- Blog for yourself, not to gain followers. This is my number one rule for blogging. Your blog should reflect what you love and enjoy; not just something that you want to portray to the virtual world. If it's not what you truly love, your posts will suffer.
- Keep it simple. When I first got started, I used brightly colored, busy backgrounds. Please don't make the same mistake that I did. It's so much more visually appealing to keep things plain and simple. Think about it. If you're reading a tutorial on how to make a fabulous chocolate chip cookie, you probably don't want neon polka dots glaring in your eyes, or random music blasting from your computer's speakers.
- You can teach yourself what you need to know. You don't need to have a degree in graphic design to set up a blog. Really. All you need is Google, and a little patience. There are tons of people out there that are sharing their knowledge of HTML with others. (P.S. I always found this list of blogging how-to's to be especially helpful!)
- Always put a photo (or photos) in your posts. This is usually the first attention getter for readers. And you don't need a DSLR to make this happen. A large, well-lit and well-composed shot to get your point across is all you need!
- Don't force your posts! If you're having a case of writer's block, don't force yourself to write something...it will often show to your readers. Instead, take a break, and do something to de-stress or reset your mind. Take a walk, read a book, paint...whatever gets your creative juices flowing...then come back and try again later.
- Offer a variety of options for readers to follow you. Once someone stumbles upon your blog and falls in love with it, you need to give them a way to find you again in the future. My favorite ways to do that are through a RSS feed, a Facebook fan page, Google Friend Connect, and Bloglovin.
- Be smart. There are some amazing, supportive, sweet readers out there. But there are also some just plain mean people. When you post, use common sense- never post about exactly where you live, when you're currently out of town, and where you're going to be at a specific time.
- Be real. Don't try to be something that you're not. Be true to yourself. It's better to gain a small audience of like-minded readers than to gain a large following of readers you have nothing in common with.
- Beware of people who disagree, disrespect, and just overall diss you. I wish that I could tell you that it will be all sunshine and smiles, and most of the time it is, but occasionally, you will find some people that disagree with you. Don't let them bother you, and don't start a fight. Politely respond and move on with yourself.
- Have fun. When you stop having fun with blogging, that's when you should stop too. It should never be a chore, or something you dread. Just have fun with it, and enjoy the ride! :)
