When it comes to marketing your blog, social media is the most powerful tool at your disposal.
The power and reach of social media are endless. In 2005, only 5% of the population made use of social media. Today, almost everyone uses one or another platform. Feel the difference? Social media went from being something recreational to a central aspect of our lives.
7 social media marketing tips every blogger need to know
As the popularity of social media continues to grow by leaps and bounds, businesses, big and small have taken notice of the huge potential of social media.
As a blogger, social media is simply an indispensable tool for growing your audience, and I will tell you why.
Social media helps in:
1. Better lead generation
2. Growing your audience
3. Connecting better with your audience
4. Building a strong brand
5. Making money
If you are still unconvinced about the power of social media, just take a look at these remarkable stats.
Facebook garners an estimate of 4.4 billion+ visitors every month.
Pinterest houses over 300 million users.
Instagram has 500 million+ accounts active on the platform daily.
The reports are mind-boggling but true. There is no marketing strategy without social media anymore. However, the stats are also scary. How are you supposed to swim in this vast ocean with a billion other small fishes like you, and get heard and seen?
If the thought overwhelms you and thus keeps you away from social media, fear not, for you have landed in the right place.
Below, we dive deep into 7 crucial social media marketing techniques that every blogger needs to acquaint them with. Read on, and grow your blog.
1. Set your goals and understand your target audience
Firstly, you need to set your goals about what you want to really get out of social media. Ask yourself why you need social media to market your blog, and write down your goals.
Next, understand your target audience. Learning about your target audience is one of the most crucial tips to execute your social media marketing. Learn about your target demographic, their likes and dislikes, which social media platforms they populate the most, and what kinds of things they are looking for.
If you have a blog about writing, for instance, figure out the most common problems your target audience faces when it comes to writing. Then, market yourself as an expert who has an easy answer to all their problems through your blog.
2. Quality, not quantity
Some bloggers have the misconception that they have to be present on every social media platform available, from Linkedin to Snapchat, in order to market their blog effectively to a larger audience.
Let me give you some tough love and say, NO. This is not the case. Always choose quality over quantity. You don’t have to be present on every social media platform known to humans to be visible to your target audience.
You only need to post high-quality content on select few channels that are frequented the most by your targeted demographic.
For example, everyone knows Instagram isn’t much of a help to blogs with a smaller following. Instead, Pinterest is huge for bloggers and a go-to site for your audience as well. So, research well before you choose which social media channels you want to spend your time and resources on.
3. Content is King
Now that you know what the ideal social platforms for you are, it’s time to attract your target audience by creating content.
And mind you, this is not some sub par content I am talking about. When you are creating content for your social media, it should be top-notch, able to attract your potential readers almost immediately.
When it comes to social media marketing, content is king. Without quality content, your entire strategy falls apart. Spend time creating visual, catchy content and optimize them with links to your blog and/or products.
4. Focus on videos and images
Statistics show that visual content like images and videos perform much better on social media platforms than simply text.
Hence, it’s important for you to make videos and images a part of your content strategy. You can use tools like Canva and PicMonkey to easily design graphics that look professional and alluring.
And if you don’t want to do the hard work, you can always outsource. Trust me when I say this, it is money well spent. Unsplash is the best place to grab royalty free images others have taken, and you can use for your blog. All the photos in this post came from Unsplash.
Eye-catching graphics immediately draw your audience in and make them more likely to click through on the link you post along with it.
5. Pinterest
Pinterest is a visual search engine, often mistaken by people as a social media platform. If you are a blogger, and you aren’t on Pinterest, then what are you even doing?
Pinterest establishes your credibility and authority as an expert in your niche and also drives huge traffic to your website or blog.
For Pinterest, set up a business account, enable rich pins, and create a keyword-rich profile.
Grow your following on Pinterest and see the traffic to your website increase.
6. Engage with your audience
The biggest mistake newbie bloggers make while using social media is not interacting and connecting with their potential customers.
Social media is called social media for a reason; it is for SOCIALIZATION! And especially when you are trying to market something, be it your blogs and products, you need to engage and build authentic relationships with your audience.
