Happy Blogiversary

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Wow!  It’s hard to believe but August 1st marked the 2 year blogiversary for The Queen in Between.  It has been two years of learning more than I ever dreamed I would need to about this little world. This week I am celebrating by sharing a few tips and will end the week with a few blog goals I’m hoping to accomplish in year three.  If that isn’t enough, I am also offering an amazing giveaway so be sure to get registered!

Tips to Blog Like a Queen

Blog Design

Whether you are using blogger or wordpress, designing yourself or hiring a developer, my number one suggestion is to design a page that is eye catching but not too busy and overwhelming.  Making your page easy to read and navigate will definitely insure your readers will want to return. I would definitely do things a little differently now compared to two years ago (bye-bye cartoon queen) and would have thought through my layout and fonts a little more carefully.  There are so many affordable templates available for both blogger and WP which provide lots of options to meet all different styles.

Quality over Quantity

When I look back at some of my original post, there was often no real structure.  I was posting just to post and worried way more about how many times I was posting instead of the quality of the material.  I would hope anyone who has been around for the duration would find this has improved with time. We all want to be the “master” blogger but honestly, life happens sometimes, writers block is real and some days I’m really not very interesting.  Learning to plan and be more intentional with posting has been a big plus.

Graphics

Gone are the days when you need to be a Photoshop guru to create beautiful graphics.   There are so many options out there but I have found using PicMonkey and Fotojet to be the most user friendly for my needs. Fotojet offers so many templates already populated with creative fonts, etc. and dragging in your own picture or a stock photo makes it personal.  I have found Fotojet saves me a little time as sometimes I can get a little bogged down choosing fonts and layout.  However, if I am using more than one picture in a graphic or editing a photo, I still find PicMonkey to be a little friendlier. Graphics will catch a readers eye and draw them in so I feel they are a big win.

Link-up Parties

Do they really create more views?  Umm…heck  yes they do!  My advice is to find link-ups which fit with your overall blog content.  You will rarely, if ever, find me posting on a DIY or craft link party because I’m just not very crafty.  If you struggle with writers block at times, finding prompted link-ups (kind of like Spiel the Beans, hint, hint) can really help.  The trick is not to just link and run, however.  Some of my favorite bloggers have been found as I browse linkup parties.

Comments

Leaving meaningful comments on other blogs and responding to comments on my blog takes way more than I ever envisioned.  After trying to keep up and insure I was responding to everyone unsuccessfully, I decided to try Disqus and while it is still time consuming I feel I have a better handle.  Do you have to respond to every single comment?  Well, I personally feel if someone takes the time to comment on a post the very least I can do is either respond directly or visit their blog. Blogging becomes much more meaningful when you are an active participant.

These are just a few of the “big” tips that come to mind for me!  What are some of the best tips you have learned as a blogger?  Or if you are a non-blogger what are some of the things you love to see or not see?

Now the fun part!  Everyone loves a chance to win something for FREE and I’m giving away the Redefine skincare regimen from Rodan+Fields.  I use this regimen along with other great R+F products so enter for your chance to win and get started on your way to beautiful skin!  I would love to chat with you if you are currently searching for a new skincare option!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

70 Comments

  2. Yay! So happy you are celebrating turning two! I look back on some of my old posts and just cringe. They are so poorly wrote and the photos are terrible. Parts of me wants to delete them, the other parts like seeing how far I have came. Love these tips Shelly!

    Reply

  18. Cheers to you Beautiful Blogiversary Babe!! Your space on the Internet is a highlight of my day! Keep em coming and GREAT tips!!

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  26. I love your blog too and I love that you are so down to earth. Oh and that you love wine like me! HAHA I do appreciate that you take the time to respond to the comments. So many bloggers DO NOT and I personally feel that if you want comments, then you should at least try to respond. Especially when someone tells you how much they have enjoyed your post or something to that extent. I have been turned off by several bloggers who have never taken the time to respond to a question or comment. Hope you are having a fun time in SAT. By the snapchats I have seen….. you are!

    Reply

  27. I haven't but would love to see what R+F could do for my skin. This giveaway would be the perfect way to try out their product before committing with a purchase.

    It's been so fun to read and watch your blog grow. Happy Blogiversary!

    Reply

  39. Congratulations Shelly!! I've been enjoying your blog since the day I found you. Hope we get to meet in person one of these days. 🙂

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  42. Happy Blogiversary! I'm approaching 2 years as well. I am pinning your post to my blogging page because it is so so true. I've learned so much as well and may be talking about it in a future post. So glad our paths have crossed through the blogosphere.

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  43. Congnrats. Thank you so much for linking at #overthemoon! I look forward to seeing what you share every week. Please come back for #WonderfulWednesday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Don't forget to comment your link #'s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured! Pinned and shared.

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  45. Thank you Kim….I so glad you enjoy but I can 100% assure you I do not do it all. lol…I fail daily in so many areas and my kids would probably laugh to hear someone say they think I do it all. I love R+F….best of luck on the giveaway! I'm super excited to share this with someone.

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  48. Kim we did manage to have lots of fun! Our girls are pretty amazing and we could learn a thing or two from them and the way they don't waste any fun. I feel the same…it is very time consuming and I can only imagine how hard it would be for some of the really big bloggers to actually get to every comment but I really do think it has been one of my fave parts of blogging to really get to know my readers better.

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  54. Congratulations on Blogiversary #2! Thanks for sharing these wonderful blogging tips, too. They are very helpful. I have been using the R+F sensitive skin care products for my son's eczema and now for my crazy perimenopausal acne that came out of nowhere on my right cheek! It seems to help a little for me, but apparently I need a dermatologist. Ugh.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply

  55. Great advice! My friend and I are new bloggers and it is way more difficult than I ever imagined! I feel so overwhelmed so I appreciate advice from a successful blogger such as yourself. I really enjoy your blog!

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  57. Thanks so much Kellyann. Yep, I jumped in with no clue how much work blogging really is. Not really sure I would quite classify myself as "successful" yet but it has been a fun journey. What is your blog name? I tried to search but am coming up empty. 🙂

    Reply

  61. Congrats on your 2 year blogversary! I haven't tried R&F yet but I keep seeing people who have had great results!

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  66. Congrats on your two year blogiversary!! You know that I have enjoyed trying out your clothing tips and just reading about your life, you always have something noteworthy to say and are on my list of blogs I check every day. Have never tried R&F but now might be the time 🙂

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  67. Congratulations on your 2 year blogiversary! I haven't tried R&F before, but I've heard really good things about it!

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  69. Congrats on 2 years! I totally agree with your tips and link parties are fantastic! Its how I found your blog 🙂

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  70. Congrats on your second year! I recently had my 3rd year Blogiversary and I'm more excited now! These are good tips. I've gotten back into linkups and not only do I find new bloggers (like you) and an increase in traffic, but also it's pretty awesome to see what others are doing! 🙂

    Reply

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