I get TONS of questions about blogging. The most common questions that I receive are: How do I start a blog? and How do I get people to read my blog? So, I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for months now, and here it is… finally! Hopefully, it will answer a number of your questions about blogging.
Creating a Blog
WordPress and Blogger are the two most popular blogging platforms out there. Blogger is great because it’s super easy to use– pretty much anyone can figure it out! However, WordPress has a lot more features and plug-ins that will allow you to enhance your blog– like adding different pages and fun widgets.
Carrots ‘N’ Cake started as a Blogger blog (history of CNC), but when I realized that WordPress had much more flexibility, I switched over. Even though setting up a WordPress blog is slightly more involved, it’s well worth it in the long run.
My 2 biggest tips for those of you thinking about starting a blog:
- Select a topic that you are passionate about. Make sure you pick a subject that you really enjoy– something that you can see yourself still wanting to blog about many months down the road. There are so many blogs that go by the wayside when people lose interest and motivation, but when you care about something so much (nutrition, cooking, fitness, etc.), you will constantly be inspired to write new blog posts. And, who knows, you could potentially be posting 3 times a day, so you better love your blog topic!
- Blog for yourself. When I started Carrots ‘N’ Cake, I had no intention of it becoming such a huge part of my life… and then it becoming my job! I started my blog to keep me on track with my healthy eating and exercise as my upcoming wedding approached. It was basically a daily journal to keep me accountable. I guess people liked reading what I had to say!
If you really want the nitty-gritty about blogging, including information about content, design, and photos, check out Meghann’s Blogging 101 posts. She goes into great detail about blogging. Her post are especially helpful to newbies.
Marketing Your Blog
Just like all new blogs, I started with just a handful of readers. But, blogging everyday for the past 1.5 years has grown my readership to thousands each day! If you want your blog readership to grow, here are a few tips:
- Comment on other blogs! It helps get your name out there, so other people can discover you and your blog. Along the same lines, make sure you contribute something worthwhile to the comment section. Personally, I notice the people with something interesting to say– instead of the comments that just say “Looks good,” which don’t add much to the “conversation.”
- Participate in the blog community. If you haven’t noticed already, the blog world thrives on community! Here’s how you can participate: Link to other blogs and posts that you like, host and participate in contests/giveaways, attend blogger meet-ups in your area, and take advantage of opportunities to contribute a guest post on other blogs. All of these things help potential readers find your blog.
- Give your blog a personality. Blogging what I eat every day is (mostly) interesting, but I think readers keep coming back because they get to ‘know’ me. There are tons of healthy living blogs out there, so you want to make sure that your blog is slightly different than the rest. Think about what makes you unique– what about your story makes you stand out among all of the other blogs? Photos and personal stories let your readers know there’s a human behind your blog, so have fun and give your readers a peak inside your life to show them what makes you special.
- Utilize social media. Sign up for Twitter and tweet about new blog posts. Tell all of your friends on Facebook and Myspace about your blog. Add your blog to LinkedIn. You get the idea. Use all of your social media “connections” to get your name out there.
- Get your own domain name. The blogs that I visit the most typically have short-ish, easy-to-remember URLs (i.e. katheats.com). I’m not saying you need to rush out and get your own domain name– having .blogspot or .wordpress in your URL is totally fine– it’s just something to think about down the road. I bought my domain name through godaddy.com.
- Add your favorite blogs to your blogroll. Adding people to your blogroll is a great way to get them to add you to theirs, so new readers can find you. I’ve discovered so many wonderful blogs through blogrolls over the years!
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Thanks for sharing those tips, Tina! I’ve been blogging for about 10 months and I absolutely love the blogging community. It has been so helpful in keeping me focused during my weight loss journey and road to healthy living!
