What Feels Impossible: Getting Noticed in the Blogging World

The title says it all – it feels impossible getting noticed in the blogging world, right?

I actually got this question by a number of people lately asking if I could do a post about this since I’ve been all about opening up and sharing more personal bits about my life and so here it is.

You guys — I seriously WISH I had a magic secret for you all. Unfortunately I don’t and to be honest, I think I’m still figuring it out as I go but what I will do is share what I know and hopefully that is helpful enough!

Listen, I started like every single one of you. 

In fact, when I started I reached out to a few bloggers I looked up to in hopes that they could shed some light on this topic resulting in sadly never hearing back. It disappoints me that we live in a world where women can’t just support each other which is why I am here writing this post for all of you because I wish there was someone who had done the same for me back when I started.

There really is nothing more stressful than spending hours and hours running a blog that you are producing quality content for yet for some reason no one knows about. At times you can just feel like scraping the whole thing and walking away. Trust me, I know exactly how you feel.

So let me stop you right there.

First problem — If you are starting your blog solely to get noticed and make money, then you’re doing it all wrong. I started my blog for fun, as a hobby. I was working as a Licensed Esthetician and just fell in love with the beauty world (and of course always loved fashion) that I wanted a space to share all my beauty/skin secrets! To be honest, I was at a point in my life where I stopped being the girl that went out every weekend partying and life was well a bit uneventful (haha). I wanted something to occupy my time and have fun with and so I decided to start a blog to just share anything that came to my mind! My goal was never to make a living from it, get free stuff or become “insta famous” by any means. Heck, I don’t even think Instagram was a “thing” yet. And if I’m being honest, my blog SUCKED at the beginning but you know what, it was fine for me!

It was a somewhere I came when I got home from work, poured a glass of wine and started typing away until 2am JUST BECAUSE I just absolutely loved it. My photos were iPhone photos and I didn’t stress about it because I had no one to impress but myself – does that make sense? It was a space for ME and well, if people wanted to join along my journey then they were more than welcome to.

Why do I tell you guys this? Because, I want you to know that the thought of “getting noticed” and making money or all that stuff shouldn’t really be a priority of yours at the beginning. Everything you do in life (including blogging) you should do because you feel passionate about it. When that passion begins to show then other people will notice without a doubt.

Post Consistently.

This is an important one that is sometimes overlooked. It’s so important to post consistently. And when I say that I don’t mean you have to post 7 days a week. Think about what works for you. If you can commit to 2 days a week pick two days every week and make sure you DO it. When you begin to have an audience and they start to come to your blog they are expecting you to have content on those days. If they know you post Monday and Friday and they come on Monday and there is nothing new, they will easily forget about it. It’s sad but I’m being honest — there are hundreds of thousands of blogs out there and you need to differentiate yourself.

However you structure it, you need to be seen regularly. And you need to be seen in a positive light regularly – not just seen. Just throwing up a half-hearted post to fill space doesn’t count. Post regularly – and post quality content.

And for all of you, “I don’t have time” people right now. Yes you do. I’m typing at 10pm right now. I found time today. You can too.

Keep reading…

If you’re not networking, you’re not working.

I remember a while ago I got a message from a PR company saying how she noticed I respond to comments on my blog and on IG. I was kind of surprised because I kept thinking, “Why wouldn’t I be responding?” Listen, I am SO grateful for every person who follows and reads a post on my blog let alone takes the time to write me a comment, so why wouldn’t I take time out of my day to write back?!

Part of blogging in my opinion is participating and networking on and off your blog. Answer every comment you can on your posts and on others. Comment on other blogs, be active on social networks — be “seen” being supportive and offering value.

Also, think about networking in person. There are bloggers in every city and events that you can attend. The more you network the more you will become noticed. Bloggers wanting to meet brands and agencies should make of point of networking and meeting them in person at events that they hear of around their city. Then, maybe follow up with them later with an email!

One opportunity leads to another

Start small and work your way up. One thing I’ve told people who have asked how I got started was well — I reviewed products I already had! I would do reviews and/or tutorials using all items I had and then email or tag the brands I was featuring on IG even if they didn’t send me the items. Sometimes I’d host my own giveaways without being asked and then email the brands after letting them know the success of the giveaway just to put myself out there. Of course I didn’t get responses to a majority of them but maybe just maybe ONE would write me back and that was enough to make my day!

As your readership and engagement grows, so will the opportunities. Let me tell you — it does NOT happen overnight. Focus on featuring your blog in the best light possible, and working on projects that work best for you and your readership.

Be Real. 

Listen. There is SO much fake crap out there and who wants to be the same as everyone else? This is why I started getting REAL REAL with you guys. I feel like there aren’t enough people who tell it like it is which is why I think it’s SO important to be yourself and be real.

What I’ve realized is you’re not going to please everyone but I do know that people appreciate being treated as if they matter so don’t just blog about what you think you have to, blog about what you think you SHOULD because chances are everyone wants to read it too in turn making you more noticeable.

Also, be funny! I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t love to laugh, so if you think you’re particularly good at being funny … bring it out in a kick-butt blog post. People notice funny bloggers. That stuff is shareable because it’s funny and relatable. Blogging Pinterest Worthy GOLD.

At the end of the day blogging at its core is about offering something of value to your audience. It could be a great story or useful insight but what you should aim for is to create content that people WANT to read and more importantly, share. Find a way to do this and you will get noticed and be successful no matter what. Remember, it does not happen overnight and it certainly did not happen for me. If blogging is your passion, do it for you and you’ll already be winning!

Shop the look:

Top: Tobi // Bottoms: Sanctuary // Necklace: Kendra Scott