Blogging

7 Things to do for your blog today

tips-for-bloggers

tips-for-bloggers

Do you backup all of your blog content on a regular basis?

How often do you check your posts for broken links? There are so many small, yet potentially significant things and changes you can make for your blog in order to improve it. Things that improve user experience for your audience (like improving/changing your design) or things that make blogging easier for you and bring you a peace of mind (like setting up regular backups or keeping track of all your creative ideas).

Let’s talk about 7 things to do for your blog, TODAY.

CHECK YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Most bloggers are very active on social media and having links to all of your accounts is a must for your blog. One of the first things I do when I come across a new blog, is to check out author’s Instagram account- it always gives me a quick idea of what kind of content I can expect. I can’t tell you how many times I clicked on that Instagram or Twitter icon/link, only to find that it’s broken or links to a wrong account. It’s a good idea to check all of your links once in a while, just to make sure they’re working. Sometimes, you might change your username/handle and forget to update it throughout your blog, sometimes an extra letter or digit might sneak in there, making the link broken. Same thing goes for your blog links you leave in comments- whenever someone new comes and visits my blog, drops a comment- I want to return the favor! BUT, if I click on your link and find that it’s not working- I can’t visit your blog.

COMMENTS

Can your readers easily leave a comment on your posts? Make sure that the comment section is visible- you might think this is obvious, but I’ve visited blogs with design where I clearly saw a number of comments, but wasn’t able to leave one myself. Good design and a good system are very important (for instance, you will never see me leave a comment on your blog if you use Google+ I tried to love it, but, just like most of the internet, I can’t). I myself have switched to Disqus a while a go and I have to say that it was a great decision- although I was a bit hesitant at first. My concern was that it requires registration, and I know that not everyone will be up to doing that, but I think that if someone is a regular on your blog, they shouldn’t have a problem with creating an account. Many popular websites use this system now, and ever since I’ve switched, I barely get any spam, whereas before I’d get so many spam comments that I had no choice but to moderate them- which can also be pretty time-consuming. Disqus doesn’t eliminate spam altogether, but it does reduce it significantly.

Bottom line is, if you make it easier for your readers to leave a comment, they’ll be more likely to do so.

BACK UP YOUR BLOG CONTENT

I didn’t think of doing this until few months a go, when I installed a plugin that made it impossible for me to login to WordPress. First thought that crossed my mind: “shit…. I’ve been hacked“.. second thought that crossed my mind: “shit… when was the last time I backed up all my content?” Think about all those hours and work you put into your blog, all the work you do editing your images, writing your posts, replying to comments- all of it can be gone in an instant.

You can use a plugin or a manual backup to secure all content– your blog posts, comments, pages, etc. Make sure to schedule regular backups for your blog.

MAKE YOUR “ABOUT” PAGE EASY TO FIND

And if you don’t have one, make one! This is also one of the first things I check out when I visit a new blog. First time visitors will want to know what your name is,  what your interests are and what you look like. What is your blog all about? Make sure that your “About” page is easy to find- this is something that a lot of new readers usually check out first- and if they get to know a little bit about you and find something they can relate to- chances are, they’ll stick around. Your name should also be clearly visible so that the connection you make with your readers feels more personal- they can leave a comment saying “loved this post, Annie!” instead of saying “loved this post, blog author!“. Yes, I know. Nobody actually does that. But you get the point.

I love getting to know the person behind the blog- it always helps me connect to them. If you want to know how to create a killer “about me” page for your blog, check out this post.

LINK TO OTHER BLOGS

Whenever it’s relevant, share the love and link to other blogs. This not only makes your blog posts more useful and informative to your audience, but it can also build relationships. Whenever I see someone link to one of my posts, I always check out their blogs, stop by and leave a comment. This is actually how I “met” quite a few of my blogging friends. Make sure to link to pages and articles that will add value to your post, though- don’t link just for the sake of it.

MAXIMIZE YOUR CONTENT

How many blog posts have you published so far? If you post several times a week, chances are that some of your posts might go unnoticed or don’t really get the attention they deserve. This is why you should maximize your content. Update old blog posts- especially the images. Re-share older content on social media, create round-ups- these things will help you maximize your content. I actually even re-published a few of my blog posts- if there are some posts that you feel particularly proud of, posts which you published when the only people reading your blog were your mom and your cat- you can give them a little face lift and re-publish them, share them on Pinterest.

If you want to further maximize your content, I also highly recommend that if you happen to feature a brand in a post, you tag them in your social shares. Brands (especially beauty brands) love sharing blog posts, reviews, images on their Twitter and Facebook accounts, which, in turn, can help earn you some links and drive more traffic to your blog.