Thanks for all the great tips! Wow 1000 readers a day?!?! That is amazing…I am lucky if I get 5 a day =)…I agree with what you said about blogging for yourself…the main reason for my blog is to keep me motivated and grab inspiration from other women (sometimes men)…I need to start commenting on more blogs though…sometimes I just read them and don’t leave my “foot print”…I have to work on that. Thanks again for a great post…all that was missing was a pic of Murphy lol
What a great post! I’m a new blogger and have been wondering how to increase my readership. Thanks for ALL of the helpful info!
Perfect timing Tina! I started my blog this week! Stop by!
wish I had this post when I was first getting in to blogging!
Tina You have inspired me to start my own blog. I hope you check it out. I would love an additional advice and tips!
great tips dear, I love everything you write you always encourage me!!!
@Mari: Not 1,000… thousandS!
Tina, Thank you so much for your response. This is so helpful in so many ways. I appreciate you taking your time to help out others
thanks tina! You’ve inspired me to start my own blog <3333
These tips are so helpful. Thank you!
I started my blog about travel because it’s truly what I’m passionate about, plus I spend so much time living abroad, it was a good way to stay connected with people back home. Life is an adventure!
Thanks for the tips! I started a blog a few months ago but was only posting once a month but I’m now starting to get more into it so this helped a lot!
Thanks for the tips,very helpful. I started a few months ago, getting a little better at it day by day. Will be using all this information.:)
Great post Tina. Do you contribute one defining moment to increasing your blog readership (i.e. being featured on another blog or that time you got listed in the paper)?
or say… how to make your blog better per chance. I love reading them but so scared to post comments. I’m getting over it. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Tina. I have no idea what I’m doing and your tips are helpful. I have no idea how to really switch up a layout or how to set up your own domain. Maybe having your own domain allows you more freedom with layout? Your tips are really helpful. Also…I found that there are quite a few blog-how-to sites out there. Even Blogging for Dummies at Barnes and Noble! I think I need Blogging for Dummies!
Thanks! I love reading blogging tips and I agree, short urls at the best. Those always end up the ones I checking the most often just because they’re the easiest to remember.
Great post, Tina! Lots of useful information….I agree with you completely and I think that in order to be successful with your blog, you need to write what you feel and what you are interested in….the best part about our fabulous blogging community is that we are all very unique and we each have very unique blogs….that’s what makes it so exciting!
Have a great day and enjoy your holiday weekend!!!!!!
Tina, great post. All your tips and advice are right on. My twin sister and I have started a blog recently too because we love food and fitness. We have been having problems with customizing our blog so I will give your friend a shout out (hopefully he can help us out) LOL. I think blogging for yourself is the best advice and making it personal too. Great job! Keep up the great posts!
Hello,
Ugh, I liked! So clear and positively.
Thanks for the great tips! I just started my blog back in April so any help I can get is greatly appreciated! How long have you been blogging? I admire the professionalism of your blog!
Thank you for all the advice! I just started my healthy living blog, and reading your account of the Healthy Living Summit (and everybody else’s, as well) really inspired me to go ahead and start it. I don’t think I ever realized how strong a blog community could be, and the types of friendships that could evolve from it!
Great post, Tina!! I agree with it all. I’m so happy I found blogging, I love it!
Thanks, Tina! I’ve never blogged before (although I’ve been reading healthy living blogs for some time now), and with your helpful advice, I’ve decided to give it a shot. Thanks so much!
This is a really informative and helpful step-by-step guide to beginner bloggers. Thanks for the wealth of info, it is very much appreciated!
I actually stumbled upon this blog-post a few days ago. I think it’s great advice and I appreciate you posting it. You know your stuff girl
As a newer blogger I appreciate the tips. It’s just crazy to me that you could go from blogging for fun to blogging for fun and getting paid. That rocks!
Thank you so much for the tips Tina!! I greatly appreciate the help! You are the second blog I ever found (Kristen form self.com was the first). You will always have a special place in my heart!
