Happy Blogiversary

·

 

Wow!  It’s hard to believe but August 1st marked the 2 year blogiversary for The Queen in Between.  It has been two years of learning more than I ever dreamed I would need to about this little world. This week I am celebrating by sharing a few tips and will end the week with a few blog goals I’m hoping to accomplish in year three.  If that isn’t enough, I am also offering an amazing giveaway so be sure to get registered!

Tips to Blog Like a Queen

Blog Design

Whether you are using blogger or wordpress, designing yourself or hiring a developer, my number one suggestion is to design a page that is eye catching but not too busy and overwhelming.  Making your page easy to read and navigate will definitely insure your readers will want to return. I would definitely do things a little differently now compared to two years ago (bye-bye cartoon queen) and would have thought through my layout and fonts a little more carefully.  There are so many affordable templates available for both blogger and WP which provide lots of options to meet all different styles.

Quality over Quantity

When I look back at some of my original post, there was often no real structure.  I was posting just to post and worried way more about how many times I was posting instead of the quality of the material.  I would hope anyone who has been around for the duration would find this has improved with time. We all want to be the “master” blogger but honestly, life happens sometimes, writers block is real and some days I’m really not very interesting.  Learning to plan and be more intentional with posting has been a big plus.

Graphics

Gone are the days when you need to be a Photoshop guru to create beautiful graphics.   There are so many options out there but I have found using PicMonkey and Fotojet to be the most user friendly for my needs. Fotojet offers so many templates already populated with creative fonts, etc. and dragging in your own picture or a stock photo makes it personal.  I have found Fotojet saves me a little time as sometimes I can get a little bogged down choosing fonts and layout.  However, if I am using more than one picture in a graphic or editing a photo, I still find PicMonkey to be a little friendlier. Graphics will catch a readers eye and draw them in so I feel they are a big win.

Link-up Parties

Do they really create more views?  Umm…heck  yes they do!  My advice is to find link-ups which fit with your overall blog content.  You will rarely, if ever, find me posting on a DIY or craft link party because I’m just not very crafty.  If you struggle with writers block at times, finding prompted link-ups (kind of like Spiel the Beans, hint, hint) can really help.  The trick is not to just link and run, however.  Some of my favorite bloggers have been found as I browse linkup parties.

Comments

Leaving meaningful comments on other blogs and responding to comments on my blog takes way more than I ever envisioned.  After trying to keep up and insure I was responding to everyone unsuccessfully, I decided to try Disqus and while it is still time consuming I feel I have a better handle.  Do you have to respond to every single comment?  Well, I personally feel if someone takes the time to comment on a post the very least I can do is either respond directly or visit their blog. Blogging becomes much more meaningful when you are an active participant.

These are just a few of the “big” tips that come to mind for me!  What are some of the best tips you have learned as a blogger?  Or if you are a non-blogger what are some of the things you love to see or not see?

Now the fun part!  Everyone loves a chance to win something for FREE and I’m giving away the Redefine skincare regimen from Rodan+Fields.  I use this regimen along with other great R+F products so enter for your chance to win and get started on your way to beautiful skin!  I would love to chat with you if you are currently searching for a new skincare option!

a Rafflecopter giveaway