This leads to trust forming between you and the audience and increases your chances of sales and lead generation. Reply to comments on Facebook pages, retweet on Twitter, and engage in Facebook groups.
Forming trust and genuine connections with the audience increases the chances of them turning into customers.
7. Be strategic
Promoting your blog on social media does not mean you go the hard-selling way and push your products into the face of your audience with a “buy, buy, buy” mantra. No, it doesn’t work that way.
Social media marketing is extremely strategic. You have to promote your content in such a subtle and clever way that you don’t shove your products in their faces all the time, yet you remind them of your products through a call-to-action (CTA).
Another way to be strategic on social media is to use social media management tools like Buffer and Hootsuite to automate your posts, analyze the performance of those posts, and basically make your job easier for you.
There are many other tools, but Buffer and Hootsuite are among the top ones. Pre-schedule your content for a week, get analytics, and get more time to focus on other aspects of marketing, including planning your content.
Lastly,
Remember this; building up a strong base on social media is a slow and hard process. You have to be consistent and you have to keep at it. Over time, you are bound to see results. Keep the conversations going, and they will lead to sales conversions.
With a solid content and marketing strategy, every blogger can grow their blog to a huge extent. All you need to do is plan carefully, and then execute it with patience.
Follow these 7 tips for social media marketing to see drastic changes in your blog traffic. Happy blogging!
Minimalism has been the talk of the town lately. Precisely because many people have embraced the principle and now it’s as if their life has completely revolutionized. So, if you are someone who feels that they need to transform their lives, minimalism might be the right pick for you.
However, if you are a beginner who does not know how and where to start, we are here to help. Read on!
First Steps for the Beginner Minimalist
10 first steps for beginner minimalist
1. Be more kind, donate what you don’t want
When you would know that you are donating things that others need more than you, you will become much more compassionate. You can start with old blankets and clothes that you don’t use anymore. They take more space, and homeless people need them the most.
2. Go discursive – take one room at a time, let broken items provide you a start
We are in the habit of keeping broken things, thinking we would get them repaired. But that does not happen. If you haven’t used those things in a long time, then it’s clear you don’t need them enough. Therefore, pick any room and start looking for broken things to get rid of.
3. Head for cosmetics
We all have those products that we do not use, and those that have been way past expiry dates. Look at all the products in your bathroom, old shampoo bottles, and serums that have gone unused or expired, throw them away.
4. Look for duplicates
You don’t need two things that look the same or have the same purpose. So, look all around the house, and get rid of them.
5. Head to the closet
Disclaimer, this part is the most time-consuming, and exhausting.
Start with torn, old, and worn-out clothes. It is clear you are not going to get them repaired, nor they can look new, so the best thing to do is throw them away, or better, repurpose them.
Secondly, be honest with yourself and get rid of clothes that you have not worn in years. Your life won’t come to a halt if you throw them away.
Just ensure that you don’t keep more than 10 pairs of clothes. Once you are done with it, head for accessories.
6. Separate those that you can sell
Generally, furniture and old gadgets are some of the stuff that can be sold for a good price. So, instead of throwing them away, separate them and ensure that you sell them for cash ASAP.
For the record, furniture takes a lot of space, and too much of it can make your house look compact and suffocating. Hence, when you are practicing minimalism, make sure you don’t keep too many storage spaces. Sell the extra ones.
7. Fight your urge to shop
Minimalism is not limited to decluttering, but it also involves limiting future expenditure on material things. Therefore, uninstall all shopping apps and don’t go to the mall regularly to buy things.
8. Borrow clothes
If you are supposed to go to a party, then instead of buying new clothes, consider borrowing them from a friend. You can even consider renting clothes.
9. Go digital
First Steps for the Beginner Minimalist
If you happen to have a lot of books in the house, consider lending them to those in need. In addition to that, if you wish to read more books, then think about investing in a kindle. You can store thousands of books in it, and it would never burden your house with storage.
