked your site for future reference as well :)

    Romina | http://www.hausofcrochet.de

  • Reply
    lilian Tahmasian
    April 18, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    thank you for this! I feel so inspired because of this post! :) x
    http://www.liliantahmasian.com

  • Reply
    Natalie Redman
    April 18, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    Great post! I think generating content consistently is key for when you are starting off for sure.

    http://www.upyourvlog.com

  • Reply
    Waiyee Cheang
    April 28, 2017 at 12:34 am

    Hi Paula! This is such a useful post, and I’ve been looking all over the page to see if I could like this post, but I can’t seem to find it. Regardless, I’m definitely going to take these tips to heart! Thank you very much for this. :-)

    http://waiyd.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Sunny Boyd
    June 5, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Wow! My blog is about a week old, and you definitely just blessed me with tons of information. I’m subscribing now. You’ve got the keys. Haha.

    sunblvd.com

  • Reply
    Juanfer Labbe
    July 8, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Your blog is great! I just started my blog and I needed some advice, that’s exactly what I found here. I’m so eager to apply all your advice to my blog.

  • Reply
    Nicole Brown
    July 22, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    Awesome info! I’m not a writer but I just decided to start blogging about working and owning a solo nail studio I’m just going to jump in. I’ll definitely be checking out rest if your blog :)
    Thanks for sharing
    https://spiltpolish.wordpress.com/2017/07/19/first-blog-post/

  • Reply
    dottie@seasaltandsailorstripes
    February 6, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    Hi Paula. I’ve just discovered your blog and I cannot say enough about how thrilled I am to be reading your blogging advice. My blog has been up and running for less than a year and I still have some things to work out. I’m going through your posts on blogging and they are very, very helpful. You have good advice, enthusiasm and an authentic voice. I am so happy to have found you.
    I haven’t done anything yet to add advertising to my blog and that is what I hope to do next. I’ll be reading whatever information you have on that front.
    Your photos are also great! Best wishes for your continued success! Dottie

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 4, 2019 at 11:13 am

      Thank you so much Dottie! So happy to hear that you’re enjoying my content! Wishing you best of luck with your blog!

  • Reply
    Chelsie Runnings
    January 4, 2019 at 1:03 am

    All your posts seem so natural and real! I’ve wanted to start a blog for son long but have felt that I needed to be more than I am or pretend to be something I’m not. You posts all feel so genuine!

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 4, 2019 at 11:18 am

      Aww thank you so much, Chelsie! So happy to know that you enjoy my posts! :) I think that everyone feels like that a bit when they first start blogging- I did too! It takes a while to find your own voice with blogging. The most beautiful and fun thing about blogging is that using your own voice and personality is what will help you stand out. I’m sure you’ll do amazing! :)

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