PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Friday, August 8, 2014

How I Doubled My Page Views in a Month {or two}… My Blog's Story

I have been blogging for a little over three years.  But it does not really feel like it.  
See here is a quick overview of the story of my blog.
July 2011:  Felt called to start a blog.  Started said blog.
August 2011-May 2012:  Didn't make blogging a priority.  Posted periodically.
June 2012-February 2014:  I started writing consistently.  We had just been through a miscarriage and writing was healing to me.  Then we got pregnant again. Then had a baby.  And I just had to document all of that!
March 2014-Present: I decided if I was going to spend my time writing, I should try to grow my blog's readership.  So I actually put forth an effort on my blog beyond writing.  I made an effort to gain followers!
The Result- My blog's page views doubled, in one month, and they are continuing to grow!
Now to the good part… how did I do it?  I don't claim to be an expert {yet:)} but I figure someone out there can learn from my experience!

{one}

I got *better* about posting on social media.  Technically, this is still a needs improvement area, but I do share more.  Really, think about it, how are you going to gain readers if you don't share.  
Blogger Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter
I do not post on them all every time.  But I do post on a couple each time I have a new post.  

{two}

I participated in link ups, linky parties and blog hops.  And I participated in a lot of them.  I basically took the 30 minutes after my quiet time each morning and linked up, read other blogs and commented on other people's blogs!  Need some pointers on link parties?  Check out this post.

{three}

I made blogging friends. I started contacting other bloggers.  We traded buttons, directing traffic to each other's sites.  We traded posts on each other's blogs sharing our readers.  It is actually through Leslie, a blogging friend that I made, that we started the WHAT YOU WISH WEDNESDAY link party.
ourlifeonabudget
So all in all…
it took some time.  Writing is still my favorite, by far.  If I could outsorce the techie stuff I would.  But it is an investment you have to make to grow the good old blog.  
From here???
*Big plans… hopefully continue to grow.  I know more things to do to grow the blog.  I just have to find time to do them.
*Also… I plan to do some mentoring!  Want some advise now?  I am giving it out for free ;) just email me!
AND
follow me at…
Blogger Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter

Photobucket

33 comments:

  1. Great tips!! Growing a blog is a lot of work for sure :)

    Tori
    FashionBlingGirlyThings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks… and yes, when I started I thought all I had to do was write. There is so much more than that!

      Delete
  2. These are great tips! I'm always trying to learn things I can do to grow my blog. I just want to be able to share and connect and get ideas from other moms like me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't wait to get started learning together! Awesome things are in the works!

      Delete
  3. Good for you!! Growing a blog takes a lot of work! I never can figure out how people completely blow up their following over {what seems like} overnight!

    I've been doing this blogging thing for 2.5 years now and love it!!! But yeah, hard work :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have wondered that too… there is one blog I follow and she always talks about how quickly her blog grew.
      Maybe she is just better at this than me!

      Delete
  4. Love this post. Great tips too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for the reminder to share on social media.
    Please drop by!

    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did and plan on going back :)

      I have to remind myself about social media because that part is not my favorite!

      Delete
  6. Great advice! It's amazing what a difference it makes when we become intentional!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really, that is what it took. I think blogging among other things has taught me nothing comes easy!

      Delete
  7. Thank you for sharing what you have learned.... this is all such a process and help is so wonderful. This is where we are... working to make the blog grow... and keeping it from taking too much of my time that needs to go to my family, teaching, etc. Thank you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I grow the blog… that is the next question… how to find the balance!

      Delete
  8. This is really good. I'm really lacking on the social media side of things. What sort of things do you post on there each time you update? So far I've participated in a lot of linky parties; just one or two per post and that has got my page views up to between 15-40 a day. (I know that's not a lot but like you I have only just gotten serious about blogging) Your blog looks beautiful and I'm encouraged that it's on BlogSpot because I have heard so many people say to go over to wordpress and I'm just not ready. Have you ever tried a mailing list? That is my next challenge. Two great blogging resources for me are www.howtheyblog.com and faithfulbloggers.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the awesome resources! I will check those out. I hear the same thing about blogger vs wordpress… but I needed EASY when I started and I know of quite a few successful blogs on blogger. I am not looking to become world famous, so I think blogger will be just fine for now!

      As for posting, the only thing I post to every time is FB and I try to remember to do Pinterest. When I post on FB, I post every time to my blogs page and pony to my personal page if it is something more personal. I think FB is generally an easy place to start, and if you have a pinnacle image, you can get a lot of traffic from pinterest!

      Let me know if you are interested in learning more. I am planning to give advise to a couple of people to kick off my mentorshiping! What is your site? I will check it out!

      Delete
  9. Great tips...I know the social media can take so much time but I have learned as well it is so very important to driving traffic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know if I don't post… I don't get any traffic!

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes, good tips! I've been doing a few linkups every day this summer, and it's definitely helping!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome… link ups are key to connecting with new readers! :)

      Delete
  12. Great post! I am your newest follower via GFC! <3

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this! I'm 6 months new to blogging, but am loving it so far! Very helpful advise -- thank you!

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome… I certainly don't know everything… but I am trying to just share a little of what I do know! :)

      Delete
  14. Good tips. Blogging takes a lot of time, but it's so rewarding. I just prayed God would continue to bless your ministry through blogging. ~Pamela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pamela, That is the perspective I am trying to continue to have. God to use this blog for His glory! :)

      Delete
  15. Greetings Stasia!

    Thank you for the good read actually, this is really an easy way to work for blog. Even i love your simple link strategy. Yes agree on social media task, this is the greatest landscape for bloggers and marketers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grace, you are welcome! :) I know these are just a few strategies, but it is definitely a starting point!

      Delete
  16. Thank you for sharing your story. I started my blog in May and would love to have some advice/tips for my page if you are willing to help :) my page is www.strandsofpearls.weebly.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! :)
      We just moved and have been a little crazy… but I have looked at your blog and will keep up with it and be in touch soon! :)

      Delete
  17. great post! i'd love a post on which link parties are your favorites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love "A Mama Story" on Mondays and Five on Fridays when it is up and running! :)

      Delete