10. Cut your bills
Minimalism doesn’t limit itself to physical possessions but bills and resources as well. So, in case you have a cable connection, and you don’t use it, consider going for OTT platforms. (You have to be minimalist there too. Don’t get the subscription of all the platforms)
Likewise, try to reduce your energy consumption to cut out unnecessary bills.
Lastly,
Minimalism demands what other life-changing principles demand – consistency and determination. If you are consistent and determined with this approach, there’s no way your life would not change! So try it ASAP and give it your best shot. Once you get into the groove of it, it’s fairly easy to maintain, and you may even notice such a change to your bank account it will deter you from going away!
Hey there. If you have something to say, we are all ears. Drop your views and suggestions in the comments below.
Everyone is developing a minimalist approach in life. It has been life-changing for many people. If you are reading this article, I take, you too must have yielded the benefits. And now you would want your kids to experience the same.
But before you start, here are few things that you should know.
5 things you should know about minimalism with kids
1. You cannot command minimalism
Kids are not easy to tackle. You cannot give them an order and expect them to follow it in one go. It does not work like that. You have to be gentle with them. You must make them realize the benefits of minimalism right from the start, only then you can expect them to incorporate the principle in their life.
But the question is how would you do that? I suggest starting small. For instance, if they are packing their pencil box for school, do not encourage them to keep heavy bunches of pencils. Ask them politely to keep two, and note how easier it gets for them to manage their pencil box.
2. You have to be a role model
Believe it or not, your children learn more from you than they learn from outside. They imitate your every movement. Meaning, they consciously or unconsciously take note of your habits and behavior.
Thus, when they see you practice minimalism, they might want to try it as well. You can start by creating a minimalist atmosphere, like keeping fewer things in the house. While you are at it, include everyone in the house.
In addition to that, you have to keep your habits in check. For instance, you cannot be an impulsive shopper in front of them because it’s antithetical to the principle of minimalism.
3. You have to be ready for stubbornness
Even after trying all the tricks in the world to convince your kids to incorporate this principle, they would still be stubborn. But you have to counter their stubbornness with yours. Meaning, you would have to be equally stubborn. The last thing you want to do is give up.
I know it will get tough, you would be annoyed, you would be infuriated, but you have to be patient and try your best. You cannot just try for a week or two, and expect them to comply with you. You have to do it from the very beginning when they are in their foundational years.
Perceive it as a challenge. You have to keep up to it even if it involves going to the very end.
4. You have to play smart
Your kids are innocent and immature, but they are smarter than you. So, you have to be one step ahead of them. But the question is how?
Well, for starters, you have to look for ways that can make minimalism fun for them. For instance, you can use negative motivation by challenging them. Tell them, “I bet you cannot clean your desk.” Or “You know your sister is better at cleaning her desk than you.”
If the trick works, you will find them decluttering. Perhaps then you can say, “If you would have been minimalistic, you could have done the cleaning sooner.”
Or even better, you can plan a treasure hunt, and include the de-cluttering tasks to reach the final reward.
5. It will take time
Just as I said before, you cannot expect your kids to learn minimalism in just a few weeks. It takes time, maybe weeks, months, or even years. That’s because it takes a change of habits, and most importantly a change of perceptions.
Moreover, minimalism is better to be taught from the very start. Keep a minimalist environment from the beginning, and chances are high that your kids would adopt this lifestyle naturally.
Lastly,
I know that doing things by yourself is one thing, and convincing others to do it is another. It is exhausting and demanding, especially when you have to teach it to your kids. But it is not impossible, you just have to be determined and consistent, and you are good to go.
What are your thoughts on the same? Was this article helpful? Drop your views and suggestions in the comments below. I’d love to read them.
It’s the start of a new year, and with it comes all sorts of resolutions. Whether you have one or not, self care is always something we should be striving for. Self care has been around for years but in recent times its popularity has grown immensely. It’s not hard to see why – when we focus on our well-being and time for ourselves, we can feel more refreshed and happy than ever before!
One of the best things about self care is that it comes in all shapes and sizes. There’s no one right way to do it, and what works for someone else might not work for you. That’s why having self care goals for the new year can be so helpful – they give you a set of specific things to aim for, and they’re all different!
