My Blogging Secrets {Some Tips I’ve Learned Along the Way}

In the past year, I’ve frequently heard, “Please share your secrets. How can I grow my blog and FB page?”

I never know what to say because I don’t know what I’m doing most of the time. I really don’t. I’m incredibly technologically challenged and the one time I attempted to do something on my own, I completely blacked out my entire blog! Yes, I blacked it out. Fortunately, my fantastic designer was online and quickly got things back on track.

But since I continue hearing from folks wanting me to share “my secrets,” I’ll do my best to review tips I’ve learned (or what I do or don’t do as a blogger).

1) Let go of the numbers.  Those who get wrapped up in numbers will inevitably get burned out, exhausted, stressed, anxious, etc. Last year at Allume, Darren Rowse said the most important thing I took home that weekend:

Sometimes being small is OK. If you only have one reader and you change that reader’s life, your blog is big enough.

You can have big numbers and have a tiny reach. You can have tiny numbers and have a big reach! While I’m thrilled to see the community grow on FB and the increased traffic, nothing inspires me more than the e-mails and messages I receive from readers, saying that they’ve been encouraged by something that little ol’ me wrote.

2) Find or create a support group. This comes with a warning–don’t find a support group only because you want folks to give you shout-outs or because you just want to grow in popularity. The smaller, tighter-knit groups are usually more intimate and personal. They’re seeking genuine bloggers who aren’t simply doing this for fame and popularity. They genuinely want to reach others with their words and in the emotionally turbulent world of blogosphere, they’re looking for and offering support to others who are like-minded and to hold them accountable in keeping their hearts in the right place. If your intentions are only about growing your traffic and building your FB numbers, they will know! They will know FAST! But, if you’re sincerely looking for community and don’t know where to start? Grab a few bloggy friends and create one! Support and pray for one another!

3) I’m not in front of my computer all day. I’m a busy homeschool mama of five children who need me. While it may appear that I’m online posting, I use my schedule function regularly. 🙂 I’ve heard that other bloggers spend 40 to 60 hours a week on blogging. That’s just not where I am in this season of life. If I don’t get back to someone quickly, I’m not ignoring them; I’m likely busy responding to my family’s needs. I do pop on throughout the day to respond to comments and messages on FB. I’m so blessed by the community that’s growing and the support you offer one another.

4) I care about my sponsors. I’ve paid for advertising on other blogs and soon learned that I was nothing more than a person paying for a space. Once my ad ended, I never heard a thing from them. When someone sponsors an ad on my blog, I take note of their starting numbers and during giveaways to see how they’re growing. In my experience, FB shout-outs are incredibly valuable, which is why I include them in my packages. Yes, I do charge for advertising, giveaways, reviews, etc., because I take this all very seriously and when you pay for advertising on my site, you not only get your product in front of my readers who visit, you get me–a real, living person who actively wants you to succeed and help you grow! That’s why you’re paying me, right?

5) I answer my own e-mails and messages, and I sincerely want to help my readers. I have a heart for people. When I took a spiritual inventory quiz, my spiritual gifts were tied among mercy, encouragement, and teaching (yep, a 3-way tie!) I’m often floored by the number of times I read, “Wow, I can’t believe you took the time to send me that info; you don’t even know me.” I get that reply so many times that it amazes me. Yes, as I wrote above, I’m a real, living person, and the whole reason why I started this blog was to build community and to give families a go-to site. I use a VA to help with the technical stuff so that I can personally respond to e-mails and messages. I figure if someone wants to know about a specific herb, essential oil, or curriculum, they want to hear from a nutrition consultant, herbalist-in training, and special needs homeschool mom, not a VA or an auto-responder (as if I could even figure out an auto-responder).