Thanks for the excellent tips, Tina. Blogging is great because you don’t look at other bloggers as your competition–really they are quite the opposite! I hope my blog becomes as popular as yours someday! =)
It was funny because I was looking on your blog for a way to contact you about this exact topic. Thanks a lot for the tips and help. It’s hard starting out blogging and having only 1 follower. I know it’s going to take time to create more but I’m enjoying my posts along the way! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tina, this post has helped me soo much with starting a blog, so THANK YOU! I’ve been reading Carrots N’ Cake since August and your blog has really taught me a lot! I was wondering if you know how to add blogs (such as yours) to my blogroll, even though I’m at Wordpress. If you could help me out, that would be great!
Thanks a lot!
Thank you for this post! It was certainly helpful. I’m going to look into LinkedIn and purchasing my own domain name (if it’s not too pricey). Thanks again for helping us newbies!
Thanks Tina! I just launched my new blog today and your advice was helpful, especially about social media. Guess I’ll have to join twitter!
Great tips! I have been blogging since October – I have a master in human nutrition and food science and always wanted to connect with people about the power of nutrition without a gimicky diet – more moderation based. I think you blog is put together very well and all your various stories are engaging (its on my blogroll). I started just thinkig it would be something fun to do and now I am totatally hooked and would like to connect with more people out there and expand it further. the site is http://www.justalittlechocolate.com – thanks for your tips!
I love your blog! I read it everyday. I saw you came into New York for the cake contest and I wanted to meet you! I just started a blog and yours gives me inspiration! If you are ever in town again let me know, I would love to meet you! If you get a chance please check out my blog, I would love any tips you have to offer! http://www.shapeupnyc.com
Kristine
Hey Tina! Thanks for your tips! I just started my blog this month, and your page was really helpful. I live in Boston as well, and I’ve been so inspired by your story. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to continuing to read!
What great information! In just a few paragraphs you got my head spinning. I’ve been blogging for a while and this info comes at the perfect time. Thanks so much!
Hi Tina, I’ve been following your blog for a little while and love it. I started my own this past January. You are so right about finding something that you love……for me it’s about my life living on our family Dairy in Northern CA. Love to educate about agriculture – the day to day life of it. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for this post, CNC!! My guy and I have a ton of food photos of meals we’ve cooked together… too many! Last month, I finally decided to start a blog to 1) keep them organized and easily remember what we made and how we made it 2) share them with family and friends. So far, blogging has been really exciting!!!
So very helpful! Thanks so much! I just started a new blog after reading yours for a long time. I finally got the courage! I plan to use it like you did; as a way to track my eats and keep myself on target with staying healthy. I also hope to document my time in college because I know these years are going to fly by! Keep doin yo thang!
Thanks for these helpful tips! I just started my blog about a month ago. I’m having fun but don’t have a TON of followers yet! Most of the blog world has been very supportive! What a great community to be a part of!
Thanks for this list, I just started a new blog and am pretty new to it so this was very helpful for me
I am 19 months into my blog and always looking for advice. This was helpful Tina.
Thanks! This is really helpful! I just started my blog a little while ago and have been trying to grow it. Currently no readers, but I’m still working on the minute details anyways, so I suppose start small, work big!
Thanks! SO incredibly helpful! I’m a newbie at blogging and your article (and blog) rocks! Thanks you!
have been reading your blog forever and just found the time to start my own you are very inspirational. cant wait for your book too!!! are they doing a healthy living summit again??
I visited your blog because of the article about you making this your full-time employment. After reading the article and exploring your blog, I decided to give it a shot! I just started a blog on Word Press. It was something I have thought about doing for awhile as I find the best way for me to stay on the right fitness and food path is to make myself accountable in some way to some one. A blog is a perfect tool for that and if it were ever to turn into an income producing project, so much the better!
Thanks I will be making use of some of your tips! (Hey I’m doing it right now…
)
Love your blog!
Thank you so much! I have a been a reader for years and I have finally created my own blog with all of your wonderful tips over the years. Thank you again for all of the inspiration and hard work you do! ~ Take Care
OK, it may have been asked and answered but how do you get compensated for this blog?
~ Marjorie ~
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