5 Tips to Help your Blog GROW

Hey Everyone! I shared a little bit of blog help over at the Dreamy Meadow a few days ago!
I thought it might help some of my readers to share it with you too! So although, I wouldn't say I'm the most knowledgeable person to share blog help... because my blog is growing but it has taken a lot of time and learning to get it here today... I've decided to share my 5 of my secret tips (in no particular order) that will help grow your blog!

1. NETWORKING

There is MORE than one way to "network"! I would recommend taking advantage of Twitter and Facebook! Not only as a blogger but as a person who reads other peoples blogs, I have a few that I check pretty regularly...other than that, I pretty much rely on my Facebook and Twitter feeds for blogger updates! When another blogger than I have "liked" on Facebook posts a little blurb about their post of the day... and I find it interesting, I can click and read it! Other than that, unless I spend a whole day going from blog to blog... I'll never see your post, even if I follow you! 

There are several other blogging networks you can get involved in.. here are a few that I'm involved in or am aware of that are worth checking out: Clever Girls Collective, Better Blogger Network, Top Mommy Blogs, Top Baby Blogs, Picket Fence Blogs, Moms Connect, Bloglovin, Google Plus, Pinterest, Hello Cotton

Some of these may not fit your blog so make sure you get involved in networks that fit your blog! Also, make sure to not get involved in too many networks. You don't want to overwhelm yourself. You want to be able to be active in the networks that you are involved in! 

2. GIVE AWAYS

Giveaways are hard. It is hard to get started giving away products because when your blog is smaller, you usually have to purchase something to give it away. I started my first giveaway by contacting an Etsy seller that I had already made a purchase from and asked them to giveaway a product on my blog. Luckily, the seller was willing and super helpful! 

Not only is important to host giveaways but you can sponsor other blogs and become involved in their monthly giveaway opportunities that they offer. If you decide to sponsor my blog, for example, I am going to start letting my sponsors become a part of entering my giveaways! Therefore, in order to receive extra entries for the giveaways, you have to follow my sponsors via different networks. Not only does this help my blog grow, but it helps their blog grow too. Helping to make their sponsorship worthwhile.

So, in order to enter the giveaway, you make all readers become a follower, like your facebook, follow you on twitter... cover all the networks you want! The more followers/ likes/ follows/ bloggy friends that you get, the more likely you will be able to offer some amazing giveaways! 

There are many different ways to do giveaways. Some bloggers host group giveaways from bloggy friends/sponsors that they've met where multiple people give away ad space, gift cards and so much more. Other bloggers contact companies to see if they will giveaway a product in order to promote their product in the blogging world. You can check out a few giveaways I've offered on my blog here! 

When I host a giveaway, I use Rafflecopter for readers to enter. It's really easy to use.

There is so much to learn about giveaways, if you ever have a question about hosting or being a part of a giveaway, you can email me and I'd be happy to answer! 

3. MEETING OTHER BLOGGERS

Sponsoring other bloggers costs money sometimes but it is good because it allows you to meet and develop relationships with other bloggers. I also just email other bloggers every now and then to say hi and let them know I like their blog or ask a question about how they do something particular! 

Some bloggers offer swapping Sponsorships where they will swap ad space with you for FREE. This helps promote your blog because the more locations you can be seen, the better! I offer 20 sponsorships swaps on my blog... free ad space! I actually have some availability if you are interested in swapping buttons. You can find my sponsorship page and info here.

Another way to meet bloggers is to pick 5 to 10 blogs.. start commenting on them regularly. I have a few people I have made friends with mostly because they have around the same number of followers and we always comment on each others bloggers, help each other out. The more you develop these blogging relationships, your blog will continue to grow.

4. REGULAR POSTS

This is something that I can be really great at sometimes and other times... I am a total slacker! I would say 4 posts a week is important. The more content your blog has the better! Regular posts keeps your blog readers engaged and tuning in to what is going on! So if you are a recipe blogger, post at least 4 a week. If you are a blogger that posts about all kinds of things... that's great just make sure you are posting regularly and posting things that other people want to read.

5. LINK UP PARTIES

Link Up parties are helpful! If you ever share a craft or recipe, link up parties are super easy to find.. The Foley Fam has a list of Link Up Parties to check out. What is a link up party? Well it's a place that you can link up your post or multiple posts so that others can visit. 

I think the most important thing about Link Up Parties is that if you enter one, you should visit a few other people's blogs that have also entered. Leave them a comment about how great their post is and then share that you'd love them to check out your blog at www.yourblog.com haha. but be genuine. If you don't like their post... don't comment and find a post that you do like to comment on.

I usually host a link up party every Thursday and it's called Spicy Spotlight. You can enter it here!

Some other link up parties that are cool and the new hip thing to do is link up your networks: GFC Hop Every Tuesday & Meet & Tweet Twitter Hop Every Thursday.

I've been slacking on these 5 tips lately because the arrival of my sweet little boy has kept me super busy... but I really feel if you fully engage yourself and dedicate yourself to these five tips.. your blog can grow like crazy! 

Anywho, I hope that helped, and if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at 

itsjustcalledspicy (at) gmail (dot) com. My blog has been growing like crazy lately but it is all still a work in progress thanks to these five tips. I hope this helps your blog reach new heights!

That's all for today! Thanks for stoppin' by

xoxo. Jen