Hiii everyone and TGIF! While I was sick AF a few weeks ago, I found myself worrying a lot about my blog, because I was not well enough to take care of daily maintenance. But, upon returning back to a healthy state of being, I found that I didn’t have anything to worry about, because I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Daily blog maintenance is so important, even when you can’t do it daily. How is that possible? I’m going to show you how:
Prewrite, Please:
You might notice on lifewithlilred that all of my posts are published at midnight every night. That’s compliments of prewriting. At one time, I normally have three to four posts scheduled so that I don’t have to worry about three to four days of writing. That’s why, when I was sick, I could breathe a sigh of relief because I had articles on backstock being published every day. This is the perfect solution for those who don’t have the time to write daily, but might have a free evening to knock out several posts in one sitting.
But, where do you get ideas for multiple posts at once? So glad you asked, because this leads me to my next tip:
Take Notes:
This sounds so basic, I know. But, damnit, if it isn’t the most valuable tip on here. How do I get so many things to prewrite about? Because I take notes on anything and everything for inspiration for future posts. Even if I just need a reminder to write about something the following day, I make note of it, because god knows how easy it is to forget an important memo in one days’ time. My notes range from writing about a new pair of shoes that I just bought to taking pictures next time I go on a hike in one of Ohio’s amazing Metro Parks. Reviewing my notes gives me ample inspo to create daily posts, which is something that is important to me for lifewithlilred.
Create Goals:
This ties into the last sentence of Taking Notes. Creating goals for yourself and things that are important to you for your page definitely can help keep you on track. What’s important to you for your page might be different than anyone else, but that’s part of what makes your blog unique. My goals for my page are to maintain daily posts and to log on at least once per day to interact with my readers in the comments. Once you identify what is important to you when it comes to blogging, every thing else just falls into place.
What are some of your goals for your page? What are some of your tips and tricks when it comes to blogging? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
These days, blogging has become a lucrative career, so there is no wonder that many hobby bloggers are now turning their sights to making a bit of money from their blog. There are various ways that you can monetize your site, from offering advertising space to companies to running sponsored posts for them. You might even want to sign up to an affiliate program, such as the one offered by Amazon, which will earn you a commission for every reader that you send over to their site.
Of course, you will need to put in a bit of effort and hard work before you can start to make some money from your blog. Ready to start blogging better so you can cash in on it all? Here are some tips that can help you make a success out of your blog:
Figure Out Your Niche:
If you don’t already have a niche for your blog, it’s time to figure one out. This can help you bag a lot more readers and followers. The bigger your readership, the more you will be able to charge for advertising space and sponsored posts, so it’s always necessary to try to get more clicks onto your site. Even though your niche will mean that you need to narrow down what you write about, it will bring you a lot more dedicated fans. So, what sort of niche should you take? If you are a beauty blogger, you might want to start blogging about niche products that can help soothe certain skin conditions. Food bloggers can cater to different dietary requirements. For example, you might want to turn your food blog into one that focuses on gluten-free recipes.
Next, it’s essential to think about your whole editorial approach. This will include things like the topics you will cover in future posts and when you will be covering them. Ideally, you should create an editorial plan to keep you on track. One useful tip is to write a lot of posts at once but then schedule their publication. That way, you will also have a bank of posts that you can fall back on if you ever go through a slow patch with your writing.
Take Your Own Pictures:
If you are currently using stock photos to brighten up your posts, you might want to think about starting to take your own pictures. Sure, there is nothing wrong with stock photos, especially since they are free to use. But, your own images will help to add a personal touch to your blog. Thankfully, the cameras on smartphones are so good these days, that you won’t have to invest heavily in professional camera equipment to be able to make your blog photos look incredible. It’s amazing what you can do with a smartphone and some filters!
Don’t forget that you need to make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes in any of your posts, either. If there are, then your blog might not look as professional as you would like, and this could ruin your chances of building some solid relationships with other brands and companies. Brands will want to find a blog and blogger that can help them reflect the quality of their products and services, and making these kinds of silly little mistakes could really put them off of working with you. If you know that spelling and grammar is something that you struggle with, you might want to hire some ServiceScape proofreaders to take a look at your posts before you publish them. You can then be happy knowing that all of your blog posts are free from any kinds of errors!
