Reader’s Request: Blogging Tips
Hi guys! How are ya? Hope you’re having a great night <3
This particular Reader’s Request is one that I’ve received many, many requests for. I finally decided to give it a whirl – this post always intimidated me for some reason!! I included my favorite blogging tips and some that my friends use as well 
1. Purpose. Have a clear idea of what you want your blog to be about and how you’ll make it unique. What makes you different from the millions of other blogs out there? I think a big one for me is the fact that my life has many different aspects (trainer/fitness professional, military wife, raw foods chef, dinner party fanatic), and the language that I use in my blog, which is how I speak in *real life*. (Side story: “rock my face off” is actually the Pilot’s phrase. He used it when I first met him, 6 years ago, and I thought it was the goofiest phrase ever… until I stole it, haha). A perfect example of purpose is Kath’s blog- we know exactly what to expect when we click on her blog, and it’s awesome.
2. Use pictures to tell a story. I’ll take a lot of pictures throughout the day, but if one doesn’t make sense with my post, I’ll save it for later. Have a theme idea for each post, or use subject headings a la Carrots n Cake or Pure2Raw to break it up. A great example of blog storytelling is the amazing Mama Pea. Every post has a clear theme and story, with witty jokes, heart-melting pics and delicious recipes. She’s kind of a genius like that.
3. Write because you’re passionate, not for the dollars. Blogging is my full-time job, but when I get a paycheck, it’s a surprise to me. “I worked?! Oh yeah, I guess that can be considered working.” I don’t even think about the blog as *work* because I have a crazyseriousabundant love for it. Every.single.blogger who has told me “I’m starting a blog so I can make ‘x’ amount of money” has failed. If you blog about what you truly love and are passionate about, the financial icing on the cake will come.
4. Use your blog as a means to grow and develop yourself. Blogs are like little flowers that grow and blossom over time (hi, cheeseball)
Your writing style, audience, picture quality, theme, everything will change- just roll with it and let your blog evolve. An excellent example of this is my good friend Jenna. Her blog has changed dramatically since I started reading it and even though I thought it wasn’t possible to love her blog any more, I totally did.
5. Teach your readers, and be their friend. Whenever I read a blog, I like to leave the page feeling like I’ve learned something, even if it’s something small like chia seeds work the same as flax eggs, or that bangs are in for winter. Every single Choosing Raw post has taught me something. Also, remember to be encouraging and positive to your readers- treat them like friends, especially since they come to virtually hang out with you, a la HEAB.
6. Keep a notebook of blog ideas at hand. I always have a notebook with me for blog ideas, my day’s to-dos, grocery lists, etc. This way, if I get an idea, I can jot it down instead of trying to remember it.
7. Encourage discussion. The comments are there for a reason! Blogs are so much more fun when there’s conversation going down. Ask questions, provoke discussions, stir the controversy pot a little. Caitlin always gets my brain going, even before the am coffee has kicked in.
8. Be your fabulous self! Authenticity always wins. I myself love to read blogs because of what the authors are up to. Anyone can post a pic of a hummus and veggie sandwich, but I’d rather hear more about what the sandwich-maker has been doing, or blips of their personality. Ange always lets her beautiful personality shine through her posts.
Any blogging tips you’d like to add to the mix?? When you read a blog, what keeps you coming back?
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and found it helpful! Remember to hang in there if you’re a new bloggy- your niche, voice and readers will come. If you love it, stick with it!
Have a lovely night and I’ll see ya in the morning <3
xoxo
Gina
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I’m definitely huge on authenticity and writing with passion. I hope those two come across in my blog because I avidly believe they are what makes a blog work.
Which is why I love yours but of course! 😉
I am having an absolute BLAST writing my blog! Every time I have a new person visit is a high point in my day. I was nervous about starting one during such a busy time in my life of full-time work AND school, but it’s my personal time every day and I am blown away with how fulfilled I feel! 😀
I love this post!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! When I first started my blog, it was more informative posts….I did it more so my clients can go on a read what I always “lecture” them about. However, it has evolved so much more into my life and the community of talking to other bloggers! I often find myself in slumps…so this is all great advice to keep me going, thanks!
LOVE these tips!! My blogging mojo has been a little off with all the stress at the end of the season, but as soon as I hit send on this last paper, I have a whole list of blogging related stuff I want to accomplish!! I think I’m getting better at letting my quirks shine through- I’m kind of a weirdo, but I think that gives blogs character!!
Thank you so much for this! I’m a new blogger myself and writing a new post is one of the highlights of my day (even when I feel like I’m typing at 20 miles a minute to finish it before my other obligations)… I don’t yet feel “vet” enough to give any tips, but I do agree with you about the personality aspect- I love reading your blog because I totally hear your voice in it… I’d imagine it sounds exactly like you in real life. 🙂
Great tips, Gina! I’ve only had mine 8 months and I can already see how mine has evolved and changed. It’s so much fun! 🙂
Wow Gina, this was an awesome post…full of tips, full of insights, and realness! Thank you for sharing it all!
