So… you’ve been blogging a while. You adore creating new content and interacting with your readers. You love social media and sharing things you enjoy. And maybe you’ve even been sent some things to review. But you don’t feel like you’re progressing as much as you’d like or you hoped you’d be. You’re ready to commit to taking your blog to the next level and want to know how to grow your blog but not sure where to start. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place!
We all blog for different reasons and if you blog for a hobby or as an outlet to share how you’re feeling, then this isn’t the post for you. I think all bloggers are amazing – whatever your reasons for blogging and continuing to blog. But this post is more aimed at you, the person who’s looking to learn how to grow your blog and take your blog to the next level.
Related reads:
- Getting Your First Brand Collab: 8 Things You Should Do
- How To Increase Your Blog Following: 6 Easy Methods
- How To Get Blogging Opportunities Regularly
So if you’re looking to boost those views and followers, maybe want to start getting serious about working with brands and turning your hobby into a business or perhaps just want to adopt a more professional approach to your blog, then here are some ways to help you in taking your blog to the next level!
Consider going self hosted or upgrading your WordPress plan
If you’re wanting your blog to look and feel more professional, want to get rid of the ‘WordPress’ or ‘Blogger’ branding and open yourself up to more opportunities, then it’s time to go self hosted or upgrade your plan if you’re on WordPress! This post from Glow Steady is a good place to start with self hosting!
I’ve been with WordPress since day 1 and I’ve always loved using this platform. They have a few fab plans available, specifically for different needs. This year I upgraded to the Business Plan and I don’t regret a second of it. I’ve never been happier with my blog!
Revamp your blog, theme or graphics to reflect your brand
Whether you’re self hosted or not, it’s never a bad time to have a revamp of your blog. So if you feel like you’re in need of a re-brand, now’s the time to do it! And it’s a great way to give you that boost of motivation to really take your blog to the next level and give your blog that lease of life it deserves.
Invest in coaching, courses or eBooks to help you grow your blog
There’s always room to grow your blog and learn something new about blogging. That’s one of the reasons I love it so much. So if you’re really trying to take your blog to that next level but finding it difficult on your own, look for help. There are plenty of amazing coaching and courses out there from really experienced, reputable bloggers which will help. If a course is a little out of your budget right now, you can always invest in a couple of eBooks instead.
Recommended resources:
- A Beginners Guide To Growing A Blog Following
- Blog To Business: Your Pitching Toolkit (use code jenny for 10% off!)
- A Beginners Guide To Affiliate Sales (use code jenny for 15% off!)
Get clear on your vision and goals for your blog
It’s all very well wanting to take your blog to the next level but if you’re unclear on what that next level even is, then you’re going to be a bit lost. Take some time to sit down and reflect on where exactly you want your blog to go, what direction you want to take it in and what you’re hoping to get from it in the future. Set goals. Make a plan.
My new course, Blogging Mindset Mastery is absolutely PERFECT if this is something you’re struggling with. This course delves DEEP into helping you create an action plan for your blog and how to achieve your blogging goals as well as getting clear on your vision.
Recommended resource: Blogging Mindset Mastery
Create a solid blog plan and schedule
Speaking of a plan, if it’s your planning and productivity you want to take to the next level, then creating a solid blog plan and schedule is a must. You can find my Ultimate Guide To Planning Blog Content blog post right here, which will definitely help you with this point!
Grow your blog with a newsletter
Newsletters are great resources for bloggers and readers alike. They create extra snippet into the bloggers life, for loyal and engaged readers who want a bit extra and they’re also amazing places to market your blog, your products (if you have any) and basically anything else you want to market!
I created my first newsletter only this year! Can you believe I waited 6 years? And personally, I definitely feel like this will take things to another level for me. Maybe not right away but once I’ve established a good newsletter format and built up a solid newsletter following. Fancy signing up? Click here!
Brush up on your SEO knowledge
SEO might not be the biggest priority for people who blog as a hobby but if you’re looking at how to take your blog to the next level and ultimately want to work on your views, engagement and brand relationships, then SEO knowledge is very useful! It sounds super complicated at first. But it doesn’t have to be!
Recommended resources:
[…] But if you’re a new blogger wanting to make a real good go of this, then there will be expenses involved. Which is something you definitely need to consider but not something that should put you off pursuing your dream further. How much does blogging cost is just another factor you have to add to the list of factors you need to consider when either creating a blog or thinking about taking your blog further. […]
These are lovely tips! I’m very interested in self-hosting my blog next year. I think I will look into upgrading my free WordPress plan to premium. I have over 135 posts, I’m wondering if it’s hard to transfer all the content over 🤔 anyways thanks for all the suggestions!
Natonya | https://justnatonya.wordpress.com
I would have no idea – I’m not techy at all so I took the easy route and just upgraded my WordPress plan but I love it! x
[…] folk, these blogging tools and resources are an amazing way to grow our blogs even more, take them to the next level and even help turn them into a […]
This was so helpful for someone like me who wants to know how to gain more opportunities with brands and build up my readers and engagement!! Going to go give your SEO post a read now to brush up on my knowledge x
Awh so glad you found it helpful!
This has given me so things to think about! Thank you x
You’re welcome!
I’m exactly at this point – I want my blog to grow and continue to be successful but I don’t know what needs to change! Well, I know I need to be posting more consistently but life just keeps getting in the way…
Great post as always and I’ll definitely be checking out those courses when I know I can dedicate the time to it!
Abi | https://whatabigailsays.co.uk/
Hope you managed to implement some of these!
Thanks for sharing a few ideas, I am going to check the ebooks 😀 looks interesting.
Hope they’re helpful
Great tips there! I think tackling creating a newsletter is my next goal!
