11 Fantastic Ways to Support Bloggers You Love

11 Fantastic Ways to Support Bloggers You Love

How about a few suggestions for ways to support bloggers you love on this most romantic of days? It’s a slightly different way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but a really love-ly one all the same.

Something my readers often thank me for is what my blog essentially is all about: producing free content that I hope visitors will find useful, informative, inspiring and/or just plain entertaining. I’ve been writing blogging tips and photography tips posts for several years now because I’ve wanted other bloggers to avoid the mistakes I’ve made. I show what I’ve been wearing to hopefully give inspiration to those who are looking for outfit ideas.

These are all things I do because I love blogging and it’s now my career, and it’s wonderful to do something I love for a living.

I was thinking about the many ways in which my readers – whether they’re bloggers or not – help me and my blog to grow and flourish. Blogging is REALLY hard work (okay I know it’s not rocket science) but the hours can be very, very long and at any stage you’re expected to do something you’ve never done before, like accountancy, marketing, professional-level photography, PR, styling, editing, writing, keeping up with legal requirements… the list goes on and on. So all the small things readers do (often without even realising it!) really do make a huge difference to the success of a blog and the blogger’s enjoyment of running it.

I thought if I picked out all these helpful things it may encourage readers to do these easy-peasy things a little more to support their favourite blogs.

I’ve split the 11 ways into two sections – things that readers can do to help their favourite bloggers, and things that bloggers can do to support other bloggers:

 

Ways for non-bloggers to support bloggers they love

1. Engage, engage, engage (this is for readers AND bloggers)

Without comments a blog is essentially lifeless. I know that some bloggers purposely switch off comments (and considering the negativity I’ve received recently I can sort of see why they might do that), but to be honest the good vibes and sense of community you get from readers’ positive and constructive comments far outweigh the odd Moaning Minnie whose job it seems is to sh*t all over your day (and anyway there’s a particular way to deal with trolls that I can highly recommend, so that puts paid to them).

There is also debate over this next fact, but some say that comments help SEO (Search Engine Optimisation, i.e. how far up Google searches you’re placed), because each time a comment is left it updates the page, effectively meaning new content has been added. The more new content that is added to a site, the higher up Google searches it goes (because SEO has been boosted). And finally – if brands see that a blog gets a lot of engagement then they’re more likely to want to work with them because that blog is a living, breathing, evolving site… it has LIFE, in other words.

So comments do actually benefit bloggers as well as make their day, so if you’ve never left comments on your favourite blogs before please do start… your 20-30 seconds spent writing one is all the thanks they need for the many hours that go into creating free content in a blog post.

 

2. Click those links and ads

There are many reasons why bloggers leave links in their blog posts – primarily they’re there to help you. Sometimes they’re extra information that relates to what they’re talking about, sometimes they’re shopping (affiliate) links and sometimes they’re Google ads. Running a blog can be very costly and the majority of bloggers do not earn anything more than a little pocket money from affiliate links and ads. Clicking on them does not cost you anything but it can mean the blogger earns a little money to help keep their blog running.

 

3. Click other internal links when you visit

When you visit their blog to read their new post, try and see if you can click to read one or two other blog posts or pages. Most bloggers have a “You Might Like” section at the bottom of posts or a “Popular Posts” section in their sidebar. By reading other pages you can help their bounce rate (the percentage of visitors that leave without clicking on another page within the blog) which is a stat we want to keep low. However, do not click on links furiously, spending only a couple of seconds on each page as this could have a detrimental effect on their stats (making your actions look like a bot)… just one clicked link is enough!

 

4. Subscribe by email

By subscribing to their blog by email you always know what they’re posting and when – everyone has their preferred way of keeping up with their favourite blogs but many readers don’t know that this is even a thing. It means you’ll never miss a post, and even if their latest post isn’t for you can simply choose to skip it and read the next one when it drops in your Inbox. Look for “subscribe by email” or “free updates” to sign up to posts by email.

As a reader of blogs myself this is my preferred way of keeping up with my favourites and making sure that I support them by reading their posts and leaving a comment straight away. I treat my Inbox as my “To-Do” list, and I won’t delete a new post notification email until I’ve done that. I can’t do it every single time of course – sometimes I’m crazy busy and need to plough through the emails that are work-related as a priority, but I’ll do my utmost to read and comment as often as possible.

