Blogging Tips and Tricks
As many of you know, I’ve been blogging at The Prepping Wife for almost a year now. My official celebration will be in October. What an exciting milestone to celebrate! After that time and effort I’ve put into it, I can’t see doing anything else besides being a career blogger because I love it.
My blog has grown into something amazing, seeing almost 10,000 people visiting in a month, a good and consistently growing social following, and well over 500 email subscribers. That continued growth and support makes me very excited for the future and what comes next for me.
From my blog, I’m launching a product line right now that is related to emergency preparedness. I’m also working on a series of cookbooks to be published later this year. Without my blog, none of these things would be possible. They wouldn’t even be dreams to chase.
In the time since I started The Prepping Wife, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Far more than I would like to remember or count, to be honest! This includes not knowing enough about search engine optimization (SEO), the importance of graphics, and so much more.
I’ve taken classes on how to make my blog profitable, and how to optimize Pinterest to work for me. But nobody was there to show me all the little things that are important in starting my blog. Everybody says “oh you can start a blog for as little as $50.” Or some other low price that was almost too good to be true.
That price really is too good to be true, because it doesn’t start me or anyone else off on the right foot. There are some things that are vital for a blog to get going, and that price doesn’t include those.
Blogging is easily cheaper than starting a physical business, but that doesn’t mean there are not added costs that aren’t expected, or things that are vital to getting a blog up and going. My personal favorite part about blogging is that I can work from anywhere. At home in my pajamas at 2am, from a coffee shop, from the deck of a cruise ship, the list goes on. All I need is my laptop and a wifi connection to keep me going.
With the mistakes I’ve made along the way, comes knowledge and experience. Lots of it too. Many times I’ve learned through someone asking me a question I didn’t know the answer to, and researching it to find out. Then comes the realization that I’ve been either doing it wrong the entire time or ignoring something because I had no clue how important it really is.
After making so many mistakes, I created an online course to help others out. That way you don’t make the same mistakes I did. As I said earlier, I really wish someone had been there to teach me the basics and why it was all so important. Because it all goes together, working together to create one amazing blog. A blog that is not only amazing, but functional and produces the desired results, which is readers and traffic.
That is my big goal in creating this class. I want fellow bloggers or people thinking about starting a blog to start out on the right foot, with a good healthy knowledge of the basics and why it is all so important.
I’ve come to realize that writing a blog is the easy part! Creating new and wonderful content that provides a value to my readers really is the easiest aspect of blogging. It is all the little details that nobody tells us about that is the killer.
It is so easy to become overwhelmed by that information too. Too many little details to remember and go through. Getting confused is easy as well, or dismayed with the process.
In my class, I’ve created a step by step list of how to get started, what I deem essential for purchasing and what isn’t. Things to keep in mind when starting out. My favorite plugins to use and why. My mindset when I am writing or working on my blog, which is a huge part of my success.
I’ve grown so much in the last year. Not only as a blogger, but as a person. I really do owe that to my blog and starting it. It was a challenge, but definitely worth it! I can’t wait to see you go down that same road of growth and turn your blog into something amazing.
I really want to see you and your blog grow the same way that I have and become successful. Click here to visit my online course and see for yourself!
You can also take my course about the 5 biggest excuses bloggers make to keep them from becoming successful.
72 Comments
Alanna
I really enjoyed this, I’ll be heading back to read more of your work. Can I ask, is your title picture made on Canva? X
The Prepping Wife
Yes, it is. I use Canva for blog graphics, Pinterest images, and Instagram as well. It is an amazing tool, because they are all formatted to be the optimal size for each platform.
Sarah
Congratulations on the success of your blog! Sounds like quite a learning journey 🤗
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Sarah! It has been a learning experience. I don’t think I’ve ever been pushed so far outside of my comfort zone as when I started my blog. But it’s been a wonderful thing, growing, learning, and making new friends along the way. Definitely worth all the effort!
Nicola
I really enjoyed reading this and found it super helpful!
Tamara
Thanks fo sharing. So often I read about the struggles with blogging and how someone gave up as result. Congratulations on growing your blog and continuing!!
