Blogging Basics 101: Let Yourself Be Found

This post isn't going to be as robust as the other posts in the series, consider it more of a housekeeping item to check up on. Last month I had to do an insane amount of research on trying to find fresh bloggers for a couple of brands to work with. I find this to be one of the best parts of my job since I end up finding some new reads, meeting new gals or getting inspired by the great content I come across. 

The only thing that makes this part of the job just a tiny bit sucky, is not being able to reach out to the girls. So, dear friends head over to your blog and make sure brands have that visible information necessary to contact you. 

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

1 - Make sure your email address is visible on your blog. Here are two important places to display your address: somewhere on you main page which can be done with a button or simply writing it out, and on your about or contact page.

2 - If your blog has a contact form for people to fill out, give the option of supplying an email address. I for one one appreciate it when one is provided since I can't add attachments or hyperlinks to properly execute my pitch to the influencer.

3 - Always test your emails and make sure they are in good working order. There have been many times I sent out an email only to receive an "error" message moments later. 

Brands and companies want to work with bloggers, making sure you're visible is only half the battle.

Got a question or another topic you'd like me to cover next month? Shoot me and email, I'd be happy to help. Want to read what I covered last month, hint: it's on networking and why it's good for you and the blog, read about it here.

Blogging Basics 101: Networking is Good

How many of you have attended a blogger convention or a meetup? How amazing does it feel to meet other people who understand the trials and tribulations of all things internet related - pretty amazing to be honest. In fact after attending a few blogger conventions and meetups I met some pretty incredible ladies that I have been able to lean on time and time again. Whether for support, solid advice or simply to take a few #ootd snaps - my growing group of blogger besties has been a stellar experience. Which is why I encourage all of you, whether you blog or not, to get out there and sign up for a few meetups or conventions (if you can afford it) or even host your own blogger brunch and meet the other girls in your nabe.

In fact, this weekend I've organized a brunch for a few blogger friends I've been meaning to know on more intimate terms and am super excited for it. Creating your own network of bloggers has it benefits since everyone is always good at something and not to mention the support system you'll be able to build among your peers. 

Think there's no one else in your neighborhood/county that blogs? Think again... Coming from the advertising side of things; there might be a smaller number of bloggers in certain areas but the market is saturated with blogs across the country. Trust, I've done a lot of research for blogger events and for towns in which you'd think blogging is obsolete but in turn have been surprised to find amazing bloggers instead. Which means, the likelihood of you meeting like-minded souls is high!

So, if there's anything you can take away from this post it's that networking with other bloggers is a good thing. You can find your support group and they can lift you up and give you some solid advice, have an exchange of ideas and vice versa.

A few places I tend to meet other amazing bloggers at:

meetup.com

IFB Conferences + Seminars

LuckyFabb

PR & Shopping Events

Blogher

Also, don't rule out emailing other bloggers in your town for drinks!!

For last month's 101 check it out here. If there's a topic you'd like me to cover next or if you have any questions please send me an email. Or if you need help locating bloggers in your area for a meetup, shoot me an email - I'd be happy to help!

Blogging Basics 101: The Power of Three

Illustration by Campbell Pearson

At the agency, one thing we usually recommend to our smaller clients is to believe in the power of three and invest in them. The same can be held true for ourselves as bloggers. For this month's 101 I'm going to lightly go over social media platforms and hopefully point you towards the three you can essentially own.

There are so many different social media platforms, we could exhaust all our energy updating them every time a new post goes up. Not only that, we wouldn't be able to fully interact with the community in those social channels. Not only will I tell my clients this, but I'm going to let you guys know as well... If you don't have the funds/time (cause time is money) to manage all of them, then pick three that represent you. Not only represent you but also come as second nature. For instance, if you decide to focus on Twitter as your main three but constantly forget to tweet then you're not going to have successes in building up that channel.

Pinterest
It's the channel for discovery & storing. Best for DIY, fashion, weddings, family stuff and recipes 

Twitter
It's micro-blogging at its best. Great for links, quick news, conversation & wit.

Facebook
Social sharing giant and a great way to connect through all mediums. It's also a necessity when building up your blog (IMO).

Instagram
Social sharing revolves around images and videos. Use of hashtags can also help people discover your blog. 

Google+
It's the network most neglected but has great SEO benefits if you learn to use it right. Also, it connects to all the other google sites seamlessly. 

Youtube
Another great channel for discovering and sharing content. Also, a great way to build up your influence and considered to be the next big thing in social media advertising.

Vine
Twitter's video sharing app that runs on a loop.

Tumblr
A great way to share visuals and posts also have a longer life span. 

I'm sure as bloggers you understand all the different social channels and know what works for you best. I do however would like to challenge you to pick your top three and focus on them. Curate or create amazing content and post it to your channels. And make sure the social channels you use make sense: i.e. You're a photographer but you main social presence is on Foursquare when you should be on Instagram or Tumblr. In the end you'll find yourself less stressed when it comes to social, and once you're ready to take on a channel do so but at one channel at a time.

To be honest, I do have logins to all of the channels listed above (strictly work) but my personal three that I consistently update are Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

For last month's 101 check it out here. If there's a topic you'd like me to cover next or if you have any questions please send me an email.