5 Ways to Improve Your Blog

My blog will forever be a work in progress. Whether it’s the layout or photos on my sidebar, dedicated to pinning blog posts or sharing old favorites on social media, I never take a day off from Confessions of a Northern Belle. If you are new to blogging or an ‘ole B like me, there are ways you can increase traffic and boost readership to improve your blog.

Here are five ways to improve your blog for FREE. I always love chatting with bloggers, so don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions.

1. Be consistent.

There is no rule that you have to post on your blog seven days a week. Take it from me – it can get exhausting even posting five days a week. For all the work you’re doing to bang out a post just so there is something new on your blog, it doesn’t necessarily mean your blog traffic will increase. The trick is, if you post regularly enough, your readers will know when to look for new content. Then if you take time to write meaningful posts, then your readers will return again and again. Just be consistent with your posting and your audience will grow.

2. Use big beautiful images.

If I happen to stumble upon a new blog that has minimal pictures and too many words, I am most likely going to leave and not come back. To me – blogs are a source of information and entertainment, but there needs to be more than text to catch my eye. Lengthy posts are fine as long as their are big beautiful images relevant to the content. I have learned how to use my DSLR and am so fortunate to have a friend for a photographer. However, there are so many free stock photos available to bloggers that you should never publish a post without a picture. Make sure each post has a pinnable image too… 

3. Make sure each post has a meta-description, focus keyword and SEO title.

One of my biggest mistakes was not entering a meta-description, focus keyword, and SEO title for every single one of my posts in the last 8 years. A meta-description is the snippet of information below below the link of a search result and those words are what entice a person to click your link. And SEO, well that stands for Search Engine Optimization and it’s a BIG deal. SEO strategy is important because the more you know how to employ SEO tactics, the more likely your blog will be found on the internet.

4. Share your posts.

Social media is your friend. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google + are your friends and that is how you drive traffic to your blog. Now even though they’re all your friends, it doesn’t mean you have to hang out with everyone every day. Pick two platforms to do really well and then add another later. My favorite platforms for sharing my blog are Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I share new posts and old posts on a regular basis.

5. Find your tribe.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to talk to other bloggers. To me – blogging is a bit like motherhood – there is no way a you can do it all on your own. Whether you join a local blogging network or request a spot in a blogging Facebook group, find people who are doing the same thing you’re doing. Then make it a point to brainstorm, collaborate, and support one another. You can improve you blog in a number of ways, but make sure you’re not trying to do it on your own.