Crafty Business (Part 4): How To Successfully Blog

In this fourth post of this month's series, Crafty Business, My dear  and co-admin, Linda Faye Lewis shares with us her tried and true techniques for effectively blogging. And, It must work. After 11 years of consistent blogging, Faye Doll, as some affectionately call her, still seems to hold our attention.  Please read on to see how blogging works for the Sewing Gourmet...

Linda Faye Lewis

FIVE KEYS TO BECOMING SUCCESSFUL BLOGGER…

I’ve heard many people say that “blogs have run their course”, or “not that many people even blog any more”; but I beg to differ.  A quick Google search will reveal thousands of very active highly read blogs.  I am forever running into inspirational new blogs; and I am very sure that there are 100’s that I have not even found yet.  So whatever your interest, you can find a blog that will help motivate you in that interest.

I am not an expert by far, but publishing Faye’s Sewing Adventure (February will mark my 11^th year anniversary) has given me quite a bit of experience in this area.  If you have ever or are now thinking about starting a blog, I’d like to suggest FIVE KEYS that I think will help you become successful in your venture:

1)  HAVE A CLEAR VISION OF YOUR INTENTION FOR BLOGGING: (Without a vision the people perish) and so will your blog.  Ask yourself these questions:

• ·         What will be my main topic of discussion; my main focus?
• ·         What other sub-topics could be integrated into my blogging? (Pinpoint 2 other topics)
• ·         What do I want to share?
• ·         Will my blog be used mainly as a journal that will allow me to look back at my activities and measure my progress?
• ·         Do I want to a draw others, build readership and interact with other people through my blog?

2)  SET GOALS & BE CONSISTENT:

Once you start to build a following remember this:  Readers want consistency!

Readers will stop coming to your blog to READ if new posts/content are sparse.  So the big question is:  How many blog posts should YOU plan to write each month; each year?

In an effort to get and stay consistent in blogging, my goal is to write 100 blog posts per year. With planning I have been able to do 100 + blog posts for six years.   Don’t let my goal intimidate you as a new blogger; SET YOUR OWN GOAL!

Large goals become quite doable when you break the numbers down to smaller elements:

• ·         75 blog posts per year = 6.25 posts per month
• ·         50 blog posts per year = 4.167 posts per month; and so on.

3)  BUILD YOUR ARSENAL AND KEEP IT FUELED:

Start by brainstorming the different topics you might like to write about.  Make a list.  Write the vision and make it plain.  Create a list of 25 to 50 topics that you might want to write about; and add to this list often.  This ongoing list will set you up for consistency.

I find using an editorial calendar to keep track of planned blog posts very helpful.  I use it to make notes and plan my future blog posts.

4)  WRITE LIKE YOU TALK.  PEOPLE WILL GET TO KNOW YOUR VOICE THROUGH BLOGGING; AND INCLUDE THE BEST PHOTOS THAT YOU CAN TAKE:

Make your blog personal!  This help people get to know you.  Your mission should be to make them feel comfortable while there.  Reading YOUR blog post is like a virtual VISIT.  Make it personable – BE YOU!

Readers are visual and they want to SEE what you are writing about. Do include some photographs.  I’ll be the first to admit that photography is not my strong suit, but I do include pictures because I know they are important to blogging, and to my readers. 

5)  BUILD READERSHIP BY VISITING OTHER BLOGS, AND BY INVITING OTHERS TO VISIT AND READ YOUR BLOG:

·         The Blogosphere is really big on community!  Comment on blogs you like often.  Commenting introduces you and leads others to you blog.  

·         Mix blogging with other social media platforms; i.e. (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)  After publishing a blog post, link the post to your Facebook Groups, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)

I hope that this information is helpful to you!   If I may provide ANY other assistance to you on the topic of blogging, please feel free to contact me at:  https://fayessewingadventure.blogspot.com/

Next week we have our final post by the creator of The Day and Night Dress Challenge, Elizabeth Farr of Elizabeth Made This. She will be sharing with us on how to market your crafts for business. Can't wait! In the meantime, be on the look out for two bonus posts showing us how to become and stay healthier crafters.

Love you to life,

Alethia