START IMPLEMENTING A CALL TO ACTION

You want your readers to share your post on Facebook? Ask them to do so! I think that oftentimes people are more likely to share content, if asked to share it. If you want to really interact with your audience and get them to comment, ask them a question at the end of your posts, ask for their opinion, invite them to join the conversation. Create a call to action. This is something that really helped me engage with my audience- both on my blog and my social media.

I’m sure that there many more small things you can do to improve your blog today- can you guys think of any other ones? I know that keeping a small notebook with me is something that helped me quite a lot with gathering my post ideas and keeping them organized. I also have a small folder where I keep interesting magazine articles or pictures I find inspirational. Whenever I feel stuck, I always go through my little folder where I find tons of inspiration.

Make sure to take a look at the BLOGGING section, for more blog tips. Also, if you’re not already on Pinterest, you’re missing out- it’s a great place to be if you’re a blogger and want to grow your blog. You can browse through my Pinterest articles right here.

Want to know how to start a WordPress blog, from scratch? Check out my step-by-step guide right here.

101 Comments

  • Reply
    The Gossip Darling
    May 2, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    Omg! Excellent post! I never back up my blog posts. I swear I keep meaning to do it but I haven’t found the time! Eeekkk.

    Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

  • Reply
    Aleksandra
    May 3, 2016 at 12:50 am

    I am quite stubborn when it comes to leaving comments – but some people make it just so hard! Like if they really really really did not want me to write anything. Really. And since blogging is about sharing opinions (mostly), it just seems so counter productive!

  • Reply
    Caitlin Jade
    May 3, 2016 at 1:46 am

    This is such a good post! I try to comment on every blog post I read with something meaningful but oh gosh, I’m so bad at finding the time to reply to comments on my own blog! I really need to get better at call to actions too!

    http://www.throughthemirror.co.uk

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      May 5, 2016 at 8:37 pm

      I know the struggle! Sometimes I jus run out of time and I always feel so bad when I it takes me a while to respond to comments!

  • Reply
    Darina
    May 3, 2016 at 2:08 am

    Very useful post! I always comment on posts, but I am a “starter” with blogging so I have to learn so much!

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      May 5, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks Darina! I think that when it comes to blogging, you never stop learning. I’ve been doing it for four years and still learn new things almost daily ;)

  • Reply
    Lisa @ Midwest Glam
    May 3, 2016 at 3:49 am

    Great tips! I feel the same about the Google+ commenting thing, but I make an exception for a few bloggers lol. I keep notes on my phone, but I also have a notebook around here somewhere. It’s important to keep notes on ideas and such.

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      May 5, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      I deleted my personal Google+ account and only have my youtube one, but for some reason I can’t comment with that one so I just gave up, lol.

  • Reply
    beautybyalicee
    May 3, 2016 at 4:54 am

    This post was really helpful, thank you. I definitely need to go through my blog and check for broken links more often, I feel like they are everywhere!

    Alice ♡ // beautybyalicee

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      May 5, 2016 at 8:46 pm

      You’re welcome Alice, thank you so much for visiting! Btw, your blog link in the comment seems to be broken haha ;) Just tried to visit your blog by clicking on it and I get an error!

  • Reply
    Jenni
    May 3, 2016 at 4:57 am

    Really great post! It’s always such a bummer when somebody leaves a blog link that doesn’t work, since I love checking out the blogs of people who read my blog. I’ve also been thinking of making the move to Disqus with my commenting, since I like the fact that you get to see the answers so easily in one place. xx

    http://shakespeareandsparkle.com/

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    May 3, 2016 at 5:28 am

    Such useful tips – I backed up my blog straight away after reading this – the thought of losing all that hard work is scary! :)
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Amelia McDonald
    May 3, 2016 at 6:19 am

    These tips are incredibly helpful! I just started my blog and this really helped me out! Lovely post <3

    Amelia | http://amelia-g.blogspot.com.au/

  • Reply
    Laura Mareno
    May 3, 2016 at 6:54 am

    Love these tips! We have to take care of our blog!! kisses:D

    http://laurasavenue.blogspot.com.es/

  • Reply
    Kelly
    May 3, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Thanks for the tips, I need to back up my blog for sure. I don’t have my posts saved anywhere and I need put more content onto my blog too, I feel like I haven’t had much time recently to write more posts.

    Perfect Shade of Mauve

  • Reply
    Alexis Joy Walstrom
    May 3, 2016 at 8:54 am

    Thanks for the helpful tips!
    I’ll definitely be using some of these on my blog, StyleBlog102!
    Check out my blog at http://www.styleblog102.wordpress.com
    Please let me know if you have any suggestions and email them to styleblog102@gmail.com.

