Blog, Blog, blog...

[#1]

So everyone is always talking about their blog and how it helped their business... So I finally got my Facebook, twitter, pinterest, and instagram (oh my) together so now I must tackle the BLOG! So what kind of things do you put on your blog? What's your favorite blog? I also need some good ones to follow. Any and all advice and tips related to blogging would be great! Thanks in advance.

[RebeccasSoapDeli]

I actually found that I love to blog and it's become a great source of revenue for me that allows me to experiment with lots of new materials. I primarily blog diy craft projects and a lot of bath, body and soap recipes, but I also do the occasional round up and seasonal gift guides. How to posts fair really well on Pinterest which can drive a ton of traffic. And I've found there are many many people who love to pin projects, but actually prefer to buy them. I see well over 115K unique visitors a month now and it's been amazing meeting so many new people. It's also helped to grow my other social networks.

If you want to blog for fun I suggest using blogger which is probably the simplest. However, if you plan to get really serious about it - even down the road - I'd start with wordpress which can then be moved to self hosted. I recently had to upgrade my hosting due to the traffic increase.

Your best bet is to blog about what you know and/or are passionate about. Let a little bit of yourself shine through and don't be afraid to experiment. My blog is constantly evolving and growing and my next step is start using a professional photographer and having a pro revamp my branding. Most of all though, have fun with it or it will seem like a chore.

[SophiesKnitStuff]

I post whatever I'm working on (Etsy related or not). For example I posted pictures of the crochet headbands I made for my 2 daughters as I'm learning to crochet.
I'm often stuck for ideas but I try to keep readers up to date with new things I'm learning that might interest them, I have Etsy Mini on it as well and will post any updates on my progress with Etsy, any promotions on my shop....
I shared a free knitting pattern on Christmas Eve, and any knitting doodles I'm experimenting with but can't sell always has a place on my blog:

http://sophiesknitstuff.blogspot.ie

[ClarasHandMade]

I started a blog a week ago. So far I have put a few resolutions on it. Shown me make something and I have a few drafts lined up for future posts. I don't have any followers yet. But I am enjoying having the space to add photos and a place to write what I like. My blog is www.clarashandmade.blogspot.co.uk if you would like to look at mu humble beginnings.

[Rhymit]

Sometimes I just post a picture of my latest project

[Former_Member]

I use to feature other stores and now I've abandoned my blog. My goal for 2014 is to get more followers by posting on a weekly basis. I would like to write more about my store and other items. Along with giving away items. I heard from a lot of people that if you do giveaways you will make more sales and increase followers.

[JayBendt]

I mostly post images of my work and work in progress on my blog, but that is because this shop is made for prints of said work -- I do have another shop and a blog on there which I am hoping to grow in 2014, but on there it'll be more than just "art"! definitely a host of other things.

[AVisionToRemember]

I write what fits in with me. I write tutorials of things that I have done. I promote my shop, I have instagram linked to it. I like having a blog, but I struggle with time to promote my blog and time to promote etsy. Its a fine balance and they each take time. Don't stretch yourself too thin :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks Jackie this is a great post.

I don't have a blog but there is a lot of food for thought here.

[BlackBeltHomeDecor]

I just started my blog on January 1st. It was something that I had been wanting to do for the past year, but I didn't have a clue where to start. My oldest son, who I consider to be a computer guru, helped me get everything set up and I am so excited to have finally started. I plan for the blog to be a blend of my interests, karate and home decor, with a little bit of uplifting motivation thrown in.

blackbelthomedecor.blogspot.com/2014/01/i-dare-you.html

[Orchiada]

My blog is a mesh of what I do and a bit about me. I find though that I have to be inspired to post. I don't know if that is good or bad,a s far as trying to get followers and etc. My goal is to try to post on a regular basis. I post pics of items in my etsy shop, sales and discounts, my likes and thoughts and etc.. I try to keep it casual and real. I use wordpress... I have considered using other platforms, but right now wordpress serves my purpose and it is pretty simple to use. You can feel free to check out my blog to see the layout and get an idea of what you can post

koolnecks.wordpress.com

[xoxocrocheted]

Write about things that interest you! Not just stuff having to do with your shop - DIY projects, books/movies, trending items, holidays, thoughts, adventures, new crafting endeavors, anything at all! It's fun :)

[hopeandjoystudios]

I blog about whatever I want. I share things I am working on , tutorials, trips I made, photos of mostly pretty outdoor/nature shots or what is currently living in my garden or flowerbeds.Sometimes it has been just personal ramblings..I think my most read post is about me turning 50! I find my fav blogs to follow through magazines and Pintrest. I like to see people's "stuff" but if it JUST a "this is what I am selling" that gets old quick. I blog like I am just talking to people I know. Sometimes I share vintage info and things that I have found estate sale-ing. Sometimes it is shots of my local antique booth. My next post will be on the joys of washing dishes!
www.hopeandjoyhome.blogspot.com

[Former_Member]

You guys have some great ideas and I've been checking out some online article and I think http://twotwentytwodecor.blogspot.com/?m=1 is coming along nicely... all 3 post lol. I think now I have to master the layout and getting an audience.

Does anyone you Google Ad sense? How is that working out?

And how does your blog get found? I was looking for a place to add tags or does it automatically search your post for key words?

[Former_Member]

Does anyone use Google Ad sense? Or any type of pay per clicks? How is that working out? 

And how does your blog get found? I was looking for a place to add tags or does it automatically search your post for key words? 

[EmilyEckel]

They way I use my blog has evolved. I primarily use it to post about my art adventures. Etsy is one of them. I try to vary the nature of the content so that it doesn't come off as an incessant sales pitch. It does have the Etsy mini in a prominent location so that the button shop is always easy to find.

[ClarasHandMade]

I started a blog back in Decemeber (www.clarashandmade.blogspot.co.uk) for my shop so far I writen about my process, materials and style and a simple tutorial. I really enjoy it and I use my twitter to draw people in. I have also put an etsy mini on it.

[Former_Member]

I blog about my lifestyle, tips and how-tos, shop news, & gratitude.

You can see for yourself!

http://injoyemporium.blogspot.com/?m=0

[Former_Member]

I follow a lot of different blogs, but all of them serve the purpose of inspiring me. Whether it's content for the blog or the shop, it's all about new ideas.
As for what I write, I write about jewelry, the making of it, and the treasury boards I put up. I also write about geeky things though. Games I'm playing, books I've read, movies I love, things like that, since those things end up becoming jewelry.

[HLH2ART]

I've been blogging a while, I mostly document my life, put up my own photography/art and inspiration posts. I find that if you post what you want and not worry too much about the whole blogging thing, it will be fun and reflect your personality.
Don't always post about your shop, mix it up with different posts to make your blog interesting :)
I hope you have fun blogging :)

[Former_Member]

I feel much better about my Blog after reading everyone's input because I was always under the impression there were specific areas to cover on your blog and the should's and should not's. So I'm glad to know most of you are writing about what inspires you, daily life and sharing who you are in general.
Thanks again everyone
Marti

[StellaErwins]

I am using my blog these days to write a series called "Classy Sustainability," featuring Etsy sellers of vintage. Below is a link to the 4th in the series.

http://stellaerwins.blogspot.com/2014/02/sometimes-i-pick-up-piece-and-think-it.html

I plan to do a few a week up until Earth Day, April 22. The interviews with Etsy shop owners have been fun and boy am I finding out a lot about tales of Etsy success.