The Prepping Wife
Resiliency and patience are a huge part of blogging! I’m glad I can give a more positive side to blogging and help support others.
Ashleigh
Always love your post! I’m new to blogging to and it definitely is a learning curve!
The Prepping Wife
Sometimes that learning curve feels so steep too! I’m glad I was able to learn so much and continue creating a great blog. Blogging is such a great career for me.
Kaitlyn
Congrats on the success of your blog!
Lanae Bond
It is great to hear how your blog is doing successful and how you want to help others.
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Lanae! I have found that I’ve learned so much from helping others too. Definitely one of my favorite aspects of blogging.
Jenna
You have put in so much hard work and love into your site, and it really shows. I love your layout, it just flows so easily. Do you mind if I ask what template you use? Congratulations on your success so far, you inspire me to continue working hard.
The Prepping Wife
Thank you so much, Jenna! I am glad my hard work is noticed. Ashe is the theme I use in my blog. It has been my favorite so far, and I purchased the premium version to get the biography and picture portion on the side. Other than that, there isn’t much difference between the premium and free versions. If you’re wanting one somewhat similar, Kale is another good one I’ve used in the past and heard other bloggers say good things about it.
Kate Murray
I agree!! So much work to build a solid foundation, I’m sure your course is an awesome tool for new bloggers, you have so much to share!
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Kate! I am very excited to help other bloggers with this course.
Jenny Ventura
How great – I am always looking for tips and tricks to help my blog grow!
The Prepping Wife
Thanks, Jenny! I will always take any help I can get! I feel like we all need an extra boost to help, or several. There is so much information that it can be overwhelming at times.
Scott J DeNicola
I was definitely one of those people that thought this blogging thing was going to be easy. But like the saying goes if it were that easy everyone would be doing it. What I have been finding is that there are a lot of people that blog but they don’t blog with any purpose or any desire to make any income from it. You can’t just post your blog and hope someone will read it. I too discovered how important SEO is (something I never thought of ever learning about) Every day is an adventure. Great job for only a year in and continued success! Good luck with the online course which I will be checking out.
The Prepping Wife
When I started, my biggest worry was writing. Is this something I could sustain long term without being boring or running out of ideas? I’ve come to realize that writing is the easy part! I’ve literally got pages of blog topics for each category sitting on a legal pad on my desk. There is so much more to it, and the little details are definitely the difficult part that nobody talks about. Every day is definitely an adventure, Scott!
Trish Veltman
There is so much more to blogging than we first realise, isn’t there? I’m still very much at novice stage! Will check out your course.
The Prepping Wife
I’m extremely lucky that I fell in love with blogging before I realized just how much work was involved. Lol. If you do take my course, please let me know what you think of it, Trish!
Laura
Thanks for sharing, it was an interesting post. I’m grateful for any tips as a new blogger so I will be reading your guide as soon I have time to sit down x
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Laura! There are so many things I wish I had known when I first started, to get me going without as many mistakes. Creating this class was my big way to give back and help others to save them from all the stuff I had to go back and deal with. If you take my class, I would love to know your thoughts on it!
Nyxie
This was a fantastic read! Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful tips and tricks with us. It certainly isn’t easy, and I knew it wouldn’t be, I just thought I would be able to make more than I currently am. Even with adsense I’m making next to nothing.
The Prepping Wife
Is AdSense the only ads you’re currently doing?
Luna S
Congratulations on your new line and cookbooks coming out! That all sounds very exciting and I bet you can’t wait to see the book being sold online/in store. I look forward to seeing it as well!
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Luna! I am very excited about it all.
Despite Pain
You’ve done exceptionally well in this space of time. I started in October/November last year. Started using WordPress.com, then realised I should be self-hosted. I’ll be going self-hosted at the end of my year so will need to start figuring that out. There really is more to blogging than just writing, isn’t there?
The Prepping Wife
I didn’t realize you had started your blog around the same time that I did, Elizabeth! There is so much more to blogging than just writing. Writing is the easy part! At least I think so, just because of how much other stuff is going on.