6) I run an FB promotion during giveaways. If you have a little bit of money and want to build your FB page, ads are a great way to find new readers who’ll be interested in what you cover. I don’t have a huge budget available, so I only run these ads during giveaways and my budget is incredibly modest and mainly to extend reach. As I wrote above, I’m not focused on numbers; however, I want to keep my traffic consistent because people have invested their money and product into my blog, and I want to make sure they get their money’s worth. I do not buy FB likes! I don’t recommend it either; they aren’t real!

7) I use affiliate links and ads. I know some folks are against affiliate links or any other way that brings in money through a blog. I’m an affiliate for products and services that I think are top-notch and that we use in our own home. I’m not promoting or sharing an item because I’m an affiliate for the company, rather, I’m an affiliate for the company because I believe their product is super awesome and want to share it. I’ve often said that I never share an item which I know isn’t worth the $$$. On another note, we’re self-employed and don’t get regular paychecks. There have been a couple of times when an affiliate payout has provided grocery money while we were in between customer payments. And buying through an affiliate link doesn’t cost the buyer a penny extra.

8) Host giveaways. I adore giveaways! Who doesn’t like to get free, fabulous stuff? I’m choosy about the giveaways I host and love to bless a reader. 🙂 Yes, I include liking pages, subscribing, etc., on the rafflecopter. Some folks don’t like this but think about it, when you’re offered free product at a shop or event, many times, it includes signing up for a newsletter or other such task. These companies are giving you something to help spread the word about their company and genuinely want to share their product. For a blogger, the product is usually the community they’re building. If you like a page as part of a contest, stay awhile; don’t rush off to “unlike” them after you’ve entered. The bloggers I know are absolutely, positively honored to have the opportunity to encourage you. If, after you’ve seen a few posts and that page isn’t right for you, go ahead and unlike the page. You won’t offend us; we understand that not every page is for every person. I’ve been blessed that my page has been a positive place for the most part, and yes, I feel honored to have you there.

9) Join a larger network. These are going to be different than your smaller, tighter-knit groups. Networks are usually more open to larger membership, and you’ll learn tricks of the trade. They also team up to provide giveaways, guest post opportunities, and overall support to help you grow as a blogger/writer. Be sure to find a network that fits your niche. Also be careful as these networks can get wrapped up in numbers and stats, which can cause those who are already focused on numbers and stats to lose focus even more. 🙂 Make sure your network fits your goals for your own personal blog.

10) Know your call and use your voice. As one of the women said at the Teach Them Diligently meet-up, there’s no greater promoter for you than God! If He’s given you a word for others or if He’s calling you to write, then write!! I see blogging as a way to build community and often notice how those who simply write what the Lord has placed on their hearts, have buzzing pages and blogs. The posts I’m scared to write but that have been laid heavily on my heart have had the biggest reach. A little something I picked up from this year’s Allume conference:

If God has given you a word, don’t apologize for it (or preface it by saying you have trembling hands or that you weren’t sure if you should post it). The things I’ve been most scared to post have made the biggest impact. (Melanie Shankle)

You never know how far your words will travel or who may need the encouragement and inspiration that you have to offer. From the messages I receive, I know many women feel alone or that no one can relate to them. Many times we share the same fears, concerns, and insecurities and readers simply need to know that they’re not alone. Be yourself, be unique, use your own voice, because your voice is different! Your voice will reach others that mine won’t. We each have unique talents and abilities; use yours to reach others.

As Ann Voskamp said at this year’s Allume conference:

You are where you are for such a time as this, not to make an impression but to make a difference.

So, there you have it. My “secrets.” 🙂

Are you surprised? Do you have any blogging secrets of your own to share?

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Sara Elizabeth Dunn

Sara Elizabeth is a Christian homeschooling mom to 7, a birth and postpartum doula, and a special needs advocate. Having both typically-developing and special needs children, ranging from preschool through adult, she not only understands the unique challenges of teaching several children with different learning styles and abilities, she has experience balancing therapy schedules with family life. Her passions include sharing home remedies, homeschooling tips, encouraging mothers and most importantly, making it all less intimidating.

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