We see a lot of tips and tricks about blogging around the community but I wanted to discuss what my struggles are as a small beauty blogger and what I'm doing to overcome these obstacles. When it comes to Mrs. Q Beauty, I really feel like this is my little corner of the internet. I'm a mom, wife, and beauty enthusiast. I started wearing makeup as a new mom because I was so tired all the time, and I wanted to do something that would make me feel better. Mrs. Q Beauty is my creative outlet, and I would love to grow my audience. Here are 5 areas that I struggled with as a new blogger, and as a smaller blogger.
Niche down or not? I've been going back and forth if I should open this blog up to books and or more lifestyle content. Ultimately, I decided that I should niche down and write about beauty. My reason for this is because I want to start looking more into beauty and not just product reviews. I felt like I was wanting to open up this blog to other content because I was feeling stuck. I started brainstorming and coming up with more and more beauty related posts, and I'm excited to get more creative over here. Stay tuned. My advice to you about choosing a niche or opening it up to other content is to look at why you're doing it. If you're truly passionate about it, great. In my case, I wanted to include book reviews but when it came time to write them, I didn't want to do it. As a former book blogger, I realized I was going back to it because it was a comfort zone for content.
Product reviews and the newest launches: The struggle is real when you're a beauty blogger. You want to buy all the newest launches, but it's not something that I can do. I have a set budget for beauty products, and I need to commit to it. I also realized that I will never be able to catch up to those who receive all the PR products ahead of launch dates. This is not a competition or a race. I will get to those products when I can. Most of my higher traffic posts come from older products that I reviewed or talked about. If you're a newer beauty blogger, don't feel like you need to purchase every new product that launches.
Photos: When I first started with product photos, I had the hardest time. I felt so lost when it comes to photography. I have to fit photography into all the things going on around my house. I found a corner that I could lay down the background that I use, I take a lamp for lighting and I have to do it that way. I don't have a DSLR camera and I take my photos on my iPhone. It works for now, and I've still come along way since my first few months of blogging. I still can't figure out photos of myself though, because I'm doing my makeup at 5:30 in the morning and the light is not good. Flatlays are my favorite and Instagram can give you lots of inspiration.
Traffic: Gaining an audience has not been easy. Most of my traffic comes from Google and Pinterest. When it comes to Google, make sure you're naming your photos and including a search description. I use Blogger. SEO is also something that you can try to learn more about. For Pinterest, I do use Tailwind. It costs 20$ a month, but I can schedule hundreds of pins within a few minutes. It's the one thing that I feel really helps with gaining an audience. I also use Pinterest Group Board, my group board is for Beauty/Fashion/Hair Lifestyle. If you'd like to join, follow my Pinterest here and let me know so I can add you. If you're stuggling with your stats for traffic, do yourself a favor and check where you were one year ago. You'll realize how much you're actually grown.
Working Mom and Blogger: This has been hard, I don't have as much time as I would like but I need to make it work. Why? because I really love blogging. I use to try post 4-5 times a week on my blog, but I felt like I was winging it. I didn't have enough time to engage with others or work on social media. I decided to have a set schedule for Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday a try. This allows my posts to be seen, most readers are not coming every single day to my blog. I'm also able to work on engagement, and growing my social media between my posting schedule. I've seen a big difference with having this set schedule. I schedule my posts ahead of time, and I don't feel like I'm just "getting by." I focus on each posts more, rather that write it, and post it that same day. I've largely ignored Instagram, and I really feel like I need to grow it to grow my brand as a blogger. I'm focusing on 3 blog posts a week, growing my Pinterest and growing my Instagram.
Great!! Hope you are all feeling the love today!! Happy Valentine's Day ❤️
ReplyDelete❤ Mary MarÃa Style ❤
Same to you!
DeleteIt's tricky when you start out - you have a surge of enthusiasm and a mountain of ideas and want to post daily and buy all of the new launches but slow & steady is the best way to go. So many people who started around the same time as I did have now quit blogging because the enthusiasm burnt out. Like you, I have a passion for beauty and that's why I'm still here and loving it!
ReplyDeleteI literally cannot figure out Pinterest so I would love if you did a post on it! xx
Beautylymin | Pat McGrath Mini Lip Gloss Trio Giveaway
That's a great idea. I'll have to write a Pinterest post.
DeleteSounds like you've found what's really working for you and are looking forward! I have two small kids so I can totally relate with how hard it is to find time to write posts and take good pics. It's tough, but rewarding for me and it sounds like it is for you too.
ReplyDeleteAngela at Blush & Pearls
Blogging is something that I can do for myself and it remains a priority to me. I really do love it, and I like to learn how to grow.
DeleteThis is such a fabulous post! I found myself relating to it and also feeling inspired by it! It's so hard to know whether you should stick to just one sort of topic (beauty) or branch out. For me, while my main focus is makeup and beauty...I enjoy writing about other things as well. So I like to sprinkle them in from time to time! Thank you for what you said about not comparing yourself to others - especially those on PR lists. SO important to remember that it's not a race. It's about expressing yourself, having fun, and creating something meaningful!
ReplyDeletethe-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com
While I have a fashion blog, I still think this is great advice for any kind of blogger! Especially the bit about only doing a few posts a week - I find that's the easiest way to get things done. I can schedule posts to go out in advance when the boys sleep one night and while I might be able to manage more than 3 posts a week some weeks, other weeks i don't even get one post written so I know that 3 is a good number and it gives me time for everything else blog related the rest of the week, haha!
ReplyDeleteHope that you are having a good week :) We finally got a break in the heatwave last night and it was so welcome!
Away From The Blue
Great tips Jennifer. I relate to each point you have mentioned. I am trying to expand my niche too. Trying to add some fashion and beauty related posts. Product reviews tend to get repetitive. :-) Posting three times a week sometimes, is difficult for me. Social media takes a lot of effort and time that it becomes overwhelming. Taking slow is what I am doing too. Sometimes I am so late to review a particular product that I leave it. But taking your advice I will do it anyway.:-)
ReplyDeleteVia | http://glossnglitters.com
It's so hard! I pretty much have the same struggles as well and I try to stick to what feels right, but it doesn't always yield results. The struggle is real! Have a lovely weekend! ♥
ReplyDeletePerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com
Great tips! I want to invest in a good camera. Right now same I use Iphone to take my pics. and only weekend as I work during the week. Not easy. I have a day and half to catch up and read blogs. Since they closing down Google plus my traffic will go down as I used to share my post in groups I am part of. Need to find a new way to get people to read my blog :)
ReplyDeletehttps://villemo20.blogspot.com
Nice... it's never easy but it's so worth it if you love doing it!
ReplyDeletewww.fashionradi.com
It's so hard not to compare yourself to others with blogging, I think that's my least favourite part as it's all so competitive. I get most of my traffic from Pinterest and Google so I'm not worrying about instagram anymore xx
ReplyDeleteGemma • Gemma Etc . ❤️
Great post! Totally relate to all of the above. I did invest in a DSLR a couple of years ago but... I still don't know how to use it properly. I need to get better at actually pinning my posts. I go in waves of doing it regularly and then forgetting. I'll have to look into Tailwind!
ReplyDelete