3 Years of Blogging: Things I Did to Grow my Blog This Year.
Today marks three years of blogging for me! I’m way more excited about this than I probably should be, but that’s because I feel like this year has been so big for me in so many ways, including this blog.
Last January, I reached 1,000 followers on Bloglovin’ and felt like I had some good momentum going. I decided I wanted to dedicate this year to treating my blog like it was my job…I really hope to be able to write full-time one day, and I see blogging as a huge step towards that.
I’m not even close to being an expert here, but I always love to read about the progress of others and how they push themselves, especially when it comes to writing, so I thought it would be fun to share five things I did to grow my blog this year.
1. I decided to write about what makes me the happiest. For two months at the beginning of the year, Chris was working in Tampa, so I would commute up there and stay with him for half of the week. It gave me a ton of alone time in a new location, and I starting writing poems. I’d never shared creative writing on my blog before, but I decided that for a few months, I would share poems on my blog, even if no one was reading them, because it gave me a reason to write creatively.
Sometimes, my “just write” posts are the least viewed and interacted-on posts of the month, but you know what? It has provided such a passion for my writing, and it has made me so much more excited to blog. Sometimes, you have to ignore the numbers and just write about what you need to write about, just for the simple sake of writing.
2. I had regular brainstorming sessions. In my favorite writing classes, my professor would come in on any given day and say that the entire class was going to be a private brainstorming session for upcoming projects. This meant that you were forced to sit alone in silence and just. keep. writing. It was the best because really, when was I ever going to do that by choice?
I started doing that for blog posts this year. I would set the timer for an hour and just write down every idea that came to mind. Sometimes I would get whole posts done this way, and sometimes I’d end my little session with only a few topics. But it kept my creativity flowing either way. Spoiler alert: It’s way easier to write a post when I have a list of ideas to choose from.
3. I wrote posts ahead of time. I have Fridays off of work, so I made Fridays my write-like-it’s-my-job-so-maybe-one-day-it-can-be days. Pre-writing and scheduling posts ahead of time has made blogging so much easier for me. It’s funny, but not being pressured to write/edit/post an entire blog post every morning has actually made me write more.
4. I started posting every weekday. I tried a few different schedules, but having a post Monday-Friday was what I liked the best. It encouraged me to write more, and I really liked the idea of knowing that anyone who follows my blog can come here on any given day and find some new content.
5. I followed Helene’s blog. This may sound gimmicky, but I promise it’s not-this isn’t a sponsored post, and she doesn’t know I’m writing this. But seriously, I attribute much of the growth of my blog this year to the fact that I follow Helene. I’ve always followed her, but this year she became the blogging guru of all things and began sharing all of her secrets.
I took her first webinar (that she offered for free…she’s always giving away free information on how to be successful), and she started out the night by saying, “There’s room for everyone at the top. Why wouldn’t we want to see each other succeed?” I just loved that. I’ve since taken paid courses from her, and let me tell you, they have been worth every penny.
So happy three years to the girl who loved to write. I have loved every second of writing on this space, and I hope to be around here for quite a bit longer. Cheers to year three being the best one yet! Thanks for hanging around and reading my words…it means more than I could ever say. xoxo
Leave a Reply
Feeling Uninspired?
Sign up with your email for a weekly pep talk, just for you. Delivered to your inbox Sunday night to combat the Sunday scaries!
#3 is my favorite on this list… writing out blog posts ahead of time makes blogging so much easier! I've been following Helene's blog too but haven't checked out any of her webinars yet. Sounds like something I need to do!
Great tips! I'm trying to figure out a posting schedule that works for me
Cheers to your blogiversary…and many more to come!
Happy 3 years! Its awesome that you write your posts ahead of time. I usually write mine the night before, but I only post MWF. Its great that you post everyday!
I've taken a few of Helene's webinar's, too, and I love her stance on how there's room for all of us! Last night my husband made the remark that I should make my blog more of a part-time/full-time thing. It took me completely off guard but that's all I've thought about since he said it! Happy Blog-iversary!!
Great tips for growing the blog :)m happy three years!
I've been trying to write my posts ahead of time and fit them appropriately during the week! I find it does help a lot! Also brainstorming has helped me too!!
Melanie | Blog: Toots + Dill
Congratulations! I love all of these, but especially the first two. Looking forward to where the blog goes this year!
Happy Bloggy Birthday!
And I will totally back up your #5—following Helene is a total game-changer!
Thanks for all the great advice! Congrats on the blog growth this year!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
I think the key to enjoying it is your #1.
Kudos on the growth!
Happy Blogiversary! 3 years…how awesome. I really really enjoy your "Just Write" posts, you're extremely talented and I'm excited to see where your blog goes from here!
#1 is most important, in my opinion. Writing about what you love and subjects you actually enjoy talking about is key. Happy Blogiversary!
1000 followers–that's amazing! I agree, Helene seriously has the best tips.
How awesome that you've grown this much!
I love seeing how much you have grown! Cheers to the next three years. xo
Congrats!!!! Such an accomplishment – both the length of time as well as the amount of followers.
First, amazing. You are so so amazing! I have always loved your blog and read it for, well, since i can remember.
Second, umm wow. I am so stunned and honored. I seriously got tears in my eyes reading your kind words. I don't even know what to say. Thank you thank you!
Congrats on 3 years!! I've been blogging for 5.. but 4 of those years I was "private" so I've only been a public blogger for a few months.. there is so much to learn! I really like reading these type of posts, because it's awesome to see how other bloggers have grown their blog and gotten successful!! And I agree you have to just write to write sometimes.. I've posted a few things that didn't get a lot of hits… but I loved writing them. Thank you for the encouragement to stop obsessing over the numbers so much..even though that is hard to do!
