It's no secret that there has certainly been a rise in the numbers of blog tips posts out there in the blogosphere, I'm sure 90% of you know this already. I've even done one or two myself, such as Better Blogging in 6 Steps. This post was focused solely on my thoughts on things that have helped my blog to improve. I know that doesn't mean it's for everyone, and I certainly don't think I'm some blogging expert. However most of the time I tend to stick to things like 10 Things My Favourite Blogs Do, or the Get To Work On Your Blog post I did a few months ago, as these are posts where I'm confidently just stating facts about the things I like and the tools that I use.
Lately though, blog tips posts are getting a bad name. People are quite rightly moaning about bloggers who are acting preachy, or telling people what they have to do to run a blog; like there's an official rule book the rest of us don't know about or something. I totally get it; that's bullshit. Nobody can tell you how a blog should be written, presented, or run. It's yours, and that's the beauty of blogging. It can also be quite worrying if people are giving out wrong or bad advice, obviously.
However, even now I will be the first to say I love reading these kind of posts, and hear me out before you think I'm foolish. Here are five reasons why I'm still a fan of blog tips posts;
1. When they are done RIGHT, aka not preachy, or know it all; they can be really useful (especially for newer bloggers or those without tech knowledge).
2. They may shed light on something you've not thought of doing before.
3. Sharing your ideas/tips helps you reflect on your own progress. Defining what's worked and what hasn't for your own blog can be really eye opening.
4. I can always learn more!
5. These posts are another fantastic way to actually talk about blogging and all the little details and experiences that go with it. Do you know how amazing it is to read/interact/chat with other bloggers about this stuff when most of my friends don't even understand blogging?! I will never tire of that.
So yes, I know if done really wrong these posts can be just awful. But quite honestly I've never seen anyone publish anything telling me how I should or shouldn't be running my blog; but maybe I follow the right people? I love posts that just let me know what other bloggers out there are doing, and what has worked really well for them. In fact, let me take a little moment to mention Helen over at The Lovecats Inc for her awesome blog tips section, which I've found myself referring to time and time again. A perfect example of how they can be great.
So what do you guys think? Love 'em or hate 'em?
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I TOTALLY AGREE with you on this. I feel like some people are making others feel bad for writing blog tip posts. And that's really horrible, us bloggers should support eachother. And like you said, you can always learn more.
ReplyDeleteXX
Yes! As a new-ish blogger I can find them quite useful. However it does annoy me when I feel like they've just been written for the sake of a post going up - and it's usually really obvious when not much thought has gone into them, as they just state really generalised tips etc! But I've read so many helpful ones too!
ReplyDeleteLaura x
aviewfrom-thebalcony.blogspot.co.uk
Completely agree with you! I'm a little surprised as to how many people are actually complaining about tips? The blogger is only trying to help! It is a little annoying when you read blogging tip posts that all sound the same but some of them are actually quite helpful!
ReplyDeleteRenee | Lose The Road
I'm always in two minds. You get some posts from bloggers who have been blogging for a week and like you say, they sometimes tend to sound preachy and know it all. But I completely agree, they are sometimes SO useful and I'm glad people do them. I also think all blogger tips posts are useful for newbies!
ReplyDeletex x | daisydaisyxxo
I like to think that my most recent post was requestes by quite a few people based on my most recent incline of readership, I hope mine wasn't ''preachy'' - it's always nice to be a helping hand if someone needs it!
ReplyDeleteBee xxx
QueenBeady.com
I like them, but given that everyone's blogs are so different, it's hard for the rules to apply to all. Like you said, when they're done well, they're incredible!
ReplyDeletecomicsandcookies.com
I was just talking about blog tips post yesterday with a friend. I think there are some wonderful ones out there, they are the more 'hey I did this, it may work for you, give it a go' posts but goodness me do I hate a preachy post. You're very right, every blog is different and your very own. Blog like you want to, I think if you want to make it into a profession, yes there are a few things you could learn that would help but besides that, just have fun. xx
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I do like them to a point but some can make you feel a bit crap about your blog if you take it the wrong way. Also I really hate the claims that some make, like I doubled my followers overnight..then can't back that claim up so it is just to get you to read the post...that annoys me but other then that I feel that if you have some good tips then share them and help others out :)
ReplyDeletePams Stuff and Things | Ance Ultra Clear Giveaway
I usually like blog tips posts, they are quite interesting and sometimes it makes me think of something I ignored before.
ReplyDeleteBut, sometimes, I see a baffling post like "how to raise you DA"... from a blogger with a DA of 17! That was a strange one :))
I totally agree with you. I am one of those people that whined about tips blog posts, but yes, they annoy me when they try and set rules...it's stupid! People should blog how the heck they want.
ReplyDeleteYes, some tips posts are actually helpful when they have little pointers, or places to go for things etc...but when bloggers are saying what is right and wrong and that's that? Naaaah mate.
A Little Twist Of…
I have to agree with you Jemma (I spelt it right first time, Go me ;)) I have done one blog post called "Bloggers Guide to Starting a Blog." There was no preaching, just only helpful tips that I have used myself. I did the post because friends of mine were asking how I started a blog and they were thinking of doing it themselves.
ReplyDeleteSo instead of repeating myself with a thousand words (exaggerated) I thought I would do a full length post and send it to them. I'm not sure if you've seen that post?
Great informative post! I agree with you 100% I am PRO blog tips!