Use Mixed Media:
Photos might not be enough to make your blog posts look engaging and interesting to readers. Lots of bloggers are now using a variety of mixed media in their posts and throughout their website so that it all looks super appealing. If you go onto YouTube, you will find that there are thousands of videos that you might want to embed into your posts, for instance. In fact, you might want to even start making your own videos and try your hand at becoming a YouTuber. You can also earn money by posting videos onto YouTube. The more clicks you get, then the more money you can make. If you add advertisements to the start of each video, you even stand to make a lot more! So, using mixed media can not only help to improve your blog, but it can even help you make a bit of extra cash along the way!
Do you already add a lot of links to previous posts in your new blog posts? If not, then this is something that you need to start doing right away. This encourages readers to click to your other posts, which will keep them on your website for longer, and will bring down the average bounce rate. A low bounce rate is something that you need if you want to attract big-name brands to collaborate with you.
Integrate Social Platforms:
It’s also necessary to integrate social platforms into your blog, as well. This means that you need social media buttons on your website to encourage readers to share the posts on their own profiles. The wider your posts get shared, then the bigger your audience will grow. It’s also a good idea to automate sharing to your own profiles whenever a post is published. This can be easily done by connecting your blog hosting account to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Then, when a post is published on your blog, a link will be posted on your social media.
It may take some time before your blog can be monetized, but making use of all of the tips in this post will set you off in the right direction. Good luck with it all in the future!
Howdy! I decided to make my Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas post a series, so today we are going to wrap things up with the grand finale! Writer’s block and blogs with no content will be a thing of the past, because after this post yours truly will have provided FIFTEEN prompts to help get you started. We will conclude with these ideas:
You could write about…
Your Pets:
Who doesn’t love animals? Whether it be your dog or cat or maybe you have more exotic pets like a snake or parrot, animal posts are always fun. I, myself, have written about my two beloved rescue pups, Gem and Ollie, many a time. You could share pictures of your furry, feathery, or scaly friends, which is sure to bring a smile to your reader’s faces. Or you could write about the rescue organization that you adopted your forever friend from. No matter how you go about it, pet posts are sure to please!
Your Job:
Being in the working force is something that almost all of us are familiar with. No matter if it’s the dream job or a dead end deal that you’re ready to move on from, chances are that your readers can relate. Of course, don’t spill details that you’re not comfortable with like your coworker’s names or the company that you’re employed by. But, do share humorous work stories like that time that your boss had toilet paper stuck to his or her shoe or when you accidentally asked for “one sex” instead of “one sec” while getting out your resume in a job interview. Or, perhaps you just need to vent about a bad day on the job. We all get it, so share away.
Your BFF:
With #friendshipgoals always being a relevant trending topic, why not write about your bestie? Maybe you have been best friends with your number one for over a decade, like mine. Or you might have met your A1 in an unconventional way. Your readers will be inspired by your loyalty to your ride or die AND your best friend will love being featured on your page – it’s a win/win. With friendship in mind, you could also write about tips for making new friends, which is especially beneficial to those that are shy or have some social anxiety. So, take a seat at your laptop and spread the friendship love!
Your Dreams:
What was the craziest/scariest/funniest/weirdest dream that you’ve ever had? Do you wake up with feelings of “wtf?” every morning from your vivid dreams during your snoozefest? Then, creating a dream log on your blog might be a great and interesting way to create content. We share our crazy dreams with people sometimes as soon as we wake up, so why not do the same on your page? Or, if you forget your dreams pretty easily, then you could always write about your daydreams, instead. A shopping spree or a trip to Europe, anyone?
Food & Drinks:
We all have to eat and drink, it’s a fact of life. And, because of that, us lucky bloggers will always have something to write about. Are you an adventurous eater? Or maybe you are a bit picky and are trying to branch out some more. Perhaps you love to host dinner parties. A meal brings people together in every walk of life, so food related posts can really help to bring a sense of community to your page. Share your favorite recipes, tell us your cooking disasters, and dish on your kitchen hacks that will make cooking and cleanup afterwards easier. Us foodies want to know!
