For the past few months I've made a conscious effort to improve pretty much every aspect of my blog. From gaining followers, to increasing page views & growing engagement. After 3, nearly 4 months I am super proud to say - it's paid off. Thank fuck!
After spending most of the year in a content producing slump, I invested in a fresher layout & took some time out to really think about the kind of posts I wanted to publish.
I was so god damn bored, so I can't imagine what my readers (you guys) must've felt like (soz about that lol). Taking time out made me look at my blog in a completely different way. Instead of sticking to a schedule religiously & making content I thought people wanted to read, I've switched it up!
& here's how..
Quality Over Quantity
When I first became a full-time blogger back in Jan 2015, I threw myself in to the freelance world. If I wasn't churning out posts on a daily, or uploading 3x a week and posting every few hours on Instagram I genuinely thought I was a shit blogger, ridiculous right? I don't know how I did it, but looking back now, the content I was producing was shit and I didn't even have an interest in the things I was talking about.
Like with every job, I soon lost interest & motivation. My schedule over the next year began filling up with opportunities & TV work so at the start of 2016 I hit a brick wall. I couldn't stick to my usual routine and before I knew it, I had gone 4 months with posting maybe 1 or 2 posts - what a failure I was!
However after the initial IM SO FUCKING SHIT AT EVERYTHING anxiety passed, I eventually got so used to not posting that I actually started to enjoy it. My brain was freed up to wonder and ideas just came to me. I stopped overthinking & overworking myself and soon enough, I was jotting down ideas that have now become my most popular posts.
I stopped scheduling all my content and I now like to write as I go - everything is just a bit more impromptu & raw. Ive written posts by the pool, on the train & various other places too.
Before, I was very much restricting my creative side by telling myself 'MAKE SURE YOU POST TODAY', 'TRY AND THINK OF REALLY GOOD IDEAS', whereas now, I just go with it. I trust myself that an idea will come to me eventually and having writers block isn't actually that bad.
Create Shareable Content
This wasn't planned at all, but its happened and its kinda cool. If you're an avid reader of mine you'll notice a slight shift in the content I've been producing. I've been doing more funny & relatable posts such as '14 Thoughts Every Girl Has When She's Having Her Vagina Waxed' to advice posts that most people who read or follow blogs are interested in such as '7 Things I've Learned Since Becoming A Full-Time Blogger'. I've also added a lot more list posts like '30 Things You Need For Under £30' & I'm now more inclined to talk about trending topics that I'm interested in such as - 'What The Term Plus Size Means To Me'.
Obviously these posts do so well because you guys are interested in them and they won't work for everyone, but the idea behind them can be switched up in a way to suit you. Women will often share and openly discuss things on social media that they wouldn't necessarily talk about in real life. For instance, any post I do on sex, gets a lot of attention, because its a subject a lot of people still see as taboo. Get it?
People/readers like to hear what someone has to say and I think its really important to use your voice. Beauty favourites & outfit posts can only take you so far babes.
Find Your Own Creative Style
Easier said than done, I know. But once you're there - its fucking fab!
Blogging is a very saturated market. With everyone and their Mother using marble backgrounds (me included - its a wallpaper sample from Amazon FYI), copper trays, cacti & fake flowers, it can be hard to stand out and even harder to remember who you are.
But from someone who's been on the scene for almost 5 years - you don't need to be like everyone else. I know it seems like it because at times, the popular bloggers may look the same, talk the same and have similar qualities, which is great for them, but if thats not you, then thats not you.
I used to get so pissed off that I couldn't take amazing photographs & I couldn't keep a theme of white backgrounds but you know what? Im not a photographer and even though I love taking photos, I don't take it that seriously. Im also not the kinda person to stick to a monochromatic Instagram theme when I love colour. It took me a while to realise that being yourself is more authentic and rewarding. It even makes you stand out in a community where being original can be quite hard.
I like to swear in posts & overuse adjectives - because thats how I talk IRL. I'm chilled, sassy & passionate and thats the tone and direction I want for my blog too!
I know this is my professional space & my job, but its also my public diary and a place for me to be my creative self - with no apologies. Im not the best at grammar and I'm not the best at writing reviews, but I'm pretty damn good at making people feel better about themselves & you know what - I'm happy with that.
So, thats how I've doubled my page views & engagement. Ive also gained a shit ton of followers on here and Twitter & I really believe its down to these 3 simple steps.
I think people get caught up on being the Blogger stereotype when they should just be themselves. Your blog can be a reflection of your personality so you should show yourself off! If you don't love the post, why should anyone else?!
