How to Improve a Blog for a Year of Blogging Success | Giftie Etcetera: How to Improve a Blog for a Year of Blogging Success

Saturday, January 2, 2016

How to Improve a Blog for a Year of Blogging Success

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My tiny blog has grown a lot over this past year. 

As I type this, the year is coming to an end and I am reviewing all that I have accomplished.


blog, blogs, blogging, one year, annual blog report



There are many areas where I've focused over the past year, but I am only listing my proudest accomplishments that move my blog forward.


SOCIAL MEDIA


Built an active, supportive Facebook group.

Increased my following on Facebook.


Created rich pins on Pinterest.

Participated in link parties.

Remained active in Facebook groups in my niche.


CONTENT


Made a regular blogging schedule, with a focus on my most popular posts (like this one dealing with planners) so my Loyal Readers know when to visit (hint: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). The schedule also allowed me to write additional posts like those about other topics, such as blogging.

Created supplemental pages, including About Me, Privacy Policies, and Sponsored Post Media Kit. (See the examples in the link at the very bottom of my blog.)


Did guest posts, including an on-going series with another blogger.


VISUALS


Refined the readability of the blog. I increased the font size, refined the ad layouts to be less intrusive, and added spacing and subheadings for easier reading.

Created better images. I made sure they included a tagline and a watermark, in case they are shared in social media.


MONETIZE


Made enough money to cover expenses. In part, I focused on things that increase my Search Engine Optimization, such as including Search Descriptions, Headings, and Image Titles in my posts. 


Increased pageviews, in part by linking within my posts to relevant posts and topics, which helped my Ad Sense revenue.

Became more active in recommending tools that are used in my blogging and my planning so that my readers could purchase the items necessary to support their habits at no additional cost to them.

Joined the Escalate Network (bloggers can join here, where I would make a small commission at no cost to you) and added to my blog earnings with some great, easy-to-qualify for advertising. The Escalate Network requires fewer pageviews than most networks, so it is great for newer bloggers.

Added a fun PayPal link for readers who wanted to thank me somehow and were asking how. Sharing, of course, is the highest form of compliment, but some of my Loyal Readers send me a cup of coffee.

Thank you to all my Loyal Readers for returning, time and time again. Looking forward to this year.

If you ever have feedback for me (or, gasp, spot a typo or error), please know it is welcome!


Remember to subscribe to my e-mail (right sidebar) to get updated whenever I post.

Etcetera.


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Partied at: Saturday Sparks, Saturday Sharefest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Favorite Things, Share the Wealth, Making Your Home Sing, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Motivation Monday, Mommy Monday, Mix It Up Monday, Meetup Monday, Over the Moon, Monday Musings, Something to Talk About, Amaze Me Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend, Tuesdays at Our Home, Turn It Up Tuesday, Faith Filled Parenting, You're Gonna Love It Tuesday, Tuesdays With a Twist, Tutorial Tuesday, Homework, Wow Us Wednesday, Creative Muster, The Wednesday Showcase, Let's Be Friends, Wake Up Wednesday, Not Just Homemaking, Wonderful Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Wordless Wednesday, Work It Wednesday, Think Tank Thursday, A Creative Princess, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Favorites, Weekend Blog Hop, Grace at Home

Featured at: Over the Moon

20 comments:

Erin said...

What a great year! Thanks for sharing these tips, I am a new blogger so this is super helpful :)

Amy said...

I have been reading your blog for quite a while now.. I always enjoy every blog posts that you put out there!! I always look forward to the email I get from you! Yours is one of the few that I actually do take the time to read!! Congrats on a great 2015.. Here's hoping 2016 treats you even better!!!

Giftie Etcetera said...

Erin, they are simple but work!

Wow, Amy, I am flattered.

Amanda said...

This is really great advice for a new blogger. I visited your blog before, and it was so memorable that you had folks who bought you a cup of coffee. I love that it has been a blessing to you. I hope you have a wonderful new year!

Giftie Etcetera said...

Amanda - It always makes me smile, more than anything else.

Michele Morin said...

Always looking for helpful input! Thanks!

Aletha Oglesby, M.D. said...

I appreciate this post- helpful information and so easy to read. I get frustrated when a blog has tiny, light print without breaks or headings- I usually leave because I just can't read it. Congratulations on all you have accomplished.

Reidland Family said...

Some great suggestions! Thanks for sharing what you have learned!

Leanne said...

It's amazing how far we come in 12mnths of blogging isn't it? I know my little blog is doing so much better than I thought and has come a long way in that time. I love how you've listed your achievements - it really confirms how well you've done. thanks for sharing with us on our #OverTheMoon link up ~ Leanne :)

Jen said...

congratulations on your success. I'm a new blogger and hope to achieve what you have done :)

Heidi's Wanderings said...

Congratulations! I've found that the best way to grow is persistence. Even when it doesn't seem like things are going the way you want them.

Linda at Mixed Kreations said...

Congratulations! Looks like you had a great year. This past year I really started taking my blog serious and started working on my SEO, pictures, joining linkups, and building my social media following. It's been a lot of work and I still have a long ways to go, but I have seen progress as well with all my hard work. I guess I need to add a media kit to my list. Thanks for sharing your info. I will be looking into the Escalate Network.

Powell River Books said...

A great list of tips. How much success do you attribute to having ads on your blog? That's something that I don't do on mine. - Margy

Leanne said...

I just wanted to let you know that you are one of my feature blogs for the next #OverTheMoon link up - it's great to see how much progress you've made in the short time you've been blogging. ~Leanne

Giftie Etcetera said...

Powell, Ads haven't seemed to make a difference either way in the number of readers. I am careful about the content of the ads and try to make sure the blog content is worth the ads for my readers.

Jennifer@MyFlagstaffHome said...

Congratulations! You've worked very hard. Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!

Jennifer

Carolyn @ Fennell Seeds said...

Thanks for the motivation. I just started my blog 3 months ago and it is such a slow process. Thanks for the tips. I am definitely going to go look up Escalate Network!

Stone Cottage Adventures said...

Congratulations on a very productive year! Thank you for joining Tuesdays with a Twist link party! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

tialea2 said...

As a new blogger myself, these are super helpful. What a productive year!! Keep it up friend. Thank you for sharing at the Faith Filled Parenting LinkUp.

Jaime Barfield said...

I was thrilled when my bestie suggested your blog and I had to follow it. Some of your tips have been great in keeping my planner running smoothly.