Here are some self care goals worth trying in the new year. Pick at least one of them to dedicate yourself to, and see how it goes:
Self Care Goals For The New Year
1) Take More Breaks During The Day
This helps you reorganize and refocus so you are being more productive when you are working.
2) Plan Ahead For Your Week And Prioritize
No need to rush everyday when you can take one day out and plan what you want to do to keep your day and week in line. Only do the things that are a priority first to make sure you get them done.
3) Take care of your body
We only get one, so why not take good care of it? There’s no better time than now to start eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep!
4) Gratitude journal
Start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for – no matter how small they may seem! Doing this will help remind ourselves of all the great things in our life and it can even improve mental health .
5) Bubble Baths/Spa Days
Turn your regular shower into a spa day! Add in some candles, relaxing music and maybe even a few drops of essential oil for an amazing experience. You can make it as extravagant or simple as you want – either way it’s guaranteed to be something that will help reduce stress.
6) Get out of your comfort zone
If you’re feeling like there’s something missing in your life, maybe it’s time to try a new activity. Try going hiking for the first time or taking up an instrument! It can be scary at times but this is how we grow and develop as people so why not give it a shot?
7) Say No To Guilt
It’s okay to say no. You don’t have to do everything you’re asked of, and there’s nothing wrong with that! Learn how to set your own boundaries so people respect them properly, which will help keep life from feeling overwhelming.
8) Make Better use of your Time
Do you find yourself doing the same things over and over again? Maybe it’s time to try something new! Take up a new activity or hobby, challenge yourself in some way – all these are ways to make our lives feel more fulfilling.
9) Connect with Friends and family
Spend time with the people you love. Whether it’s going out for coffee, watching a movie or taking a walk outside, quality time is always something to be cherished.
10) Give Yourself A Break!
This one may seem like common sense but we often forget how necessary it is. We’re only human after all – sometimes we need to just take some time for ourselves without feeling guilty about it. Relax, recharge and then get back at it!
11) Go hiking for the first time or take up an instrument!
It can be scary but this is how we grow and develop as people so why not give it a shot? And who knows, you might be the next rockstar!
(This could range from bubble baths/spa days, reading books in bed, watching movies, catching up on Netflix shows, etc.)
13) Go through your home and work space to get rid of everything that doesn’t “spark joy” or give you energy.
14) Try something new everyday
Explore the world around you! If it’s learning a language, cooking food from another country, working on solving puzzles or even trying yoga for the first time – anything goes as long as it brings us some kind of excitement/joy/energy in our life.
15) Take a day each month to completely unplug from social media and the internet altogether
Not only will this free up more time, but it will also free up more emotional and mental space in your body.
17) Spend some time outdoors each week, whether that means going for walks, hikes, bike rides etc.
18) Declutter your living space both physically and mentally
19) Volunteer your time with local organizations who need help
(This could be anything from animal shelters, soup kitchens, youth centers, etc.)
20) Practice self-care and take time for yourself each day
21) Figure out what you want to achieve in the new year and then break that down into manageable daily or weekly goals.
22) Keep your home organized all throughout the month
So it’s easier to keep up with during busy periods such as winter months, holidays etc.
23) If possible, spend at least 30 minutes every day learning something new
(Try taking online classes through sites like Coursera , Khan Academy , Udemy, or a new language with Babbel )
24) Try cooking healthy meals instead of resorting to fast food options!
It will save money and also help boost energy levels which is especially important when we’re feeling.
25) Take some time each week to reflect on your goals
Both personal and professional – and how you can work towards achieving them
26) Spend more time outdoors in nature
(This includes camping, picnicking, etc.)
27) Cut out caffeine from your diet for a certain period of time to see if there are any changes in terms of energy levels, moods etc.
28) Mindfully eat three meals per day with no distractions
(Put away phones, laptops, etc.) and really focus on the taste, texture and flavors of the food
29) Take some time to meditate before you go to sleep so you can set up healthy sleeping habits and better mental health.
30) Go on vacation somewhere new over winter break with friends / family who will offer support during times where it’s needed most
(Especially if dealing with tough things.)
