Blogging Q & A

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I started blogging in January of 2011. I had been reading blogs for a few months and then at the start of the new year I thought I would give blogging a shot myself.

I don’t think I’m the only one who decides to embark on a new venture at the beginning of the year. I’ve received a few e-mails from new bloggers lately and I thought I would broach the subject once more on my blog. 

In a dream world, I’d get together with each of you and just chat about blogging. There are so many aspects to it and I really enjoy talking about it. That was what I loved about blogging conferences. 

Anyway, I posed a question on Facebook asking for any questions regarding blogging that I can answer. I assure you I am no expert, but I’d love to offer any help I can since I’ve been doing this for about 3 years.

First of all, be sure to check out the 3 part series I wrote on blogging. You can start with part 1 here

The following questions were grabbed from Facebook.

1. Any tips on starting small, growing your following, and turning the blog into a business?

That’s a pretty huge question. I could probably dedicate a few posts to answering it. And there are plenty of bigger bloggers that could give you great answers as well.

Simply based on my experience, I found that doing something new is a great way to invite people to your blog. Offer something different. There are lots of blogs out there, so you need to set yourself apart from everyone else.


Simply put, in order to make significant money on your blog, you need to have a certain number of followers. The more followers, the more leverage you have when working with advertisers. 


I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, blogging for the money is an empty goal. Money doesn’t typically come easy, and you may find yourself tapped dry sooner than you would imagine. Blog for the love of blogging and patiently wait until it’s time to flip it into a business. 

2. How do you start getting approached for sponsored posts?

This coincides with the first question as well, because typically sponsored posts are lucrative opportunities. 


Other than working with a blog network, like BlogHer for example, working on sponsored posts is a process.


To begin, if you are going to pursue a company about collaborating on a post, you’ll need to pitch your idea of why you think it would be good for them to work with you.



Make sure you pursue companies/opportunities that fit the nature of your blog. It’s much more authentic and will lead to a successful partnership. 

Once you’ve created a certain presence online, you may be contacted by brands to collaborate on posts. It takes time, work, and perseverance to get to this point. 


3. How did you learn to use photoshop?

I use photoshop elements and my sister taught me the basics. Otherwise, I googled phrases like “how to brighten my photos in photoshop elements” and found a multitude of tutorials.


4. Does it ever affect your personal life? How do you decide what to keep private and what to share?

When it comes to personal things, there’s a lot of thought that goes into what I share on the blog. Over the years I’ve learned a lot about what to share and what to keep private. 

There isn’t a formula for figuring out what is appropriate to share versus what isn’t. It’s a really personal decision and it’s something you need to decide for yourself.

For me, I consider what I’d be comfortable sharing with a person I’ve just met. If the thought of telling a story about something to, let’s say, a random story employee makes me uncomfortable, I probably shouldn’t share it on the blog. Unless private or password protected, your site can be accessed by anyone.

It hasn’t affected my personal life much. Existing friendships haven’t changed, and I’ve enjoyed making new friends along the way. 

5. How do I grow my readership? How to gain more exposure?

This question is always asked when it comes to the topic of blogging. I remember how exciting it is to watch my readership grow, so I know why this is something that a lot of bloggers crave.

It takes time, patience, and a really strong work ethic to grow your readership. The thing that I’ve seen to be most successful is offering something fresh and new on your blog. Give readers something to come back for that they can’t find on any other blog. Whether it’s certain content, or a unique perspective, you have to make your readers. 

Part 2 of my Blogging Series covers this question in greater detail.

6. (regarding filming video) Do you ever use cue cards and edit that out?

I don’t, but I don’t know if other Vloggers do or do not. My guess is most people don’t use them. 

I simply run through an idea of what I want to talk about in my head and hit record. But I’ve had over 3 years of experience with this. It’s hard to watch my earlier videos! I was so uncomfortable! So maybe cue cards would have been a good thing!

7. When is it a good time to host your own blog?

I’d say from the very beginning. It’s nice to have your own URL.

