Blogging tips to start using
When I first started my blogging in 2016, we had just had our fourth child. Our newborn spent his first six months at doctor appointments and in the hospital. When at home, the baby was constantly in pain and could not sleep. I was living off of 2-4 hours of sleep per day. Although though my husband would try to take turns to care for Malachi so I could sleep, I was never able to because my heart would break for my son when I would hear him from the distant scream in pain. I wanted to be the one to soothe him.
With all those waking hours at home and in the hospital I started the blog, Married by His Grace.
2020 Blogging Tips & Resources Share on XI would use most of my waking hours with my son to study: how to build a blog, to look through every blogging tip, how to use social media (which I never had before blogging) and how to create content. I wanted to learn as much as I could.
Truth is, learning something new outside of the reality of our son’s pain is what kept me feeling sane most days. I am very grateful for those days of learning all the in’s and out’s of things. Investing time in free webinars and reading posts from experienced bloggers that gave their best blogging tips was the best thing I did as a new blogger.
Now with being a mom of five healthy kids that has something scheduled everyday of the week, I sometimes crave those days of just sitting for hours with my babies in my arms to learn about social media, about Pinterest, and how to become a better writer.
To make this long story short, I wish I knew a lot more these days first hand like I used to but I am thankful for those hungry moments I still continue to have to learn from others.
From one blogger to another, things change often with blogging and it will become important to stay in a consistent mode of willingness to learn.
Plus blogging is a major part of ministry and I am a firm believer, being willing to learn daily is the most humble and strongest thing we can do to lead a ministry.
Another part to having such a heavy desire of wanting to learn from others is that I remember those days of not knowing where to start or what to trust. I had promised myself from the beginning of my blogging journey that I would help and encourage others in blogging as much as I was capable of doing. (Hence the reason why I started By His Grace Bloggers Facebook for Christian Women Bloggers). This season of a full house has shorten my days and time but I do hope you all can gain some new perspectives here as a Christian writer for the new year.
With that being said, here are a few posts I think gives some great info, blogging tips, and social media for starting a blog in 2020.
(Social media is a love / hate relationship for many of us and can make it hard to want to learn more but it is key to what we do as bloggers that is reaching a bigger platform for ministry and much more.)
I hope you take a few minutes today to read these posts in hopes to gain a new nugget of knowledge.
You can also find more resources and blogging tips here in my 100+ Resources for the New Christian Blogger post.
My favorite blogging resources that I use:
Bluehost
This is hosting platform since I have used from day one. I have no complaints and enjoy working with the service if ever needed which is honestly very rare. Start a Blog with Bluehost Tutorial.
Pinteresting Strategies from Carly Campbell
I read this book in 2017 and it was a huge help to my Pinterest help and she still is through her weekly emails so be sure to subscribe. Carly has also just released the eBook completely updated for 2020.
Tailwind
Though I see a very big importance of manual pinning verses scheduling, Tailwind is also a huge part of keeping my Pinterest views and direct pageviews consistent.
The Batch Bundle
I created this Batch Bundle of all the sheets that has helped me keep my blog organized which has helped my blog grow rapidly.
Grayson Bell from iMark Interactive.
Grayson is one of the most well known WordPress professionals amongst Bloggers. He is the best. His prices are affordable and he is one of the most available and attentive blogging professionals I have worked with.
Click here to get 30 things to do before starting a blog
Blogging Resources:
The best blogging courses for beginning bloggers. – Kirabridges.com
Finding the Perfect Christian Blog Niche – Christianbloggingacademy.com
How and why to include keywords into your blog posts. – Whatskatieupto.com
How to turn orange to green on YOAST SEO Assessment – Jesusmeandcoffee.com
The right (and wrong) way to use Tailwind tribes – Faithfulceos.com
Email list building for Faith Bloggers – Faithfulceos.com
How to get better results as a beginner mom blogger – Rosebarnett.com
Best budget friendly blogger tools – Rosebarnett.com
How to promote your blog post on Instagram – Jessiesynan.com
Blog investments worth making in 2020 – Boss Girl Bloggers
Blogging in 2020: Things I would do differently – Beautybites.org
Pinterest SEO Guide for Bloggers – Shemeansblogging.com
Besides reading from other experienced bloggers of how to start, maintain, and grow a blog the other best things you can do for yourself is to:
-Stay active in your Word and in Faith. Gain your inspiration from the Lord.