31) last but not…practice random acts of kindness!
Whether that means helping out a stranger, holding the door open for someone or paying it forward at Starbucks – these little things can make all of the difference!
Self care is about taking care of ourselves in a way that works best for us. So if you don’t like to exercise, try something else like meditating or writing in your gratitude journal. The most important thing is that you find what makes you happy and stick with it!
There are countless self care goals you can set for the new year, these are just a few to get you started! But whatever you do, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve your goals straight away – Rome wasn’t built in a day! Just keep trying and eventually you’ll see results.
The Danes are some of the happiest people in the world, and they credit their concept of hygge for this happiness. Hygge is all about living mindfully and enjoying simple pleasures. If you’re looking for a way to create more happiness in your life, then start living a hygge lifestyle. One way to start and live a more hygge lifestyle is by familiarizing yourself with the Danish word “hygge.” This term refers to a feeling of coziness, contentment, and happiness that comes from enjoying life’s simple pleasures. When you know what this word means, you can start looking for ways to add more hygge into your life. For instance, if you’re reading this post at home on a cozy Sunday morning, you’re already doing something that incorporates the concept of hygge!
One way to start living a hygge lifestyle is to dedicate time each day to do things that make you happy. This can be something as simple as taking a long walk, reading a good book, or having a cup of coffee in your favorite spot. It’s also important to savor the good moments in life and enjoy time spent with friends and family.
Now let’s get into the tips!
How to Live a Hygge Lifestyle
Tip ONE: Spend quality time with friends and family.
Danish people are known for their close-knit families and friends, and this is one of the secrets to their happiness. When you spend quality time with those who matter to you, it fills your life with love and contentment. Try to schedule regular meetups, dinners, or game nights with your loved ones so that you can enjoy each other’s company. Not only will this make you happier, but it will also strengthen your relationships.
Tip TWO: Keep things simple.
One of the keys to a hygge lifestyle is keeping things simple. This means removing stressors from your life whenever possible and focusing on enjoying the present moment. For example, you should take the time to read a good book instead of scrolling through social media feeds for hours on end. You can also try taking long walks outside and enjoying nature rather than staring at your phone screen all day or watching TV shows that aren’t productive in any way.
Tip THREE: Allow yourself to indulge once in awhile.
Another key to living a hygge lifestyle is indulging every now and then by doing things like treating yourself with new clothes (in moderation), eating desserts after dinner because it makes you happy, taking bubble baths before bedtime, drinking cup of tea or coffee while reading a favorite book; these small pleasures will make life more enjoyable as well as help reduce stress levels so that you can live a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Tip FOUR: Embrace.
One of the best things about living a hygge lifestyle is that you can create your own happy moments by simply embracing the little things in life. For example, instead of rushing everywhere and rushing to get tasks done during the day, take a moment or two out of each week to slow down and enjoy some quiet time alone so you can breathe deeply and recharge yourself for another busy week ahead.
Tip FIVE: Wear comfortable clothes.
People who live a more casual lifestyle will be able to relate to this tip because it does not require much effort at all but has lots of benefits nonetheless! When we wear comfortable clothes like cozy sweaters, leggings, sweatpants (not tracksuits), etc., we feel warm, safe, relaxed which makes us happier people overall. So the next time you’re going to be relaxing at home or out and about, make sure to dress comfortably!
Tip SIX: Eat well.
This is another important tip that goes hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle. When we eat nutritious foods, our bodies and minds feel better which then allows us to live happier lives. Try to cook simple meals using fresh ingredients as often as possible, and avoid eating processed foods whenever you can. Not only will this make your body feel good, but it will also make your mind sharp and clear.
Cooking simple meals using fresh ingredients is a great way to create a happy lifestyle for yourself. Eating out at restaurants is fun, but it’s important to simplify meals so that you can save money and enjoy simple pleasures like eating home-cooked meals with friends and family more often instead of going out every night.
Tip SEVEN: Take long walks outdoors.
