As a new blogger, you’re probably searching for tips for beginner bloggers. Getting bad blogging advice and finding yourself in a mess is easy. As somebody with 20-plus years of blogging experience, I’m sharing my top tips for new bloggers so that you don’t make the same errors as I did!
I’ve been blogging since 2010, so I’ve had plenty of time to make some big blogging mistakes. And I’ve learned many smart blogging tips along the way.
Where you are in your blogging journey may be different from other new bloggers.
However, there will be common blogging strategy mistakes that you’ll make, and having smart tips can help you avoid them.
When you’re busy focusing on reaching your blog goals, sometimes you don’t see the big picture. With this post, my goal is to help you see the overall big picture to create a long-term plan for yourself.
It’s why I’ve pulled together my tips for beginner bloggers to inspire you and to share blogging strategies to grow your blog.
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them. For more information, please read my Disclaimer.
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What Beginner Bloggers Need To Know In 2025
Before we jump to the new blogger tips, let’s briefly look at the state of blogging in 2025. Here are the top things affecting blogging:
- AI Content: AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and other specialized AI blog-writing tools make it easier to create content. However, the need to be authentic and a credible expert is still important.
- SEO Changes: Just as AI content creation is changing things, so it SEO as new search tools like ChatGPT require blog posts to include additional content optimizations.
- Niche Saturation: Some blog niches are over-saturated and it may be harder to rank high in searches. However, over time, many bloggers may quit their blogs leaving yours on top. Patience is important.
With these insights in mind, let’s look at my blogging tips for beginners, based on what I’ve learned in over 15-plus years of blogging.
20 Tips For Beginner Bloggers: Grow Your Blog
This list includes tips you should be considering in your first year of blogging.
It may seem like a long list.
Despite what many will say, blogging is HARD.
Consider all the hats you have to wear as a blogger: content creator, graphic designer, marketer, etc. Those are just a few – there are definitely more!
We’re starting with the most important advice on this list of tips for beginner bloggers: using a self-hosted blog.
1. Going Self-Hosted With WordPress From The Start
Let’s talk about starting a blog. If you’re blogging for personal enjoyment, you can skip this tip. However, if you’re looking at making money with a blog, read on.
One of the most important tips for new bloggers is to have a self-hosted WordPress blog.
When I say WordPress, I don’t mean WordPress.com. A self-hosted site means you need to make an investment in using a hosting provider.
Although there are many who recommend one popular hosting provider, I recommend quality over cheap hosting.
I’ve migrated to NameHero and recommend it for beginner bloggers. Another great alternative is BigScoots. The price you see is the price you pay (no unexpected bump up in price after one year).
If you don’t plan to move and upgrade your hosting over time (which can be a hassle), these are two great options. Fast servers, great customer service and everything you need to be blogging like a pro.
Going self-hosted opens up so many new opportunities:
- Full control of your own site
- Ability to use WordPress with thousands of customizations via plugins
- Monetization opportunities
- Better options to promote your blog with sharing plugins
- Domain customization with your own URL
There’s so much more you can do with your own site. Don’t hold yourself back by thinking of the money you need to pay for self-hosting as well as a custom domain.
There will be ways to recoup this investment with some smart monetization activities that I’ll share in a moment.
| Read More: How To Start A Self-Hosted Blog
2. Blogging Legally
If you’re thinking blogging legally means making sure you credit photographers and others when you quote them, you’re only scratching the surface.
Every website needs key legal pages.
For blogs, you need a:
- Privacy Policy
- Disclaimer
- Terms & Conditions
These three key legal pages protect you and your blog from potential lawsuits and fines and ensure that the reader understands what they can and can’t do with your content.
I made the mistake of not having proper legal pages on my Suburban Tourist site for several years, even after I went self-hosted.
I pulled together a Privacy Policy from a free template, but I knew that it didn’t fully protect me.
So, I made the smartest move I could: I got customizable templates, crafted by a lawyer who’s also a blogger.
I highly recommend you get at least the Legal Bundle from Amira Irfan at A Self Guru.