Not Dressed As Lamb - CLICK HERE to receive posts by email

 

5. Leave Bloglovin likes and saves

If you use Bloglovin to follow your favourite blogs, like and save their posts. Bloglovin says it makes those posts more visible within the site so as you’re scrolling click on that heart… likewise click through to their blogs to read the post in its original form, even if the full post has been published on Bloglovin*. All click-throughs help a blogger’s stats.

*Bloggers: check whether Bloglovin is publishing your posts in full – it’s a way you might be squandering blog traffic so check!

 

6. Follow, like and comment on their social media accounts

This is SUCH an important one – social media is really, really hard to get seen on these days. Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest all use algorithms to determine what posts to show, when and to whom (we’d all like them to be chronological again but that ain’t gonna happen anytime soon). Liking and commenting on their social media posts makes them more visible, so if you can please don’t read and scroll by without a little love sent their way.

 

7. Support their sponsored content

Something that can sometimes be a bone of contention between (just a few) readers and bloggers is the fact that the latter sometimes work with brands on sponsored content. I’ve written before about why not all sponsored posts are bad – it’s usually pretty easy to tell when a blogger has “sold their soul” and written about car insurance or added in a link about online gaming when they have a fashion blog, for example… it’s done just for the money. In these cases, you can simply choose to opt out and not read or comment on those posts.

However, when a blogger has written about a subject, product or brand that’s completely relevant to their blog niche and is still providing useful, informative, inspiring and/or entertaining content – please support it! By looking favourably upon and engaging with sponsored posts (as long as they’re genuine and OF COURSE disclosed properly), then like point 1 above, it really, really helps the blogger. You leaving a comment to say how much you liked the post means the brand will be impressed and hopefully consider working with the blogger again.

 

Ways for bloggers to support bloggers

8. Suggest bloggers you love to PRs and brands

If you pass on a campaign that wasn’t right for you, suggest a couple of bloggers to the PR or brand that you think would be more suitable. The PR will be grateful because you may have saved them time looking for other bloggers, and the blogger will be super happy for having been recommended. Just because YOU’RE not doing the job doesn’t mean another blogger you know shouldn’t! I’ve matched several bloggers with campaigns this way – it’s always satisfying to see another blogger do well in something you put their name forward for. And even if they’re not right this time, you’ve brought them to the attention of that PR who may contact them for another project in the future.

 

9. Share their posts

Sharing/retweeting social media posts, or sharing blog posts on social media – is a fantastic way to spread love and support your faves. Tweet links to their blog posts: tag them in, include the link (of course) and if you can, add a photo from the post to make it more visible. Or, share their blog posts on your Facebook page or share the Facebook content they’ve already posted. Instagram stories is the perfect platform to make a quick video or still about a blog post you love. All that good karma will certainly make its way back to you in the long run… there’s no need for bloggers to be horribly competitive.

 

10. Keep them informed when they’ve been featured (this is for bloggers AND readers)

This is something that I really appreciate others doing for me: being told that I’ve been featured somewhere that I may not have seen myself. If you’ve seen them featured somewhere – on another blog or website – let them know. Bloggers don’t always get told by the publisher or blogger that they’ve been featured (plus bloggers need to check that they’ve been properly credited and that copyright hasn’t been breached).

My photo was used on a profile on a dating website a few years ago (yes, really!) and thanks to the person that told me I was able to get the photo taken down and the account was suspended. So always let bloggers know whether their photos have been used (for good OR for evil).

 

11. Be a caring, sharing blogger

Offering to help people when they’re struggling (e.g. when they’ve tweeted about having trouble with something or shared a problem on their blog) is a wonderful thing to do. I’ve talked about all sorts of subjects (from taking time off from blogging when I had serious financial problems, to my final medical diagnosis for a painful leg), and every time I’ve had a flood of offers of help. Just knowing that someone is there for you makes all the difference.

The other ways you can help is by being generous with the information you share. Transparency within the blogging community is vital for us to grow and improve, and withholding information like our stats, rates and contacts does nothing to help the blogosphere as a whole. Now I don’t mean that we have to publish all our information for everyone to see at any time, but too many bloggers are afraid to ask other bloggers for help or information. So if a blogger asks you, share your rates and stats with them so they can assess what fees to charge brands – too many bloggers are seriously undercharging and don’t know their own worth. Or send a template of your invoice that they could adapt for themselves if they’ve never sent one before, or a link to some information they’re desperately trying to find.

Being more open makes the blogging community a better place for everyone.

