Hey Ladies! Happy Monday!
I’m taking you behind the scenes of “A Little Bit of Everything” today. I’m sure every blogger has little tips, tricks, and his/her own way of doing things. I’d love to hear more about how you guys stay organized and get your posts up, so I thought maybe you’d like to hear how I do all that too.
Before I start, I thought I’d share a little bit about how I got started. I started my blog back in January 2008. Several of my girlfriends had blogs where they shared their everyday life and I thought it was the perfect way for my Missouri family to see what was happening with us. This blog has definitely changed over time but that’s okay (because don’t we all?).
Here we go! A look at the other side of the blog…
I do 90% of my blog posts right here in the office of our home. I do most of my blogging either early in the morning before the rest of the family is awake or during the hours of 1:00-3:00 in the afternoon when Bowen’s asleep and the big kids are at school.
I love love love my Erin Condren planner and used to keep EVERYTHING inside. But when my big kids got involved in sports and school there was just too much for one planner. Now I fill in a calendar like this one. This is how I stay organized with blog posts. Those series that occur every month are the first things I fill in…Friday Favorites, Let’s Talk, What’s Up Wednesday, and such. I then fill in the open days afterwards. I also write down blog traffic so I can look back later and see what posts were more popular and what topics I should stay away from because they bombed! ha! I also have a running list on my phone and blog calendar of upcoming post ideas.
This is me-in my comfies with crazy hair-getting my blog post on for today (and watching Netflix in the background)!
Early in the morning, you can find me here with the portable heater blowing on me and I’m wrapped in a blanket.
This is one view from my desk.
And the other side of the room. Behind me is a window.
I have some fabulous girlfriends I can lean on when I have blogging questions/issues, but I also read this post over and over years ago. Shay rounded up some advice from some of my favorite bloggers and I tried to really stick to their suggestions. #theyknowwhattheyretalkingabout
My little piece of advice would be to be consistent and link-up! Link-ups are a great way to find some new blogs to read and hopefully gain a few new readers as well.
I would love to hear your tips and tricks. What have you found that really works for you? I’d love for you to share and add to that list just a bit. Can’t wait to hear your ideas! Thanks, ladies and Happy Blogging! 🙂
I love all of the advice you've given! I also think it's really important to develop relationships with other bloggers and comment on their posts, too. I've noticed that has helped a lot in my traffic, and I have bloggers who I can always count on commenting on my blog posts! It's such a neat little friendship!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
I can't wait to read the tips here! I agree with Sarah's tip a lot! I also think it's important to have fun. Blogging should make you happy.
Be consistent and link up are probably two of the best pieces of advice. I also went out on a limb and announced the new blog on my personal facebook page and sent private messages to lots of friends about the blog on facebook. I was A NERVOUS WRECK…we're talking I even sent it to high school friends I hadn't seen in 15 years….but it helped so much just to get it out there! So happy to be doing this blogging thing with you! xoxo 🙂
I love when people leave me comments! It makes me know that they cared! Calendars are great too but I'm super spur of the moment! And, totally share on your social media about your posts!!!!
Oh!! This is great!! I can't wait to finance read rose tips!! Love!
I love reading behind the scenes stuff!! This is great- and your office is beautiful! 🙂 have a great Monday!
I'm a new blogger and it's been very helpful just linking up and clicking through different pages people link. I love using my Erin Condren planner but I'm not a mom (yet) so I'm sure it's way less packed! I love reading your blog daily. Keep it up lady!
xo,
Jess @ Red White & Sass
These are some great tips!! I am trying to balance link ups with my own creative content, which can be hard! I am doing better in 2016 with consistent blogging and a plan a few weeks out, as well as really creating some meaningful relationships through comments and emails. I am not as big on sharing on Facebook page…that kind of bombed for me and gave me self doubt so I keep my blogging to the blog world, twitter and Instagram.
As a new blogger nothing makes me happier than to see that someone has left me a comment. I try to return the favor when I read posts that I enjoy. I love that the blogging world is such a helpful community!
What's that beautiful wall color of pain you have in your office?! Thx!!
Oh goodness, what a typo, I meant "paint" haha:) Also, beyond the French doors, the foyer looks lighter? Is it all the same or also, what is the lighter color near the staircase too? Thanks, Erika!
I still haven't found the perfect way to keep track of my posts but totally agree linkups have been the best way to create traffic while also the best way to "meet" new bloggers. Responding to comments has seemed to take alot more time than I ever dreamed but it is so important to me. Changing to using Disqus seemed to help me keep track a little better of what I had and had not responded to.
This post is so great. I've been blogging for forever (since 2007, I think), but always super sporadically. I'm so happy when I blog more consistently, because I love looking back on those pieces of my life. I've been looking for tricks to help me get things organized. Not to mention that link to Shay's post was awesome!
I definitely keep track of what posts get more traffic and what ones get less traffic and try and write more on topics that engaged people! I like your idea of making note of that in your planner.. I have a blogging planner that works the same way, so I'm adding that tip in!! Your office is just beautiful.. what a lovely spot to do your writing in!
I actually love your hair like that! And the foyer in your house.
I'm a new blogger and have found link-ups to be the best way to find new blogs! I love getting comments and "meeting" new people by visiting their blog!
I don't comment often since I typically read blogs when I am lying with my little guys at bedtime. You gals amaze me with your blogs! When I started researching where to begin, most of the big bloggers say you HAVE to have a self-hosted site, and you, Sheaffer, Shay blow that myth out of the water. I love how you've each found a niche that you are passionate about, and you support one another along the way with each post. Jen Hatmaker shares in her newest book her desires for her kids: Be kind. Be you. Love Jesus. You gals are awesome about that! The way you blog is the same way you converse with people. Your voices definitely come out in your blog. When Shay mentions working on a new book, I hope that you gals are working on a group book (or e-book) about successful blogging.
I don't have a blog, but I love reading your blog every day! You are so down to earth and I love reading about your cute little family!
Love this post. Great tips girl!!!
I totally agree! Consistency and link ups are the way to go! Also being open and sharing all the day to day stuff. As a SAHM nothing makes me feel more connected to other moms than reading "day in the life" type posts, so I can see what other mama's are up to, and get to ideas of how to make my own days run smoother! Or just commiserate in the crazy! lol
Meghan
meghanandjohnathon.blogspot.com
Awesome tips! Thank you. I'm new to the blogging world and I read that same page {thanks shay} a 1,000 times before I finally started this year!
http://www.ohmyglitter.blogspot.com
What an awesome idea for a post! Your tips are great!
I really love your blog. You seem like a very genuine person 🙂
Can you talk a bit more about linkups and how they work? This is all new to me. I'm new to your blog too! 😊
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