It’s a bundled pack of templates that works internationally, with the key three legal pages, as well as nine bonuses.
If you’re going all-in on blogging and know you want to build your blog into a business, there are other reasonably priced comprehensive legal bundles with additional contracts and agreements.
Instead of purchasing them separately, you get them with a one-time, affordable investment. It can save you potentially thousands of dollars if something goes wrong. So, look into them if you’re 100% sure you’re going to be blogging as a business in the long run.
If you’re blogging legally, you’re sleeping easier, knowing you’re not breaking any laws, and you’re covering yourself legally and financially. This is why it’s on my list of tips for beginner bloggers.
| READ MORE: Five Key Ways To Legally Protect Your Blog
3. Choose One Blog Niche
Next on my list of tips for beginner bloggers is to focus on one niche instead of many. If you’re like me, and you have many interests that you’d love to write about, you’re in trouble.
For example, for a while, my Suburban Tourist lifestyle blog was all over the place with travel, food & drink, parenting and other topics without a cohesive focus. Now it’s specifically for Gen-x/midlife women focusing on personal development.
Readers don’t want to be confused as to what your blog is about.
They want to read blogs on topics that interest them. You’ll lose followers and email subscribers if you bounce around from different topics that aren’t closely related.
The only way you can get away with a broader “lifestyle” niche is if you’re focusing on the common interests of your key reader avatar.
So, if your target audience is Millennial moms, writing on a variety of niche topics that are of interest to them is doable.
Your blog posts need to solve a problem for them – like making it easier or faster. For example, self-care for busy working moms. You’re a mom blog, but you’re focused specifically on a type of mom.
This is one of my top new blogger tips so you don’t make the same painful, time-consuming mistakes I did!
| Related: How To Choose A Blog Niche That’s Profitable
4. Do A Soft Launch Before You Do Your Official Launch
One of the many comments I see in my Facebook group – The Blog It Better Society – is the fear of launching a new blog. Beginner bloggers can be their worst enemies, thinking they need to have a perfect-looking blog right from the start.
While you can tweak your blog to look professional, the better approach is to do this – a soft-launch.
It’s like a retail brand opening a new store quietly and taking a few days to fix all issues before the “Grand Opening”.
One of the top tips for new bloggers is to make your blog go live and get feedback from other bloggers on what can be improved before you do your official launch. Facebook groups for bloggers are great for this kind of support.
5. Get Organized With A Content Plan
Another one of my key new blogger tips is to get organized with a content plan.
My number one tip is don’t write your first blog post about why you started your blog or about yourself. I explain this in my post with tips for writing your first blog post.
Now, back to the content plan…
Even if it’s a broad monthly list of topics you’ll be focusing on, a content plan (also called a blog editorial plan) can help you keep your momentum going.
You’ll avoid getting discouraged with “blogger’s block” when fresh ideas are hard to find.
Get Organized With Your Content
No need to search for blog post ideas, because you’ve already planned them out!
If you’re stuck wondering what to write for a new blog, I’ve developed 100+ lifestyle blog post topics that will help you get started.
PRO TIP: Never, ever borrow content from others! Even if you change a few words here and there, it’s still plagiarism. Always create original content and avoid being called out for content theft.
| RELATED: The Truth About The Number Of Posts You Need To Launch Your Blog
6. Learning And Using Good SEO Practices
Of the blogging tips for new bloggers, focusing on on-page SEO is one of the most important. It’s also one of the areas where common SEO mistakes are made.
One of the biggest mistakes I made when I started blogging with Suburban Tourist was not paying attention to keywords.
Learn about SEO keyword research so that you can write blog content that gets found online.
In 2010, SEO was still a fairly new concept, but the use of keywords in blog posts was already something that professional bloggers were including in their content development.
When I DID start using SEO and keywords in my blog posts, my monthly blog traffic multiplied quickly!
Start using on-page SEO techniques as well as technical SEO from the beginning. Make sure your site pages and posts load fast. Learn how to optimize your blog images for SEO best practices.