  • Reply
    Amanda Elizabeth
    May 3, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Thank you for that reminder! I haven’t backed up since August apparently!

  • Reply
    Vale
    May 3, 2016 at 10:17 am

    Great tips ! Very helpful ! <3

    Fashion and Cookies – fashion and beauty blog

  • Reply
    Matea
    May 3, 2016 at 10:45 am

    As always, great tips! I should definitely back up my blog ’cause I literally can’t remember when was the last time I did that…oops :)

    http://www.smilesnapsparkle.com

  • Reply
    Nati
    May 3, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Great tips! I think I do most of them, except re floating my older content. This is something I should pay more attention to !

  • Reply
    Jabeen Waheed
    May 3, 2016 at 10:59 am

    These are so handy! Thanks
    Jabeen x
    http://www.spilling-the-beans.co.uk/

  • Reply
    Phoebida x
    May 3, 2016 at 11:53 am

    Great, simple but effective tips! I need to update old photos asap! I cringe looking back at some of them from when we first started last year.. haha! :) xx

    Phoebe & Abida | phoebida.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Tessa Koller
    May 3, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    I know I don’t comment a lot but I visit your blog daily and every time I do, I am always inspired and motivated. I am trying to add some things to improve my blog like add a blog post slideshow and a linkwithin type thing but oddly enough, I can’t seem to add either! Any suggestions? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise, its helped me change things up with my blog.

    Tessa Koller/ fashionfitfunction.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Jodie
    May 3, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    Commenting and sharing the love is something I need to start doing more again. I used to be so good at it but since uni took over my life it’s taken a bit of a backseat. I’m trying to find my flow with it all again! I love these type of posts you create!

    Jodie // jodieloue.com

  • Reply
    Sophie
    May 3, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    This is such a great post, exactly what I was looking for ! Thanks !
    http://www.nobletandem.com

  • Reply
    Alexandra Bastock
    May 3, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    Brilliant ideas! I didn’t know that people hated commenting via Google+… I really should sort that out. Thanks as always for a lovely post.

    Alexandra / http://www.alyspace.co.uk

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      May 5, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      I’m sure not all of them do, but majority of the interned despises Google+ haha :) Thanks for visiting! x

  • Reply
    MARGARITACHI.CO
    May 4, 2016 at 12:10 am

    Great ideas Paula! I will definitely check all of these things with my blog as I tend to be a bit forgetful and clumsy when doing blog audits sometimes… x

    Margarita Chi | MARGARITACHI.CO

  • Reply
    Marina Laduda
    May 4, 2016 at 7:30 am

    Yes, yes, yes! A perfect list.
    http://www.MARINASAYS.com

  • Reply
    Caroline
    May 4, 2016 at 10:13 am

    A great post and tips.
    I try to check for broken links once a month, as it’s a good time frame for me.
    I hadn’t thought to check links to all my channels, but may do so now!
    I try to do a good bloglovin read and commenting spree every couple of days. I also make an effort to find new blogs via twitter etc to comment on. :)

    Caroline.x
    http://www.notesfromcaroline.com

  • Reply
    Candice Petersen
    May 4, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Thank you for sharing these tips they are rather helpful
    Beauty Candy Loves

  • Reply
    Robyn Samantha
    May 4, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I need to back up my blog more often infact i think ill have to go and do it now!
    Robyn | http://robynsamantha.blogspot.co.uk/
    xxx

  • Reply
    EdyeNicolesMakeup
    May 4, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Awesome tips! Thanks so much for sharing :)

    Blessings,
    Edye // Gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Nereyda @This Girl Is Obsessed
    May 5, 2016 at 1:52 am

    I used to share links to other blog posts I loved for my weekly recaps and I stopped doing it when life got busy last year. I really want to start doing that again. Great tips, as always!

    Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    May 5, 2016 at 4:25 am

    I’ve had the same thing happen to me with comments as well, I’ve wanted to comment on a post but for the life of me I can’t find the comment form anywhere. It’s so disappointing!

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

  • Reply
    That Sullivan Guy
    May 5, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Really useful blog post! Thank you! :)
    I too was reluctant to sign up to ‘Disqus’ but have done so to comment on here. I’m still not sure if I should add it to my blog? Does it deter people from commenting? I have read a lot of blogs that I wanted to comment on but didn’t because I didn’t want to sign up for ‘Disqus’.

    Tom x | thatsullivanguy.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      May 5, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you, glad you found it useful Tom!

