Monday Lunch
Today’s mid day meal included a smoked salmon bagelwich made with Whole Foods’ smoked salmon and Chavrie goat cheese (my favorite because it’s flavorful but mild for goat cheese and easily spreadable).
Fishy, Fishy
Our local Whole Foods sells smoked salmon by the seafood counter in individualized portions, so rather than paying $7+ for a small amount of smoked salmon, I purchased a big hunk of the stuff that should last for two meals for only $2.30. I guess it is possible to save money at Whole Foods. Who knew?
Take a Bite
On the side of my smoked salmon bagelwich I enjoyed half of a pint of grape tomatoes. I only had one “dud” tomato that was overly squishy in the whole batch. Sch-weet!
Before we dive right into blogger-talk, I just wanted to let you know that the Fashion page was updated this afternoon.
Moving right along…
Blogging Tips for Beginners
As you guys know, offering advice about blogging makes me wildly uncomfortable because I feel like I have so much to learn. Still, without fail, some of the most common emails I receive ask me about blogging and my personal blogging tips.
Since I’ve been blogging for just more than a year, I obviously learn something new about blogging every single day. There are some things I wish I knew right from the beginning, and I figured these little tidbits might be of some benefit to those of you who are just getting your feet wet in the blogging world or have interest in starting your own blog. (I also previously posted my number one tip for bloggers, which you may see here.)
So let’s get to it!
- Think and Rethink Your Blog Name: It took me a long time to come up with the name of my blog. (You may see the story behind the name Peanut Butter Fingers here.)
PBF
Take time to brainstorm a blog name you think is catchy and that you personally adore. Having an original and intriguing blog name will likely encourage people to visit your blog if they see it pop up in the comments section of another blog or if it is discussed in another blogger’s post. A blog name like “Food is Good” doesn’t do anything for me and is not a site I would likely visit.
- Make Your Blog Name (Roughly) Match Your Web Address: Nothing is more confusing than visiting a blog one time and trying to visit it again, only to find that the web address doesn’t match the blog name at all. If your blog’s name is Food is Good, don’t make your web address www.ilikefood.com. Using a variation of your blog name (such as katheats.com for the blog Kath Eats Real Food) can still be memorable and can sometimes be even easier to remember than the whole name of a blog. Just make sure that your blog name and web address are at least somewhat similar.
- Utilize Social Media: If you have a blog, get on Twitter. Seriously. (Sarah, I’m talking to you.) It took me months to join because it seemed pointless and honestly intimidated me. Once I decided to suck it up and get on board, I realized how beneficial Twitter really is for bloggers.
PBF on Twitter
Twitter has allowed me to “talk” with other bloggers and really feel connected with the blogging community in a totally new way. Beginning a Facebook page is also helpful, as it allows those who don’t have Twitter to stay connected to your blog, especially if they aren’t daily readers.
- Buy Your Own Domain: Like many other bloggers, I started my blog through WordPress (highly recommended) and initially had the web address peanutbutterfingers.wordpress.com. What a mouthful! I was really scared to purchase my own domain, but eventually did and was so glad I made the switch. Not only is it 10,000 times easier to tell people my web address, it is a lot easier for readers to remember as well. Of course this is not a necessary step, as there are many fantastic blogs out there (like Janetha!) that still have wordpress or blogspot in their web address, but I found it to be a beneficial change for my blog and I only wish I would’ve done it earlier than I did.
- Say No to Clutter: This is another personal preference, but I love blogs that have a very clean and simple look. Don’t be afraid of white space. When I visit a blog that has stuff all over the place, I feel like one side of the blog is competing with the other side of the blog for my attention. It’s a lot to take in, and I’m less likely to stick around. I like a blog that is simplistic in nature and very easy to navigate. Make sure you have pages (the tabs at the top of the blog) where people can go to learn more about you and what your blog has to offer.
- Show Us Who You Are: Maybe it’s just me, but I like to see a quick overview of who the blogger behind the blog is right when I visit a blog. A simple small image with a quick sentence or two describing yourself or welcoming your readers to your blog goes a long way. For example, when I visit Courtney’s blog, I know right away that she’s in her twenties, lives in New York and her interests include food, fitness and fashion. Since we clearly have similar interests, I’m much more likely to explore her blog and visit again. Additionally, if you’re comfortable sharing pictures of yourself, definitely do so.