I hope this helps answer any questions you may have. The best thing you can do is just jump into it and see what comes naturally. Don’t try and force anything. Write about what you care about!

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Tammy says · 02.18.14

Thanks for sharing 🙂 My tiny little blog is my personal journal/scrapbook. I’m not out to gain hundreds of followers. I’m doing what I like to do and share what I like to share. I think your blog is helpful for so many. Your hair tutorials are wonderful and I love reading your blog.

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Arch St Designs Blog says · 02.18.14

Thanks for this. I read the 3 part series a few weeks ago when you reposted it. I love reading your blog, and check back almost everyday. I even love your posts about the baby if you can believe that! 😉

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Charlotte MacDonald-Gaunt says · 02.18.14

Great advise – thank you so much! :o) Xx

Makeup by Candlelight

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Nicole Brzuchalski says · 02.18.14

Thanks for sharing these tips! I’ve been reading blogs for several years now and finally decided to give it a try myself this year! We’ll see how it goes!

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Christina Storm says · 02.18.14

Love this! Thanks for the tips!

The Style Storm
<3, Christina

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crix89 says · 02.18.14

What kind of camera do you use to take your photos? They always turn out great!

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crix89 says · 02.18.14

Ignore my comment, I just saw the answer in your FAQ section!

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Jennifer MommyLifeAfterPh.D. says · 02.18.14

Thanks for sharing. It’s always nice to get some perspective from a much larger blog. Congrats on your success!

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Aimee says · 02.18.14

Thanks for sharing Kate, I’ve just recently started my own blog. I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, but its fun finding things out along the way!

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Karlyn Beth says · 02.18.14

As always, this is great advice! Us newbie bloggers appreciate any help we can get from more experienced bloggers like yourself and your sister.

Karly
missinthemidwest.blogspot.com

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Rebecca Nelson says · 02.18.14

Thank you for the advice. I recently started a blog to keep my family and friends back home up-to-date on my life, but also to share my unusual story with others who might be interested. I don’t plan on turning it in to a business, but that could change if more than my friends and family end up reading it. 🙂 I love to write, so it is also a way for me to have a hobby while my husband is busy with seminary. I love reading you blog as well as Lauren’s and appreciate both of you taking time to share with us “little bloggers”. Have a great week! 🙂

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Rebecca says · 02.18.14

Thanks for the information – starting a blog has been a little scary, but it’s also so much fun to write about things that I enjoy. I look forward to reading your blog every day…keep up the good work!
Rebecca
http://sweetandsimplelifeblog.blogspot.com/

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Amy Hodgdon says · 02.18.14

Thanks for the thoughts! 🙂 It’s always helpful to have some advice! 🙂
http://lovelydoesit.com

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Visceral Maze says · 02.18.14

thanks for the advice. I heard many times that you have to offer something fresh, but no body seems to state an example that worked for them. do you have a personal example that you realized attracted readers for your unique prespective?

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Katrina Rad says · 02.18.14

I always felt awkward when writing comments, and now I totally understand that all you have to do is talk like you’re talking to a friend. Simple comments, and it truly does make my day when I get comments, so I’m glad I can now make other bloggers days a little brighter by adding my thoughts to their lives. 🙂 Loved this post

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midwesternbelle.com says · 02.18.14

I love these tips and really enjoy reading your blog! I started blogging right after you in February 2011!

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The Lipstick Channel says · 02.18.14

I just launched my blog and YouTube channel yesterday about love and fashion so this article is really helpful-thanks!

http://www.thelipstickchannel.com

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erinmjustice.com says · 02.18.14

Hey! I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I was out of town when my post went live, but you can read more about it here: http://erinmjustice.com/2014/02/14/feelin-the-blog-love-versatile-blogger-award/

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Theresa says · 02.18.14

Kate,
I loved your post today! You were a huge source of inspiration for me this last year when I started my blog http://www.amominthemaking.com/

You continue to be inspiration on your blog everyday.

