June is coming to an end. And I can’t believe this was my third-month blogging! I actually feel that I have been doing it for more time. In these three months, I’ve learned a lot about social media, digital marketing, photography, and much more. Before starting this blog, I didn’t know how much time it took to write a post and all the things, we bloggers, have to do to make a single post shine. So today I’m sharing those things I learned after 3 months of blogging.
1. Planning is key
This is something I learned within the first week of blogging. I needed to keep track of many things. But especially, I needed to know what to write and when to do it. If needed to take some pictures for certain posts. I had to do it with time mainly because I had to make sure my sister had some free time to do it for me (my little sister has some skills!).
Having a planner and writing all the tasks I have to do every day, helps a lot to feel less overwhelmed. Otherwise, I would be all over the place and I wouldn’t be able to finish anything. I’m really good at starting things and then after a few minutes, I would be doing something else.
And after realizing how easy is for me to get distracted. I learned how to schedule my to-do list. And actually, that was part of my June goals. And I’m proud to say, I did it mostly, every day!
I needed to know what to write and when to do it. Click To Tweet2. There’s something new to learn or improve every day
It can be a little annoying at first. It happened to me many times. Where I was thinking… ‘Yes! Finally, my blog has everything that article on Pinterest said!’ But the next day, I would be reading the ‘Ultimate Guide To Boost Your Blog Part 2’. And again… I will need to make some changes and add new features.
So just keep learning, and improving. You don’t have to be perfect. And you don’t have to follow all those tips. Some will work and others not really, or you won’t see the difference. But take all that knowledge happily. It’s always good to learn new skills.
3. Pinterest is the key to boosting your blog’s traffic
After all the things I learned after 3 months of blogging. Realizing that Pinterest was the key to increasing your blog’s traffic, was the most important one. I didn’t understand the relevance of it until I saw the difference in my blog. My post 11 Benefits Of Long-Distance Relationships is the one that brings the most traffic to my blog. More than 100 page views per day!
Which is crazy for me. Knowing that people are reading keeps me motivated. Again… learning more Pinterest strategies was another goal for this month. And I did some changes, but I have a little problem now… I don’t know which one of the strategies I used worked the best. Maybe a combination of all of them. But as an advice, apply one at the time.
I didn't understand the relevance of Pinterest until I saw the difference in my blog. Click To Tweet4. Social Media can be exhausting (Instagram, I’m talking to you!)
If there’s is something that annoys me the most is the follow/unfollow strategy some people use on Instagram. For one week I had the same number followers. Why? Because every time someone followed me, two others would unfollow. I understand that maybe you didn’t like the pictures after all, so you unfollow. I have done it! That’s why I’m very strict with the accounts I follow. I have to like them! I know how frustrating it can be to lose followers after one day.
I’m still trying to get Twitter. Some days I’ll love it; and others, I don’t know what to do with it. I understand all the theory about how great it is to engage with readers and other bloggers. But sometimes I don’t even know what to share on there.
I learned that Facebook groups open the doors of your blog to other bloggers. They are a great way to support others and to help them to achieve goals. And also, to discover new blogs!
Overall, social media helps you a lot to grow your blog, but keeping track of every simple detail can be too much sometimes.
5. Blogging is a great way to make friends from other parts of the world
When I decided to start Elephant On The Road, I wanted to reach as many people as possible. And the best way I found to do it. Was to write in English. It comes with many struggles since is not my native language. But I’m happy I decided to do it like this. Is not only a great way to practice my writing skills. It also gives me the chance to connect with people from other parts of the globe! And that for sure is one of my favorite things I learned after 3 months of blogging.
6. Everyone will try to sell you the key to success
There is so much information available that can help you to start a blog and grow it, that it can be a little overwhelming at first. It was for me. And sometimes it still is. But one of the things I learned after 3 months of blogging. Is to not follow all the rules. And just do what works the best for you.
It is true that most of them help. But others, not really. I just read all I can (that is free) and then I try to find the best strategies that work for me.
7. Blogging comes with investing
When I purchased my WordPress theme and hosting. I thought that was it. That I wouldn’t need to spend more money. And, man. I was wrong! Very wrong. I also need money to create my content. For example, my DIY projects. To make them, I need to buy the materials. And to buy them I need money.
If I had known this from the beginning, it wouldn’t have stopped me to start a blog. But probably, I would have been more prepared and I would have planned my content a little different.
