{Lavender Sachets – The Lavender Road}
Yes, that’s right, you should have a blog! I know there are a million things to do, but if you plan on growing your handmade business you shouldn’t put off starting or improving your blog for another moment.
Here are a few simple tips to start you on the road to blogging success…
1. Be yourself! People that read your blog want to know a bit about you! You don’t have to share all your family details, but share your personality with your readers. Only listing the details of your latest listing isn’t going to grow your blog. Your work is more beautiful to them when they know you.
Trying to do what another blog does to be successful might not work for you. Write about what you know and enjoy…it will make blogging easier at the same time.
2. Keep it simple! Share a few photos from Etsy,flickr or Pinterest with a bit about them. Try a Wordless Wednesday post with a photo of anything you’ve done or saw that week. {Wordless Wednesday is a blog party where you share a link to your post and visit others on the list.} It’s an easy post and you’ll meet new people through a blog party like this one.
3. Comment, comment, COMMENT! Visit 10 blogs a day and comment on their posts. Do this every day for a week and you’ll have new followers and more comments than the week before.
When readers leave a comment on your blog posts don’t forget to go and check out their blog. You’ll end up finding new friends this way…trust me, you should comment a bunch!
4. Photos make your blog POP with color! Creative people like creative looking blogs, right? Use clear and bright photos with every post. They can catch the reader’s attention and keeps them coming back for more inspiration.
If you use a photo from somewhere else online be sure to link to your source. If it’s from another blog it’s best to email them to make sure they approve of it being used in your post.
5. You don’t have to post daily, but a few posts a week will help you build up the content of your blog. You’ll be shocked at how much information you have on your blog in a year! Try writing a simple tutorial, share something you’ve just discovered, write about the inspiration behind your work or share a photo of your dog…LOL!
Write what you would like to read!
There are so many little tips you’ll learn as you go, but I hope these will help you out a bit on your road to successful blogging. Blogs grow slowly so don’t stress over it. Be consistent and you’ll grow it into something that will help you in the future.
Meeting nice people along the way is an added bonus!
Care to share a blogging tip? I’d love to hear it!!!
~Kim
For an in-depth 3000 word free guide to setting up a blog for your Etsy shop see this post:
Other posts you might be interested in for your Etsy business…
Great tips Kim, thank you. As always very helpful. I neglected my blog for a while but am back on track.
Thank you for the tips. Something I really to be working on with my blog.
Thanks for your sound advice! I will take heed, especially number three!
excellent tip…I am a slow blogger 😉 I need to do it more often
Great tips! I love racking my brain for creative ideas for my blog posts!
Great tips! I definitely need to get my blog up and running, especially with a new store!
Thanks for the great and informative post – I’ve been trying to focus more attention on my blog lately, so this is perfect timing for me!
Thanks for the ideas! I’m all for bettering our blogs!
I’m just getting my blog started and I’ve heard a lot about the need to comment on other people’s blogs. But I love that you put a number on it. It gives me a specific goal to shoot for!
I’m scared to death of blogs. I’d love t o do one but, of course I want it to be enchanting. Not dumb looking. How do you get all those neat side effects? And your banner design, and all the doodads across the top? That’s what worries me.
Thanks so much. May is a new month and I am going to try and tackle blogging. I appreciate the info.
Hello Kim,
Helpful post for all the newbies out there. I have always thought of it this way…I leave comments on other blogs because I know how great it feels to get them on my blog. When I can, I will very often e-mail(if provided) the commenter a private note to say thank you for the follow. I remember getting a private e-mail from a popular blogger and It thrilled me to no end..it made me feel special that she took the time.
Also I NEVER want to get too big to be out of touch with my followers…but thats just me. I know for many it is all about the numbers and the personal touch falls by the wayside. I avoid those blogs.
I much prefer the back and forth conversations I have with my blog friends.
I try to balance my life posts with my artist creative posts and ALWAYS have lot’s of quality photos. For me photos are a must and I rarely stay on a blog that does not have photos. Please bloggers…keep your backgrounds clean and non distracting and make sure we can read your text. That’s a pet peeve of mine. Who the heck can read tiny red letters on a chartreuse background???
OK…I’m done now ;->
cheers Kim,
Janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
I know I need to start a blog, but I don’t even know what I should call it! Should I use my name? I have two etsy shops, should I call it after one of them? Any tips would be appreciated. Signed, kicking and screaming into the 21st century, Anna
great tips… may be youll find my blog interesting http://www.accessoriesdiary.blogspot.com
thank you for these suggestions! i recently started a blog for my soon-to-open etsy store, and i appreciate the advice. setting a goal of 10 blog visits a day is a great idea, as is the wordless wednesday blog party! very helpful!
Great information thanks!!
Thanks so much! I am thinking about doing a Wordless Wednesday!
~Be blessed!
Thank you for writing this! I found you via angelsandeverlasting on facebook!!
Great tips Kim! Here are my tips: Look for the Linky Party tabs on the top of people’s blogs and link up your posts. Those are the best ways to build your visitors and get exposure for your blog (and find inspiration AND find those 10 blogs a day). Also, if you can, put an e-mail subscription form in your sidebar. A LOT of people can’t find the time to visit blogs every day but if they can sign up to get it in their e-mails they will, that means more exposure for you! Don’t feel like you have to post every day. Just post when you have something to share. AND definitely put a link to your Facebook and/or twitter accounts on your blog (oh you can go to networked blogs and set it to post your blog to your FB account AND twitter!) Man, that’s a lot of tips, sorry to hog the comments.