I hope that this brainstorming series was beneficial to all of my blogging friends that tune into lifewithlilred. Thank you for checking it out! Which ideas are you going to incorporate into your blog? How do you go about creating content on your page? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hellooooo! Yesterday we talked about five different topic starters for when you are experiencing a case of writer’s block. And today, we are going to discuss a few more ideas for when you’re totally out of ideas for your blog post for the day or week. Let’s get to it!
You could write about…
A Movie/Book Review:
There is truly not enough time in the world to get through all of the books or movies on your must watch/read list when you lead a busy life. And when you finally get to tuck into that sequel or movie that you’ve been dying to see and realize that it really sucked can make it seem like you wasted your time. Not to mention that it’s disappointing! Reviews for books, movies, or even TV series are always going to be helpful for those who want to know whether to give that piece of pop culture the time of day. It also provides a hub for those who want to dish their opinions, as well. This is an excellent topic to focus on if you are a book worm or the film critic of your friends.
Your Favorite Songs/Bands:
It’s always fun to be introduced to new music. Not only that, but it’s interesting to see what your favorite blogging friends like to listen to when they’re making the commute to work. Use a post to highlight your all time favorite tunes or describe a concert that you went to recently. I’m sure that many of you revel in the chances to show your friends your favorite bands, so why not do the same on your page? Music posts are a great way to tell your readers more about yourself and starts great conversation in the comments, too!
Your Workout Regime:
Fitness will always be a hot trending topic, as most of us try to live a healthy lifestyle and try to incorporate some form of working out into our week. It doesn’t matter what level your workout is at. You could do the bare minimum or be a body builder, but there will always be someone who is right there with you and could benefit from your tips. New Year’s Resolutions are definitely still relevant, especially as some might be slowing down with their goals to get in better shape. Use your post for the day to help motivate those that are in the resolution slump or just beginning their fitness journey – it could help change someone’s life.
Crafting/DIY:
Pinterest will always be the mecca of all things DIY, but that doesn’t mean that your blog can’t become the next crafting hot spot! Similarly to working out, it doesn’t matter if you are an expert crafter or barely scraping by on your project, because someone will always benefit from it. Tell us about the best crafting products, give a step by step guide on your latest DIY endeavor, or you could even tell us about the time that your craft was an epic failure. Crafting is a fun and lighthearted topic to write about and can help inspire the artistic side in your readers. It doesn’t get much better than that if you have a passion for all things arts and crafts.
Ballin’ On A Budget:
Saving money is something that literally everyone could benefit from. In fact, if you were to write about your best tips for penny pinching, you would have a reader in me because I love that shit! Do you know where to score free swag? Maybe you know how to coupon so well that it brings new products to dirt cheap prices. Or, perhaps you know how to save tons of moolah on your travels. No matter what the saving money technique is that you shine in, I WANT TO KNOW! And, chances are, so does everyone else because who doesn’t love saving money?!
Writer’s block sucks, but the prompts above sure don’t! Use my tips above and you’ll be cranking out new content in no time. What are your go to writing topics? How do you cure a bad case of writer’s block? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
As writers, we all have those days where we can’t seem to come up with anything. Whether that be writing a novel in pen or typing away on your blog, when nothing seems to click, it can be nothing short of ripping your hair out frustrating. We’ve all had writer’s block in some way shape or form as far as creating content goes. And today, I am here to help you get unstuck when you need some ideas for posts on your blog. Take a look:
You can write about…
Your Favorite Travel Location:
Whether it be your favorite family vaca or just your local coffee shop around the block, shine some spotlight on it. Everyone daydreams about travel, so give the people something to wanderlust about. Perhaps you visited Harry Potter World in Florida or California. Maybe that cute little smoothie shack in town makes the best strawberry banana treat that you’ve ever tasted. Giving people an escape from their own world is what blogging is all about, so literally let them escape and transport them to your favorite place.
All Things Beauty:
Do you have a cupboard full of makeup products or nail polishes? Do you dye your own hair? Perhaps you’re a cosmetologist, hair stylist, or nail tech. Tell us more! Beauty tips and tricks will always be popular, but it’s seriously such a hot topic right now. From YouTube influencers to celebrities spilling their secret hacks, everyone seems to be enthralled in learning more about the world of makeup. Dish about your favorite products, tricks, or your profession in the industry and watch your stats skyrocket.
