a few blogging pointers.

I feel like I've been around long enough.
So here's a nice big list of pointers from me and a few other bloggers.
Hope it helps!

1. You WILL get better. I promise.
When you start, don't expect to be automatically good at it. It takes a while to develop a unique style and voice in your writing.
But if you stick with it, you'll improve.

2. Readers are more important than Followers.
I know it's tempting to do the whole "Follow me and I'll follow you" jazz, but it's really not worth it. People who follow you through that, might not actually read what you write. And don't expect them to comment either.
Don't get discouraged. People will follow you if they like what you have to say.

3. It's alright to be a bit different.
I've admitted things on my blog that I would've never told anyone in person.
I've found that bloggers embrace uniqueness. It makes things they post more interesting.

4. Write because you want to write. 
There's no point putting in the effort of blogging if you don't actually enjoy doing it.
Don't do it only because you think it's going to get you famous or make you rich. Most people who write because of that quit after the first few months.
Blog for yourself. Do it because you genuinely like doing it.

5. Comment on other blogs.
People aren't going to find your blog just because you want them to. It just won't happen.
If you want to get noticed, make an effort to go blog hopping. Look at other blogs that you like and make relevant comments. This gets your link out in the open, and will get more people to look at your writing.


6. Quality over quantity. (Contributed by Phil and Ted)
Focus on writing for quality, not quantity. 5-10 great posts each month is better than an "okay" post everyday. With that said, though, not every post is your absolute best, so you need to find a comfortable standard where you feel like your post is good enough for your blog.

7. Replying to comments on your blog is key.  (Contributed by Phil and Ted)
Reply to every comment on your blog. This helps your readers to learn who the writer is, and encourages them to comment and return to your blog.


8. Have a good layout. (Contributed by Phil and Ted)
Make your blog easy to navigate. Don't hide important things or your followers gadget at the bottom. However, don't put to much in the top, either. The sidebar is best for gadgets. Consider if you really need every gadget on your blog. If it isn't helping your readers, and it is there because you think it looks cool, it is probably slowing your load time down.

9. Autoplayed music drives people away. (Contributed by Dirtycowgirl)
Don't have instant music. It's highly irritating and very presumptuous to think that readers share your taste in music.

10. Please, no adverts. (Contributed by Dirtycowgirl)
Unless you have a well established blog with thousands of readers there is really no point in adverts. Three posts and ten adverts is not good. Plus they make your blog slow to load and you look like you're blogging for the income. It's a hobby not a job.

11. Think about what is necessary. (Contributed by iZaynab)
If you don't need it don't post it, as in Widgets. Don't add a million game apps in you sidebar. If the reader wanted to play games they would be on Miniclip.  {Unless you have nothing in your bar ~ Cause it will L A G your page }

12. You will be judged by what your blog looks like. (Contributed by iZaynab)
Please pay attention to the aesthetics of your blog ~ Just like your pictures, people will judge you based on what your layout looks like. Don't choose colors that are too bold. Don't choose patterns that are too wild. Don't choose typefaces that are too hard to read.

13. Give credit where credit is due. (Contributed by iZaynab)
Source your pictures and content and always link back to other blogs if you get an idea or inspiration from them. You do N O T wanna deal with going back to re-link pictures cause one person got mad for you not giving them proper credit.

14. Write your own content. (Contributed by Leah)
NEVER copy. Make your own blog posts.. based on your own experiences, your own thoughts.. your own words. It is what makes your blog your own.

15. Actually read things you comment on. (Contributed by Leah)
Try to read before you comment. Skip-readers.. Those who leave comments, just for the sake of having their links out in the open. Try to read and understand the posts. 

16. Keep it simple. (Contributed by Leah)