Great tips! Thank you, Kim (& thank you too, Anna. I know I will visit a blog far more often, if I get an e-mail. I just recently figured out how to add that function to my blog & I’m glad I did)
Ok, day one, comment #1. Thanks for this reminder, actually. I read a lot of blogs, but tend to forget to chime in.
very interesting!! comment # 1 today 😀
Thanks for the motivation! I’ve just recently moved my blog from tyepad to blogger and am starting all over again. But I have to say, I’m lovin’ bloggin’ these days! Thanks for the tips…
http://backhomeagainvintage.blogspot.com/
Thank you for these great tips and motivation. I’ve been putting off starting a blog and can see that I really need to make it a priority!
I just came across your website. Such great tips for us newbies just starting out. I recently started blogging again after a year-long hiatus and I’m looking forward to getting back into the blogosphere again!
reejaroos.blogspot.com
Perfect timing for this post! I just started my new blog this week and am trying to gather up all the tips I can get. I especially like your “visit 10 blogs a day” suggestion. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the great tips. I have started a new blog and I get stuck with what I should write.
Thanks for the tips! I’m new to blogging and the Etsy community so I am looking for great advice such as yours.
Just came across your blog and have bookmarked for more reading later. Thanks for the information and tips.
Love your tips always! thanks for sharing so much with us….
These are great tips. I have a blog and I am often uncertain of what I should post. Thank you for the ideas.
good tips! I’d also add, take some time to think of a title to your post that either tells the reader something important, or catches their attention. Also, you’ll increase your readership by connecting your blog to your facebook page if you have one. Networked Blogs will automatically post your blog feed on your facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/networkedblogs and I think there are others.
And here’s a tip about that: pay attention to what the first picture is in your blog post, because that’s the only one that networked blogs will use when it posts to facebook- make sure it’s the one that will most grab your facebook readers’ attention, and entice them to click on over to your blog.
.-= Jill´s last blog ..We Believe We Have a Winner for the Believe Pillow! =-.
Thanks for the tips…I finally post to my much neglected blog yesterday! I just need to keep it up!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Jessie Inspired Dress Toy Story =-.
Kim,
I am new to “blogging” and liked your information on the tips.
Might sound silly but where do you go to blog? I have never initiated a session I have just seen them.
Thanks,
Ann
Thank you Kim for all your tips and information about blogging. I have often thought of starting a blog, but was unsure of getting started. This is definately something I need to do over the summer. 🙂
Another tip is to participate in challenges. I manage 3 blogs but only 2 have regular updates. Here’s my other active blog http://peachcrate.blogspot.com
Thanks for the great tips! As a newbie blogger, I have much to learn!
.-= LeAnn Frobom´s last blog ..Quilts of Valor =-.
Thank you. I really like the tip about wordless Wednesday. I struggle with finding the time to write, so this is a great solution:)
Great tips! I love to read your post, I was so afraid to write a blog, English is not my language, but as you say, it’s me, trying to make it the best, and I learned some things from your list, I appreciate your sharing – Thank you and a wonderful week 🙂
.-= Sigalit Alcalai´s last blog ..Pink Hamsa -Sterling silver Necklace – SMALL =-.
I know I need to blog more often. I find it difficult to find the time in the day to blog – or what to blog about. Wordless Wednesday is a great idea!!!!!
As a new blogger, I have much to learn! Thank you for advice.
.-= Dominika´s last blog ..Alphabet Set -Wooden Letters -PAINTED 12" to 6" letters various thicknesses by aworkinprogressgifts =-.
How’d I miss this post???? I’m here now and inviting all to visit http://hideaheart.wordpress.com and comment so that I know I am NOT alone!
XOXO
.-= MCatherine´s last blog ..joansproductreviewsandgiveaways Prayer Heart Winner =-.
We’ve just opened our blog about crochet.
Your tips will help us a lot. Thank you.
Good work!
We’ve just opened our blog about crochet.
Your tips will help us a lot. Thank you.
Good work!
.-= Silayaya´s last blog ..Compra un Silayaya y de regalo: ¡unos pendientes! =-.
Thanks for the tip. I will start right now:)
i have an Etsy shop where I sell great buttons and pendants.
http://www.artbymark.etsy.com
or my blog
http://www.artbymark.com
Thanks
Thank you for sharing these tips. Will definitely try these out!
.-= Jill´s last blog .."Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to dance in…" =-.
I great way to make your blog look great is to write your posts in Windows Live Writer. So much easier to add links and pictures. I couldn’t blog with out it!
I have just set up a new blog and my first ever since reading this! : )
artisticjem.blogspot.com
.-= Jemma Yates´s last blog ..Teal, Brown and Gold Gerbera Original Painting on canvas- 'Wild Gerberas' =-.
Thank you for the tips! Very helpful blog post!
Thanks for the tips. Sometimes I feel like I don’t have the time and then I remember it’s ok to do a short post. It’s better to keep it consistent.
We’ve just opened a new Etsy shop, so everything is new for us. Kim, your tips are invaluable. I love blogging and will keep your advice in the back of my mind at all times!
I’m responding because I, too, just started on Etsy.com/CountryLadyJewelry. I think these comments have helped me more than anything. Good luck yo you. Hope to see you around!
Great post Kim, and thank you. It was helpful and interesting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about blogging tips.
looking good
nice post