I’ve actually been working on my SEO the past few days, and speeding up my website too. I don’t know if it was just coincidence but over the 3 days I did that my DA went from 25 to 27.
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip
Definitely not a coincidence!
[…] How to take your blog to the next level by Jenny Marston at Jennyinnneverland […]
This is really useful, thanks for writing this post ! I definitely should plan my blog schedule more ^^’
I’m hoping to start offering a course soon to help people with that!
I need to sort out a blog schedule for sure, I do want to take my blog to the next level, just need to put more time into mine I think. Great tips though, thank you for sharing <3
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Thank you, hope they help!
This is so useful! Really need to look into SEO!
Highly recommend that free course x
Great advice. As a beginner blogger this is helpful as I begin to work towards my next steps.
Glad you found it helpful 😌
There’s some great tips here, especially going self hosted etc x
Thank you x
WordPress is definitely the easiest to use! I love it so much!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I’ve never used blogger but I love WordPress x
Great tips, thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome x
✌💓
This is fantastic. I’m happy as having this blog as a hobby now but in the future if I want to do more then this is a great post for tips. Though I do like trying to be a bit more professional for if people come across my blog so maybe I can try to incorporate some of these things anyway.
It’s defiantly worth it! 😌
I really need to research SEO a bit more, I always feel a bit lost with it but I’m sure it would help massively. All of these tips are so useful! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
It really will help! Check out that free course I suggested 😌
Setting goals is great. The right ones are especially energising. They help one to move beyond the realm of mere wishing.
Thanks so much for this post! I will refer back to it when I’m ready to read some e books and take courses. I need to read and take it ALL!
Haha it’ll be here waiting! 🙂
I think investing in your blog is a great push if you want to make it grow. I went self hosted from day 1 and I think that was a great decision in terms of sticking at it and it feeling like my space (without the .wordpress part). I’m definitely going to take a look at that SEO course and see what I have to learn. Would be interested in an update at some point to see how you’re getting on with grow & glow x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I’ll definitely do a G&G update! I’ve already made so many changes!
Love the tips. SEO makes a difference!
It sure does!
Once I got my head around SEO it really did change how I write, and how I see my blog. It’s only been a hot minute so I’m not seeing many results right now, but they’ll come.
Excellent tips Jenny!
SEO is so important and can sometimes take months to see results but as long as you have the foundations down then that’s great 🙂
Great tips!
Looking at SEO is especially important! 😊
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
Thank you 🙂 It sure is!
I only blog as a hobby and I’m honestly not sure I’ve got enough confidence in myself to try and take it further even if I wanted to. But I’m the type of person more motivated when I’ve got goals etc, so even doing it as a hobby, this is a really inspirational post. I still want to grow my blog and be the best I can even if I’m never planning to monetise it. So thank you for another great and really insightful/useful post.
Oh yeah these points totally apply to people who just want to grow their blogs, not necessarily monetize! So I hope you found it helpful 🙂
This is really helpful. I need to start planning my posts better xx
Thank you x
This really helped clear up any confusions I had about WordPress versus self-hosting. Great post!
Ashleigh | http://www.ashmosphere.com
Thank you 🙂
Such a great informative post, Jenny! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 I’m really trying to give my blog my all since quitting my job and I think that my next big step is to invest in some more courses or coaching! I also REALLY need to get on top of my schedule, because it’s all over the place atm :”)
I’m actually planning a course to release all on planning and things soon!
A new and unique blog design definitely helps x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
It sure does x
I started self hosted so at least i have that but i must admit, i have had no plan lately nor do i have a vision for my blog; I mean sort of but it’s not very clear. I never managed to get on with my newsletter although i do have subscribers!
I think finding a structure you’re happy with really helps with a newsletter x
Thanks for the tips! Great advice and I love your blog 😊
Thank you 🙂
I have been working on ideas for a newsletter! It has almost come together and I think it is a good step for all bloggers to take!
There are many good blogs out there on the art of blogging and it is definitely worthwhile reading up on your craft!
It sure is! Best of luck with the newsletter!
Thank you!
this was really helpful, thank you for sharing! after a month of regular blogging Im ready to apply these tips!
arshelski | arshelski.com
Wow only a month! It took me 3 or more years to implement most of these!
I just started my blog and this is great information, I feel like a fish out of water and this will give me some good resources after I find my groove. Thanks for the post!
Awh you’ll get there! It’s tough at first. Took me years to figure out what I was doing haha!
Lovely picture
Thanks x
There is some really good tips here! I really need to get myself in to a blog schedule as I know it really can help a blog to grow.
It really can 🙂
Loved your advice on this! I have been thinking about taking my blog to the next level but I have no idea where to start! Also, would love it if you could take a look at one go my recent posts and comment! (my blog is http://www.bobbisblog.co.uk) x
Glad this helped!
You always have great advice, Jenny! I’m always looking for posts about SEO as I’m so clueless about it all. I’ll have to check out the course as well!
Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk
Definitely check out Dana’s free course!
Great advice as always Jenny! I’ve let things slip a little with my blog lately but I’m starting to get my mojo back now so I’ll definitely keep these things in mind when taking the next step in my blogging journey 🙂 x
Elin | https://myblurredworld.com
Ah so glad to hear that!
As ever Jenny, Great post. I am just off to check out the Dana Nicole SEO workshop.
Thanks for sharing x
Hope you find it helpful!
I definitely agree with brushing up on your SEO – it made such a huge difference to my traffic and people were actually finding me through search engines.
I think going self hosted was the best move I made for my own blog, it properly made it my own.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
SEO is so important!
Very inspirational. ☺️
Thank you x
There’s some really helpful suggestions here! Xc
Thank you 🙂
Wow great advice Jenny 👍
Thank you 🙂
You are welcome 😊👍