The Meylah platform is built so that creative entrepreneurs have a blog merged with their online store. So, all you have to do is mix in the words and pour!
But, what words? What should you say about yourself and your business?
Many beginner bloggers are daunted, thinking that they're not interesting enough or unqualified to blog because they're not a writer. Here are six ideas to help get you focused and excited about blogging.
1. Write posts that speak to your target buyer
Think of your blog as a bulletin board in your shop, where you can answer customers' frequently asked questions about your product.
If you're a jewelry maker, you could write about how to take care of jewelry in general, including quick ways to fix or replace broken clasps or hooks. Write about ways to accessorize with the jewelry you make. What about showing people how to make their own jewelry box?
Or go more general. Are your target clients other busy moms? Then suggest or review a resource that might be of use to them. Blogger Blair Stocker writes about the book Homemade: 101 Crafts to do with Kids just in time for summer vacation, when fellow moms will be looking for activity ideas.
2. Think of your posts as "teaching moments"
Your blog is a great place to communicate lessons you've learned that may be informative or inspirational to others.
Did you run out of business cards right before your last craft fair? Well, Future Girl did, but she didn't let that stop her. She quickly made some of herself.
What solutions have you discovered in your creative work? Share them. What opinions have you formed about materials, tools, styles, creativity in general? Share them. Did you read a book, see a show, or watch something on TV that was relevant to your audience? Share it.
3. Have fun
We all want to hang out with people who look like they're having fun, right? So have fun with your blog posts! Here's a great example from Seattle blogger Not Martha, who has fun making flower pancakes, and shows us how to make them, too.
4. Write posts that spotlight your peers
Part of the purpose of blogging is to network – you want to get noticed by your creative peers, because they have large networks where they can spread the word about you. When you read blog posts that are helpful and relevant to you, spotlight them on your own blog.
You can do this in any number of ways. For example, The Crafty Crow writes a roundup of homemade Father's Day cards, with ideas gathered from other blogs. This is great because it's useful to readers and sends a shout-out to fellow bloggers.
5. Tell stories that are short and sweet
One of the most common mistakes that novice bloggers make is to write long and barely punctuated posts about something that happened to them. It may be a great and relevant story, but you don't want readers to click away halfway through because the punchline is still a mile away. You want to give them a slice of life, like this post by Portland's Angry Chicken.
6. Let images do the talking
Yes, writing blog posts can take time, so posting a simple photo with a few sentences of explanation is a quick solution. You could simply post a weekly photo of something you're working on, something that inspires you, a new technique that you've learned, or a product that you like. Whipup points out that this softie rubiks cube would make a great Father's Day Gift.
How is your blogging going? Is it helping your business, or is it just another chore?
Photo courtesy of tnarik
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28 Comments
Thanks for these handy tips. Great advice!
Jessica, I love how you integrated so many awesome blogs and posts into this article. I really need to work on that...you do it with such a personal touch, I love that about the way you write. I really like tip #6, I think posting a 'works in process' is a great way to spice up your blog. I've never done it before, but I'm going to add that to the arsenal...it also helps to show people that there is a human behind the products and that we aren't just machines that spew finished products out!
Wonderful blogging tips! I'm enjoying the LIFE ON MARS--HIDEAHEART BEGINS blog I've been writing and invite you to stop by to laugh at my Pitfalls & Promise of beginning a new biz + listen to me sing if you click on a tune....I've thrown in the kitchen sink at http://hideaheart.wordpress.com
Ahhh, I see I needed to write the LIFE ON MARS--HIDEAHEART BEGINS blog as a clickable link--sorry!
HERE
Great ideas! Thank you.
This is very helpful. Thank you.
Great tips. Wish I had more time to post on my blog. One day.
Thank you so much for this post! I'm in the first few weeks of blogging and it's been a challenge to stay motivated. I fret that I don't have anything of interest to say. This has been very helpful in reminding me that other new bloggers have the same issues and in giving me some ideas.
Thanks for all the valuable info here! I haven't tried blogging yet but this sure does give this old woman the confidence to try it!
Thanks for your helpful comments. I will strive to get them into actions.
Thank you for taking the time to put this post together! I am a very new blogger and these are great tips that I know are going help.
How to clean the jewelry I make. Perfect! I am new to blogging too and still figuring out who my audience is.
Thank you for writing this :)
Thank you for the great tips! Always looking for tips on improving my blog!
Love your idea about keeping your writing short and sheet.
I have a giveaway at therecycleddove.com
stop by and check out the details.
Sorry
Short and sweet !!
This is a great post. I do try to combine elements of this in our blog - letting the reader get to know our family and how who we are relates to what we make.
Thank you Jessica, sometimes blogging feels like a chore, but with these tips, I think I will have more fun.
Blogging is fun at times and an assignment at times. Your suggestions remind me to keep my audience in mind as I rely information about our business and really our lives to others!
I don't have a blog yet. This was very helpful in giving me the push I needed to get one started. Very good information! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this.
You addressed all of the reasons why my blogging life has been so sporadic and great methods to be more active. Excellent tips to think about when contemplating my next blog.
Great ideas. I just started making my blog more specific to my product and need to spend a bit more time identifying my target market!
Thank you, last year I wrote some Blogs butwas in the hospital and forgot, at that time I felt like a failure. I have 2 small shops, and I feel okay. God Bless you for inspiation.
What great tips!! I just started my blog a few weeks ago and will admit it's been an intimidating start but I'm looking forward to trying out some new ideas. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. =)
First time visitor and thank you so much for the blogging help. I have one and felt there is got to be more I could do to promote and share my jewelry designs and Etsy shop. SO now I will start on it this week.
www.mypricelesscreations.blogspot.com is my blog come visit me.
Thanks for posting! I've been blogging for 5 years (or more) and that's the 186328th blog I am keeping online (but finally I found a good way of blogging, so I hope I'll not change my site anymore). Even having experience, it's always good following some tips about promoting.
Hugs!
This was very helpful & inspiring. I also think it would be useful ( for me ) if I try to stick to a *once a week* blogging schedule. Realistically, I don't think I can muster up more than that.
very good article..thnk you so much