So, as a blog designer, I complete approximately 3 custom blog design packages per week. ย I have done hundreds of projects, and I also have my own blog (which, you would know, because you’re reading it!). ย I understand that if you have made the initial investment in a blog design template, you want to see some return on that investment, whether you are blogging for fun, to promote a cause, or to build your personal or professional brand.
Here’s something to consider. ย There are literally thousands of blog designs out there. ย Blogging is huge, it’s a way to express yourself, it’s easy and it’s lots of fun. ย If you have purchased a custom blog design, (and it was designed by Little Blue Deer), it looks awesome! ย The blog design template has been crafted uniquely to you, so that your brand and personality shine through. ย But here’s the thing, and it’s the same mistake that lots of people make with SEO (search engine optimization). ย It’s less about what you do ON the page than OFF the page. ย “So why did I spend so much time on my custom blog design?” ย you may ask yourself. ย Well because you want it to be awesome and stand out from the pack! ย But even if it is totally awesome (and if you hired the best blog designer, it will be), you still need people to find it. ย So I am going to share some tips I have learned both as a blog designer and also a blogger myself, they are simple and also free.
First rule of blogging: ย Blogging is reciprocal. ย What does that mean? ย It means that blogging is community-based and about relationships. ย So you can’t just sit there and wait for people to come to you. ย You MUST go out and visit and comment on other blogs. ย As a general rule, bloggers will come back to your blog and leave a comment as well. ย Now, there is a caveat here. ย You can’t always go to a huge, world-famous blogger who just got a contract with H&M from her Instagram posts, and expect them to comment back, okay? ย I get it, those gals are doing a business and they are, well, busy to say the least. ย But you also have to remember they all started somewhere, with a basic blog design and no followers, so take heart! ย When I started my blog in 2009, I slowly gathered a blogroll of blog designs and bloggersย that I liked. ย I tried to visit their blogs a few times a week, and leave a comment on a post. ย I probably went to 30 blogs per day. ย And it was a heartfelt comment too, not just “Hi! ย Love your blog designs! ย Follow me back!” ย That’s just tacky (and if there’s one thing the Deer hates, it’s tackiness). ย I would actually read the post and make a comment that showed that I had taken the time to read it. ย Now, 9 times out of 10, those bloggers would come back to Little Blue Deer and comment on my blog. ย This way, we built a reciprocal relationship.
A lot of times too, these ladies actually became real friends. ย I have met a few in real life, and a few that I haven’t I still keep in touch with even though I have gotten so busy that I don’t really have time to practice what I preach here! ย But my point is, you must go out and see what is going on in the blogging world and say hello to let readers know that you are there. ย You can’t just expect them to find you. ย And since blog designs have so many categories: lifestyle, fashion, interior design, kids, recipes, it’s really easy to find your niche where you fit in. ย I personally devoted about an hour a day when starting out to visiting other bloggers. ย So, that is my first piece of advice for new bloggers who have just started with a custom blog design: ย go say hello! ย Let the world know you are out there!
Think about it. ย You have spent some time and energy on your custom blog design. ย You have your blog design template working just like you want it to, and you’re posting all about everything that you love. ย Instead of keeping all of your awesomeness to yourself, get out there and spread the love!
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