Get out the champagne, blow up the balloons and bake me a cake – my blog has turned one month old!!
It has been great to get stuck into thrifty/foodie/parenting blog community and I feel like Frugalfarmhouse is gaining some momentum. I started the blog in anticipation of my maternity leave, as a way to keep up my writing and hopefully build something that is satisfying for me, records my new life and is useful to others.
So here is what I have learnt in the last 30 days and I would love to hear your tips and advice for what to do/expect in the coming months.
Firstly, here are my stats:
25 posts
941 views
32 comments
168 best ever day views
77 Twitter followers
I have no idea if they are good or not, but I am happy to see that people are visiting my blog and even more excited that they have been leaving comments. So thanks everyone!
5 things I have learnt:
Write about what you love
I have started a number of blogs in the past, all with good intentions, but my enthusiasm has petered out within a few weeks. With this one I am full of ideas and look forward to writing and sharing my posts which makes a big difference.
Have an opinion
Two of my post popular posts have been about issues in the media. Early on I commented on sparing a thought for Khloe Kardashian when Kim announced she was pregnant, and then last week I add my comments to the NCT/Kirstie Allsop debate.
Strike up a conversation
This one is always on the blogging tips lists but I think it is really important. I look thorough twitter, read blog posts that take my fancy and leave a useful comment if I have one. I try to interact with twitter users and send tweets specifically to brands/people I have mentioned in my blog.
Have a plan
I have been focusing on blogging every week day. I have decided on #CharityTuesdays and #ThanksgivingThursdays so I have 3 blog ideas to think up a week, and I am aiming for one to be a recipe. For me this has been quite manageable. Long term, I would love to make money from my blog and also to use it to support key charities.
Learn from others
I like to scour some of the most successful blogs and see what they have been doing and how they have built their following. Britmums and Tots100 are good for flagging these up. I also keep an eye on new blogs and popular posts to see what is working well.
So there’s my wisdom! I still have a lot to learn but What have I missed? Looking back to your first month, what have you learnt and how has your blog changed?
Well done on your first month! You obviously learnt the first “golden rule” very quickly – you have to keep posting regularly to keep people interested. But my advice (for what it is worth) is that it’s best if you blog for the pleasure of writing, of interacting with others, of (hopefully) giving some enjoyment to your readers. Keep blogging!
Jaqui
Thanks Jaqui. I’m really enjoying it at the moment (and hope other people are too!) but am aware I might have a lull in the future so I hope I can keep the momentum going.
Didn’t realise you were new to this when I started to follow you. Don’t think all your readers are women either – write for us blokes too. I particularly look forward to your recipes. Keep it up.
All good learnings and yes 168 views in a day for a month old blog is fab. Well done mich x