Finally, one of the best ways to enjoy life’s simple pleasures while getting some exercise at the same time is by taking long walks outdoors. This is a great way to clear your head, enjoy nature, and improve your health all in one go! If you have friends or family members who are interested in taking long walks together regularly, this will also help strengthen relationships with the people around you.
Tip EIGHT: Read good books.
As previously mentioned, reading can be an excellent stress reliever so when you take time out of each day to read a book (or two), it’s another simple pleasure that makes life more enjoyable overall while keeping your mind sharp and focused on positive things at the same time. Try not to turn on the TV unless it’s for watching documentaries or educational programs; otherwise try turning off devices like phones and tablets during down-time because they can often be distractions from the important things in life, like reading a good book for example.
Tip NINE: Remove stressors.
Last but not least, one of the best ways to enjoy a more hygge lifestyle is by removing as many stressors from your life as possible. This could mean quitting a job that’s making you unhappy, decluttering your home so it’s less cluttered and chaotic, or spending less time on social media websites and more time talking to friends and family in person. When we’re free of unnecessary stress, we can focus on enjoying life’s simple pleasures without having to worry about anything else!
In conclusion, following these ten tips will help lead you down the path of living a more relaxed and content lifestyle, which is the ultimate goal of a hygge lifestyle! If you’re ever feeling down or stressed out, try incorporating some of these tips into your day and see how much better you feel. And don’t forget to enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea while reading a good book in your living room – this is one of the quintessential activities that make life more enjoyable according to the Danish concept of hygge!
If you are looking for more ways to incorporate Hygge into your life, check out these other blog posts on the topic:
The fourth quarter is the fourth and final period of play, often seen in American football and basketball. The fourth quarter starts once one team is leading by more than eight points or once both teams are tied for that matter. It is said to be a crucial time since it can make or break your team’s chance of winning the game. The fourth quarter goes until the final second ticks off the clock. And you can start at any time to try to win.
The fourth quarter mindset is the same way.
The fourth quarter mindset is when you want to end the year on a high note and start off with an even better one at the beginning of the new year. For many people, this means doing what they can in order to end their fourth quarter strong financially, physically, emotionally, etcetera. I’ll be the first to say I have not been good with this fourth quarter mindset since fourth quarters are usually months away.
However, once fourth quarters shows up, I’m reminded that it’s the last stretch of the year. And I’ve got to make sure that all my ducks are in a row. This means being financially responsible, physically active, and mentally and emotionally stable.
As fourth quarter is mostly about coming together and pushing hard to meet our goals, the fourth quarter mindset is about planting seeds for what we want in order to get it. The fourth quarter mindset can give you more than just an escape from your finals week stress or from the kids’ vacation from school but also help you win during the fourth quarter of every day.
Fourth Quarter Mindset
You can view the fourth quarter as the fourth and final period of life. With this mindset, you will want to make sure your fourth quarter is one that counts. And makes a difference for not only yourself but those around you as well.
As fourth quarters come and go, another year is coming up. And it’s time to decide what you want out of it. In fourth quarters, you can think of your fourth quarter mindset as a game-winning mindset. And this is how you can make the most out of life.
Decide how to end the year.
As we start another year, we always have an opportunity to kick off our shoes and relax. And reflect on what we did well and what we could do better. The fourth quarter mindset can be used to decide how we want this year to end and the fourth quarter stories we want to tell. It can also be a time when you finish off all the things you set to do at the beginning of the year which still have to be completed. It can be as simple as finishing a book, completing a workout program, completing a school training, or getting into a routine. Or it can even mean you want to delete things or people out of your life and next year. Now is the time to complete all the things so you can start off fresh.
Winning mindset.
All in all, fourth quarters can bring you together and push you harder than ever before and even during fourth quarters of your life, you can use it as a game-winning mindset by planting seeds for what you want in order to get it.
The fourth quarter mindset is something that can be used all year round in order to make the most out of life.
Start off with a fourth quarter mindset and end your fourth quarter strong by doing what you can now before fourth quarters come around. Don’t let the fourth quarter overwhelm you, let it motivate you to get everything you want in line for the coming year.
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