Passion For Fashion:
Are you a shopaholic like myself? Are you a shoe hoarder? Do you love styling OOTDs? Similar to beauty, fashion is a hot trending topic right now. Whether you’re a full blown fashionista or just starting to develop your personal style, fashion posts will always be in demand. Tell us where you score the best deals for designer looks. Write about your tips on finding amazing steals at the thrift shop. Teach us how to style a wardrobe staple, like a blazer, two or three different ways. Or, maybe you have some crazy stories about working fashion retail. No matter the topic, those with a passion for fashion will certainly appreciate it.
Snap Some Pics:
Are you a budding photographer? A selfie queen? Or, you might just love snapping some quick pics on your iPhone of things that interest you as you make your way throughout the day. Like writing about travel locations, pictures can transport the reader, as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re a photography professional or just starting out, because a picture is worth a thousand words. Show your readers the world through your eyes, and discover or refine a newly found or old passion.
Tell Us More:
A blog is literally an online diary and sometimes it can help to treat it as such. Maybe you had a bad day. Perhaps you had a totally embarrassing moment that, in hindsight, was hilarious. Or, something amazing happened and you want to scream it from the mountain tops. Write it out. Your days might not be interesting to you but, to others, it might feel like reading reality TV. Everyone has had the feeling before that literally every single person on the planet has a more exciting life than them. Or, they might just want to relate to someone else’s problems instead of focusing on their own. No matter what the case may be, share it with the world and watch as people come forward to share their own similar situations or just offer a kind word.
Blogging is a tough job, but somebody has gotta do it. So why not you? Getting stuck on creating content can certainly suck. But, with the guide above, you should be able to start cranking out new posts in no time!
How do you shake the feelings of writer’s block? What is your go to topic to write about? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hihihi! This past Friday, lifewithlilred was nominated for its sixth Blogger Recognition Award by my friend Cherilyn over at Cherilyn Does. I love chit chatting with Cherilyn and her blog is definitely a must read – especially if you have an interest in makeup. She seriously does the most fabulous product reviews! Thanks for your friendship and the nomination, darling! The rules to this award are as follows:
The Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
Write a post to show your award.
Give a brief story of how your blog started.
Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
Select 15 other bloggers that you want to give this award to and comment on each blog to let them know with a link to your award post.
Because my original thoughts on my first Blogger Recognition Award hasn’t changed much, you can view them here and I will just move on to my nominees!
Once more, do give Cherilyn’s page some love – her blog is such a treat! What are some of your blogging tricks and tips? Who is one of your favorite bloggers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Woohoo!!! I just had to write a quick post to thank all of my readers, because I now have over 7,000 followers!! This is a gigantic landmark and I am so proud to be on the better half to 10,000 lifewithlilred followers – so here’s to making that happen. 😀 Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of my friends and followers of lifewithlilred, because this achievement is compliments of each and every one of you!
Hey! Okay, ever since my post about my 2017 stats, I have been receiving a lot of cries for help in the blogging world for tips and tricks. So, today, I thought that I would share the wealth and give some advice for those who want to see more action on their page. The tricks that are seen below have worked wonders for lifewithlilred and I have already seen an increase in my numbers in this month alone. Let’s get to it!
Write, Write, Write:
You can’t have a blog without content and it is SO important that you keep cranking posts out. In 2017, I posted every single day and that gave me the best stats yet in my almost four years of blogging. Can’t commit to daily posts? Then try and create a schedule and stick to it so that your readers will know which days to come back to see something new.
Branch Out:
I always thought that my page would be strictly a beauty and fashion blog, but one will find that they lose inspiration for content very quickly if they limit themselves to just one or two categories of writing. Try giving other styles of writing and different subjects a go and see the spikes in your stats from your spicy new content.
Interact With The Blogging World:
Bloggers won’t bite, I promise. The blogging community is so fantastic, talented, and welcoming. Explore different blogs, make new friends, and gain insight into literally any topic that you can imagine. I have made countless amazing friends through lifewithlilred and that’s what is most important to me, always. The extra exposure that you can get from interacting with others is just another sweet added bonus of the blogosphere.
