Blogging can be a wonderful asset to your business but it can also be extremely overwhelming and intimidating!! Over the past few months, it’s been my aim to push myself to become a more consistent, faithful, and efficient blogger – and today I’m sharing a few blogging tips that have helped me begin accomplishing those goals!! (For more info on how to actually start a blog in the first place – check out this amazing post from Jamie Delaine! So incredibly helpful!)

So, let’s get down to business! First of all…

Create a Blog Schedule

Creating a blogging schedule can make or break your blog! For the longest time I aspired to blog consistently, but there would simply be weeks when I had no clue what content to share or write about, so I would just let it slide. This was because I didn’t have a game plan. You will never be able to simply pull blog content out of nowhere – and if you can, it won’t last very long. This is why creating a blog schedule is beyond important! It will make your life so much easier and help you maintain consistency in blogging.

Keywording + SEO + Pinning! 

This is so huge! If you are going to spend time blogging, be sure you make the most of it! The WordPress plugin Yoast SEO is one of my favorite SEO tools! Add a focus keyword, post title, and meta description and you will be ready to rock and roll! ;) Similarly, be sure to pin your images after you blog. Even though you might not see very many re-pins (if any!) getting into healthy business habits will only benefit you in the long run.

Use Blogstomp

Not only does Blogstomp significantly cut down on the amount of time it takes to blog, it makes adding keywords & alt tags for your photos a BREEZE! (Side-note: here is a helpful blogpost if you are wondering what a keyword and alt tag even is) I seriously couldn’t ask for anything better! It makes blogging so much easier and so much more enjoyable – completely worth the $50 investment over and over again!

Create “Backup” Content

I don’t know about you all, but my best thoughts & ideas always come when I’m not expecting them. I’ll be driving and my mind is absolutely spinning with thoughts that I will forget if I don’t write them down. Be sure to write them in the “notes” on your iPhone or better yet – create a Google doc! Then you will be able to access these ideas from both your phone and computer. If you happen to have a free afternoon, take an hour to write a blog post that you can put away for a rainy day. ;) Things will always come up, so be sure you have “backup” content for those days (or weeks) when things just don’t go as planned!

Be Confident

Do I sometimes feel like a complete and total loser for even blogging in the first place? Do I wonder if anyone even reads my blog or CARES what I have to say? Do I hope that someone besides my Mom will enjoy my post? (love you, Mom!) ;) Yes to all of those!! But the only thing those fears will do is keep me from ever succeeding. Maybe nobody except my Mom reads my blog, but you know what? It pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges me to be diligent and consistent. Nothing bad can come from that! Consistency builds reputability which builds a following. My ultimate goal is to reach & bless other people – photographers, brides, friends, etc. – with my blog. But that will never happen if I never begin. Don’t let the fear of failing keep you from starting! Go for it! Grow yourself. There are a multitude of people who will tell you that is absolutely pays off in the long run!!

SO – go make that blog schedule, write that blog post that has been on your heart, and make it happen! And be sure leave a link to your blog below, because I’d love to check it out and say hi!! :)

Much love,

Jessica Lauren