The parts that resonated most (ok all points resonated hugely!)..but for me, be your fabulous/authentic self, don’t blog for dollars, tell a story and have a purpose, use pics, encourage discussion, ok I have now re-named your whole post…but it’s awesome!
Readers as your friends…sometimes I feel like I am friends with the blogger and that keeps me going back. Other times I am not sure if the blogger even knows who I am, even tho I comment on nearly all their posts…but I like the blog enough to keep going back anyway.
I truly try to comment back to all my readers as much as I possibly can and to become friendly with them b/c at the end of the day…all we have in life are the people we have met, the friendships we have made, the connections we have forged.
Thank you for putting time, energy, and thought…and big time heart, into this post!
🙂
I’m a new-ish reader, been reading for a month or so…. I had no idea that this was your full-time job! I have wondered how on earth you manage to post so much, but I kind of just figured you threw yourslef into it with abandon since the pilot is deployed. How does a person get paid for blogging? I knew you probably got free samples ect, but am totally surprised that it generates income. Haha not to say I don’t think you deserve it, because you clearly pour your heart in here and it shows. Not to mention the sheer volume of posts which must be very time consuming. Anyway, your blog doesn’t seem to be rife with advertisments or anything, so I’m just very curious on how it pays… Hope you don’t think I’m rude for asking 🙂 xxx
hey jena,
thanks so much for reading my little blog 🙂
i get paid through foodbuzz advertisers (on the side bars)
xoxo
Ahhh… I have so much to learn. Thanks!!
Great post! When I first started my blog I think I was trying to be someone I wasn’t, just because that’s what I saw on lots of other blogs. I’m still finding my voice, and some weeks it’s really hard. But when I relax and write about something that is important and authentic blogging comes so much easier – and more fun!
Love this post! 🙂 I really agree with everything you said, especially that you should be your readers’ friend. I love reading blogs where I feel like I “know” the writer… that may sound creepy, but it’s true!
Things about your blog that rock my face off: to die for pink, I like your layout where it shows a few posts on one page and I can scroll down to read rather than just one post then a link to click on the other posts, lurve your language, your content including recipes, work outs, clothing, decorating tips, the personal side of your life, your puppers and your pics. Keep it up – you make me want to grab some bizzle so I can sit on my rear and read read read. 🙂
I also love that I can just scroll down….it makes for easy ready at work instead of clicking a thousand links 🙂
Me too!!
Awesome post!!!
I love blogging and have gotten so busy and it’s taken a bit of a back seat (boo) but now that I am back, and blogging a bit again, I feel the love all over again! I put my heart into my posts for sure!
Love your post!!
I think the best tip ever is to be yourself. When I started blogging I did the whole “here’s what I ate today” kind of posts. And then I started to hate posting, because writing about my food intake was boring! Now I’ll show a recipe or fun dinner/lunch idea but not my entire day.
I read certain blogs because I like the person — I get to “know” them and want to keep reading about them.
I didn’t read through all the tips because I’m in a rush, and maybe someone already mentioned this, but…. one thing that got me hooked on your blog and makes me come back for more all the time is the consistent frequency of the updates. There are other blogs I like that are not updated even daily, and I end up forgetting about them for months at a time, Eventually I remember and go back and read the updates have occurred, but I’m just not checking on a regular basis. You are blog crack.
Great post!
Yep- 100% be yourself! Be genuine, passionate and write stuff that you, yourself would want to read…
I like to make goals and see them through, Like I just did 30 days of yoga in a row!
I also like to feature other people who are putting out good energy in the world!
xo
wow i wish i could have your job!!!
love this! i have a few questions for you and other bloggers: did you feel like you were relinquishing your privacy when you started your blog? how do you strike a balance between real life and blog life, if applicable? or better stated, how do you decide how much to share? thanks in advance and sorry for the essay-style questions! i just think how much i love an honest blog that makes me feel like i “know” the writer but would be totally creeped out that strangers felt like they “knew” me if i were the writer. hope you don’t think we’re creepy, ha ha! also major PROPS on the regularity of your posts; i can count on two a day (unless disaster strikes) and no “phoning in”-type posts. as an avid reader, that keeps me coming back!
being real is what makes love certain blogs. Its like I’ve known them forever. And those that make me think or leave me with valuable information…..like yours! thanks friend.
LC
excellent tips! i think having pictures is key. i’ve noticed that my blogging writing has improved ever since i’ve included pics just because i get more excited to visually share and keep the blog looking great.
These are great tips. I think the most important thing is to BE YOURSELF and not try to fit your blog into one specific niche or mold. Readers will be interested in what you have to say if you present it in a compelling, interesting manner, no matter what the topic.
Thanks for posting these tips! I just started my blog a couple of months ago and love it! I can’t wait to see it evolve and change and grow (hopefully).
Love it! You nailed it for me Gina! So valuable.
I write for the web professionally so, along the same vein… I have this quick How To on writing for the web. Useful for peeps with small businesses and new websites. Check it out:
http://lisainglis.blogspot.com/2010/12/writing-for-web-is-like-talking-to.html
Thanks for this Gina!!