It can take several weeks to a few months for your blog posts to start appearing in Google searches.
SEO is always changing, so it’s important to learn the basics and constantly keep track of changes. For example, learn about how AI-generated content needs to be adjusted to rank in search engine results.
Check out my SEO eBook with tips for beginner bloggers: Optimize It: A Beginner’s Guide To Using SEO For Blogs.
| RELATED: 5 Smart And Easy Ways To Get Quality Backlinks For Your Blog
7. Using Pinterest To Promote Blog Posts
Many veteran bloggers will share this one important new blogger tip: start using Pinterest early on!
Pinterest is a visual search engine – or as I like to call it, a “visual discovery engine”. You discover ideas, inspiration and solutions to any given question.
Like Google, it can be a while before Pinterest indexes your pins. Not all pins end up being added to searches. However, consistent daily pinning helps and should be a regular activity.
The good news: Pinterest is OK with one pin a day as a sign of activity.
The bad news: Pinterest wants fresh pin designs.
Ideally, to grow traffic faster, aim at focusing on about 5 pins for five different blog posts every day. Pin them to your relevant Pinterest boards.
If all of this sounds like Greek to you, I recommend you take my course: Pin It Better: A Blogger’s Guide To Mastering Pinterest. I teach you everything from the basics to how to design click-worthy pins, to the best Pinterest strategies that work this year.
Or at least learn how to get started on Pinterest with a Business Account.
| Read More: 11 Pinterest Tips For 2025 Based On The Latest Algorithm Changes
Key Pinterest Strategies For Bloggers To Grow Your Blog
The Secret To Designing Pinterest Pins That Consistently Get Clicks
To get you started in creating Pinterest pins fast, I have a free handy Canva template pack for you to download:
8. Leveraging Facebook Groups To Grow Your Blog
In the beginning, your blog traffic will grow slowly. There will be times when you feel like nothing is happening.
However, you can boost your blog’s visibility and clicks to posts by leveraging Facebook groups.
There are groups for bloggers who support other bloggers through various promotional activities.
There are others that are for specific niches. Some of the niche topic ones permit you to share your blog post, as long as it’s not you promoting something for sale, etc.
Tap into the power of Facebook groups early on to get a boost in traffic and also to learn new things from others.
Many of the blogger groups are run by veteran bloggers like me. We share tips and solutions that can help you get ahead with your blog.
When participating in Facebook groups, follow Facebook group rules to not get kicked out!
Join my Facebook group – The Blog It Better Society – and get started!
| Read More: How To Use Facebook Groups To Grow Your Blog Or Business
9. Monetizing From The Start
One of my biggest mistakes as a new blogger was not thinking about monetizing my blog.
I was receiving requests to write articles and sponsored posts, as it was a very popular activity 8 to 10 years ago.
It’s still something many bloggers can do to monetize their sites. Create your very own media kit as soon as possible. And build a rate card as well, because you can make money even as a beginner blogger!
However, aside from Google ads, I didn’t tap into things such as affiliate marketing and selling my own services and products until the last few years.
Having a money mindset from the start is a mistake.
There are three great ways for new bloggers to start making money with their sites. Affiliate marketing is probably the easiest to get started with, and you should AT LEAST be doing it, as your blog grows.
If you’ve been blogging for a while and want to transform your blog into an online business you can do this too! It’s never too late to make it into your part-time or full-time job.
TIP: There are always new ways to monetize your blog. Never stop seeking new ways to make money with the content you create.
| Read More: Affiliate Marketing Programs To Get Started With As A New Blogger
What Are Sponsored Posts: Tips for Getting Legitimate Brand Collaborations And Make Money
10. Networking With Other New Bloggers
Networking with other new bloggers is a great way to grow faster and exchange valuable new blogger tips to support each other. Learn from others and help them as they can help you build blogger friendships.
Need a few guest bloggers? A few blogger friends might be able to help out. Need a boost to a new blog post that’s not getting traction on Pinterest? They can help with re-pins and engagement.