Social Media Is Your Friend:
If you have a ton of Facebook friends or followers on Twitter and Instagram, then why not share your blog on your social media? My URL for lifewithlilred is the first thing that people see when they find my personal Facebook page. I never am spammy about my posts or anything like that, but my URL is there for those that want to explore my blog further.
If you have a specific likeable page for your blog on social media, that’s great. I have one, myself, but I pick my battles and I chose to spend more time on my actual WordPress blog rather than trying to get more people to like my lifewithlilred Facebook page. Be picky about what you put your time and energy into and make sure that what you choose is what would benefit your blog the most.
In Conclusion:
Admit it, when you started blogging you thought that it would be a piece of cake. You also might have been a bit shocked to find out that it’s not in the slightest. Blogging is hard work that you really have to dedicate yourself to if you want to see results. Not only that, but it’s a little bit of luck, as well. But, with the tips above, you can make the odds of seeing the fruits of your labor flourish turn more in your favor. Good luck!
What are your blogging tips and tricks? What are your goals for your blog? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hey everyone and happy Thursday! Lifewithlilred has now been floating around in cyber space for over THREE YEARS now, which is crazy. That means it’s been over three years of almost daily publishing, which means that you guys should know me pretty well by now, right?
WE’RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT:
*Cue the intense music*
In today’s edition of How Well Do You Know Lil Red?, I will be asking eight questions of increasing difficulty. The answers will be posted tomorrow as well as a link to the page of whoever answered the most questions correctly first!
HERE WE GO:
True or False: Lil Red is a vegetarian.
What store do I constantly post about shopping at?
What is my favorite genre of books/movies?
Do I prefer sweet or sour candy?
What type of job did I work before starting college?
Where did I earn my Associate Of Arts degree from?
What kind of animal is my dream pet?
What brand of lipstick do I use?
Lil Red Pro Tip: Need help? The Awards category on my page is a great place to start to find the answers!
How Well Do You Know Lil Red? How well do you think your readers know you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hi everyone and TGIF! Today is a very exciting day because it’s lifewithlilred’s three year Blogiversary! Three years ago to the day (Or yesterday, actually, lol – you can never be sure!), my blog baby was conceived. And now, three years later, lifewithlilred continues to go strong with readers in over one hundred and seventy different countries. Wow!
Lifewithlilred came into being when I made the decision to go to college. I needed a change from feeling like I was going nowhere, thanks to spending four years working retail in the mall (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it was my time to go.). During my time selling clothing, I began growing what is now the black abyss that is my wardrobe and my peers and strangers, alike, agreed that I was fashionable and somewhat funny. At least once per week, I was told that if I began a blog, that I would have a reader in the person making the suggestion.
After enough positive prodding from the general public, I rolled my eyes and said, “fine”. I was making big and exciting changes in my life, so I figured “what’s one more?”. Thus, lifewithlilred was born. My blog name sprouted from the nickname, “Lil Red”, that was lovingly given to me by one of my favorite coworkers. And, Lil Red, obviously sprouted from my trademark red hair and red lipstick. Lifewithlilred just rolled off the tongue, so it stuck.
In my three years on the blogosphere, I have made so many amazing friends and wrote for companies that I admired from afar, like Adore Me and Warby Parker. My writing skills have improved a thousand fold, thanks to trying to post daily, and my confidence has skyrocketed from putting myself out there in the public eye. Lifewithlilred gives me a place where I feel like I am being heard, which is something that I used to want so desperately when I was feeling at my lowest. My blog truly feels like my little slice of internet paradise, and I am so proud of building that for myself and my readers.
Speaking of my readers! Here’s to all of you. Although I would love lifewithlilred even if I was the only person reading it, it would be a pretty lonely place without all of my friends and fans tuning in. To those of you who have been on my page since the beginning, thank you for your endless support. And to those of you who just discovered lifewithlilred, welcome aboard and I so hope that you will stick with me as my page continues to grow.
Thank you to everyone reading this. Thank you to anyone who has so graciously given my page a like, follow, comment, and the time of day. Lifewithlilred would be nothing without all of you!
Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!!! ❤
What inspired you to start blogging? How long have you been on the blogosphere for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
lifewithlilred 