      I was reluctant to do so too, but I’m SO happy I did it- specifically because it saves me time from having to moderate comments. It also gives me an ease to reply to all comments from one place, rather than having to go back to every single post. I also like it when visiting and commenting on other blogs because it saves me time from having to fill in my information every single time (like name, email, website, etc). I think that if someone really wants to join in on the conversation and they’re a regular on your blog, they’ll have no problem signing up. You can always test it out for a couple of weeks and go back to regular comment system (although I see that you’re on Blogger, and I’m not sure if you’d be able to do that without losing your comments).

      • Reply
        That Sullivan Guy
        May 5, 2016 at 1:38 pm

        Aww it’s so sweet of you to reply! That’s very true. Hence why I joined because I wanted to comment! ahah. I don’t have enough comments to worry about spam. But it must be so annoying! Get a life you spammers! I’ll keep it in mind and might have to give it a whirl! It’s just easy for me because I’m on blogger and it’s linked to my Google+ page. Although we had some problems with that pesky thing! I deleted all my blog pictures using Google+. My fault though!

        Once again, thank you for replying.

        Tom xx

        • Reply
          Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
          May 5, 2016 at 9:33 pm

          Aww no problem at all Tom!! Haha, see you did join Disqus! :) Yes, spammers definitely need to get a life! Ahhhh I really don’t get along with Google +! I deleted my personal account and I have one for my YouTube channel, but for some reason I can’t comment on blogs with that one. If it works for you now, totally stick to it. Once your blog grows you can always change to Disqus ;) Thanks again for visiting!

  • Reply
    Trecee Hutchinson
    May 5, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    Omg, this is such a helpful post! I have been debating on switching to Disqus and I think you just pushed me to go for it.

    Trecee
    treceefabulous.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    The Brown Eyed Bostonian
    May 6, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Love the advice. I have it book marked!

  • Reply
    Sabina
    May 7, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    Thank you for a very helpful post – will refer to this in the future. New to blogging, but love learning from you! :)
    Sabina | http://www.IveGotSunshine.com

  • Reply
    Healthandbeautygirl
    May 7, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Great post! Thanks for sharing! http://www.healthandbeautygirl.com

  • Reply
    Diana Youn
    May 7, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    Great tips! Repurposing my old content isn’t something that I’ve thought of doing until more recently!

    Diana | http://thechicdiary.com/blog/5/5/2016-girlboss-modern-home-office-and-work-space-inspiration

  • Reply
    Lovejoy Styles
    May 8, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    very useful! especially the backing up blog post suggestions :) xoxo http://lovejoystyles.com

  • Reply
    Sierra Sanchez
    May 8, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    great points that I don’t always think about… updating my photos would really help me feel like my blog is always fresh!

  • Reply
    Grace Dhliwayo
    May 9, 2016 at 12:41 am

    Very useful tips. Thanks for sharing
    http://queenngrace.blogspot.my/

  • Reply
    Sora Simone
    May 9, 2016 at 5:07 am

    very informative :)

  • Reply
    Dia Bianca Lao
    May 9, 2016 at 8:00 am

    Loved this post! I’ll take note of your suggestions. :)
    http://wewillgoplaces.com/

  • Reply
    Nazlıgül
    May 9, 2016 at 9:31 am

    These are great tips! Thanks!

    Kisses,

    Nazlıgül | on my own way

  • Reply
    anita carolina
    May 9, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Good tips for beginners! Thanks much :)

  • Reply
    Aleda Johnson | RoarinTwenties
    May 10, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    I will totally have to check these all off whenever I have some free time!

  • Reply
    Sherita J. Rankins
    May 12, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    These are such great tips – especially the call to action! I need to implement more of those for my site http://www.busywifebusylife.com

  • Reply
    Sarah Adams
    May 17, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Great advice! I can’t remember the last time I backed up my content. Thanks for the reminder :)

    Sarah // safariwithsarah.com

  • Reply
    BoxLifestyleNYC
    May 18, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    So important to go in and check links. Thanks for all the reminders!

  • Reply
    Marie Abbott
    November 26, 2016 at 10:31 am

    Brilliant post. Deffo inspired me to get my arse into gear!

    http://www.makemeupmarie.com x

  • Reply
    Jenn
    March 24, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    All super great tips, so glad I gave this a read!

    insta | bloglovin’

  • Reply
    Paula from Her Life Is Love
    April 25, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Hi Paula, I have been contemplating switching my comments on my blog to Disqus, but wondering…what happens with all the old comments that have already been posted on your blog? Do they still remain or does it become a blank slate? I don’t want to lose the old comments.

  • Reply
    Natalie Redman
    May 3, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    Implementing a call to action was possibly the best thing I did for my blog!

    http://www.upyourvlog.com

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