What I wish I’d known about blogging when I started.
When I first dipped my toes into the blogging world back in 2006, I had no idea what I was doing. But I knew that I needed people to find my wedding photography website.
There was so much to learn, so much I wish someone had whispered in my ear over a cup of tea. If you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been at it for a while but feel like you’re trudging through mud, I’m here to share some of the stuff I just didn’t have a clue about.
Here’s what I wish I’d known about blogging when I started.
Keep It Simple
I’ll be honest, my first blog posts were like a (really poor) Shakespeare play: long, elaborate, and sometimes, a bit too much. I thought my readers wanted formal… I was still working as an insurance broker and really used to writing letters. So I sounded stiff and formal.
But what they really craved was simplicity and my own voice.
A simple, clear message speaks volumes more than a thousand flowery words. Keep your content straightforward and accessible. You’re not trying to win a literary award; you’re trying to communicate an idea, a thought, or a solution.
And you still want to sound like YOU!
Answer the Questions People Are Asking
This one was a game-changer for me. At first, I blogged about what I thought was interesting. But when I started answering the actual questions my audience was asking, that’s when I saw engagement skyrocket.
Use tools like Answer the Public, or even better, listen to your audience directly. What are they curious about? What problems do they need solving?
More recently someone gave me some great advice.
When you’re next on a discovery call look at what people are actually asking you! I record all of my calls with Fathom so that after the call I have a written transcript and summary. Then I copy it and put it into ChatGPT and ask it to tell me what were the main problems they were facing. Then I can use that for my blog.
Do It Regularly
Consistency is key. This isn’t just about keeping your audience engaged (though that’s a big part of it); it’s also about pleasing the Google gods.
Regular updates signal to search engines that your site is active and relevant, boosting your visibility. It doesn’t mean you need to publish every day – once a week or even bi-weekly can work. Just find a rhythm that suits you and stick to it.
I find that if I blog twice a week it keeps me relevant on google but also gives me lots of content to use on social media too. Whether that’s just simply sharing my blog posts on PINTEREST or FACEBOOK, or to repurpose for LinkedIn or Instagram.
Make Use of Pinterest
Ah, Pinterest, my not-so-secret weapon.
For a long time, I underestimated its power. Pinterest isn’t just for recipe collectors and DIY enthusiasts; it’s a powerhouse for driving traffic to your blog. Create eye-catching pins that link back to your posts, and watch as Pinterest becomes one of your top sources of visitors. It’s visual, it’s effective, and it can help your content get noticed by a wider audience.
I wrote a blog post about how I use Pinterest that you might find useful.
It made a huge difference on google
Focusing on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) from the start made a monumental difference in how Google viewed and valued my blog.
Initially, I underestimated the power of SEO-friendly content, keywords, and meta descriptions. However, once I started implementing these strategies, my blog’s visibility on Google search results improved significantly.
It wasn’t about stuffing posts with keywords but about making my content more accessible and discoverable by my target audience. Understanding and applying the basics of SEO can truly elevate your blog’s presence on the internet, making it easier for people to find you and engage with your content.
I recently had a guest blogger on this very topic “SEO Essentials for Yorkshire’s Female-Led Service Businesses“
It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
This was perhaps the hardest lesson for me. I’m a perfectionist at heart, and I would spend hours tweaking a single blog post, never quite satisfied.
But here’s the thing: perfection is an illusion. Your blog posts don’t need to be flawless; they need to be authentic. Authenticity resonates with readers far more than polished perfection ever could. So, breathe, let go of the need for perfection, and just write.
What I wish I’d known about blogging when I started.
Blogging is a journey, not a destination. It’s full of learning curves, surprises, and, yes, the occasional face-palm moment. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.
By keeping things simple, answering your audience’s burning questions, maintaining a regular posting schedule, leveraging Pinterest, and embracing imperfection, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Remember, every blogger was once a beginner. Keep at it, and who knows? Maybe one day, someone will be writing about how your blog inspired them to start their own. Happy blogging!
And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:
1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.
Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots. Read more on the blog
2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.
We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read more) or you could join me at a Branding Day.
3) Join ‘Visibility School’.
Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and lots of bonus content too (new for 2024 members) . Read
