Growing Your Brand

I have had a lot of people ask me how to increase your numbers and grow the visibility of their baby blog. I am one of those baby blogs. I have limited reach, but it IS growing. Everyone has to start somewhere. Most people who have had their blogs blog up have had a post, picture, video, or something go viral. They have gotten lucky and hit on something that people were passionate about or found hilarious. I have not had that happen yet for me. So, I am growing my brand through hard work ... and being me.

Before you stop reading and say "I wanted a quick fix," remember that NOTHING is immediate. There is no quick fix to losing weight. There is no quick fix to being rich (unless you have a trust fund). There is no quick tip on a long-lasting marriage. Everything that lasts takes work. That is just how it is. I knew this going into blogging. Honestly, at the beginning, my blog was just my place to release. It has now become a place where I can reach other people who are going through the same stuff that I am. So ... here I am, offering you my tips on growing your reach.

1. Do a Challenge

There are SO many of these available! In April, you can do the Blogging A to Z. This actually is only 26 days (obviously since there are only 26 letters in the alphabet) but you link up and everyone visits each other's blogs. It has HUGE reach! The 30-Day challenge I am doing right now is simply called 30 Day Blogging Challenge. This is day 1. I will be posting this link in a group with over 200 member who will all have the chance to view it and comment on it. Finally, look at groups like the Biannual Blogathon where you not only work on your posts, but also the blog as a whole.

2. Join a Facebook Group

You may not be into groups, but joining one or two STRONG Facebook groups WILL increase your viewers. You will have people following your blog as well as following your social media. There are different types of groups. You have groups that are designed to boost your social following by listing your social media platform link and following others in that link-up. Biz Blogging Buzz, or B3, is another style that helps with blog comments AND sharing. It is a GREAT networking system and they are ALWAYS looking for new members. You are put into a group and requested to read at least one post from each person each week, and share it to 2 of your social media platforms. Many members read more posts. I know I do because the blogs are SO full of information.

3. Participate in Blogging Communities

You will see on my Partners & Affiliates page that I am partnered with Niche Parents, Blogger Babes, Type-A Parenting, Bloggy Moms, and Mom It Forward. (Still making the logos for my affiliates because I am still overhauling this site) I also partner with test panels such as Snuggle, Chick-Fil-A, and Purex. Find your niche and then look for groups to partner with. I am a parent, so I really try to network with other parenting blogs. We will have similar interests for sponsors and viewers.

4. Listen to Your Viewers

Your readers will give you hints on what direction to take based on what gets shared, viewed multiple times, when views come in, and what gets commented on. It really is up to you to pay attention and then follow their desires.

These are the methods I have used to grow my brand. I had to find out who I was at first ... which honestly was the hardest part. I had SO much that I wanted to get out, but I needed to find a true direction. I am still growing and learning. I learn by going through classes and attending conferences. Never be afraid to take criticism and never feel like you are not good enough to have a big blog.