Speaking of blog conferences… will you be attending any this year?

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Sarah Farris says · 02.18.14

Thanks for posting this! I just started my own blog and have been a fan of your tutorials for a long time!

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Wonder Incubator says · 02.18.14

Thanks for this post! Your series about blogging from last year (that you decided to give away for free) was really helpful to me. It caused me to think a lot about the implications of giving things away instead of charging. I so appreciated having your insights! If anyone hasn’t seen it, here is the first part: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2013/02/blogging-part-1-so-you-want-to-start.html%5D

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Beth McFadden says · 02.18.14

Let us know when it is time for FAQ! I have a good one this month.

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Carla says · 02.18.14

Very informative Kate. I think your blog is amazing and i’ve really enjoyed your journey! It would be a dream if my blog because as big as yours… but like you said, it’s important to blog for the love of blogging. Everything else will happen as it’s suppose to. xo Carla

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Kim Bates says · 02.19.14

Hey Kate!
I have a totally random question. There are a couple of brands (specifically Numi and Bellami) that are hyped up a lot on youtube. I was just wondering your thoughts on these brands for hair tools. Have you tired them? I really trust your opinion and I feel like you’re honest. There are so many promo codes floating around you can get a pretty hefty discount but I’m just skeptical about the quality (for obvious reasons). Love to hear your thoughts!!

PS – Your little guy is super adorable!! Giving me baby fever!

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Megan Moments says · 02.19.14

This comment has been removed by the author.

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Megan Moments says · 02.19.14

Thanks for all the tips Kate. I just took a leap of faith and started my own blog a couple of weeks ago. I have no idea what I’m doing but hopefully I’ll learn in time. I could only dream of being as successful as you have been.

Megan

meganmomentsblog.blogspot.com

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kirti goyal says · 02.19.14

Very informative Kate. I think your blog is amazing and i’ve really enjoyed your journey! It would be a dream if my blog because as big as yours..Thanks for this post! Your series about blogging from last year (that you decided to give away for free) was really helpful to me. nice article thanx or share it click here for love couples , partner love stories and matchmaking service for free

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Amanda Schaumburger says · 02.19.14

Love your posts about blogging especially seeing as how I’ve just ‘re-entered’ the blogging world with a fresh, new start. It’s been a blast googling CSS for ‘how to remove white space’ and generally just trying to figure it all out along the way, to pull together exactly what I’m looking for.

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Aerin Downs says · 02.19.14

Thanks for the good advice :)!

Berrie-Blogs// Beauty Blog x

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Leslie Moore says · 02.19.14

Definitely great tips!

theprettymustache.com 🙂

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beautopiaxoxo says · 02.20.14

I read this post along with your other related posts and they’re so extensive! Thanks for the tips and such. I’ve started blogging not too long ago so I’m still really new to a lot of things and know how hard it is starting up. Thanks again! 🙂

http://beautopiaxoxo.blogspot.com

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zrh8185 says · 02.20.14

aawwww, what kind of nail color is that?? it looks so awsome!!

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TwoBlondies OneBlog says · 02.20.14

This was really useful as we’re just starting up! Thank you xxxx
http://www.twoblondiesoneblog.blogspot.ae/

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fullycurious says · 02.20.14

I am also a new blogger who just started last month, thanks for the post!
http://fullycurious.wordpress.com/

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Miss Cindy says · 02.20.14

This is pretty awesome advice! Thanks so much for posting <3

http://www.cindyslittleblackbook.com

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Deanne A says · 02.24.14

Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

http://itsthesoundofsunshine.blogspot.com/

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Samantha Mariko says · 02.25.14

This was a really helpful post! Looking forward to most posts from you!
http://www.lettersimpromptu.blogspot.com

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Kristi Cormier says · 04.06.16

I have done hair and lots of it and it’s curly.. I am growing it out from a A line cut.. I love your shoulder length tutorials.. You make it look so easy.. Your boys are adorable. And love to hear about them.. This is the first time I have ever blogged so I hope I got it right..

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