Much love,
Lauren "Sweetened Sour" O'Hara
http://lauren-ohara-x.blogspot.co.uk
Totally with you! Whilst I haven't necessarily followed their advice word for word, they've certainly opened my mind and got me thinking of new ways to improve my blog. You're so right - at the end of the day there's always more to learn!
ReplyDeleteSinéad xo ♥ fabuleuse, toujours ♥
I like blog tips posts that are useful - like how to improve SEO, photography tips etc but just so keen on those that basically say you HAVE to blog in a certain way or noone will read it! But, then again, if people don't like them - noones saying they have to read them!
ReplyDeleteBeth x
Bethany Georgina
I'm a big fan of blog tips posts, I can decide for myself when I read it if i want to take it on board! It's up to the individual to write, and it's up to the individual to read them!
ReplyDeleteMilli
artsandgraces.com
Couldn't agree more with you! I've read a few of these posts now and even though I don't tend to follow any sort of pattern with my blogging - just as and when inspiration strikes, some of them have given me ideas and made me think differently about a particular post and as you mentioned for someone who has never blogged before they must be really useful - if some of these posts had been around when I'd first started, I think my original posts would have been a lot less cringey! - Tasha
ReplyDeleteI don't mind them at all, I'll take any tips I can get! Sure a lot of them we've heard before or are obvious but every now and then you see a real gem that can make a difference. I think it's all about being part of a community and helping each other out.
ReplyDeleteKariss x
www.shystrangemanic.com
Totally agree with you. I love learning more and most posts I read just want to share things which worked well for them! x
ReplyDeleteJasmin Charlotte
As a newish blogger I really really appreciate other bloggers taking the time to write posts sharing their knowledge and I agree that you can always learn more! I think it's been said though that you can usually tell if someone has actually written a post thoughtfully and with experience, or thrown together the most basic, generic tips for the sake of having a post go up about it.
ReplyDeleteThat being said we're all capable of controlling what we do/don't read and if someone doesn't like a post or doesn't agree with it all they don't have to read it. This post is great!
Brianne xx
brianneetc.co.uk
I actually love tips posts, I spend so much time trying to improve my blog and they really help me out! The one thing I'm not up for is "do's and don'ts" or "rules" for blogging, they just do my head in x
ReplyDeleteCharlotte / Colours & Carousels
Jemma you're so organised - you've made me want to get on excel asap and sort my life out haha!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about peoples' days, so I loved reading this! :)
Hazel xx
I love reading blog tips posts too! We can all learn from each other and we don't have to abide by every 'rule/tip'. Even one useful tip can make a big difference :)
ReplyDeleteEmma xx // alittlefreckle
i like some blog tip posts, but not so much others. it really depends on how it happened, like "how i boosted my blog traffic three times in six months", because that's how it worked for that person, not how it will work for everyone else. i think it really depends. i've found some helpful, but some others...not so much. i do like them, but only to a point.
ReplyDeletebrooke | brooke elise
Well said. I do enjoy blog tip posts, I love how everyone blogs so differently and that there really is no right or wrong way about it. We all have different blogging styles and techniques that work for us, and if they don't work? We look to our favourite bloggers for inspiration and try out a few of their tips, maybe take them on board or adapt them to suit our own blogging needs.
ReplyDeleteIt's a REALLY big ol' blogging world out there, there's room enough for everyone and their tips!
Sarah :)
Saloca in Wonderland
I agree with this. Some blog post tips are super helpful and useful and have taught me so much. Not going to lie here I have had the occasional twitter moan at them but that's only about oneswho like you mentioned in your post are acting preachy and think their blog is above the rest and who I find make me feel like my blog is not good enough or that I should be something different. This is only a select few though and not everyone. Most though are lovely and really do help others.
ReplyDeletefleurdanielle.blogspot.co.uk
I do love a great blog tips post. From when I started blogging to today, I always find something to keep in mind or something that will benefit my blog. WHEN, they're written correctly. I hate when a preachy, know it all 'tude shines through. With blogging, we can be at it for years, and still not know everything about it. Knowledge is power x
ReplyDeletelipstickandlightening.blogspot.ie
I love seeing them done differently and not repetitively! xx
ReplyDeleteLove Vicki | victoriajanex.co.uk
This is such a great post! I love blogging tips when they're done nicely and not like a know-it-all ♥
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
Little Moon Dragon
This trend started years ago when people were actually writing those ridiculous rules of a blogger. You were only allowed to post positive things, don't share your beliefs/relationships/babies, telling you when to post and that your blog design had to be done a certain way. It was crazy. Some newbies actually followed it for so long :(
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'll see a couple links over Twitter but so many people copy the good lists from older posts lol
Yes, Jemma! I've seen a huge surge in blogging tips posts and consequently negative feedback of them, but I've always found it difficult to see the reason why. you've summed it up nicely in this post. Sharing ideas is always a great way to learn more and discuss!
ReplyDeleteMay x • THE MAYDEN • bloglovin'
oh god I do my build a better blog series, i hope I dont sound preachy when I do them, I tend to use my own tips and facts about things ive learnt along the way! Hopefully I do them well lol I personally read as many blog tips facts as I can!
ReplyDeletewww.throughthemirror.co.uk
I don't hate them, but everyone seems to be giving the same advice, now. I agree, there are no rules to blogging and I certainly don't plan to follow any if someone came out with the 'official rule book of blogging'. However, I can understand if bloggers are asked by their followers to share their blogging tips.
ReplyDeleteNatural Passion
I totally agree with you! There are more and more posts like that, but I really enjoy reading the good ones!
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