Since the beginning of December I’ve really started to put 110% effort into my blogging. I’ve noticed a small increase in following and it’s really ignited my passion and love for writing and blogging again. I definitely need to up my game a bit more so that it’s something I can be truly proud of 🙂 fingers crossed I can do it! Here’s what I plan to do…
Building a content calendar
So at the moment this is something I do loosely. Working in marketing & content creation I should know better really! Having the past in wedding planning that I do, scheduling and planning is in my blood.
It’s something that I suppose is ingrained in you. I love being on top of all my work and what I want to do. My plan is to buy a cute calendar for my office, one that isn’t my diary that I take around with me. TKMaxx do gorgeous ones so I’ll let you know when I pick one up! Recommendations are always welcome 🙂
Photography
I’ve read a lot of blogs recently that stress the importance of photography. This is definitely something that I need to improve on this year! Personally, I only have the use of my iPhone 6Plus. Don’t get me wrong I would absolutely love to have a proper camera that had all the bells and whistles but right now I just can’t afford it. One day maybe! For now I plan on working on my flatlay skills, getting the lighting just right and making sure my photoshop skills are up to scratch. I may even invest in a softbox or a light, any suggestions?
More frequent posting
At the moment I’m trying to post twice a week, so far so good. I have been asked to do some guest writing too for GoDates on a regular basis, which is great! With all this plus working full time I’m pretty chuffed with how I’m doing. I would like to post a bit more but I don’t want to stretch myself too thin so that my content suffers. I think when I start planning my content calendar better I should see this improve, who knows!
Social
Sometimes I hate social media haha….I say this loosely, and hate is a strong word 😉 I find that us bloggers suffer sometimes, especially due to the “brilliant” algorithm on Instagram. Saying that I have managed to get over 500 followers now on mine, so thank you so much if you’ve given me a follow! I’ve also joined loads of blogging groups on facebook and made sure I share everything on twitter. It’s been great so far! Some of the groups are so engaging and supportive; it’s truly been a breath of fresh air! If you are a blogger and struggling, I can’t recommend the following facebook groups enough:
I could go on, there are loads after all. Just find the ones that suit you and make sure you engage 🙂
Scheduling
Another thing I’ve started to do as of recent is schedule. The platform I use is Buffer, it’s great and you can link all of your social accounts to it! I’m getting into scheduling Tweets, Facebook and Instagram posts every week, as well as my blog content. I tend to find that with working full time and trying to fit in blogging can be tough, so I schedule most things in now. All of which is keeping me organised and making sure I’m sharing a good amount of my content across social media (oh and also having a bit of downtime for me and the other half!).
Do you have any more tips you can share? I’d love to hear them!
I need to use Buffer more!! I only use it for my FB blog group. I also need to get on a publishing schedule. I feel as though I’m all over the place. I really love these goals!! Xo Jackie http://www.thatswhatsupblog.com
Author
I felt like I was all over the place too but the tools really do help you to get organised 🙂
Love your site! x
Your game plan is made up of awesome tips that every blogger needs act onto up their game as well. Photography and scheduling of posts are what I plan on tackling first. Great share, all the best!
Author
Thanks so much! Glad I can help where I can ☺️
Oooh I had never heard of Buffer before so thank you for that suggestion!! I also need to up my photography game, I did A-level photography at college and haven’t touched my camera since (2 years) but I really want to post fashion related content on my blog to which I need to start using my camera more 🙂
Author
Buffer is great! I also tweet in between but it means you can get the bulk of it done in advance 😄 oh awesome! I’ll keep an eye out for some for sure! Drop me an email when it goes up ☺️
These are some great tips! Thanks so much Sophie.
Laura
x
http://www.livingalacarte.co.uk
Author
You’re most welcome 🙂 hopefully I can get some more posted as I learn more! x
It sounds like you and I are going down a similar road 😉. I think you are on the right track…hoping much success for you and your blog!
Author
Hoping we’re on the right track 😉 glad someone is on a similar path to me 🙂 good luck with yours too! x
That’s serious motivation right there. Good luck! 🙂
Author
Haha I can only try! 🙂 thanks and you too!