 

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR FAVOURITE BLOGGERS? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M GOING TO ASK OF YOU… PLEASE LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS IN A COMMENT BELOW! 😉

Catherine

LIKE THIS POST? BECAUSE I WANT TO SHARE INFO WITH YOU, YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ…

Bloggers: Why You Must Disclose Sponsorship, and Readers: Why Not All Sponsored Posts Are Bad
The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Blogger Media Kit
– 9 Amazing Blogging Tools, Resources & Links

 

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11 Fantastic Ways to Support Bloggers You Love

46 Comments

  1. 20 October 2020 / 11:55 am

    I’m definitely guilty of scrolling through blog posts and social media posts without taking the time to comment or share, even when I liked the post. It’s only been recently, with all of the Instagram algorithm issues, that I realized how important it was to actually “engage” with the content I liked and how much that helped the person on the other end.

  2. 29 April 2018 / 7:12 am

    Hi Catherine, such an important post. I don’t think non-bloggers realize how important it is to support bloggers they love, so I’m definitely sharing this. Thanks!

  3. 1 March 2018 / 3:48 am

    As a blogger myself, I totally love this post! I’m glad you came up with this post and share it with everyone. Interaction and support is so important for bloggers. Without these support, it will be so boring as a blogger. We talk about support so in return, I’m going to share this article on my social media to first, support you, and second, to let others know about the importance of supporting bloggers.

  4. 28 February 2018 / 2:16 pm

    Excellent post! I was feeling writer’s block and knew I would get some inspiration from you as always! So sorry to hear about your dog. I’ve been through it many, many times and I find comfort knowing that the pet felt loved every single day it was with you. That’s about all we can do.

  5. Gill
    22 February 2018 / 1:42 pm

    I’ve been reading your blog for years and have only commented a few times. I really enjoy your writing and love your photos. Thank you.

  6. 20 February 2018 / 9:27 pm

    I am like Nancy ..I mean to share but often wait so I am not posting twice on the same day and then I forget. Thank you for this.. I need more hours in the day…I will share more.

  7. 20 February 2018 / 8:43 pm

    Excellent advice. Us smaller blogs need all the help we can do I do try to leave comments and join in as much as I can. A lovely post with some great ideas. Thanks!

  8. 20 February 2018 / 11:29 am

    Brilliant post. It’s so easy to get disaggregate up in trying to promote your own content that you can easily forget to share the love. I do try, but it is something I am working on. I really enjoyed reading these tips!

    Cherie

  9. 18 February 2018 / 11:24 am

    Being kind and sharing love is free and I think it’s good practice not only in blogging but in real life as well. This is a very helpful post and will definitely pass it on.

    Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com

  10. Sue
    17 February 2018 / 10:12 am

    Thanks for this. I’ve followed you and others in the O40C for a while and really enjoy all your blogs. There is obviously lots more to blogging than meets the eye and it is good to understand more about it and what we can do to support you.

  11. 16 February 2018 / 7:56 pm

    Yes!
    I love this post Catherine.
    Lot’s of simple tips with one simple main message…. Be Kind.

    My youngest daughter is reading the book Wonder at the moment and she is focused on kindness.
    (I can hardly talk about that book with her without sobbing… pathetic really)

    Negativity breeds more negativity and positivity breeds trust and friendship.
    Women supporting each other and Bloggers supporting each other is so important.
    XXX

  12. 16 February 2018 / 6:58 pm

    Dear Catherine. You are such an example of “walk your talk!” even if the walking might be a bit tricky at the moment… I for one think you are an inspiration for readers and bloggers alike and a big, big help for fellow bloggers. I am following your blog for quite some time now and have used many of your tricks and tips as a blogger. Have a fabulous weekend. Love, Lieske

  13. Danish Pastry
    16 February 2018 / 9:33 am

    I’m not a blogger, but I am interested in knowing how it all works (one thing I haven’t a clue about in regards to magasines I buy), it’s also great to know how I can help support the blogs I love so the bloggers who spend time producing great content, can actually afford to keep doing it. If they can make a living at it, I think it’s great!
    I emailed Catherine, some time ago, to ask about how some of this worked, she was gracious enough to take time out of a busy schedule to write back with a comprehensive answer. Thank you, Catherine!
    I can’t understand why people are trolls, the old saying “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”, is one we can all bear in mind. I can only think that these are petty, small minded people who are lacking a purpose in life! I like your method of killing them with kindness.