Celebrating 25!
It actually took me quite some time to feel okay with posting pictures of myself, but for me it all goes back to writing a blog I would want to read. I love seeing pictures of the blogger behind the blog. Pictures convey personality in a way words never quite can. Plus, it makes you seem real, and not like some autobot blogger.
- Don’t Blog Just to Make Money: Yes, blogs can make money, but if that is your sole motivation to start a blog, you may want to think again. Blogging requires a lot of time, effort and a serious commitment. I think it’s clear when a blogger is sincere and blogs because it’s their passion and they love writing and communicating with people who share similar interests. On the flip side, if someone is just posting nonsense and is only blogging because they want a “popular” blog, it is also quite apparent and off-putting. When I receive an email from someone that only asks me “How do I make my blog popular?” I cringe a little because I’m not sure that their priorities are in the right place. If you concentrate on producing quality content, people will want to read your blog and it will grow naturally. You can’t force-feed your blog to people. This is not saying that you shouldn’t want your blog to grow! It is only natural for you to want people to read your blog. This is not the same as blogging just to make money. It’s okay (and wonderful!) to want your blog to thrive and grow, but do it because you love blogging, not because you’re solely motivated by money. Money and increased readership can be motivating, but don’t let it be the be-all and end-all of your blog. I can honestly say that I loved blogging from the beginning when I had four readers (thanks mom, dad, Leslie and Ryan)!
Please feel free to share your tips for bloggers below!
- What has worked for you?
- What do you think bloggers should and should not do?
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I love these tips! I also love when I read a blog and can just really learn a lot about the person and I love ‘real’ people! I dont like to read blogs where people are negative : p
I think getting a domain is a must too!!!
Have a great day Julie!
Agree on so many. Love simplistic, catchy, real blogs. And also ones that just portray a love of sharing a piece of themselves…not doing what “should” be done to be a “popular” blog. That’s no fun!
I am always reading blogs to see how other people live healthy and exercise, and yours is my favorite. I love the layout, and I LOVE the pictures, it really helps to connect with you and your life. I have told all of my friends about your blog. Keep up the amazing work, girl! 🙂
I know it’s a lot to ask given the volume of comments that you receive (or that many bloggers receive) but I love, love, love when they take the time to respond to comments, especially if there is a direct question in them. Plus I imagine it would make people more apt to comment which I’m guessing as a non-blogger, bloggers appreciate.
Thank you for this post!! Being new(ish) to the blog world, I find a lot of this very helpful. I also get discouraged by seeing so many bloggers just trying to be “famous.” I’m not here to be popular, I’m here to get healthy! 🙂 Priorities!
As a total side note – everyt ime I visit your site I feel the need to eat a jar of peanut butter 😉 yummmm!
your best word of advice was to make your blog the kind of blog YOU would want to read. I avidly subscribe to that word of advice. 🙂
Hi! I just started my blog a few days ago, so this post was absolute perfect timing!
I enjoy reading your blog and can’t wait to read more 🙂
I am going to bookmark this page to continue reading and incorporating these tips! I started a blog about 2 weeks ago and I am loving it so far! It does take a lot of commitment but I look forward to writing posts and making it more unique because I am talking about subjects I am truly interested in 🙂
Thank you to everyone who submitted great tips!
I am a blogging newbie and I feel like I have SO much to learn! Great tips! I can’t wait to read all the comments at length later, too!
thanks for the tips 🙂 it is definitely waaaay more time consuming than i originally thought. i love my blog though, and i love that people have started to like it. that is really the only things that matter to me. if my blog ever starts to stress me out i remind myself that it is a hobby and NOT my job. people appreciate quality posts with a little more time in between rather than a few half-ass written ones… at least i know that is how i feel! 😉
Thanks for this post, love! I’ve only been blogging for a month and I’m totally still trying to figure it all out! I appreciate hearing tips from more seasoned bloggers! So far, I am totally in love with blogging! I feel like it has enriched my life in so many ways! I love having a creative outlet that inspires me (and others!) everyday. It feels so good to write and share! Taking photos and writing about the food I eat has made me appreciate it even more. I love that I eat healthy, colorful food and can share that with others! Anyway, I just wrote more than I meant to but, thank you again for the tips and for being a source of inspiration to me 🙂
great tips julie! as a beginning blogger myself, I definitely appreciate them!
Great tips!