It sounds like you have a good game plan! I need to up my own blogging game in several areas
I haven’t looked into buffer yet but i am definitely going to have to now! Thanks so much for helpful tips!
Author
Definitely do it, it’s super helpful! Especially if you have work or college!
These are great goals! I personally love using BoardBooster to schedule my Pinterest posts and loop my pins to all the group boards I am a part of. This makes it so that my Pinterest runs on autopilot & brings a ton of traffic to my blog every day! I need to look into Buffer because I would love a way to schedule FB posts as well.
Author
Oh awesome! Could I pick your brain about Pinterest??? Drop me an email [email protected]
Love these tips!! I plan on doing the same with my blog this year too 🙂 xx Shannon || http://www.champagneatshannons.com
Author
Glad you love them! I look forward to reading yours 🙂 x
Love all these tips! I’m planning on doing some of the same things with my blog and account this year as well. Congrats on over 500 followers, now you have 533, just followed as cupsofcouture
-Charlene
Author
Glad you liked them! 🙂 hopefully they help. Thanks so much, I’ll be sure to follow you back! x
Great post! I haven’t started using Buffer yet and I really should, it’s amazing how much time social media takes up…
Author
It is so surprising! I’ve found out more now as I work full time, and trying to juggle everything is a nightmare! But Buffer is awesome 🙂
Hi, these are great steps to take. Everyone talks about social media and nice imagery but I would say content marketing is even more important. For every post I write I have a specific plan (the goal of that piece of content and the tactics that will help me achieve that goal) mostly involving getting genuine backlinks to every post I have. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Author
Love that you have proper goals per post! I have to try this 🙂 x
I have a content calendar and I love how this improves my blogging! I took some time off after I discovered a major theme/category on my blog was trademarked, but I’m so happy to be picking back up for 2018!
Great list. Thank you for sharing.
Author
I can’t wait to get properly into my content calendar 🙂
Glad you’re picking it back up! Your blog looks fab!
this is an amazing game plan. you got me motivated to step it up this year also!
Author
So glad you enjoyed my post! Looking forward to reading your stuff!
I really appreciate hearing someone admit that there are some things they still need to work on for learning how to schedule and what not. Most people write these types of post about how they have thousands of readers and what not. I started my blog last year and I’m really working hard on just being able to post once a week and keep things consistent. Cheers to you and all the best with your blog this year~
Xo,
Joi
https://joi-knows-how.com
Author
I always admit there’s room for improvement because I think no matter how successful you are there always will be 🙂
I can’t wait to read your stuff and watch you grow! x
Hi Sophie,
great tips. I am trying to publish blog post at least two times in week.
I have a notes where I enter titles for new texts,as a reminder.
Keep writing
Author
Thanks so much Ben! I think 2 times is awesome and a really good start 🙂 I have a little notebook I keep with me in case I get a spurt of inspiration from somewhere!
Thanks for sharing, some great advice. I had a bit of time off in December so I will be using the above to get more productive this year with my blog.
Author
Thanks! I hope my tips are helpful 🙂
This post is for me…these are all of the things I said I need to buckle down and start doing to take my blog to the next level. So, thank you so much for the inspiration…and the kick in the *you know where*. It can be overwhelming at times managing all the moving parts, but seeing the results makes it worth it. I wish you all the best as you grow your blog!
Author
I’m glad my post helped! That’s what I was hoping for 🙂 I agree sometimes it is difficult, but when I get comments like this is makes all the hard work worth it!
I look forward to watching your blog grow.
These are brilliant things to focus on! I’m struggling to find a content calendar that works for me so if you find a good one, I’d love to read a post on it!
Author
I will be sure to post about it when I get mine 🙂 x
These are brilliant things to focus on! I’m trying to engage more with bloggers and create content that I’m proud of 🙂
Author
I love engaging with other bloggers! It’s nice to be able to share your passion with so many other like-minded people 🙂 looking forward to reading your stuff!
Thank you so much for sharing some FB Groups! I’m really new at blogging and am quite shy so engaging is quite a scary thing to do haha! I’ll join some groups and hopefully get some confidence xx Thank you again! Great post! x
Author
Honestly, all the group are amazing! 🙂 as long as you follow the rules they really help 🙂 xx