One of the most fun & challenging parts about blogging is that it is always changing and evolving. There are so many parts to it, so much to learn every day, and no matter how good you think you might be at it, you can always do a little more. That may sound overwhelming to some of you or maybe it sounds exceptionally fun. I’m no expert at blogging whatsoever, but I love sharing my tips as I learn them. So today I’m going to talk about going for it, and a few simple tools you’ll want in your back pocket.

First and foremost, it is essential if you’re starting a blog to really start it because you want to. Do it because it is something you are passionate about. Whether it’s writing, sharing recipes, giving how-to fashion advice, or simply documenting your daily musings, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. If you aren’t doing it for you, it will never be fun and that’s kind of the real point, isn’t it?

Let’s start with the basics.

Go for it.

Get on WordPress, Blogger, Squarespace, or whatever website you choose to begin your blog… And just go. Start writing. Put together your pictures. And do you.

When I started my blog, I was anxious about launching. I was really worried about what people would think and who could see it. I wrote a blog post every day for several weeks so I had enough content for people to browse when I launched. I didn’t start in fashion but later on, I found it to be the most vulnerable part of the process. I was sharing pictures of myself (am I this vain?!) and my life stories (is my writing even good?). But I took a deep breath and decided that I had to just do it, or I would always think about it. And now I work with some really cool brands and I love it ;)

Own your support system.

I don’t know about you, but being able to lean on friends and family has been key for me pursuing my dreams. I find that having a great support system has been essential in me continually hustling to make this work. Major shout out to my sisters who let me vent about any random insecure issue I have, for taking pictures for me when they’re in town, and for giving me routine shout outs :) You two rock.

And a huge thank you to Eric for calming my rather irrational anxieties and helping me strategize new possibilities for my blog. He has been my biggest cheerleader and I love him for it.

Optimize Social Media:

When it comes to blogging and reaching new people, social media is your best friend. And regular posting will get you new readers faster than you can imagine. My favorite social media outlet is Instagram with Facebook as a close second. I just hopped back on the Pinterest bandwagon (follow me here) and dip a little bit into Twitter.

Engage with your Audience:

Instagram is where I’ve had the most success in engaging with new people and it’s amazing that a network of little squares can open up such realms of possibility. I work really hard to like and comment on other bloggers pictures, support my friends, and reach out to new people. There is so much thought that goes into every photo I post and every caption I write. When I receive comments on my pictures, I do my best to reply to my followers. I also try to check out their profiles as well and see if they are blogging or doing something creative I can support. It’s not always easy.  I don’t want to spend all of my time on my phone. But I do put an incredible effort into keeping up with my social feeds. It’s a great way to continue your growth.

Use Planning Apps:

I talked about this in my previous post about how to create a cohesive Instagram feed but I wanted to reiterate how much I love Planoly. I do pay a monthly fee for it but I find it worth it to be able to plan my posts ahead of time. Another great app is Snug (it’s free!). It lets you see what your feed looks like if you delete a photo (which I’ll do sometimes if I feel it improves my overall aesthetic). Another great app is called Prime for Instagram. Prime tells me when my followers are most active so I can post at the appropriate time of day to reach a maximum audience.

Be Yourself:

This is the most important part! The reason people will follow you will vary but the reason they will stay with you is because of YOU. Be yourself. Write what comes from your heart. And don’t try to mimic what you think is successful. Find your rhythm and post content that truly speaks to you.

Stay tuned for future blogging tips including how to grow your following via Instagram, great editing tools, and monetizing your blog!

Any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below! :)

Austin Blogger blog advice blogger apps blogger tips how to grow your blog