how to start your blog off RIGHT // EVERYTHING you need to know to start your blogging career !!

Starting a blog brings up a string of questions. What’s the best site to host your blog? How do you make it look nice? Where do you even begin??

I’ve had my fair share of rifling through Google pages, looking for articles that’ll answer all those questions and more. It’s time-consuming, it’s exhausting, and more often than not, you magically end up scrolling through Pinterest* instead of doing research. Oops. Wonder how that happened?? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That being said, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and a little LOT frustrated when starting a blog. But I’m here to welcome you to the crazy-awesome world of blogging and equip you with the five steps to starting your own site! What are we waiting for; let’s make the blog of your dreams!

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*or, in my case, rewatching old ninjago episodes 😭

5 PRICELESS SKILLS i’ve learned thru blogging // why blogging is worth the effort in the long run !!

I’ve been blogging for almost two years. Yes, I am that experienced. Fear me.

It has been quite the journey, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it has completely changed the direction of my life. Sometimes, I have to stop and catch my breath because, wow. I love it too much for words.

That being said, I’ve learned a thing or two in my extensive time here on the blogosphere, and not just about SEO or making a fun post. There are actually quite a few skills I’ve learned from this little blog that have been beneficial… in real life. Yes, the spooky dimension in which you must speak instead of typing. That real life.

I get a lot of questions asking if starting a blog is really worth it, if the payoff is worth the struggle, so today I’m happy to show you a few ways blogging has helped me out! Hopefully, anyone questioning starting their own blog will be convinced to take the leap and go for it. Let’s get started!

the BLOGGER BOX // writing motivation + candy, yes please

Here’s a question: do you ever find yourself completely, utterly done with blogging? Cuz I do.

It’s a little LOT overwhelming. How one person can balance comments, posts, and social media all at one time… it baffles me, and I’M THE ONE WHO DOES IT. Idk man. It’s trippy.

There have been soooo many days when I just want to abandon blogging forever and spend my days in a cave full of pudding cups, blankets, and a never-ending Ninjago marathon (that wouldn’t be all too bad, actually). But, more often than not, all I need is a little motivation. Which is where The Blogger Box comes in.

A few weeks ago, The Blogger Box sent me one of their amazing blogging subscription boxes to review and BOY DID I FLIP OUT. It’s full of fun blogging goodies that made me want to write a bazillion blog posts on the spot.  I have the honor of showing you what my box included plus a review on the box itself. Let’s get started!

types of books i want to see in my 2019 tbr // the only resolutions i really want to keep

The new year is a time for making goals, and subsequently posting them to all social media accounts.

If you’re around me any time after Christmas and before the new year, you’ll know that I’m all for this goal-setting, resolution-making time. Everyone’s so motivated and hopeful and positive and I just live for that sort of thing. And, of course, I jump on all the goal-making bandwagons, especially the ones involving BOOKS!

In my last post, I talked about my favorite books from 2018, but instead of talking about the books I want to read like I did last year, I’m going to talk about the kinds of books I’d like to read. Call it my tbr new year’s resolution list, my bookish goals, whatever, but these are the genres and types of books I’m going to make an effort to read this year.

what on earth is a BLOGGING VOICE?! // how to make your posts uniquely YOU!

Novice bloggers often worry about this little mystery called a writing voice. What is it, and, most importantly, how do you find it?

I was certainly one of them when I began (nearly one year ago, yeet). From years upon years of reading, I knew what a writing voice was, but it was a totally different thing to put it into practice. Was I supposed to be serious and write essay-like posts? Or should I be silly and have funny, relatable posts?? SO, I did both, but not simultaneously. Separately. And it was strange. don’t read my old posts i’m begging you.

I’d kind of forgotten how hard it was and hadn’t planned to write a post like this, but I was reminded by a certain comment that it was a topic I needed to address (thank you, Mary!) With a lot of work and getting comfortable in my own skin, I found my own writing style and voice that I love.. and that we’ll examine in depth in a little bit!

If you’ve been meaning to make your posts unique or find what makes your writing special, it’s time to sit back and talk about finding your writing voice. Let’s gooo!

how to earn more followers RIGHT NOW // 10 realistic ways to grow your blog audience

The number one question I receive regarding blogging is ‘how do I get more followers?’

It’s not surprising, either. It seems everyone’s looking for the secret behind gaining followers. There are more articles about it than you can count, and even more bloggers searching for them every day. The problem is, the posts we find aren’t all that reliable. Like, do we have the time and money for starting a social media account, advertising, and hosting time-consuming giveaways?? haha NO.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve struggled with gaining followers too. It’s a process; building an audience requires patience and dedication. But. That doesn’t mean you can’t encourage your follower count to get a bit higher. There are a few ways to realistically draw new people to your content — and you can start doing them right now.

Get some paper and a pen, and let’s get started growing, shall we?