When I purchased my WordPress theme and hosting. I thought that was it. That I wouldn't need to spend more money. And, man. I was wrong! Click To Tweet8. It can be really overwhelming sometimes
And I mentioned it before. So. Much. To. Learn. Google Analytics, SEO, how to work with brands, affiliate marketing, some legal stuff, photography, graphic design… it’s just a lot. And I love it and hate it at the same time. I’m happy I’m learning all these things. But also frustrated that it seems I will never finish learning. When I think I finally finished to learn something in particular, an update comes, and I have to start again.
But it’s also how life works, right? We never stop learning.
9. It’s okay to have a break
I spend a lot of time on my blog, and sometimes I just don’t want to do all the things that are related to blogging (especially the promotion part. Which is really important). These past months I’ve been working really hard on my blog. Almost non-stop. So when I got sick last Friday, I decided to give myself a little break. And to be honest. It was something I really needed.
So part of the things I learned after 3 months of blogging, was understanding how important is to give myself a break from the online world. I really enjoy all the things I have to do related to the blog. But we all need a break here and there, even from the things we are passionate about.
Are there any tips you could give me? What are your biggest struggles when it comes to blogging? Can you relate all these things I learned after 3 months of blogging? Let me know in the comments!
Sincerely,
Melissa
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN
dstapleton says
Yes #8 is so true at times it can be overwhelming. Good 9 points.
Skye says
Thanks for sharing everything you’ve learned, love your blog! Can’t wait to see where your blog takes you!
Melissa Cruz says
Thanks Skye! It has been awesome and so fulfilling!
Courtney Lee says
This is so true. Good for you, this blog is absolutely amazing. I would never have said you only started three months ago. I am a new found blogger – only began about a month ago – I know I have a long road ahead but like you said, there is soo much information which can help us along the way. Everyday is a new adventure. Goodluck and cheers!
Courtney
👑 http://www.themoneydoll.com
Melissa Cruz says
Everyday is a new adventure for sure! Good luck with everything!
Emma @ Seeking the South says
Yes yes yes! Pinterest is amazing for bloggers, and instagram is sooo hard. You go girl! You’re off to a great start!
Emma | Seeking the South
Melissa Cruz says
Thank you, Emma <3
Kristine Circenis says
Planning is SO big! I spend so much time planning and I have come to love it. Congrats on 3 months!
Melissa Cruz says
It is very important!
mQs says
These tips are on point. Planning is definitely the key to success when it comes to blogging, especially fi you don’t have a ton of free time.
Melissa Cruz says
Yes! Even more when you need other’s people help.
Courtney Connolly says
Happy 3 months lovely!! You have definitely grasped some really important lessons that some people take ages longer to understand. I think the most important of all is that you learn to value yourself and give yourself breaks when you really need it.
Melissa Cruz says
Thank you Courtney! I will have your tips in mind! I really need to learn my value!
Megan says
I have definitely learnt the importance of taking breaks! It feels scary like suddenly everyone will stop reading or forget about you but it is so necessary to keep going.
Melissa Cruz says
So true! I was like… Oh no! I didn’t post anything on Instagram for 3 days. I would have 0 followers when I check my account again ahahaha.
dreamofadventures says
Great tips! I agree instagram is quite exhausting and can lead to feeling down about your social media presence. But it’s still great to use I think. Congrats on three months!
https://dreamofadventures.com/
Melissa Cruz says
Instagram is my favorite social media! And i want to enjoy it more than stressing about my followers hahaha. Thanks for stopping by!
Alix Maza says
These are all so true! Instagram is so exhausting, but I love it!
Melissa Cruz says
Same! My favorite social media, but is so hard sometimes
Kayla Rivoli says
I love my blogging friends! I totally agree with everything you said. Once I started utilizing Pinterest, I saw a huge jump in traffic! One of the reasons why I love blogging is because it’s something totally new for me and something I can always learn more about. Cheers to 3 months!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
Melissa Cruz says
The learning never stops! Blogging is something really fun 🙂
Thanks Kayla!
Change With Us says
I’ve been blogging since 2011 and it has been a love/hate relationship with many breaks in between due to education, life, and lack of motivation.
I definitely agree with you, I was just talking about how hard blogging actually is on my blog the other day, so this definitely resonates with that!
Oh and Instagram… don’t get me started. This new algorithm has me running. It’s crazy!
xo, L
Melissa Cruz says
It is hard to be a Blogger! So many things to keep track with. Instagram has everyone feeling like that!
Marissa Pedersen says
I have a love/hate relationship with social media! I love it, but it takes so much time.
Melissa Cruz says
We aren’t alone! It should enjoy it more!
Whitney S. says
I’ve been blogging for 8 years. Back then, it was more about personal relationships. No one was worried about curating their feed, monetizing, or even being a guru. It seems like everyone now has a course of how to do this and how to do that, because it’s the “in” thing right now. That stuff was so unheard of about 4 years ago.
