Since 2014 went out with a bang having my first ever blog post go viral I wanted to share what I did and how my blog post went viral.
This month I will be going on three years of blogging,and in those three years I have learned a lot.
Yes I have made some mistakes along the way,but those mistakes are really learning experiences.
Recently I was starting to feel disappointed,I was looking at my numbers,and yes I do that a lot.
I think all bloggers that earn an income from a blog look at the numbers, but sometimes you can get a little obsessive with it.
Well anyway I was looking at my numbers and realizing I needed to jump start them.
But how?
Last month I was getting ready to share a blog post.
But before the post went live on my blog, I reached out to a fellow blogger and friend of mine.
I told her how disappointed I was in my numbers, and asked her if she had any advice.
The blogging community is wonderful!
I have personally found it to be very supportive.
So I asked her for some advice, she shared that I should start pinning more on Pinterest.
Well…..I thought I was….okay…anything else?
Yes ,she also said make sure you are sharing pinnable images on Pinterest.
Hmm….. I thought I was doing that too.
Then she sent over a few example’s of a great pinnable images,and what they should look like.
Okay…that looks much different than mine…..so why was her photo different than the photos I was sharing?
Her photo’s were large with a brief description and great graphics.
I was sharing graphics but they were not as pretty.
Her photos were longer and not square like mine were.
And her photos had pretty graphics and writing too!
These are the photos she shared with me.
Below is a photo I shared not long ago.
This image is okay but it really does not stand out.
She shared that on picmonkey you can make pinnable images with there pinter-esty collage.
It’s an upgrade from the free service.
I don’t use Picmonkey to edit my photos, but I do use Picmonkey for collages so I decided to upgrade that day and I am so glad I did!
This collage makes images much more appealing and makes the image stand out.
Below is the photo from the post that went viral.
How to distress furniture using vinegar.
I also made sure to add my blog address at the bottom, and my graphics were big and easy to read.
Another area that I have been working hard on are my photos.
I have come a long way in three years,if you look back to a year ago you can see the difference.
Great photos get pinned…period!
Just think about this for a minute what draws your attention on Pinterest: is it the wording or photo?
For me it’s the photo, then I am drawn to the words.
Yes, photos are that important, and I am learning that more and more as I blog.
In the beginning I had no idea how important photos were, but they tell a story and reach out the the reader.
They draw you in and make you want to click on the photo to read more, bringing more readers to your blog!
Another thing that makes a post go viral and it’s just as important as the photo itself: it’s the content.
I shared something that no one else has shared before.
How to distress chalk painted furniture with vinegar.
Yes, you have to post something Amazing!
That’s what will get pinned the most and what will go viral.
But how do you know something will go viral?
You don’t!
Really there is no way to know whether something will go viral or not.
Believe me I have read lots of articles explaining how to make a post go viral but there is no guarantee that you can make your post go viral.
With every blog post, you must share the best that you can share, period!
The Best photo.
The Best pinnable image.
And when you do, you must take advantage of that and pin away!
Share on all social media!
Just keep sharing!
*****************************
Will this happen to me again?
I hope so!
Let’s review what will make a post go viral.
1). Amazing Content
2). Beautiful pictures
3). Great Pinnable Image
It sounds simple right?
Well if it was so simple everyone would have a post go viral.
And one of the reasons I wanted to write this post is because after reading lots of articles on how to make a post go viral I started doubting myself.
Don’t be let down if your post doesn’t go viral.
When I wrote my post that went viral I was not setting out to make it go viral, I just wanted to share my best.
I do believe that some of this is luck, but you will get lots of traffic to your blog just by doing each of those three things I listed above.
The better the image and content the better chance you have at getting traffic to your blog.
And pinning is the key!
And when I say pinning is the key I mean pin a lot!
Now go out there and put your best content to the test!
Joining:
Anne I really needed this today. I put more time into my home because of my blog and I don’t earn anything. I guess is time to ask myself how do I earn money from my blog? I started blogging to have a out let for my interior design, but now I really want to make it REAL. It’s time for it to grow up. I have blogged for 9 months now and I have watched yours every step of the way as you have built it. Thank you for sharing this was really and important post for me. XX Jo
Thank you Joanne,don’t give up.It takes allot of time and I mean allot time to to really build a blog.Some blogs grow faster than others.But don’t give up,if you enjoy it then keep on going.As you evolve your blog will too 🙂
My favorite bloggers are those that not only share their decorating knowledge but those not afraid to reach down to help others up the blogging ladder with their experience and knowledge. Thank you.
Thank you Erin! I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have learned since blogging.I am no expert but I think if we share what we learn we help each other.
Anne, what a boost to my afternoon to read your post. I have blogged on and off, mostly off the last few years because I felt like no one was reading them and it was a lot of work to keep it current. Lately I’ve gotten turned off by so many of my favorite blogs becoming one big ad….no real content. I used to teach online and would like to use my website/blog to sell my tutorials online…..but, darned it’s hard getting started! Your post today was like a shot in the arm – so much so that I felt inclined to write you…..something I rarely do. Thanks for your information and sharing the ideas. I love pinterest but still not quite figure out how to use it other than just look, LOL.