ReplyDeletexoxo
jessica
from
The Crown Wings
I'm definitely enjoying your content more now you have started doing more lifestyle/personal posts! You're a great inspiration and definitely one of mine as you show it how it is, say it how it is and don't hide anything! - that's what I want my blog to be about and what I want my readers to see!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being you!
Penny
http://pennyaunwin.blogspot.co.uk
This is my first time on your blog, so I don't know how it was before, but I LOVE this post. It just gives away this feeling of honesty, and this is the kind of post I aspire to write eventually. A post with this much energy and self-content. Also, I am happy that you find it easier to write now :) xx
ReplyDeleteLove this post, it's so important to be yourself as a blogger/vlogger instead of following the crowd. That's why we love you ;) xx
ReplyDeletealicered.co.uk
I love your lifestyle posts! I think they are my favourite on your blog!
ReplyDeleteI find it so hard to find my own 'style'... it gets annoying at times but I know it will evolve!
poppyrkay.blogspot.co.uk
yes, yes and yes! I dont schedule posts either! I write when I feel like and that works for me :)
ReplyDeletePam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
Loved the post!! It's so easy to think you have to post many times a week to be 'good' but quality over quantity for sure! x
ReplyDeleteAriadna || RAWR BOWS
Such amazing helpful posts for beginners like myself!x
ReplyDeleteYou're such an inspiration! You really do make people feel better (well you do me) and thats an amazing quality! I definitely find that not over thinking posts / content definitely helps. And the post i knock out randomly do the best. So i agree :) xx
ReplyDeleteLPage Beauty
Return Lost Love Spells That Really Work
ReplyDelete“LOVE, Happiness, Care is the key to LIFE”. That was the word from Dr happy when I consulted his powerful Love Spell. I married the wrong man; I realized that after Three years of our unfruitful marriage. Everything was going from Best to Worst in our life, no child, I got demoted from work after our marriage, my husband was sacked a year after. His application for new job in various offices was constantly declined even though he was qualified enough. I was made to take care of my family with the low income I earn get that wasn’t enough to pay our rent. We keep praying a seeking for help from some people, my friends laugh at me behind because I was advised not to get married yet.It was one Thursday night that my husband woke me up and told me that has thought enough about our crisis, he said that our crisis is not ordinary and it’s beyond our spiritual level. He suggested we should consult Dr happy from testimonies he showed me online about how he has been helping families. I was afraid, I don’t like evil or spell but I supported him to contact him if he can help us. We consulted him via happylovespell2@gmail.com and he replied positively after 20munites with congratulating email that he can help us but he will need our pure heart and trusts in his work if he will cast the spell on us and purify our life. We agreed to his terms. He cast the spell and told us to expect results within 5days. I waited for three days nothing happened, so I started having doubt and blaming my husband for emailing Dr happy. It was on the fifth day that my husband was called for an interview and he got a well-paying work, I was prompted to a higher position. I missed my period on the 5th day and it was confirmed that I am with a baby. Things have really changed for us for good and we now have our own house and cars. I will never forget what Dr happy told us “LOVE is the key to LIFE”, this word keep me going. People that laughed at us are coming close for help and I am delighted to welcome them because my family is now blessed. Dr happy is a savior and man that keep to his word even when I doubted his powers at the end of the spell. Thank to your Oracle for helping us via happylovespell2@gmail.com
I love that you swear! I've been reading your posts for a while now and they are so genuine because your personality shines through it. I'm actually featuring you as one of my 'bloggers I've been loving this month' tonight if you wanted to have a read!
ReplyDeletewww.upyourvlog.com
oh gracie, I've followed you since i was about 16 and i am 22 now. I feel like you've been there through all my ups and downs (even though all i do is watch you and you have no idea i exist) but I'm really glad to know that there is someone out there who goes through the same things i do. It's really comforting to know someone else feels hardships and has to push through and becomes strong and then is torn down again, but you always seem to rise back up. That is very inspirational. I actually still have an email we exchanged years ago when you had your ask gracie videos! I guess i just want to say thank you for existing, your mere presence in this world has brought happiness to not only me I'm sure, but to many people all over the world. p.s i wish we were friends and the next tim you're in niece we should chat. love you!
ReplyDeletenyc*
ReplyDeleteYou are such a beautiful person for sharing this and more Gracie. Love that you are back and with so much gusto for blogging! I've always loved your videos, but now I am your blog follower too! So thank you!!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a beautiful person for sharing this and more Gracie. Love that you are back and with so much gusto for blogging! I've always loved your videos, but now I am your blog follower too! So thank you!!
