Ask LBS: How Do I Get My Blog Noticed?

Fashion Blogger Rumi Neely of FashionToast

Reader Shabana of Coco and Olive writes:
 
Hi Cece! I have been reading your blog for awhile now and I just wanted to say what an inspiration you are. I really like your fashion tips and your celebrity info. As well as your views on products and other stuff. I was inspired to start my own blog so that I can also share my thoughts with the world. But I am new to this and I just wanted to know what suggestions or advice you have for a newcomer trying to get her blog noticed.

Now I can't proclaim to be an expert as I've only been blogging for about a year and a half now and I'm far from superstar blogger status, but there are definitely a few key takeaways I've learned over the course of time I've been part of this world. Read on for my Top 4 recommendations on getting your name out there...


1. Join The Community 

IFB Conference 2010 Flyer

 One of the biggest helps for me when I first started blogging was being part of fashion blog forums. Forums pertaining specifically to what you're writing about can be great resources. If you're into natural hair care, for example, join a community like NaturallyCurly.com that caters directly to your topic of choice. If you're a fashionista branching into style blogging, utilize sites like Independent Fashion Bloggers and Style Sample Magazine. Not only do these sites provide you with an overwhelming amount of information like how-to's and quick tips, but they're great places to discover other bloggers and also submit your own content as they provide opportunities for guest posts and user contributions. My piece for IFB on the 5 P's of Fashion Partying is a perfect example. All I did was submit a pitch for it and voila! I was able to share some helpful tips with the community as well as develop awareness for my blog.

2. Show Love

 You guys know the Golden Rule: do unto others as you'd have done to you? Well I don't know a better arena than blogging where this holds true. The more you show love, the more you get. Posting comments on other blog pages can not only increase your site's visibility but it can help you develop relationships with other bloggers just like you. I can't tell you how many blogger BFFs I have now. I may never meet them face to face but we "talk" almost everyday via blog commentary.Some of those lovely people have shown me tremendous love and have helped encourage my blog growth through support, shoutouts and even placing me on their blogrolls. It's so important to engage in conversation if you want to be heard. But note, engaging in conversation is different from self promotion. Don't comment on a site simply to place your blog link there. Instead, speak from the heart and be genuine in your commentary. See IFB's post about Self-Promotion for more on why this is important.

3. Get Social

As a new blogger, Twitter and Facebook are your best friends. Take full advantage of social media and social networking. Althought the world of social media can be a scary place, they're incredible tools for exposure. Whether you're starting a new business or simply want exposure for an existing one, social media can really help give your brand a voice and increase your followers exponentially with time. You basically have to think of your blog as your brand. If you want people to notice it, you have to put it in their faces. That's what Facebook/Twitter does. Also, look into sites like Bloglovin' and burning RSS feeds that allow for people to see your blog updates all in one place.

4. Get Your Mind Right 

Many bloggers, when they first start out, simply blog for the love of blogging and because it brings them joy. Then, somewhere between receiving your first few blog comments and being featured on another site for the first time, you go blog-crazy and start focusing so much on how to make your blog bigger and better and more well-known as opposed to staying focused on your original passion. Don't get caught up in the hype! Don't do it for popularity. Don't do it for the money. Do it because you love it. Someone will eventually take notice. And all the other good stuff that comes along with recognition, like features and the occasional advertiser will eventually come. But just remember to stay focused on your true passion and people will inevitably love you, and your little blog too!

Any fellow bloggers out there? What's your take on the subject? Soundoff below!

Have any pressing questions for me? Hit me up on Formspring - Ask LBS or send me an email.