Creating, sharing, and inspiring connects us all together. Every day we are drawn to blogs that make us feel something, and we take a little piece of it with us. Behind every one of our favorite blogs, there's a person. A person with real emotions, fears, goals, and weird quirks that we never really get to experience first hand. We've brought together your favorite bloggers to give you a more intimate take on their lives, so you can catch the little details that make them who they are. Every Wednesday, we'll be capturing the lives of the people behind your daily reads in a way that you wont experience anywhere else.
So get ready. We have lots to share! xoxo
Each week on Casey's blog blog, you will hear a more personal story about one of your favorite bloggers.... why they are the way they are, stories on loss or happiness, struggles or triumphs...we want to have them share the happiest moment of their life, or a time that they grew stronger because of an enormous trial placed in their path.
On my blog, they will be sharing any advice they have for you readers. It can be about fashion, being a mom or wife, how to grow your blog, how to start your own business, etc. Whatever their niche is, you will hear their expert advice!
In the next several weeks you'll be hearing from:
...and more!
To kick off our first ever Bloggers in Real Life, let me introduce you to...well...me!
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The most frequently asked question I get is, "How did you get your blog to grow?"
While I'm not expert on this matter, there are a few things I've done that have proven to be successful. I only started The Shine Project In January of this year, and it has been an amazing learning process.
1. Blog with a purpose.
Why are you blogging? Before I write every post, I ask myself, "What do I want my readers to gain from this particular post?" Decide what you want your audience to take away from what you write. A new skill, a feeling of hope, to emotionally connect with you, etc, are all purposes behind a post. Write with that end goal in mind. It will add so much more flavor and purpose behind your daily posts.
2. Make Your Mark
When I first started my blog, I thought about what it was that I wanted to be known for. I decided that when people think about inspirational sites to go to online, that I wanted to be the first thing they thought of. I get awesome emails from people who send me pictures of weird and cool places that they see the word "shine", because I have taken that word and integrated it into everything that I do. It's easy to remember, and sums up my purpose. Do something to stand out. Make people remember you, and what you stand for. Whether it's good photography, fashion, DIY, recipes, or just living life...stand out. If you don't, you'll find yourself frustrated at readership that is not growing.
3. Build an Audience
Don't confuse your audience with the amount of followers that you have. They are two completely different things. Your audience is the people who are drawn to your blog because you have what they want, and they stay faithful to you. Some of your audience has already found you, and they are what brings you traffic every day. But there are millions out there who would support you, and haven't found you yet. When you build a faithful audience, they will share your blog with their friends who have the same interests. I love getting emails that say, "My friend told me about you, and I love your site! She has a shine necklace and I want one too!"
Having a ton of followers doesn't necessarily mean that you have a strong audience. I held off on advertising until I had 2,000 followers for this reason. When people click the follow button, I don't want them to do it because I'm giving away something on someone else's blog...but because they truly love what I'm about and my product.
4. Advertise
Are you confused that my last statement basically said to be careful with advertising, and now I'm telling you to advertise? Let me explain. Doing giveaways on some big blogs can really get your name out there. When people love what they see, they will react by following you. Don't do so many giveaways, however, that your follow button becomes a one time click that never leads a person back to your blog, because they only wanted to win something. Before you advertise, decide what kind of audience you want to reach out to, and choose blogs that would bring you those types of people. If you're not ready for paid advertising, blog swap with other bloggers around your same following, and make side bar buttons that people can take and put on their blogs. Whatever you choose, you have to do things to be seen!
5. Take Good Pictures
Please, oh please, oh please. Take good pictures. No, I'm not a photographer and will never claim to be, but you can still have fun pictures that are interesting to look at.
6. BE YOU.
There's one thing that you have that no-one else does.... you're y.o.u. Be true to who you are, let your personality come out, and don't be afraid of criticism (trust me, people always have something to say). SHINE on my friends!
If you have any questions/comments, please write them below!
And head over HERE to read part 2 of my post today.
Things get a little more personal.
{PS: On Friday the 14th, we're having a HUGGGGE online raffle, valued at over $700. ALL the money raised will go to the scholarship fund. I thought it would be a fun way to involve everyone who can't come to the event in AZ on the 20th! Each entry will be $1... So start saving your change, and maybe skip a couple days of your favorite drink over the next week! We can raise a LOT of money from this!!!}
