Tips to Grow your Blog

Last week I was asked by a blogger about a few tips I could give her to help grow her blog. I decided since I was already thinking about it- and typing it out- I'd share a few things I've done to increase the hits on my blog this year! Some were intentional, some weren't, but these are a few things that I've seen have helped to increase traffic!

1. Connect everything- your blog, etsy, facebook. Connecting the different things you do is a great way to show off everything!

2. Take good pictures. That changes EVERYTHING. You can add your work to sites like craftgawker, if you have good pictures. They are a great way to get your work out there. That includes link parties- people are (well atleast I am) much more apt to click on a well photographed photo

3. Find a good, clean design. I won a contest for someone to design a blog layout for me. It was a  big stepping stone for me into the world of more serious blogging.

4. Link up alot on other blogs. Not just for getting your blog out there, but for finding fun ideas for your own blog too!

5. Giveaways- if you craft alot, or have an etsy- use giveaways to get your name out there. I usually have an entry regarding sharing the giveaway. You can host giveaways yourself, have someone offer an item for a giveaway, or do a giveaway on another blog. (Alot of bloggers, like me, am always willing to do a giveaway of one of your items!)

6. Guest post tutorials- Find a blogger that asks for guest posts (I am always looking) post a great tutorial, and tell them about other things you do on your blog.

7. Sometimes it takes that ONE amazing craft to get your blog going. I made a ring from a quarter- which all of a sudden EXPLODED. Its my most visited page for sure!!

8. Do lots of crafts/cooking. Even if it is someone else's tutorial (give them credit of course!) The more to look at, the more people will want to look at your blog!
9. Comment on ideas you like! If you tell someone you like their post, they may assume you have a common interest, and check yours out to! Personally, I strongly dislike when someone posts "hey check out my blog_____" in comments. It makes me think they didn't come to look at my blog, but to advertise their own. Plus it seems like they just copied and pasted it into 100000+ people's blogs that day
10. Just enjoy it! Don't check your followers every day! And don't get discouraged!

My personal growth from sept 2010 to sept 2011. (I have NO idea why it says sept 2009. I didn't have a blog then...and the next month skips to Oct 2010. I think it may just be a glitch. But its sept 2010)