Today it's my blogversary! Happy Birthday Becoming you!! As a way of celebrating this past year and all that I have learnt and achieved I thought I would share with you some of the lessons and ways I have grown in my role as a "blogger".

I often get asked questions about "How to start a blog" so here are my Top 10 Tips for new Bloggers!

1. Be Yourself

The most important thing when starting out blogging (or anything really!) is to always be yourself. Let your personality shine through. Your readers, when they come, will want to hear what your opinion is on a matter, they will want to see your photography or find out what you've been cooking, making, crafting or where your family has been going.

2. Be Unique

This will be your little space on the World Wide Web. Stay true to who you are and what makes you, you. Don't try to imitate another persons' blog (or personality for that matter). Write about what interests you! By all means get ideas and inspiration from various sources around the internet and read plenty of blogs before starting one of your own but always, always write in your own voice. Think up new blog post ideas - don't just take ideas from other sites - that constitues plagiarism! Your originality is important.

3. Be Patient

Blogging has without a doubt been a HUGE test of patience - def something I need more of! The steep learning curve of the past year has been challenging but also amazing. I have loved learning new things such as html and picture editing software, tips on writing and blog layout as well as how to use Social Media for a blog or business. But none of this has been easy. I have on more than 1 occasions (ok many!) wanted to pack the whole thing in. I am by no means technical and have had to learn about plug-ins and widgets and malware (may you never have to learn about malware!) There will be days when it all gets too much and on those days I say: Take a break! Go back to the blog after a few days and see how you feel. If you decide it is too time-consuming - because it is! - then don't punish yourself for posting more infrequently or taking a sabbatical or giving it up altogether. Blogging is a passion - you have to LOVE it. The time it takes for each post is often a few hours so it can be incredibly time-consuming for very little reward. Don't expect to make money from your blog, not for at least a few years. I have yet to cover my costs! But I do love it and want to press on so even during those trying times I remind myself that I think I've found what I've always wanted to do but didn't know it.

4. Be Kind

Make friends with your fellow bloggers, link to them, mention them in your blog, introduce yourself when meeting in person. Comment, comment, comment. This is so important. EVERY blogger everywhere loves getting comments and most will pop by your blog to see what you're about. I wish I had more time to comment on every blog I read but I don't. One day I plan to do this... Send encouraging emails to the bloggers you admire and tell them. Ask them questions but don't push for a response. Bloggers are very busy and often still work full time so don't always have time to respond but some do and you will find that we are (mostly) a friendly bunch! When you do make it - remember that someone helped you along the way and Pay it Forward by helping others. Share your knowledge. If you know an awesome free photo editing site - tell others, if you find a way to boost your "likes" on Facebook - let your blogging buddies know, be positive and share links or competitions that other bloggers are hosting. The more you do this the better the profile of bloggers in general which can only help all bloggers in the long run. The SA blogosphere has a long way to go to catch up to the level of the US! Always link back to a blog if they were your source for a photo, idea or info.

For the rest of the list be sure to visit Becoming you blog.

Views: 88

Comment by Socratis Avgitidis on February 6, 2012 at 15:34

Invaluable advice. Happy Birthday Becoming you:)

Comment by alexandra avgitidis on February 6, 2012 at 16:42

Nice advice for life:)

Comment by Inspired Living SA on February 6, 2012 at 17:48

Great tips! :)

Comment by Becoming you on February 6, 2012 at 21:10

Thanks for the birthday wishes!! 

Comment by alexandra avgitidis on February 6, 2012 at 21:18
Happy Birthday!

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