What are the keys to blogging success? While there’s no one right answer, since quitting my day job {details about my leap are here!} I have finally been able to do one of the things I love most: helping other small businesses, creatives and bloggers grow! There’s nothing more satisfying than help someone clear away what’s been blocking their path to success.
For the past few months, I’ve also been sharing blogging tips and tricks in association with Alt Summit. It’s been so fun to interact with bloggers around the world and geek out over social media, SEO, online marketing and building a strong brand.
While I’ve been focusing my classes on social media and branding, sharing tips like the importance of focus, the value of authenticity and the true purpose of social media: engagement and reciprocity(!), I began to wonder…
What else would you like to know? As a blogger, what keeps you up at night? What’s causing you to pull your hair out? What’s frustrating you to no end?
I sure would like to know. I’m not sure if this will lead to more webinars, a new column here on Apartment 34, or perhaps a new destination where we could discuss our experiences in more detail.
I just know that we are all in this together. And together we are developing a wealth of collective knowledge that needs to be shared. I want to see this industry raise to the highest bar of professional standards and have it receive the clout that it so deserves.
So tell me all you blogging beauties, what is it that you really want to know?
PS – You can still sign up for the webinar “Turn Your Blog into a Brand & Then a Business” here. The last class is tomorrow!
image via here
I want to get advertisers on my blog – but not sure how to attract them, how much to charge, and how to turn blog readers into customers or to monetize? Make sense?
you've probably discussed this before, but the design of my blog keeps me up at night. I want great content of course, but I also want a design that keeps people coming back, that makes them feel that I'm writing in an authoritative space. Is it necessary to hire a web site designer or can this be achieved on my own with some good taste?
The other thing i think about a lot is how to drive traffic to my blog.
I'm a new blogger and am constantly searching for ways to grow my audience and have them interact more. I always frequent other blogs and try to always make a positive comment I believe being upbeat and gracious to others is always key. I just want to know how to get more traffic to my site.
http://www.dawnajonesdesign.com
I would love to know more about attracting new visitors and growing a bigger audience. And basically, just any blogging tips you have to run a successful blog! x
Kate {Something Fabulous}
http://thesomethingfabulous.blogspot.com
I would love to know how to go from views to comments. But primarily how sustain a following. And how to keep your audience coming back for more in respect that you and another blog can write about the same thing but they choose to read your first! Thanks xxoo
Thank you,
Melissa J.
Fiveto7.blogspot.com
First and foremost, thank you Erin for your classes and constant support. I question myself all of the time and it isn't so much about my ideas, it is about how to reach the people who might enjoy then. Would love some advice about connecting with other bloggers, the best way to so, the do's and don'ts, etc.?
Hi everyone! I agree with a lot of these comments as well. I also, am obsessed with the design of my blog. I have a full time job in medicine, so web design and html is not my thing. I want it to look a certain way, but can't do it myself. When do you hire someone to help? I feel like I spend a lot of time of my blog now, but this is because I am off work for a bit- it is so challenging to work a 12 hour day and put as much time as you want into the blog. How did you keep up when you were working? I constantly feel as though I am missing out on something if I am not glued to my computer…
I adore that you are so willing and inspired to help us newbie bloggers. Thank you in advance for all the help.
Hi Erin, I'm excited for you and your new venture. I've been in a couple of your Alt classes now and you are really great at teaching and sharing knowledge. I would love to see a column here on Apartment 34 and see you do meet ups in different cities; That would be wonderful.
Along with the above suggestions, I would love to learn how to make better connections with people/other bloggers. Also, the Facebook fan page causes me to pull my hair out right now. To my knowledge, I don't think anyone (i.e., a blogger I admire) has created a tutorial on the basics of creating a fan page, making it look nice, and utilizing it to its full potential.
I hope someone else started singing that song from Mulan when they read “Let's get down to business!”
But a question, for reals. Have you noticed that readers respond to thematic weekly posts? For example, Monday Work Wear (which is not only themed, but always on a Monday) or Color Craze (which I don't think shows up on a specific day of the week but shows up often).
Or are these posts more to your benefit, giving you something specific to blog about?
From the comments I've read, I can't think of anything else to add. Just that I'm very thankful to you and other bloggers who truly care about helping us newbies reach success! Keep the business posts coming! And if you're ever interested in critiquing my blog, I am absolutely open to personal advice!! Thank you! -Christie @ Eyes On Sparrow
How can I make my blog popular? How can I pass from views to comments?
Thanks for helping us to grow in this blogsphere! Something that sometimes feels imposible!
Sending love from Argentina!:)
Lau
http://fallinlove.com.ar/?lang=en
Gosh, I can think of tons of things. First of all, I hope visitors like my content. I would love more followers, but am not sure how to market my blog in the most efficient way. Also, I'd love advertisers but am unsure how to get them to my blog to WANT to advertise with me. Make sense?
Visit The Pretty Pinhead and enter my giveaway!
Exactly! I can think of zillion of things to ask. Foremost how to get sponsors?
http://www.azrakunworld.com
Interesting post!! I really like this site, and hope you will write more because you always give me good ideas!
So glad that I had the opportunity to take your class today! I still feel like I have SO much to learn! The hardest challenges I face are: (1) time – I can never comment enough, tweet enough, write enough, learn photoshop, attend events, etc. and (2) comparison – it's the ugliest word. I worry all of the time that I am not doing what other bloggers are doing, that I could be doing more, etc.
♡ Lexi
FASHION: Glitter & Pearls
WEDDINGS: Glitter Weddings
Thanks so much for all the great comments. Obviously audience building and working with brands are two huge topics to discuss. And then there's creating good content – making mental notes of upcoming posts Let's Get Down to Business posts.
Oh my Goodness! I was suffering many nights with a lot of questions about blogging. I'm working to create a good and participative audience, but almost nobody comment or leave a message in the blog or Facebook. Another thing is: I'm afraid of selling spaces to adds and then the blog become over of banners and this kind of staff.
Do you think that every single blog in this world must have a e-commerce or sale something?
Please help and many many thanks!!!