Further to that, if you’re blogging as a business, they can help promote you and recommend you to others.
I’ve made many blogger friends over the years, and they were all wonderfully supportive when I launched MargaretBourne.com.
Down the line, you can partner with your blogger friends to sell bundle packs or do live chats to boost exposure among each other’s followers.
The best places to find other new bloggers are Facebook groups, as well as through social networks such as Instagram (use the hashtag #newblogger to find them).
PRO TIP: When networking, always follow good business etiquette rules! You want to make a good impression. You get only one chance for a first impression.
| READ MORE: 5 Key Ways To Connect With Other Bloggers And Build Your Network
Build Your Blogger Friend Network
11. Starting An Email List As Soon As Possible
You must learn about starting an email newsletter for your blog, ASAP. You’re going to need an opt-in freebie for this! A lead magnet.
Having a list of engaged followers on your newsletter subscription list is one of the best things a blogger can have. Starting an email list as soon as possible is a key goal.
To do this, you need to offer potential subscribers something of great value that helps solve a problem for them.
Create a free offer that your reader can download as a PDF. Sign up for an email marketing platform account with MailerLite. Create an opt-in form and embed it in relevant blog posts.
You’ll see your blog email list growing!
When you engage with them on a weekly basis, sharing the latest posts or other great tips, you’ll see “regulars” appearing.
| Read More: How To Grow Your Email List With Freebie Opt-In Offers
12. Investing In Key Tools, Courses & Resources… And Help
Next on my list of tips for new bloggers is to invest in growing your website.
If you’re blogging as a hobby, stick to a free platform and just enjoy writing.
However, if you’re thinking of using a blog as a source of income, you have to spend money to make money. This is the truth with any business.
I’ve invested in:
Throughout the years, the occasional one-month or quarterly membership to stock photo sites, as well as one-off purchases of tools, like a new webcam or the legal pages I mentioned before.
I’ve also invested in courses, e-books and other resources throughout the years. Some of the best don’t cost much.
However, my return on investment (ROI) has been much greater! So, if you’re doing things smartly, you can make money with a little bit of investment upfront and on a monthly/yearly basis.
Speaking of which, check out my templates for Canva, courses and e-books under the Courses And Resources tab above!
One other thing you’ll want to invest in working with a blog coach, like me.
Coaches can help you learn new things, overcome challenges and give you a much-needed outside perspective on your site.
Learn how to make at least $100 a month to fund your new blog.
| Related: Key Investments To Make For Your Blog To Make It Profitable
13. Build A Personal Brand
My final point on this list of tips for beginner bloggers is to be your authentic self and not hide behind your blog.
In an age of over-saturation of AI-generated content, bloggers who build their personal brand and position themselves as experts will stand out.
Credibility is a huge factor in the purchase of products and services. You want to start working on building your personal brand from the start.
Make sure it aligns with your blog branding and messaging!
14. Batch Content Creation
To avoid blogger burnout, work on creating a batching system for content creation. This includes activities such as batching:
- Blog post outlines
- Blog posts
- Pinterest pins
- Social media promotional content
- Email newsletters
These are just some of the things you can batch in advance and save time. This is one of the new blogger tips that helps with time management, reducing blogger burnout.
RELATED: 10 Self-Care Tips For Entrepreneurs and Bloggers
15. Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console
One of the more important blogging tips for new bloggers is this one: don’t delay getting your Google Analytics and Google Search Console set up.
Track your traffic and keyword performance from the beginning. This will give you an idea of your blog’s growth.
16. Create Cornerstone Content
To make SEO easier, start by producing cornerstone content. These are long blog posts with in-depth information on a broad topic.
For example, more cornerstone blog post is “How To Start A Blog”. From this, I’ve connected via interlinks many related blog posts.
Consider big topics that your readers need help with, and answer them thoroughly.
17. Learn About Branding
Another of my new blogger tips helps you develop a brand strategy for your blog.
Branding is more than just a logo and colours. It includes brand messaging, tone of voice and brand personality.