These are such great tips! I aspire to be Helene 🙂
Happy 3 years of blogging!! Love these tips and tricks as well!! 🙂
happy blog anniversary! good for you for doing so much to grow this space, it's wonderful!
Yay! So happy that you've made it here! I love reading your blog. I also love that you write what makes you happiest! That's what its all about!!
We have the same three year blog birthday! I forgot about that (though I think we made this discovery last year). I always love your just write posts, they're amazing and so inspiring. All of your posts just radiate sunshine and showcase how lovely you are (:
yay! congratulations on 3 years of blogging! you bring positivity and beauty to the blogging world!
happy blogiversary girl! cheers to the next 3 years 🙂
Happy blog birthday! Sounds like 2015 was a spectacular year for this space, and I love your poems, so I'm glad you keep posting them 🙂
You know what, I am going to try to write more on one day and pre-schedule things. I tend to write a post a day and this gets a little tedious sometimes. I also enjoy posting Mon-Fri, it really got me fired up again and forced me to create content on a regular basis.
Happy Three Year Blogaversary!! I am so happy to have found your blog, can't wait to follow you through 2016!!
Happy blogiversary, love!! I've told you a zillion times that you're one of my favorites! I can't wait to see what you do with this space once you have your sweet little boy!
Woohoo! Congrats on three years.
Happy three years! I'm with you on Helene's webinars and courses-they help so much!
Great suggestions! I really need to start planning more posts in advanced!
Emma | Seeking the South
Awesome tips! I think the most important thing is to write about what makes you happiest. Your happiness truly shines through your beautiful writing 🙂
Green Fashionista
Congrats on 3 years! I've been officially blogging for 5 but 2 of years don't really count because I was a terrible blogger. I just love this little/big community of ours! 🙂
Cheers to 3 years! Helene is AWESOME. I just started blogging last year & have learned so much from her. I feel like I'm fan-girling sometimes but I really have her to thank for my "success" this year. Congrats to another year of blogging & here's to another one! 🙂
I need to get into a better routine of writing ahead of time. I did it this week, and it has made life so much easier! Helene has so many wonderful tips and tricks for blogging! I love following along with her!
Congrats on 3 years! Your blog is my favorite – I just love so many things about it! Anyways I hope you know people appreciate all the work you do for it.
Three years is so awesome!! Congrats on a huge accomplishment! Writing posts ahead of time is my biggest issue..but I have started to realize that if I start to write one post..I can knock out a couple once I get my creative juices flowing!
Thanks for sharing these tips!! I'm always looking for ways to grow my blog. Congrats on three years! XO -Anna
http://www.parkavenueblogger.com
Three years! Way to go girl! Here's to many more years of this little space continuing to change and grow!
Your blog is one of my daily must reads even though I'm not always the best at commenting. Congrats on 3 years 🙂 and the growth!
I desperately need to work on #3! I try to plan ahead and then it's 6am and I'm trying to think of something to post at 7am haha those are usually the days I don't post 🙂
You have inspired me so, so much. Thank you for that. Happy 3 years!! XO
Congrats on 3 years! I love what you said about writing what you love, and also your idea of setting a timer and just writing any and everything you think of. Here's to many more!
Shea | http://www.shealennon.com
Absolutely loved this post. Happy 3 years, lady! I'll be celebrating 3 years in April and just recently quit my day job to blog/design full time! Best of luck to you in 2016 – I'll definitely be trying the hour brain storming session. It sounds right up my alley!
Chelcey | http://www.chelceytate.com
One thing I really learned is that I enjoy blogging SO MUCH MORE when I write for me, and not when I write for other people. What a great lesson to learn. Congrats on three years! xx
​xx katie // a touch of teal
Happy Blogiversary!!
Happy three years! And I SO agree with all of Helene's webinars and courses – I love them too and have gotten SO much out of them! there is definitely room for all of us at the top!
Happy Three Years! I love following along with your life and writings (even when I don't comment) and can't wait to see what this next (big) year has in store for you and your blog.
Happy three years, lady! Thank you for coming and checking out my blog, and your sweet comments. I think that's why you have such a dedicated following – because you're so loyal! Plus your posts are always awesome. I love your tips here. I've started following Helene this year too, and am so impressed with her courses, and how they offer actual helpful tips, as opposed to other free webinars I've followed. I'm going to have to try some of your other tips, like brainstorming a list of posts! What a great idea. I tend to just write ideas down as I go, but I like the idea of uninterrupted focus time.
Happy three years! I'm glad to have found your blog – I so agree about the writing for you. Sometimes it doesn't always "pay off" the way you think but blogs are personal spaces for a reason!
I also love Helene's blog!
Congratulations my friend! I followed your blog a while back, then lost track of you (I blame having a baby) and then found you again and love seeing how your blog/writing has evolved! I took Helene's free class and want to start a fund to take the rest of her courses!!
Happy blogiversary! Too funny that so many of us are celebrating our blog's birthdays this week! So glad I found your blog this year!
I love your blog and thank you for sharing all of your awesome tips. Congrats on 3 years and on your hard work!
Happy 3 years! That's awesome. I love reading your posts – not just the writing and book ones, though of course they are amazing – but also the ones just about your life. It's one of my favorite things about blogging – getting to know people through their words and photos and passions. 🙂
Congrats on three year! Your blog has been one of my favorites this year. Thanks for sharing all of your tips! 🙂