Personally, spelling errors drive me crazy in blogs. I know that no one is perfect, but even some of the most popular blogs have errors in EVERY post. I know I’m guilty of it, but I read and reread my posts before publishing and try to eliminate errors as much as possible.
And if I find a mistake afterwards (or someone makes me aware of one), I go back and fix it.
I think spelling errors give the impression that the blogger doesn’t care about what their posting.
#63 comment – yes, I realize I have an error in that comment. LOL ….what “they’re” posting….
*sigh* I need to follow my own advice.
Honesty is a key for me. And I think blogging shouldn’t be an obligation. It should be out of love 🙂
Where did you get the adorable skirt in that pic?? It’s so cute!
BCBG outlet!
Cool post Julie!! thanks for the great tips~really, ‘just be yourself and show the beautiful self you are’, is what I see here! 😀
Great tips, lady! And thanks for the shout out. 😉
Great tips, Julie! I absolutely agree that you need to blog because you love it. You know what they say, “Dance like no one is watching and blog like no one is reading” 🙂
thanks for the tips! i’m still figuring out this whole blogging thing, and how to work my page.
These are fantastic tips Julie! 😀
Thanks for the tips, Julie! I just started my blog a few days ago and frankly, I’m still trying to figure out what direction I want it to go in, what focus to give it… so I’ve been searching my favorites blogs for the posts that they’ve written on their tips… yours was very well-timed! I’m definitely nervous about sharing things like my name or photos of me… at least for now, I kind of want to stay anonymous in case someone I know stumbles upon it. I’ve got some dark dirty secrets that I don’t want out in public just yet, until I work through them myself. How were you able to overcome your fear of being so open on your blog?
My best comment that I’ve received and can give to others is comment, comment, comment. Commenting on other people’s blog is a way to give bloggers feedback they appreciate, while in turn helping to spread the word about your blog to others. Plus, who doesn’t love getting comments?!
Oh, Julie- you are so wise! 🙂 I popped on over here this evening and look what I found- blogging tips!! Perfect!
I think you make some awesome points. I’m having Tim work on adding the name of my blog as a domain name, too.
Like you said- that’s probably super confusing to people!
Plus you should absolutely give more blogging tips- people want to know how to blog from a pro! 😉
Salmon and goat cheese are the perfect match 🙂 Thanks for the blogging tips!
Great tips and they’re so true!! Although, I could utilize media a bit more. I’m really, really bad at twitter!
Smoked salmon is my favorite! Yum yum.
Thanks for the tips! I’m new to the blog world and I’m always trying to make it better 🙂
really great tips! thanks… i just started a blog, a tiny baby at the moment. i love yours though, always a good read!
whoa, did you just out skinnyrunners real name? Might wanna be careful there…I’m pretty sure she never uses it.
I’m really, really curious why you recommend wordpress. I know nothing about it, just stumbled onto blogger because I have a gmail account, and get the feeling I picked the wrong platform. I doubt I will ever make the switch — don’t want to lose my few readers — but I’m still curious what you have to say about it
Oh I know she’s linked to interviews with her that have her name all over them. I didn’t even think about it!
Great tips Julie, thanks! Since I am a newbie blogger, I am always looking for advice.
I totally agree about writing the kind of blog you want to read. My first few posts were strictly recipes but then I realized that was not fun and the blog I gravitate towards focus on so much more, so now I try to incorporate more of me into each post. I always love reading your blog and you definitely do a great job of showing other aspects of your life besides just food, fitness, etc. So keep up the good work! 🙂
When I started blogging, I really thought that people would just read my blog, simple as that. So I put out on an internet forum that I was looking to increase my readership and someone said to comment, comment, comment on other peoples blogs. And it helped me so much!
And now I have some loyal followers and I love getting comments from new blogs that I haven’t heard from before. It just makes my google reader grow! 🙂
I love reading blogs that have similar to my interest, like healthy food, fashion. travel and things that inspire them like family and friends.
As much as I love reading about the food, I think the random stories about their life adds substance to their blog. You feel like you are getting to know a friend.
What has put me off in the past was loving a blog because of what I have read and who I thought the blogger was (you know, like, if that person lived closer you can see them as someone you can totally be friends with)…..and then you meet them in real life and they are completely opposite to how they project themselves on their blog.
My friends tell me that when they read my blog, it’s really how I talk in real life and, yes I always seem cheerful and positive, but hey…..that’s me in real life too so I can’t help it.