– Lisa
Hi Gina,
I absolutely love reading your blog. I just started up my own blog about 2 weeks ago, so I definitely have a lot to learn. Thank you so much for posting this today. It has some incredible pointers. Thank you for inspiring me 🙂
great tips 🙂
Great tips! And I’m loving your readers’ comments too. How about what makes us never come back? I’d say a dark background with white type (my eyes cry for mercy!), auto music, and a crowded or confusing design. Google Reader helps with those, but I like to read a post on an actual blog.
The personality is definitely key…the blogs I like the best are the ones where I feel like I could know/be friends with the blogger in real life!
Great tips, Gina! Thanks for sharing.
This is totally off topic but I love the photo of you jumping in NYC…esp. the random man in the background who has NO idea what’s going on 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I just started blogging and this makes it much easier!
I really enjoy feeling like you’re having a face to face conversation when you’re actually just reading someone’s post. It’s nice to “hear” that voice coming out in someone’s writing.
I am drawn to continue reading other blogs when the writer actually responds to comments and questions. There are some bigger blogs out there where the author has rarely responded to questions- both mine and others; and there are bigger blogs where they DO take the time to respond, and I feel so much more favorably about the ones that take the time to read and respond to comments.
I totally agree with this! I’ve actually stopped reading blogs where the blogger never responds, or responds with just a “yes”. I think it’s vaguely understandable if the blogger has a separate full-time job and can’t respond quickly or something, but if you are trying to make blogging your full-time job then you should sure as hell respond to your readers!
Awesome tips, especially for a new blogger 😉 Thanks!
I had a cranky day and you made me smile, tear up and run for the chocolate. Okay, that last one was going to happen anyway.
What a great post Gina! I like feeling like I *know* the blogger, and just not the food they eat.
Gina! I love reading your blog – your go through life with a great attitude and I think that is what makes it so interesting!!! Through all your trials you strive to stay happy and this is so important and resonates with so many readers! Thank you so much for not being you and best of luck in AZ… finally I can read your blog in time that works better for CA 🙂
Thanks so much for the post! As a new blogger it’s great to read tips! Love your blog btw!
I like this post – thanks for the tips! When I stumbled across your blog I kept coming back because you’re just so “real.” Some bloggers I feel I can’t relate to but yours has always felt…authentic : )
These tips are lovely Gina. Loved your learn and grow and change tip in particular….that’s the spice (and only certain!) of life for sure!
I aim to do all of these things in my blogging (and I hope it shows!) but it’s always nice to be reminded 🙂
I love this post!
For me, the words >>> the pictures. I’m a sucker for any blog whose writer is creative with words, and really allows their personality to shine through in their writing.
Relatability is huge for me, too. I’m a healthy living fanatic, but I’m so NOT a foodie (almost an oxymoron in this community, right? ;)), so recipe-heavy blogs aren’t really my thang…unless, of course, the blogger’s writing ability is stellar.
Wonderful tips!! I think being honest is so important and sharing who you really on to your readers, even if it can be scary or silly.
Love ya girl!
Michelle
Great post! And thanks for the shout-out! 🙂
i think that the ‘being yourself’ tip is the most important by far…if you’re yourself then everything else will fall into place! i would also add to that to learn to LOVE yourself too 🙂
🙂
If I feel I can connect to the blogger, I keep coming back. Yours, for instance, is one of my favorites. You’re so easily relatable, fun and sweet and I feel like you’re letting your readers get to really know you. It’s really lovely. 😀
i think it’s most important to write bc youre passionate. it truly shows in a post and intrigues the reader to come back for more.
happy friday 🙂
These are great tips Gina, and I love your blog for all of those reasons!! I think having a passion is crucial – after all, you know just as well as everyone else that blogging isn’t always easy, and it does take a lot of time! But… we make time for things we’re passionate about, and clearly you’re an amazing example! 🙂
i just started reading food blogs this year and the reason I look forward to them is the fun personailty of blogs like yours. It inspires me to enjoy the little things in life. Food is something that most of us encounter every day. In American culture, I feel like we tend to just eat for conveinece and not let ourselves really enjoy how we prepare or eat food. I like that your blog reminds me to slow down and enjoy life.
I like that you included other blogs as examples!
Great tips! I love your blog because it feels like I’m just chatting with a friend who is updating me on her day. I love that you let your personality shine through so much! 😀
I feel like I’ve totally slacked on my blog this semester because school has been crazy, but this makes me want to start putting more effort into it!
I don’t remember how I found or when I started reading your blog, but it is so inspirational and motivational that I have the webiste saved in favorites on every computer I own. Everytime I decide I am not going to the gym or not do something in general, I think Gina would be doing it and probably would have done it by now. So I get my ass up and get’er done! Thanks for the daily motivation, interesting conversation and that damn b-fast cookie – I love that thang!
Thanks for the blogging tips! I’ve been trying to launch my blog for quite some time, but I guess I just can’t get the hang of it. I think it has to do with reliability. If I am busy, then my blog takes the back burner. I should really work on trying to be reliable with my posting. Again, thanks for the awesome tips 🙂