Michelle
Congratulations! 10,000 visits per month is so awesome. Good luck with your class, sometimes the best education is experience and to put it together for others is wonderful of you. 🙂
The Prepping Wife
Thanks, Michelle! I am very excited to continue on this journey and see where it takes me.
Kara Hyvarinen
Congratulations on such a successful first year of blogging. It sounds like you’ve been working hard!
Adrienne B Redelings
That is awesome for your first year! I am new to the blogging world and hope to be where you are some day.
The Prepping Wife
Thanks, Adrienne! You will get there. My favorite person on the planet once told me “you gotta start somewhere.” Which is true for everything. Nobody gets anywhere without starting. Keep pushing and working hard, and you’ll be successful before you know it!
Live Learn Better
Blogging is no longer a joke! over 30,000 people join the community globally everyday. Things have changed and bloggers need to do more to stay on course.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips.
The Prepping Wife
As a blogger, it is so important to have all bases covered, because of that large number of people joining in! I definitely agree with you, and that is exactly why I created this course to help people get going on the right foot and be successful.
Snehal
I agree that we should focus on creating a content useful to readers. I still got a lot of things to learn. Will check out the course! 🙂
The Prepping Wife
The key is never stop learning, Snehal! As long as you are always striving to learn something new about blogging or any topics related to blogging, you will go far! That is my biggest piece of advice for anyone who blogs. Never stop learning.
Diana
Thanks for honesty in this journey. Congrats on a year of learning & moving toward success!!
There is so much what I’m finding as BS marketing to make their blog money. I’m still trying to learn honest ways to blog on a niche, 3 in mind but not nailed down, AND produce some sort of courses to monetize it! I’m disabled, arthritis forced retired RN, 62, now broke, divorced 11 yrs. I’m searching for honesty like yours instead of get started quick & rags to riches hocus-pocus.
Best wishes to continue the journey. When I can, I’ll get your course!!
The Prepping Wife
Thank you so much for commenting, Diana! I am always glad people appreciate my honesty, because I’m not really capable of anything else. With your topics, it is awesome that you’ve narrowed things down to three ideas. You could do a lifestyle blog that encompasses all three. How well do they work together? Tell me more about your ideas and let me see if I can help. I’m glad to support you in any way I can!
Melissa Temple Disabled DIsney
Congrats!!! Im still trying to figure out SEO. Ive only been seriously researching it for a few months though.
The Prepping Wife
Thanks, Melissa! SEO is so important, and there are what feels like a million aspects that go into it.
Joanna K.
Erica, I am glad to read that you have grown through blogging on a personal and a professional way. And I will be glad to read more about the blogging course you have devised and developed after my summer break. Have a lovely summer
The Prepping Wife
Enjoy your summer, Joanna! I can’t wait to read about your adventures in September.
Johnny
Big props to creating your online course! It’s great you’re providing a base on which aspiring bloggers and content creators can work from. It means we get to see more high-quality work in the community and the latter goes from strength to strength 🙂
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
The Prepping Wife
Thank you so much, Johnny! Creating that course was definitely a labor of love, because I wanted to help fellow bloggers in a big way. If I can get them started on the right foot and having great knowledge to start with instead of fumbling along and making a bunch of mistakes, I’ll consider that a win.
Thuy
Wow that’s amazing! What a useful course I love that you’re doing a course to teach others how to do what you do.
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Thuy! I am definitely excited to help others. Blogging is amazing, but there are so many details that nobody tells us when we start. Hopefully this helps many others.
Debra Roberts
I need to do a similar post with all the stuff I’ve picked up on blogging as of late! It’s amazing how many tips there are and how it’s like a big puzzle that comes together!
The Prepping Wife
I totally agree, Deb!
Lyosha
awesome tips and tricks! I always struggle to find more ways to make my blogging better. Thanks for posting, it helps me to move forward
The Prepping Wife
If you take my course, Lyosha, please let me know what you think of it!
Naomi (Inching Forwards)
First, congrats on a year of blogging! It sounds like you’ve done really well, and I’m excited for you that you get to branch out into products and cookbooks – that’s so amazing! I also think it’s lovely that you want to give back to other bloggers – there’s nothing like being better prepared 🙂
The Prepping Wife
Hopefully it helps other bloggers. That is my big goal, because one of my favorite aspects of blogging is the community and how supportive everyone is.