Learn more about branding your blog, and make determining yours a top goal.
18. Repurpose Your Content
Another smart blogging tip is how to recycle and repurpose your content. Just like batching saves time, so does repurposing.
Using an AI tool like ChatGPT, take your blog post and ask it to provide new pieces of content.
You can repurpose one blog post into over 50 pieces of content,t including:
- Podcasts
- Video
- Social media posts
- Newsletters
- Digital products
So much more! Learn about how to repurpose blog content and save time.
19. Don’t Compare Yourself To Other Bloggers
Also on my list of blogging tips for beginners and essential new blogger tips is: don’t beat yourself up over a perceived expectation of success.
Everybody has different situations in their lives. Some are blogging part-time due to work or family commitments. Others are starting their blogs as full-time occupations.
So, the important thing is not to compare yourself to others.
Take your time in building your blog.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is a great blog.
One of the most important new blogger tips is that there is a whole lot of learning going on in your first year of blogging. Don’t obsess about perfection – just get things done.
20. Believe In Yourself And Be Consistent
All of these tips for new bloggers don’t mean anything if you aren’t doing one thing. At the end of the day, if you don’t believe in yourself and drive yourself to improve, you won’t be a success any time soon.
Here’s my final point on this list of blogging tips for beginners: believe in yourself, and consistently work on your blog.
Believing that you can create an online business with time, effort, and some learning will help you get there faster.
One year from now, your blog can be a huge success. Or you’ll still be working on it. No matter where you are in your blogging journey, don’t give up.
Most blogs die in less than one year. Don’t let your blog become a statistic!
| RELATED: The Answers To “Why Is My Blog Not Making Money And How Can I Fix It?”
Tips For New Bloggers: Start Your Blogging Journey
I’ve shared many tips and tricks, and blogging tips for beginners, with you in this post. Some you will want to adopt sooner rather than later. Others, like personal branding, you can ease into as you begin to build your blog content and promote your blog.
Here are the top tips for new bloggers:
- Go self-hosted with a WordPress blog
- Blog legally with the three key legal pages
- Focus on one blog niche
- Do a soft launch before your official launch
- Create a content plan to be more organized
- Use good SEO practices for each blog post and your blog
- Use Pinterest to promote your blog posts
- Leverage Facebook groups to grow your blog
- Monetize your blog from the start
- Network with other bloggers
- Start an email list at the beginning
- Invest in blogging tools and resources to grow
- Build your personal brand and authority
- Batch content creation to save time
- Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track success
- Create cornerstone content
- Learn about branding your blog properly
- Repurpose your content to save time
- Don’t compare yourself to others
- Believe in yourself and be consistent
One last thing I would recommend is to approach blogging as if you were a professional blogger and marketer. This is one of the tips for new bloggers that is often ignored. Mindset is everything!
Learn the key things you can improve upon with your blog to make it look like a professional blog – even if you’re a newbie!
What you put into your blog is what you get out of it. Just remember to take breaks and have a life!
QUESTION: What are other key new blogger tips that should be added to this list?
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These are excellent tips for new bloggers! The one tip I find particularly helpful is to stay consistent in blogging. Thanks for sharing these helpful insights!
Thank you Nelly – yes, consistency is the key to success in blogging AND business. Glad you liked this!
Thanks for all the useful tips! I am always looking for ways to build my blog.
I always learn something new every time I read your posts. I agree with monetizing your blog from the start. It what I did, although I did not gain money from my first 3 months of blogging the experience has taught me value. I am also growing my Pinterest, thanks to your course.
I LOVE to hear feedback like this. As for the making money – it will happen. You’ll find the “secret sauce” that helps you make money on your site. I’m so glad you’re finding the course helpful!
This makes me very happy to hear! I’m glad I can provide you with the tools and information you need to succeed!
I always love your tips and just used this as a checklist (in my head!) to make sure I’m still doing all the things your promote and advise. Thank you for keeping it all front of mind with your Facebook group!
You’re doing awesome!