20.9.16

My Top 3 Blogging Rules.

I’ve had this blog since late 2008 and I’ve been consistent with it as much as I can little break here and there but nothing too long term. I’m always asked tips on blogging and I don’t really have any, I just blog and for some reading this, it might be hard to understand but it’s true, I don’t stress about analytics too much, I might look at them and see where I could try and improve but over these 8 years, I’ve just done as I’ve pleased, so these are my 'rules'.

Changing Layouts

I use to do this so frequently, especially before it became advised to have a responsive layout. I learnt a lot of HTML/CSS from my MySpace layout days so it helped me to be able to tweak a lot of my layouts to make them individual. Now I don’t change them as much since this responsive thing came into play last April, I’ve changed it twice but get it custom designed & tweak things to my taste. Because I get bored easily and it’s fun to try something new. When people would go on my blog and see it was private, I’d always receive tweets with most saying “It looks like @LaaLaaMonroe is changing her layout again”. Readers still know who I am, the name doesn’t the change – the logo possibly – never can be satisfied on a logo. Just don’t be scared to change up occasionally.

Niche Content?

When I first started this truly was a lifestyle blog, I blogged about my personal life, music, fashion, blogging tips, makeup – the works. As the blog developed it became more beauty with little lifestyle but was more looked upon as beauty and it became mostly that. I love beauty, I became a makeup artist because I respect the versatility, the creativity and the longstanding craft but when it comes to being a woman and being me, there’s more to me than just that. Slowly I’ve started to involve a lot more of that, being 28 and a grown woman there’s more to my life than just beauty and I want to continue to share that, I know people feel you should have a niche because it makes it easier for people to search and look for things because a niche is something that is filling up the gap, it’s unique and different. I like a variety and I hope my readers do too, it gives you more of an insight into who I am.

Post whenever

I’ve read various articles and people have given their opinion on when it’s best to post, I’ve read how to use google analytics to find your busiest post days, I’ve read it should be daily, once a week, a couple of times a week. When I first started (a lot of the posts are now deleted and thanks to Google reader being closed down those posts are lost) I would post up to 3x a day but when I started there wasn’t many blogs around, it wasn’t the popular thing so content being spewed out highly frequently wasn’t an issue and I’d steady get up to 30 – 40 comments per post. I have done the 7 days a week, the analytics but now I just post 4x a week because well I want too.

Do you have any tips that have helped you through your active blogging time?

Image Credit Google.


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52 comments

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  1. Rebecca Smith20/9/16

    I agree with all that you've said - I think after years of blogging we work out what works for us best. I used to change layouts often but like you haven't changed very often recently and I used to post consistently 7 days a week - now when I want to

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    1. LaaLaa20/9/16

      We truly do, there's so many we should be doing this and that but I think you can utilize that and still work around what we feel works best.

      Delete
  2. Unknown20/9/16

    I tend to post up to 4 times a week now, I am bad with monitoring best times to post and simply do it when I wany to.

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    1. LaaLaa20/9/16

      Same as, it works for me. I like the balance and I don't feel overwhelmed or that I'm lacking content.

      Delete
  3. Sarah Bailey20/9/16

    I don't think I'm ever going to get myself into a niche - I just don't have the staying power to try and stick to one topic, my mind just runs off into another one. x

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    1. LaaLaa20/9/16

      Yeah plus there's hardly any niche blogs about these days. Better to just blog about whatever you feel x

      Delete
  4. Stepping Into Sixty20/9/16

    I'm a bit of a random blogger because I blog to please myself I guess. I post when I feel like it and promote my blog when I feel like it. Just at the moment I'm enjoying being part of the blogger community and reading other blogs. PS I love your hair!

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    1. LaaLaa20/9/16

      That's the best blogger to be in my opinion, you'll never get bored, it's a hobby and you enjoy it. X

      Delete
  5. AlyssiaRose20/9/16

    I've been blogging since 2013 and I think it's important to do what's best for your own blog, I mean I only blog for a hobby so I don#t think about it too much.

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    1. LaaLaa20/9/16

      Yes exactly there's too many guides and what works for one might not work for another. I think best success comes when you do it for you and how you feel comfortable.

      Delete
  6. Milly20/9/16

    Great thoughts! I love fiddling with my layout - I think a refresh now and then is a good thing! Basically, my rules are, do what you like - it's your blog, no one else's!

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    1. LaaLaa20/9/16

      It definitely is, but I find some feel you shouldn't as it throws off readers but to me if someone comes just to look at your layout and not content *shrugs* - ditto that's exactly it!

      Delete
  7. Sarirah20/9/16

    These are great pieces of advice. This year I found my blogging mojo again after refreshing my layout and logo. I do find posting more consistently helps but these days I try to focus more on producing quality content that will last. :)

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      Thank you. Sometimes having a layout refresh does give you a nice push to want to blog again. I agree, for me blogging for the sake of it doesn't do it for me and if I'm not happy it'll show.

      Delete
  8. Miracle Max20/9/16

    I've changed my logo 3 times and only been blogging a few months. I also just blog as and when I feel like, I don't add the extra pressure of giving myself a strict number of times to blog each week x

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      LOL my logo is the one I can NEVER settle on, even debating changing it again. I don't blame you, go with the flow x

      Delete
  9. beautyqueenuk20/9/16

    I would love t learn how to tinker with my layout but I fear I would totally cock it up so havent x

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      It's handy to know as you can change and add things when you'd like but I don't find it necessary but I've read how some say you shouldn't change it so frequently - pfft to that I say for me lol. x

      Delete
  10. Melanie Edjourian20/9/16

    I tend to post as and when I can, I know it's not great but it can be hard to write up posts sometimes.