Jan you made my day reading your comment! I have been blogging almost three years and I still don’t understand it all.But I love sharing what I do know.Being a part of a community of bloggers I feel we should all share what we know and help one another.
You shared some great advice! I do agree that good pictures make a huge difference.
Thank you Kelly!
That is so awesome and so inspiring Anne! I wish you all the best in 2015 and many more viral posts in your future. XO
Thank you sweet friend!
Thanks so much for sharing! I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest & I’m obviously doing it ALL wrong! #Whopps!
Paige.Rose
Anne , your biggest plus is : you`re always real ! I mean, telling us your “blogging issues” and other “disasters” , your solutions & how to fix it keeps you & your blog close to your readers. I guess we all learned & learn a lot with you. The mix of decorating , blogging adventures , DIY & “flea market finds”(your shop ) is very special.
I`m an email subscriber (convenient) but your posts arrive always one day later as you posted them, so sometimes I don`t comment because I think it`s too late .
The idea with the text in the pictures is very nice. With Pinterest I`m not so sure. Is it true that pictures you made and pinned at Pinterest are no longer your own ? Ha, you can see, there is always so much to think & learn about.
Thank you so much for all your hard work .
Have a great week.
Dani & cats
Thank you Dani,awe I appreciate that! Yes I am keeping it real,I don’t live a perfect life,even with blogging nothing is perfect.But I keep trying and working hard.I never stop learning that’s for sure!
Congratulations Anne! You’re so right, the image is everything on Pinterest and content even there is still king…BUT I love your line about ‘how do you know if it will go viral- you don’t!’…Thank you!! Your honestly is refreshing! I too have read the go viral posts and I think you are correct, you just never know. It helps to have the right recipe, so to speak, but I still think there’s a little bit of luck, timing and internet magic that goes along with it! It’s nice to hear someone say it out loud. I wish you many more viral posts in 2015 and beyond! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Kim for your sweet comment!
I’m betting this post goes viral!! Look at graphic – so eye-catching and inviting and covering a topic all bloggers are interested in reading about. Great tips here. I love PicMonkey! Happy New Year!
Thanks Kim! Happy New Year!
What a great post Anne !
I’ve gone viral on Pinterest once – but only because the pinterest team featured one of my boards – I really have to work on expanding it myself lol !
Great tips – thanks for sharing
Happy New Year !
xoxox
Thank you Suzan!Wow that is awesome! I have never been featured yet,just pinning… a lot! Happy New year!
Good for you Anne, asking for advice then listening and implementing that advice. So important. Not just for your blog but for life in general. :What do you have to lose by trying things you hadn’t realized, you learn something you can use in life. Being open to new and different ideas is always a good thing in life. Try it, see if you like it then go on from there. Happy New Year.
Thank you JaneEllen. Happy new year to you too!
Congrats on your viral post! I’m entering my 3rd year of blogging, but I don’t really count the entire first year. I didn’t know one single thing about blogging. I just jumped right in. Pinterest, Facebook and Stumble Upon are always changing places as the top 3 social sites that drive traffic to my blog, so I concentrate on those 3 the most.
Said all that to say that your advice is spot on and the blogging community is so supportive and helpful. You hit the nail on the head. Sometimes I forget to pin A LOT, so I needed these reminders. Thanks!
We must have started the same time Alli,I am entering my third year of blogging. Actually January is my three year Anniversary.I too just jumped in and had no idea.I am still learning :-).
Thank-you!! I was looking for cotton stems when your photo came up on Decor Steals. I looked up your site and it could not have been better timing. I’m a newbie blogger and your honesty is appreciated!!
Kindly,
Jane
Hi Jane, so glad you found White Lace Cottage.Welcome to the world of blogging 🙂
Hello Anne, Found your beautiful bog…your soft muted colors in your pictures attracted me to your blog. Recovering from surgery to my hand, I’ve spend more time on the computer. Checking out blogs, don’t know much about them, I do enjoy them. As a late comer to the magic of the internet…..I am amazed at how many of you creative bloggers are out here in cyber space I salute you all….I’ve learning so much.
I have always loved :….lace….linens…..silks…all that lovely frilly stuff, seeing pink relaxes me….and excites me at the same time.
Pink roses drive me mad with the wonder of it all. And that is the tip of the iceberg………..
As a wife and mother of 3, I tried to keep my love of pink at bay. You know ‘too much pink’
I was so glad for the burgundies of the eighties and enjoyed using the many shades of burgundy & grey.
Now in my golden years….entering crone hood……I’m letting my freak flag fly…..By declaring
I love pink…not even sure;…. to what extreme, ….. but I do know when I see it.
Peace & keep up your beautiful work
GoodCookingGypsyRenate
Hi Renate,So glad to have you here! I am pretty lucky that I have a husband that does not mind pink.I do have a *little* in every room. But I don’t go overboard. Not because I don’t like it or that my husband doesn’t. But I think it really stands out with just a few pieces here and there. Ah yes I love rose’s 🙂 Hope your hand heals soon.