I hate the follow/unfollow strategy and I refuse to do it or really follow anyone or associate with anyone who knows (It’s super easy to tell by going to Social Blade dot come. If you see HUGE spikes in following and unfollowing, it’s pretty clear. I believe it just gives you the past week).
P.S, I’m an ESL teacher, and if you hadn’t had said anything, I would have never guessed English wasn’t your native language.
Melissa Cruz says
I always ask myself why everyone is scheduling posts. Especially on twitter. That’s not the point of social media! First time hearing of social blade. Thanks for the tip!
That makes me really happy! I’ve learning English since I can talk hahaha. And it can be really frustrating not being able to remember words hahaha.
Ashley Peggs says
I completely agree with these points! I’m newer to the blogging scene and some days it can be overwhelming but I’ve also gained so much from it!
Melissa Cruz says
Yeah! The learning part is great! But it’s so much sometimes…
Nicole Booz says
#4 and #8 are ringing so true for me right now. That’s probably a sign a need a break and better boundaries, ha!
Melissa Cruz says
It can be that! We need to relax with social media. I still don’t understand why people try to schedule everything hahaha
Rachel Ritlop says
these are all on point! Even though i sell coaching services, I was a business coach/consultant for a year and a half prior to starting my blog, and am SO skeptical of people trying to sell stuff online #SMH
Melissa Cruz says
Yeah! I mean… sometimes I read other bloggers saying certain courses were bad or didn’t work. So I’m always scared of buying those hahaha
Carly Ned says
My favorite part of blogging is definitely meeting all the different people all over the world. You never know who you’ll come into contact with!
Melissa Cruz says
Right? That is super fun!
mckenna bleu says
So much to learn that comes with blogging! But in the end it is all worth it!
Melissa Cruz says
I agree! Is all worth it
Sophie says
Really love every one of these points. I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds Instagram tiring….I also need to put more effort into my pinterest!
Melissa Cruz says
Pisterest is very important!
Cassie Arenz says
Wow, your blog is amazing! Such inspiration to a new blogger. Also, your English is really amazing and what a great way to practice! These are great learnings, some things that I am learning too!
Cassie
Cassie’s Big Adventure
Melissa Cruz says
Thank you, Cassie! Your words mean a lot. Good luck with everything!
Kim says
Wow I didn’t realize that you had only been blogging for 3 months! You seem like a pro! I have learned these same lessons and 100% agree. Social media in particular has always been a struggle for me because it’s so exhausting and time consuming. Btw, your English is perfect!
Kim
Simply Lovebirds
Melissa Cruz says
We should enjoy social media! But with all people scheduling everything is very hard hahaha. It is very exhausting! Thank you! I really try hard with my English 🙂
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew says
Wow! Three and four on this list really speak to me personally! Pinterest is definitely a game changer!!
Melissa Cruz says
Totally agree!
Tiffany Khyla says
These are all great lessons, and it’s so awesome that you learned them early on! Social media is definitely a lot to keep up with. I remember when they were trying to make Periscope happen, and I just didn’t know how to hop on that train. I’m still trying to figure out if StumbleUpon is worth my time. Pinterest really is the best though. I’ve been using Twitter for years, so I love it, but I always forget about Instagram. I’m trying to be better about that though. Good luck and wishing you many more months/years/decades? of blogging to come!
Melissa Cruz says
I don’t even know how StumbleUpon works hahaha, Too many social media accounts can drive anyone crazy! Thank you Tiffany! You are so sweet!
Sheila Joy says
Love this post, Melissa! You’ve accomplished so much with only having your blog for 3 months. And learning another language is HARD! I struggle with it so much. My advice is that you should be on Twitter more! I’ve formed a lot of relationships with other bloggers on there and I’ve been loving it more than Instagram lol! Just follow people in your niche/target reader and 9 times out of 10 they will follow you back 🙂
http://www.insearchofsheila.com
Melissa Cruz says
That’s true! I noticed that people on Twitter follows you back more than on Instagram. I will try to make Twitter work for me! thanks for the tips 🙂
Madison Carter says
You’ve been doing great! I would honestly think you’ve been blogging for years, not just three months.
Melissa Cruz says
I feel the same! hahaha
kathy says
I can relate to this post. I have been focusing on Pinterest lately as well as instagram. I also post a lot on Twitter using Hootsuite, which has been helpful. I do need to plan a bit more and have a bit more organization as far as posting. Thanks for your insight:-)
Melissa Cruz says
I think I should use more Twitter. Hopefully that will help me a lot too!