7 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BLOG RUNNING SMOOTHLY

 

The end of the year always seems to induce mild stress as well as excitement. In an attempt to keep things organised I wanted to share some ways to keep our blogs running smoothly, so we can concentrate on all festive fun things! Running a blog takes time and work and it's easy to neglect those little admin tasks. I hope this list will help keep our blogs happy :)

WHAT MAKES ME HIT THE FOLLOW BUTTON ON A BLOG

I know everyone says this but where has this month gone? September by far is flying by the quickest! The UK experienced an Indian Summer, I've started overhauling my wardrobe ready for Autumn and also researching Christmas party venues for work! Yep it's bye Summer and hello to a brand new season. I feel like I've been off my blogging game lately, I keep waiting for that spark of inspiration to ignite! Anyway whilst I figure out my groove, I've discovered lots of fab blogs and wanted to share with you guys what makes me hit that follow button and not bounce off a page and never to revisit again!

TIPS FOR BLOGGERS WORKING WITH BRANDS

Whether you blog full time or as a hobby like me, chances are you may have had the chance to work and collaborate with brands. This can from being sent beauty items to review, a service to try out or paid for sponsored content. I'm definitely a small potato when it comes to working with brands and no expert but I have picked up a few tips along the way, which I hope bloggers will find useful. I'm sure there are more extensive guides and 'dos and dont's' out there but these pointers will be a good starting point! 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BLOG MOBILE FRIENDLY

Who isn't glued to their smart phones these days? I know I'm always scrolling through my social media apps. I love Instagram and find it so easy to connect with new blogs! I'm pretty sure a lot of us are reading blogs more and more on our mobiles than on desktops - what do you guys think? Not all websites are smart phone friendly, the sizes and dimensions can be out of whack and you have to zoom in and out to read the page. If you're on Blogger, there are some super simple ways to make your blog interface more mobile friendly.

HOW TO FIND YOUR BLOGGING DIRECTION

I admit when I first started blogging I was a bit haphazard with my approach and it definitely wasn't well thought out. Whilst there's nothing wrong with being spontaneous, around half a year ago I feel like I've really found my blogging niche and the direction I want to go. It can be really hard to find your place and make your mark in an over saturated market, but that shouldn't stop us from creating amazing content! I wanted to share a few steps to help other creatives or for those starting out to find their direction online.

6 SKILLS I'VE GAINED FROM BLOGGING

The first blog I remember coming across was a girl on Live Journal many moons ago - does anyone remember that platform?! I loved her witty writing and quirky photography. Fast forward a few years and instead of thinking I had nothing worth while to contribute online, I set up Hanhabelle and just went with it. I didn't have a plan or know where I really wanted to take it. One thing's for sure there's definitely more to blogging than pretty photos and fancy fonts. Here are 6 skills that I've gained from blogging, let me know if you agree with any of these!

4 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR BLOG READERS SOME LOVE

What makes you go back to your favourite blogs? Content and creativity are key factors right? For me it's also the voice behind the blog, one that sounds like they've taken the time to think about their readers. It's nice to be thoughtful online especially as we rely on words to get our thoughts across. So here are a few tips on showing some love to your readers :)

5 BLOGGING RULES YOU CAN BREAK

OK technically there aren't set blogging rules but like with any rules, such as not mixing prints or wearing white after Labor Day, here are some that I think can be broken...

5 THINGS I'VE LEARNT FROM BLOGGING PHOTOGRAPHY

For me blogging and photography go hand in hand like peanut butter and jam. A well shot image speaks volumes, in a sea of thousands of blogs. I'm definitely no expert or professional but I've come a long, long way since my University days, processing images in the dark room! Rather than getting into the nitty gritty technical details of shooting photos, I wanted to share 5 things I've learnt on my blogging photography journey. FYI I shoot with a Sony NEX 3N - compact, lightweight, fast shutter speed and fold out view finder - perfect for those all important selfies!

BEING BLOGGING SAVVY

When I'm not working or online shopping, I try to find creative outlets where I can or else my mind will turn to mush! So with that in mind blogging is definitely my creative hub, (bless you humble blog!) So along with the creative content, there are some simple pointers which I think bring a smart approach to blogging and a good basis for any post.

5 PHOTO APPLICATIONS TO MAKE BLOGGING EASIER

Since I've been blogging for around the last 6 months, I rely on a few applications to make my life that bit easier (blog life that is not real life!) Anything that keeps my photos organised and looking great is a must for me, so I'm sharing my top 5 with you!

TOP TIPS FOR A GREAT BEAUTY REVIEW

I think we all rely on reviews when deciding to purchase new beauty products, bar the occasional impulse buy! My go to site is usually Makeup Alley as well as beauty blogs of course. Safe to say bloggers are a pretty influential bunch when it comes to product reviews, so many of my beauty purchases have been enabled by a blogger and their helpful 2 cents.