-Read often. Grow your book collection. Most of the greatest writers become great because of their love for books.
-Keep your life and blogging life separate. Enjoy life and those who you love. Do not allow the blog to consume you and everyone around you.
-Learn how to time block. This will teach you how to keep things organized and schedule your day as a part time or full time blogger.
-Create monthly and quarterly goals. This will help with positive motivation.
-Stay humble. Online numbers should not be what satisfies you or tears your down.
-Stay encouraged. Find new blogging friends through Facebook groups, on Instagram, or Twitter. Be sure to be an encouragement to others by consistently commenting on other blogs. If you are encouragement then you will definitely stay encouraged.
-Do not force yourself to blog everyday. Blogging out of stress will take your passion away real quick!
Wow! Such words of wisdom and excellent tips! I’m definitely going to bookmark this. Plus, I took tons of notes. I am already not doing well on a few things you mentioned like keeping my blogging and life separate. I’ve let my new blog https://sharinglifeandlove.com/ consume me because I’m so passionate about it. And I tend to blog daily – another thing you caution against, which is such a good idea! I never thought I could burn out, but it’s true that it’s so easy to do. Have you tried Trello to stay organized with your social media calendar and things like that? It’s been very helpful for me. I haven’t found time to read so I’ve never increased my book collection. I take that back. LOL> I have!! I just don’t read much! I do love books though, but mostly non-fiction – anything I can learn from! Thank you so much for sharing! From a newbie blogger, I appreciate the encouragement. All the Best, Michele
Your website is such an inspiration to me. I feel that God is leading me down the path of a marriage ministry as well. I know firsthand that being married is hard,and yet can be a beautiful thing. Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you so much for your sweet words! Marriage ministry is so vital and I truly hope you do as the Lord leads you. I believe writers can be such an encouragement to marriage and would love to know there is more doing it on the internet.
I’ve been blogging for a while and this is helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.
Love this post! So helpful and encouraging!
I really love how you are always giving us encouragement. As a blogger who has only just started seriously blogging in the last three months there have been many times, that I have wanted to give up, thinking that I can be spending my time in better ways. I have spent up to 20 to 25 hours a week and often see little progress. I know I shouldn’t be looking at numbers and money, but we are desperately needing a little extra cash at the moment. Over the years we have done mission work with Wycliffe Bible Translators and have also chosen to be a stay-at-home mom so we are used to depending on the Lord. But as we progress into the retirement years we would like to decrease our debts. My blog has grown slightly and I think I have earned about $1.29 so I am thankful for that. Overall I know the blog is a ministry and that is wonderful. I feel it is the right time for me to start investing in the blog in a big way as my children are moving on and I do have more time. I am also heavily involved in women’s ministry at church and most things I am teaching the younger women at church I share on my blog so that works really well. I have done 3 subjects from Crystal Paine, which has helped but I am looking forward to reading all the links you have given us here in this post. Thanks so much, Carmen
These are all great tips and resources! Your blog and Facebook group helped me so much as I was getting started. I also purchased your “By His Grace We Blog” ebook and it was super helpful and practical as well!
Thank you so much and so glad the eBook was helpful to you!! =)
This was really good information!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Such an encouraging post Carmen! I didn’t realize what a busy momma you were. So precious how the Lord led you to writing during a season of trying to hold it all together for your sweet baby. You have been an immense blessing to me on your By His Grace Page. I also love how practically you led people to different resources here. I need help with twitter for sure and I never quite got the hang of Tailwind. Thank you for this beautiful post. Loved it … ❤
Thank you so much for your sweet words Donna!