Blogmas | But I Smile Anyway...

#Blogmas2018 Ritu’s Blog Tips #20

20 Dec 2018 61 Comments

by Ritu in Blogmas 2018 Tags: Annual Bloggers Bash Awards, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Blogmas, Blogmas 2018, Events

Day 20

Attend bloggers events

Sounds scary, huh?

You thought blogging was a great way to stay anonymous, write in yor little cocoon, and never know who actually reads your words?

I was the same initially, until I decided to attend my first event, as I had been nominated for an award…

My event of choice was the Annual Bloggers Bash, which is held in London, UK.

I had heard of the first one, which was a small gathering of bloggers for a lunch, chat and a set of awards. This developed into a full-blown event, which has been going yearly for 4 years, and the fifth one is on the 15th June next year.

Well, I attended the second, and third, and dragged my Hubby Dearest to the fourth, and each occasion has been amazing!

(Obviously coming second in my category the first year, winning Best Overall Blogger the second, and coming runner up the third helped!)

But I have developed some wonderful friendships due to these events. Each one feels like a reunion, rather than a ‘work’ event. Yes, you network, and are able to listen to some inspirational speakers, but for me, the best thing is to actually talk to bloggers who I read on a daily or weekly basis.

I have picked up some fantastic tips too over the years, and I have baked too… but that’s another story!

There are blogging events all across the world, and if you want to create a network, it is a great way to link up with people.

You may even decide to travel overseas to one! I know we have had attendees from the USA, Australia, Lichtenstein, amongst other places over the years, at the Bash… maybe I could convince some of you to attend???

#Blogmas2018 Ritu’s Blog Tips #19

19 Dec 2018 33 Comments

by Ritu in Blogmas 2018 Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Blogmas, Blogmas 2018, spam

Day 19

Always check your Spam Filters!

Seriously, I cannot reiterate this enough!

Spam cam be the bane of a blogger’s life, if they don’t have a spam filter activated.

But if you aren’t checking your filter, and ‘caught’ comments regularly, you could be missing some real comments; genuine bloggers caught up in Smap jail!

I make sure I check mine daily.

Most of the time there are the ridiculous, but sometimes even genuine comments are marked as spam.

If I am not sure, I always click on the website or link they are from, to see what comes up. For the most part there is nothing there. But sometimes, you find real comments that need to be restored.

Often if a person has placed a link in their comment, you will find it could be marked as spam, but then again, Akismet shows no rhyme or reason to why they decide a regular commenter is spam-worthy!

Just don’t leave your Spam folder unchecked for too long… That is another way to lose real readers. If they can’t see their comment, or a response, they may not come back…

#Blogmas2018 Ritu’s Blog Tips #18

18 Dec 2018 29 Comments

by Ritu in Blogmas 2018 Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Blogmas, Blogmas 2018, Canva, Images, Pinterest

Day 18

Use images and pictures

Let’s be honest. Who wants to sit and read a chunk of 1,200 words on a blog post and nothing else?

It’s always inportant to find at least one image for your posts, to break the words up.

Make sure you are using a source which allowes for sharing of images, like Pixabay, which is free.

If you find another image, you should always credit the source it was taken from.

Alternatively, you can use your own images.

When sharing your posts on certain mediums, image is the most important thing, as your photo is what will attract prospective readers, on Pinterest, for example.

Sites like Canva are great for creating Pinterest worthy images, and others too. You can creat prety much anything on there, using your own images, or ready set templates where you just have to change the text.

They give a professional feel to your posts too.

I am not the best at these, but I do try! And I have my Bitmoji to help me along!

#Blogmas2018 Ritu’s Blog Tips #17

17 Dec 2018 38 Comments

by Ritu in Blogmas 2018 Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Blogmas, Blogmas 2018, Questions

Day 17

Pose a question…

Okay, so you have written that fantastic post, poured your blood, sweat and tears into it… yet there appears to be no real engagement.

Here’s a little tip, always end your post with a question related to your content.

Give your readers something to think about, and answer back. It is always a great way to get that interaction going!

And when you have lots of decent comments on a post, (that are answered) people are more likely to add their thoughts!

#Blogmas2018 Ritu’s Blog Tips #16

16 Dec 2018 30 Comments

by Ritu in Blogmas 2018, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Blogging Groups, Blogmas, Blogmas 2018

Day 16

Join blogging groups on Facebook.

I had underestimated the power of a group of bloggers behind you, but around two years ago, I was convinced to join a Blogging group on Facebook.

There were daily opportunities to share your work, with specific reasons, from sharing others posts, to commenting on them, and even a day where a specific blogger was showcased.

My stats rocketed, and there was a whole load of advice available on tap. I didn’t feel like I was asking silly questions.

But… (there’s always a but) try to look into groups which don’t have thousands of members, unless you are ready for reginemted sharing policies.

Since then, the group I had joined, closed, but the members had formed a closeknit group and three or four others set up their own similar groups to carry the momentum on.

It can be time consuming, but you can choose when you want to interact.

The main stipulation is that you should share/comment on a mimimun of 2-4 other particicipants posts.

I try to visit all posts on the threads I am involved in.

By joining a blogging group, you will find yourself exposed to a whole host of blogs you wouldn’t have known existed, and others will find you. It’s a win win situation, as long as you are able to give the time to sharing!