Charmaine Daisley
It’s so cool that you’re offering a course to blogger newbies. So many people start a blog with the thought that they’ll ace everything in a week or two (moi, included, years ago), then they get discouraged when things don’t turn out to plan. Because, as you indicated, before you even type a word into your blog interface, you have to figure out your blog interface, and google, and, and and! And it can be downright frustrating and bummy. Your course is so needed. Wishing you all the very best with it.
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Charmaine! Blogging isn’t an easy thing, because there really is so many things that go into creating a fabulous blog. I’ve learned writing is the easy part. It is very, very easy to get frustrated with blogging and give it up because it’s not as simple as just writing, nor is it an overnight process. It takes a ton of both patience and determination. For me, the hard part of that is patience. I’m not remotely close to being a patient person. Lol. I always want to see some sort of results immediately. Blogging has taught me it doesn’t work that way.
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
It’s amazing how much you learn when you blog. I’m always realizing that there is more that I could do to make my site better. When I started, I thought it would just be about writing, but SEO and keywords are so important. Congratulations on your first course!
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Tracy! I was right there with you. All I needed to do was write and have fabulous content. I could be a hermit and just write. So not the case! Lol. Now I just look back at that idea and laugh at myself.
Sarah Barkley
Great post!! I also love that I can work from anywhere at any time. I absolutely love working on my blog, so it’s almost a leisure rather than a source of income.
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Sarah! I also love that my blog is both a source of leisure and a source of income. I love being super busy with it because it is something I enjoy so much. A wise person once said, find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. My blog is definitely that!
Grace
Congratulations on nearing your first year of blogging. I’ve been blogging 8 years now and there is always something new to learn. Blogging is just the best – a great community, a great hobby and a great way to make money.
Grace x
The Prepping Wife
Thanks, Grace! You’ve highlighted exactly why I love blogging. The community is simply amazing and I’ve made great friends from starting mine. Plus making money, and really learning about myself while helping others. It is so much fun. I can’t see doing anything else now either.
Cheryl
Congratulations! You’ve made a significant amount of progress for a year of blogging! Blogging can be simple if you just want to write and post some stuff…but it takes a lot of work if you really want to create a great website, publicize, and monetize it, etc. Keep up the good work!
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Cheryl! Blogging for a journal is definitely simple. My husband thought that is what I meant when I told him I wanted to start a blog. He didn’t realize that people can turn blogging into a profession and make money from it.
Karla
Wow! You’ve really made good progress! I just started in January and the social media aspect is slow going for me. I agree… the writing and sharing is the really good part. It doesn’t help that I have 7 kids here, so my ability to focus for long periods is lacking, but my goal is working on one aspect of growing each week. I will check out the course. Hopefully check in with you soon!
The Prepping Wife
Thank you, Karla! I have no clue how you manage anything with 7 kids, especially a blog! My best advice is write when you have the time every single day. Like nap time or after the kids go to bed, or jot down notes and topic ideas while waiting to pick them up at school. It doesn’t have to be a full blog post or large chunk of time. I love Google Docs for this purpose, because I can bounce around on in-progress posts as I go, and then post once a week. I’ll go check out your blog too. I’m curious about it.
Hannah
This sounds great! Blogging is certainly a steep learning curve and having that advice before you make the mistakes yourself is super useful. I’m really looking forward to eventually having this as my business and main income – being able to work in my pyjamas really suits me!
Ashley
Congratulations on your success! 🙂 I’m just getting started in my blogging journey, and really enjoyed this post.
The Prepping Wife
Thanks, Ashley! Good luck with your blog! If you ever need anything, let me know and I’ll try to help you out 😀
Sarah
Wow, your blog stats are amazing and you 100% deserve to have achieved so much! You should be really proud. I can’t wait to see where your blogging journey takes you next x
The Prepping Wife
Thank you so much, Sarah! I love looking at my stats because I can see progress and my hard work paying off. I’ve always tried to figure out exactly what success looked like for me, and I’ve come to the conclusion that watching everything grow consistently is the big one for me.