ReplyDeleteUrgent Xmas Love Spell That Work Fast On How To Get Your Ex, Husband, Wife Back
ReplyDeleteMy life became devastated when my husband sent me packing, after 8 years that we have been together. I was lost and helpless after trying so many ways to make my husband take me back. One day at work, i was absent minded not knowing that my boss was calling me, so he sat and asked me what its was all about i told him and he smiled and said that it was not a problem. I never understand what he meant by it wasn't a problem getting my husband back, he said he used a spell to get his wife back when she left him for another man and now they are together till date and at first i was shocked hearing such thing from my boss. He gave me an email address of the great spell caster who helped him get his wife back, i never believed this would work but i had no choice that to get in contact with the spell caster which i did, and he requested for my information and that of my husband to enable him cast the spell and i sent him the details, but after two days, my mom called me that my husband came pleading that he wants me back, i never believed it because it was just like a dream and i had to rush down to my mothers place and to my greatest surprise, my husband was kneeling before me pleading for forgiveness that he wants me and the kid back home, then i gave Happy a call regarding sudden change of my husband and he made it clear to me that my husband will love me till the end of the world, that he will never leave my sight. Now me and my husband is back together again and has started doing pleasant things he hasn't done before, he makes me happy and do what he is suppose to do as a man without nagging. Please if you need help of any kind, kindly contact Happy for help and you can reach him via email: happylovespell2@gmail.com you can also call him or add him on whats-app +2348133873774
This is (one) of the reasons why, you are one of my favorites bloggers and I really look up to you! I love that you are true to yourself and honest about blogging and by sharing this only shows how amazing you are! I am glad that I never felt the need to be similar to other bloggers and one day that will pay off, hopefully :)
ReplyDeleteMuch love Gracie
My husband and I have been together for almost 7 years, married for almost 4 years. We have a son that just turned 4. We got together and married young, I am 33 and he is 40. Over the years we have had many issues, including infidelity, a 6 month separation, and he said to me he wanted to get a divorce many times. I don’t necessarily have an issue getting over the past, it is his continued present behavior that keeps me wondering if he will ever change, ever mature, or be the husband and father I need him to be. he filed for divorce August 2014, but i refused to sign the papers coz i love him so much. I allowed the case to be dismissed, maybe to see if he will ever change. I have so many doubts and I am not sure which way to turn. I can not invest 100% into this marriage because I was so afraid to be disappointed all over again. I am afraid he has be cheating on me, I love him, but there are definitely no romantic feelings toward him, the feelings that made me fall in love with him in the first place. I felt so comfortable with him in my life, he makes me laugh, he’s playful, caring and attentive, on the other hand he has an anger problem, is negative, can be immature most of the time, argues with me constantly, and I don’t trust him. coz he use to cheat on me, i love my husband so much and also i want to save my marriage from divorce. so i cry to a friend of my, who told me to warp my tears, that there is a solution to my problem. so she introduce to me Dr happy a real spell caster that help to fight, stop marriage divorce and relationship problem also get ex back. so i give him a try and with-in 2day my problem with my husband was solve and ok, me and my husband and family and happily living great all thank to Dr happy you can reach him on happylovespell2@gmail.com or still call and Whats-pp him on +2348133873774 Thanks Sandra Katie from Usa California
ReplyDelete!!! How (Dr.Goodluck) Help Me Save My Marriage & Avoid Divorce !!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and a straight forward spell caster that has brought back joy and happiness into my life i was devastated when my husband left me for someone else i was hurting REAL bad and i needing him back coz he was my joy 2years later when going trough the internet i saw a post on how he helped a lady called Mandy Divanna from UK restore her relationship, i decided to contact him for help when i told this God sent man Dr. Goodluck on how my lover left me for 2 years without calling nor texting me,When i shared this my sad experience with Dr Goodluck he said everything would be okay within 17hours i was like am i sure what this man is saying is real,So i decided to give a try and what even surprised me the most at first i was also thinking he was a scam i taught he was like other spell caster who come online to add pain to peoples pain not knowing there feelings but to make money,But this great man Dr Goodluck is never like that his own is for good and make people to be happy with the one they love,Am just so happy,Even before the 17hours i just got a call from a man who has left me for 2years saying he his sorry and that he wants me back to his life i was so happy,He invited me for a dinner which i meant him there and we bought talked and he said he wants to prove that he would never leave me for any other lady he engaged me and also make me had access to all his account am so happy all thanks goes to this great man Dr Goodluck a man who has brought back joy to my life,Please friends that needs help i would advice that Dr Goodluck is the right man and not those fake ones who are online to make money and not to help here is Dr Goodluck private mail goodluck05spellcaster@gmail.com you can also whatapp him or call with his mobile +2349059610309 or also his website. http://goodluck05spellcaster.yolasite.com
I and my man decided to go our separate ways without taking into account the practicalities or even try to save the relationship together. Though we tried separating counselling to amend our errors and also have a final decision if we are going to breakup, but it didn’t work as expected to get closure and plan better for our future and marriage. We keep having different values and goals, lack of trust towards each other, issues with lack of communication and different sexual needs before breaking up thinking it will do us any good. I was mostly affected because I gave him my heart for over 6years and we are soul mate, I never stop thinking about him for 8months until I realized I needed an extra power or spiritual support to win him over again and make him see reasons why am the right woman for him.
