20 of the Best Tools for a Winning Blog Strategy!
I’ve been blogging for several years now, and have really stepped up my social media game in the last 2-3 years. It has been a great way to express my creativity, write about things that matter to me, and of course - make money! If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, there really is no better time! We all have a lot more time on our hands since Covid-19 cancelled our social lives. Plus, if you are able to use this time to build your audience and grow your blog traffic, you’ll be in a great position to maximize your earnings when things get back to normal.
I’m outlining some of the tools and resources I rely on to run my blog. These have been my go to resources for managing my business, staying on top of my content, and getting support on the areas that are not my expertise.
Tools You Need to Get Started Blogging
It may seem obvious, but the first thing you need to get started is your website! I purchased my domain through GoDaddy and setup my site on Squarespace. Wordpress is another pretty popular option for bloggers, but I find Squarespace much friendlier to work with. They have lots of templates and design features that are easy to use yourself, and their customer service is readily available. Wordpress is great if you are a little more tech savvy or can invest in a developer. If not, I recommend Squarespace. Once your site is up and running, be sure to integrate Google Analytics to get data on your visitors and top performing content.
You may also want to set up Dropbox for storage. Bloggers use a ton of photos and you need a system of keeping it organized. Mine is organized with seasonal fashion content and an assortment of stock imagery that fits topics I frequently post about.
How to Find Free Stock Imagery for Your Blog
Stock imagery is a blogger’s essential. In my first year of blogging I tried to create every image I posted. That meant shooting and editing full body, lifestyle, and styled flat lay imagery all on my own. It was time consuming, exhausting and expensive! I started using stock imagery more in the last year and it has been a savior. You can subscribe to a stock image service like Adobe, which is my personal fave. They are a little pricey, but way less than trying to style, prop, and shoot all your own images. Pexels, Haute Stock and Ivory Mix are also great for getting a variety of stock images for free!
Essential Apps for Editing Blog and Instagram Photos
You will of course have to create some original content, especially for Instagram. I create content using a mix of professional photographers, self-portraits, and just making my husband do it! Professional photographers usually edit photos for you, but you want to make sure your look is cohesive. Presets are the easiest way to edit photos and keep the overall look from clashing. That is a major key to building a beautiful, stylish Instagram feed. I use 123Presets and stick to the same group at least for the season. I started using them about 6 months ago and it has made such a difference in my feed! Presets also save a ton of time when photo editing, since it’s usually one tap instead of a series of multiple edits.
I also regularly use FaceTune for beauty imagery and making a product or detail pop and Snapseed for removing objects and basic adjustments. If you are trying to create more video, I recommend checking out Vimeo pro! They make creating stylish videos a breeze, with lots of different options for templates and a library of music. Use the 30 day free trial to get started.
Free SEO Resources for Bloggers
SEO is a pain but it is essential for any website to succeed. This is still an area that I struggle with, even after several years blogging! I have spent more time working on my SEO skills since I’m spending more time at home due to coronavirus. When I first got started, I had a consultant help me with the basics, and now I rely on a few free tools for SEO maintenance. The Coscheduler Headline Analyzer helps you write blog titles that will rank, and SEO expert Neil Patel has a host of free SEO resources to help you boost your traffic and rankings.
SEO is pretty complicated so don’t stress out if you don’t ace it right away. Spend some time educated yourself on SEO best practices, monitor your traffic sources and best performing content, and update old posts periodically to keep them fresh.
Affordable Freelance Help for Bloggers
Remember, running a blog is the same as running a small business and no business owner can do it all alone! There will be times you need to enlist the help of a pro to keep things running smoothly. My go to for affordable freelance help is Fiverr. I’ve found everything from SEO consultants to Photoshop pros for complex edits. Everyone charges different rates, but there are a ton of people offering similar gigs so you can easily compare prices and reviews. E-lance is another great platform for finding freelancers and consultants.
I’m also a member of a few blogger Facebook groups that are amazing! It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers, share resources and get inspiration. Check out Boss Girl Bloggers and browse similar groups in your niche .
Hope these tips help! I know blogging can be a very time consuming side hustle, but has the potential to turn into an amazing full-time career. If that’s your goal, stay focused and invested in your audience and your content. One day it will pay off!
Beauty Secrets to Know: How to Get Rid of that Pesky Cellulite!
Let's talk about cellulite! You guys know I love blogging about all things beauty, and taking care of those pesky dimples is an important part of my routine. Cellulite can affect anyone no matter how thin you are. It's not about how much you weigh, but is really caused by fat deposits pushing through the connective tissue in the skin. It can happen anywhere on your body but is most common in the thighs and butt. And while we are living in a day and age of body positivity and accepting your flaws, I'm still of the school of thought that if you really don't like something about yourself you have every right to try to fix it. And while I applaud the women who embrace their cellulite, this is a beauty blog, and I'm still very dedicated to my routine that keeps it away. So if you want to learn my tips for how to get rid of yours, keep reading!
1. Prevention is Key
As with anything skin care related, prevention is the first and most important step of treatment. I have been using anti-cellulite products since college, really before I had much of anything to worry about. And as I've gotten older and my body has changed, I firmly believe the routine I've stuck to consistently over the years has helped prevent my cellulite from really developing. If you already have some don't worry too much! You can definitely reduce it's appearance significantly even if you don't get rid of it completely.
2. Layer on the products
My holy grail system has been Bliss Fab Girl Slim and Fab Girl Sleep. They recently rebranded slightly, but it seems the products are the same ones I've used and loved. I've used that duo day and night for years and it has definitely made a difference in keeping my skin smooth and dimple free. If you are just starting out they will take a few weeks before you see a difference, but consistency is key if you are going to see results. They also make a tummy toning gel called Fab Girl Six Pack which I have used off and on, mostly just because I like the tingly feeling when you put it on. And when I need an extra smoothing, firming boost, I use the Body Shop Moroccan Rhassoul Body Clay Mask. It's a firming mask that tightens and tones for extra smooth skin. I've found the best way to apply it is to smooth on a thick layer, then wrap your butt and thighs up in Saran Wrap, then hang out looking ridiculous for 20-30 minutes while it does it's thing. Yes, it sounds silly, but hey it's totally worth it!
3. Get a temporary glow
If you are looking for a quick fix before a vacation, the best thing you can use is the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. It smells incredible and will temporarily tighten skin, plus it leaves a very subtle shimmer that will give your bod a natural looking glow. I keep a mini version in my beach bag at all times! And tools like dry-body brushes and suction devices can give you some temporary relief!
4. Take it Up a Notch
If you've got deep set cellulite and are really desperate to get rid of it, you may want to look into some non-invasive treatments to get rid of it. Lasers can work wonders on pretty much any beauty concern, and there are also newly FDA approved treatments like Cellfina. Do your research and ask a cosmetic dermatologist to weight in on any procedure you are considering.
Let me know in the comments what you'll be trying!