Anyways, great post Julie and great advice.
I love this post! My blog is almost a year old and its slowly gaining more and more readership which is great. My tips are:
1)Quality over quantity: I personally rather post a few good posts than shoddy posts daily
2)Don’t focus on readership: it will grow eventually and most importantly, the blog should be something which you do for yourselfl
3)Unless the blog is your source of income, make it a hobby not an obligation.
4)Don’t imitate someone else’s style! I know I like to read blogs that sound original, even if that includes dorky lines/puns every so often- it’s more real!
5)Comment on other people’s blog. Initially I found it quite funny to comment on blogs who I didn’t ‘know’ but it’s a super friendly community. If you don’t put yourself out there, how can you expect others to know you exist and check out your blog!
Great post, I love getting tips on blogging, when I started just a week ago i was so overwhelmed i almost thought I would never make it!!! but it gets easier day by day and I really love sitting down everynight and putting my pictures and words together its kind of relaxing in a way. Thanks for the tips. twitter here I come!
Thank you for the tips!! I have just recently started blogging and I love getting any tips I can get!
So many people have suggested that I start using twitter, and this post may have just finally convinced me!
Great tips as usual Julie! 🙂
Compress your visual files! I hate it when a blog takes forever to load or I have to refresh multiple times because none of the images or banner/background is prepped for web and takes forever or doesn’t load properly.
I feel like okay I’m here and I want to read this person’s blog but refreshing repeatedly and loading is taking too long and trying my patience! And I don’t want to have to do that EVERY time I want to read the blog because most likely I’ll opt not to read it as often or at all.
Cameras have web/computer settings that automatically make the images compressed for computer use or you can do it manually and also you can compress banners and stuff for web use with photo editing software.
Thanks for the great tips!!! Awesome post! I’m going to look into my own domain name now : )
thanks for the tips Julie! I love your blog and visit daily 🙂
Janine
Thank you SOO much for this post! I’m about to start my blog when I go abroad to Ireland for the Summer, and have been looking around the blogging world for tips. I found your blog a few weeks ago (I looove health food blogs!) and have been hooked ever since! You are literally the CUTEST thing, and I hope to connect again once I get my blog!
<3 Laura
oooh exciting! i hope you have a blast in ireland! sounds amazing.
You’re so right about clutter/ white space! Learned that in my visual communications class :).good post juju!
Squeeeeeeeee I love all of these tips, Julie!!!! I can so relate to them too… I write my blog just for me and so I can share what I am up to with family and friends. Two people from my past mentioned my blog to me yesterday on FB and i had ZERO idea that they were even reading!!!! It was SUCH a neat feeling to know I am reaching out to more people than I realize (i too tend to think just my fam reads it…. but i guess not!)
love ALL of your tips!!!
I must say that one of the things that drive me crazy about certain bloggers is when you write a question or meaningful comment on a post and you get no response. This alone has made me stop reading certain blogs.
Great post Julie! I completely agree that it’s important to blog about things you’re passionate about and to be yourself. I worried about finding my own ‘voice’ in the beginning but I found it just developed into my own style once I wrote thoughts I actually had or posted about real things that occur in my day.
I think that’s the biggest tip: have fun and enjoy your own posts!! 🙂
LOVE this post, Julie (and, as you can see, I jumped in already in the replies!)
I wish someone had taught me these things before I got started, but I don’t regret learning along the way…it’s easy to fix/change things, and it’s the natural progression of blogging. But if you wait until the “right” time, or until you have it all figured out, you’ll never get started!
When I first started my blog, it was on Blogger, was all about food and was called Silly Tater Tot. My, how things have changed!
Great post 🙂 I can especially relate to the part about loving blogging even when you only had four readers…sometimes I feel like my blog is only entertaining my parents! lol
I’m currently in the process of hiring someone to help me move over to my own domain..yay!
Yay for a super timely post! These are great tips and I’m writing many down to apply as I finish building my new blog this weekend. I think I’ll upgrade to drop the “.wordpress” . And, Julie, my first post was inspired by the ABCs you posted. Thanks running such a fun and inspiring blog (which results in awesme readers, too:) ).
OK, rushed post end=erred ramblings. Whoops! Correction: Thanks for running such a fun and inspiring blog (which results in an awesome group of readers, too =) ).
<3, -A