ReplyDeleteSo that’s when I ordered the services of Dr. Wakina love spell via (dr.wakinalovetemple@gmail.com). It was fruitful at the end after a consistent spell work that lasted for 5days. My lover was finally mine on the 7th. Now our marriage is around the corner, I have never felt love like this before. Thank you Dr. Wakina (dr.wakinalovetemple@gmail.com), I will forever be grateful for the extraordinary spell.
My boyfriend of a 4yr just broke up with me and am 30 weeks pregnant.I have cried my self to sleep most of the nights and don’t seem to concentrate during lectures sometimes I stay awake almost all night thinking about him and start to cry all over again.Because of this I end up not having energy for my next day’s classes ,my attendance has dropped and am always in uni and on time.Generally he is a very nice guy ,he ended it because he said we were arguing a lot and not getting along.He is right we’ve been arguing during the pregnancy a lot .After the break up I kept ringing him and telling him I will change.I am in love with this guy and he is the best guy I have ever been with.I’m still hurt and in disbelief when he said he didn’t have any romantic feelings towards me anymore that hurt me faster than a lethal syringe.He texts me now and then mainly to check up on how am doing with the pregnancy,he is supportive with it but it’s not fair on me, him texting me as I just want to grieve the pain and not have any stress due to the pregnancy.i was really upset and i needed help, so i searched for help online and I came across a website that suggested that Dr Unity can help solve marital problems, restore broken relationships and so on. So, I felt I should give him a try. I contacted him and he told me what to do and i did it then he did a spell for me. 28 hours later, my bf came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promise never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned back to normal. I and my bf are living together happily again.. All thanks to Dr Unity. If you have any problem contact Dr.Unity now and i guarantee you that he will help you.Email him at: Unityspelltemple@gmail.com ,you can also call him or add him on whats-app: +2348071622464.
ReplyDeleteMaria Alexander
London, UK.
My boyfriend of a 4yr just broke up with me and am 30 weeks pregnant.I have cried my self to sleep most of the nights and don’t seem to concentrate during lectures sometimes I stay awake almost all night thinking about him and start to cry all over again.Because of this I end up not having energy for my next day’s classes ,my attendance has dropped and am always in uni and on time.Generally he is a very nice guy ,he ended it because he said we were arguing a lot and not getting along.He is right we’ve been arguing during the pregnancy a lot .After the break up I kept ringing him and telling him I will change.I am in love with this guy and he is the best guy I have ever been with.I’m still hurt and in disbelief when he said he didn’t have any romantic feelings towards me anymore that hurt me faster than a lethal syringe.He texts me now and then mainly to check up on how am doing with the pregnancy,he is supportive with it but it’s not fair on me, him texting me as I just want to grieve the pain and not have any stress due to the pregnancy.i was really upset and i needed help, so i searched for help online and I came across a website that suggested that Dr Unity can help solve marital problems, restore broken relationships and so on. So, I felt I should give him a try. I contacted him and he told me what to do and i did it then he did a spell for me. 28 hours later, my bf came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promise never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned back to normal. I and my bf are living together happily again.. All thanks to Dr Unity. If you have any problem contact Dr.Unity now and i guarantee you that he will help you.Email him at: Unityspelltemple@gmail.com ,you can also call him or add him on whats-app: +2348071622464.
ReplyDeleteMaria Alexander
London, UK.