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      Yeah, I understand that one. You want to be able to give your all in a blog post instead of just writing for the sake.

      Delete
  11. rhian westbury20/9/16

    I think different things work for different people. I do my best to post daily as I work across a number of areas (lifestyle/ beauty/ travel/ music) and want enough content for each area. Everyone has to do what works for them though x

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      Definitely is that Rhian, yeah see and that's what works for you which I think is good. x

      Delete
  12. Caffeinated Reactions21/9/16

    I've tried to stick to a posting schedule but in reality I am so busy with work it now gets ignored and I post whenever I can!

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      Ah, yeah other priorities come into life and they come before other stuff especially if this isn't a full time job.

      Delete
  13. Natalia21/9/16

    I agree with your tips, they are fundamental! I also found out that posting regularly keeps your followers more engaged x

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      It can do, they know what to expect if it's a regular thing there's more content to go through x

      Delete
  14. Anosa21/9/16

    These are some really awesome tips, I have been taking a break from blogging weeks on end for the last two months and I have not felt guilty about it. I am blogging whenever. Another tip is to blog for you and not the numbers

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      Exactly, you do have to blog for yourself otherwise it'll start feeling like a chore, breaks are good because you need to have time for other stuff.

      Delete
  15. Unknown21/9/16

    All great tips!! I've been blogging from late Jan and haven't yet changed my theme although I do really want to! I agree that you should post when you want there is no right or wrong with this! And niche I think you learn as you go where you want to take your blog, I had specific ideas when I started but they have slowly changed and I really post about all things! www.mylifeinrosetintedglasses.wordpress.com

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    1. LaaLaa21/9/16

      Yeah I think it's fun to change it up when and however often you feel too. Foreal, go with the flow, adding and taking away content if they no longer fit for you is the best way to go.

      Delete
  16. Unknown21/9/16

    I like variety too so I tend to post about whatever I want that loosely fits in with the theme of my blog and would appeal to my demographic. Sometimes I get unfollowers if I post something more 'rogue' but I don't care because I like writing what I write!

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      Me too! I've had that experience it's a shame but you've got to please yourself!

      Delete
  17. Unknown21/9/16

    I post when I can. I try to at least once a week.

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      That's good, especially if it suits you.

      Delete
  18. Liz Mays21/9/16

    I don't think there's anything wrong with changing things up now and then. In life we go through periods with different tastes and preferences so personal blogs are bound to reflect that.

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      That's true, I think I get like that often and get bored looking at the same thing lol

      Delete
  19. Unknown22/9/16

    Fab post. I try to write as often as I can so I don't lose my mojo.

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      Ah yeah, that can happen for some - get out of the loop. Thank you.

      Delete
  20. Dannii22/9/16

    I think having a niche in a lifestyle blog is difficult, and I always like reading about different things.

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      It is, I think you decided to add things to share because others may have similar interests, we all aren't going to have the same views and wants but it's nice to read different things.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous22/9/16

    First, I really want your layout. I have been trying to build my personal online space where the theme centers on black and white. In terms of the frequency of posting, post whenever but don't make it too long for a follow-up so your audience can stay.

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      Thank you Jessica. Black and white just seems to make things clean. I like some colour around too, that's a good tip. I like that.

      Delete
  22. Hannah Heartss22/9/16

    Some Great advice. I post everyday because I love it x

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    1. LaaLaa22/9/16

      That's really good, keeps you occupied with lots of content for your blog x

      Delete
  23. Rachel22/9/16

    Really great tips, I've been blogging for nearly seven years now so totally understand how it's changed over the years xo

    http://rachelnicole.co.uk/

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    1. LaaLaa23/9/16

      It truly has, I went through the not caring stage, then when blogging became something I cared and now I'm back at the first stage - whatever lol xo

      Delete
  24. Sarah Ann23/9/16

    Great tips. I think the biggest thing I have learned is just to post content that I love and I'm passionate about,

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    1. LaaLaa23/9/16

      That's truth, otherwise you don't feel to post and it's a chore and who wants to do that! This is an online space we've created for ourselves.

      Delete
  25. Georgia Writes Here23/9/16

    Great tips, like you I've been in the blogging game a while and had a few blogs. My blog now is a mixture of fashion, beauty and lifestyle and this year I'm branching into home decor posts, I love the variety on my blog. Niche may be important but I like to think people come back because I offer something a little more. And I tend to post whenever I feel like, sometimes it may only be once a week but I get a great response from my posts and it means I can put a lot more time into each one and only hit publish when I'm happy with.

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    1. LaaLaa24/9/16

      It's cool to have a variety especially if that works for you, I feel especially that I'm older now and there's more interest that I'd love to share with my readers. Yeah, I understand that one, it's nice to have a good response when you put effort into posts.

      Delete
  26. rhian westbury6/10/16

    I learnt so much from the Myspace days of HTML as well. I'm the same as you I post as and when I want, most of the time that's daily but I don't sweat if I miss a day x

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    1. LaaLaa7/10/16

      I took last week off from posting and didn't feel any way about it, sometimes you need a break x

      Delete
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