I was lucky enough to interview the ever-popular Jo who blogs over at Slummy Single Mummy. She’s given us a sneak peak insider to the secrets of her blogging success!
Can you tell us something about your blogging journey?
My blog is called Slummy single mummy – www.slummysinglemummy.com. I started it in 2009 as a single parent and about six months later met someone! I didn’t ever change the name and a good job too as recently we separated after nearly four years and so I have come full circle and am a single mummy once again. I’ve been blogging for quite a long time in internet years now and have won a few awards too.
What were your original plans for your blog and why did you start blogging?
Originally I never meant for my blog to be a big deal, it was more a marketing tool for myself as I had recently gone full time freelance and wanted somewhere to showcase my writing. It didn’t take long though for it to evolve into an actual thing and there has been no going back!
Approximately how many visitors and followers do you get to your blog?
I have about 3,000 email subscribers who get full posts via email and over 50,000 followers across social media channels. My blog gets about 20,000 views a month.
What are your favorite social media tools? Which tools do you prefer to use to increase user engagement?
Twitter is really my thing. I do use Facebook, Instagram, G+ and Pinterest, but Twitter is the tool that for me is best for connecting with new people and driving traffic.
How do you make money on your blog?
Are you using affiliate marketing tools, can you expand on this? I don’t tend to host banner ads or use affiliate schemes, instead I earn money through hosting competitions and sponsored posts. This allows me to make advertising feel more natural rather than having the site littered with boxes and banners.
What tips would you give new bloggers to help them start out on a path to success?
I have a bit of a cheesy motto – Ready, fire, aim. Essentially it entails not giving anything too much thought, just giving it a go and refining it as you go along. Social media and blogging is a lot about experimenting to see what works.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started because it would have saved you so much time and energy?
I wish I had been self-hosted from day one, as then I wouldn’t have had to have the hassle of switching after a couple of years; a costly process time, money and angst wise for me!
If you would start all over again, what things would you have done differently?
Nothing. (Apart from the self-hosting thing.) I try not to have regrets and instead think about all of the wonderful opportunities that have arisen because of the things I have done and the decisions I’ve made, even if I never planned for them at the time!
One of the hardest things for beginner bloggers is getting traffic. What tips can you give bloggers to drive traffic to a new blog?
I would say that getting involved in your community is really key. Read and comment on other blogs – ones that you genuinely enjoy – share other people’s content and connect with them on social media, and join relevant groups, networks and forums. Obviously you have to write great content too and not be afraid to share your own stuff.