My husband and I have been together for almost 7 years, married for almost 4 years. We have a son that just turned 4. We got together and married young, I am 33 and he is 40. Over the years we have had many issues, including infidelity, a 6 month separation, and he said to me he wanted to get a divorce many times. I don’t necessarily have an issue getting over the past, it is his continued present behavior that keeps me wondering if he will ever change, ever mature, or be the husband and father I need him to be. he filed for divorce August 2014, but i refused to sign the papers coz i love him so much. I allowed the case to be dismissed, maybe to see if he will ever change. I have so many doubts and I am not sure which way to turn. I can not invest 100% into this marriage because I was so afraid to be disappointed all over again. I am afraid he has be cheating on me, I love him, but there are definitely no romantic feelings toward him, the feelings that made me fall in love with him in the first place. I felt so comfortable with him in my life, he makes me laugh, he’s playful, caring and attentive, on the other hand he has an anger problem, is negative, can be immature most of the time, argues with me constantly, and I don’t trust him. coz he use to cheat on me, i love my husband so much and also i want to save my marriage from divorce. so i cry to a friend of my, who told me to warp my tears, that there is a solution to my problem. so she introduce to me Dr happy a real spell caster that help to fight, stop marriage divorce and relationship problem also get ex back. so i give him a try and with-in 2day my problem with my husband was solve and ok, me and my husband and family and happily living great all thank to Dr happy you can reach him on happylovespell2@gmail.com or still call and Whats-pp him on +2348133873774 Thanks Sandra Katie from Usa California
ReplyDeleteHow to Get Your Ex wife/husband Back..My wife and I have been married for 4 years almost 5 on November 11th. She recently told me she wasn't in love with me that she loved me more like a friend. She said she wants a divorce that she has been unhappy fora year now. I've been not so good as far as making promises and not keeping them but I have been trying to change and it doesn't seem to work. I love my wife to death and I took my vowels very seriously. I asked her to go to marriage counciling and she said no.we have 3 kids. We agreed to a 2 month break and try to work things out after that. Some of the problems we face are not having or own place to live and may be debt pile up. I really want things to work. The hurt that I feel is killing me and I’m to the point where I don’t eat and rarely drink anything.one day i was online and there was one particular testimony I saw, it was about a woman called Sonia ,she testified about how Dr.Unity brought back her Ex lover in less than 24 hours and at the end of her testimony she drop Dr.Unity e-mail address. After reading all these,I decided to give Dr.Unity a try. I contacted him via email and explained my problems to him. In just 23 hours, my wife came back to me. We solved our issues, and we are even happier than before.Dr.Unity is really a talented and gifted man and i will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man…If you have a problem and you are looking for a real and genuine spell caster to solve that problem for you. Try the great Dr.Unity today, he will be the answer to your problems. Here’s his contact:
ReplyDeleteEmail him at: Unityspelltemple@gmail.com ,
Call him or add him on whats-app: +2348071622464.
His website: http://unityspelltemple.yolasite.com .
Tom Irwin, Manchester, United Kingdom.
It's so nice to hear these things. I'm sure most bloggers will agree that at some point you start trying to change to fit in with the blogger 'stereotype'.
ReplyDeleteI found myself stressing if my pictures weren't perfect or my background wasn't white enough (sounds ridiculous!) but after a while I was just like what the hell am I doing? This isn't me!
Although I do put a lot of effort in I'm definantly done comparing my blog to others and I've learned how to just do my own thing & once I did more people started to read & subscribe to my blog so I definantly know I done the right thing!
Katie Ellen, xx
http://katieellen201.blogspot.co.uk
Dr. Trust website: https://ultimatespellcast9.wixsite.com/dr-trust Contact him now
ReplyDeleteMe and my ex-husband at all times have always tried to stay friendly over again after our divorce which occurred in early September this year. So i met with this spell caster Dr. Trust on the internet after a long search. And he told me everything that i needed to do, and he also assure me that he is going to reunite us in just 48 hours later after his spell casting. So he started his work on Monday 27th Oct. You are not going to believe this. He is back!!! Yes, he really came back in 48 hours just as you guaranteed Sir. Now I'm fully persuaded that you are a legit and authentic spell caster and your website is the best i have ever come across. This is so mind-boggling for me. Anthony is back!!! I haven't by any means experienced something like this before. Thank you so much Dr. Trust. I never expected such a result. Dream come true. Wow! You were so kind with me. “And may your kindness float back to you like ripples that float back to sea shore”. Thank you Sir for your precious help. I have never been so happy in my life like the way i am today. You are a genuine spirit.You and your work will never be forgotten for making me a fulfilled woman and reuniting me and my ex husband once again.. You are my hero.. The kids are overjoyed to have their father come back home for good. Sir here i am sharing your testimony just as i promised. His Email: Ultimatespellcast@gmail.com or Ultimatespellcast@yahoo.com Call +2348156885231 thank you so much sir from your grateful client Lisa.
Amazing post Grace! Really useful advice and also loved hearing your thoughts too :D thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVioletDaffodils
xx