  14. 15 February 2018 / 7:21 pm

    This is an incredibly informative post. I have only been blogging for nine months. I agree that reposting a blog you really enjoyed is helpful to your fellow blogger. Whenever I come across a post that is valuable to my followers, I post it linking back to the blogger.

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 10:01 pm

      Ingrid it’s all about sharing the love, and that’s great that you do that! Thank you, glad you liked the post x

      • 16 February 2018 / 11:37 pm

        Going to follow you. Have a wonderful weekend.

  15. Lena
    15 February 2018 / 6:50 pm

    Interesting article. I didn’t fully appreciate the benefits of commenting, I often thought about it but then felt the blogger would be so overwhelmed with comments I didn’t want to add another. I now know otherwise and I will now comment more often Many thks

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 10:00 pm

      Lena thank you!! It’s partly true about being overwhelmed with comments sometimes (if you’re lucky enough to be in that position!), but it’s really only overwhelming from the POV that as a blogger it’s good to reply to them. It’s not only polite but also shows that you’re reading them. That said, it is REALLY easy to fall behind on replying to comments, especially if (like me) you’ve maybe been working away for a day or two, then comments build up, and you get behind. But rest assured I do read ALL of them… it’s just the replying that’s sometimes impossible when you’ve been working on the blog since 8am and it’s 1am the following morning – sometimes I have to sacrifice comment replies for some sleep. If I could clone myself to purely do admin on my blog I would…! x

  16. 15 February 2018 / 12:43 pm

    Could not agree more Catherine. Really grateful for the advice you gave when I contacted you.

    If there is ever anything please let me know. And of course will share this right away…

    xo Sabina

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 1:04 pm

      Sabina that’s so nice of you to say, you were more than welcome! And thank you for the love and support you always give me! x

  17. 15 February 2018 / 12:06 pm

    I do the same with email notifications – I find it much easier than using a blog reader and it helps me to make sure I see what people are posting. I’d like to see a bit more collaboration between bloggers and youtubers as, a lot of the time, we are publishing similar content – so a mention or a share on social media once in a while would be great for both audiences. Guest posts are also a good way to introduce your readers to new bloggers, or to get your content in front of new people. I’ll now go and share this on Twitter!

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:22 pm

      That’s interesting what you said about bloggers and YouTubers, Kirsty… I’ve not thought about that before! And yes, I’ve been slowly signing up to all my favourite blogs by email so I don’t miss posts – unfortunately with all the algorithms social media is harder to use that way, plus Bloglovin have made a mess of their platform somehow so I never use it anymore. Thank you for the lovely comment and for sharing this!! x

  18. 15 February 2018 / 11:21 am

    This is such a wonderful and warm post, Catherine! You’re right… we really should support each other more!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:20 pm

      Suzy thank you – I’m very lucky to have many, many supportive readers like yourself that ALWAYS engage with my blog and social media. Where would I be without you?!!!! xo

  19. Jane
    15 February 2018 / 9:16 am

    I agree that trolling is horrible, but from what i read here ,on other blogs and instagram – anyone who offers a slightly negative opinion is shot down in flames and accused of trolling. Surely if you put yourself out there you take the good with the bad? In life people will not like everything you wear everyday – indeed i love some of your outfits and dislike others – and whilst i might not comment that i don;t like an outfit, i would expect as a blogger that some negative feedback is to be expected, and maybe even essential for the life of a blog . (As long as it is not personal or cruel) . I have seen some awful bullying from all sides , including the blogger herself fanning the flames and its so unnecessary – blimey its only clothes at the end of the day!

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:17 pm

      Jane there’s a lot more to it than just being told someone doesn’t like your outfits – I’ve written before that I don’t give two hoots what anyone thinks about what I wear – what I object to is either offensive comments (I’ve been told I look “like a twat” before which is wholly unacceptable) or unfounded accusations that are totally untrue. I don’t believe that just because we publish things on the internet that we should put up with bad or abusive behaviour; I expect it but don’t accept it. Constructive criticism is fine, but rude, pointless, or unkind banter is not. Whatever happened to people’s manners?!

      I also don’t believe in “trolling people back” – my Dealing With Trolls post describes how to kill ’em with kindness. So I totally agree with you when you say that a few bloggers fanning the flames is appalling, I quite agree with you there. I did get frustrated recently but that was because people made false statements, accused me of things that were untrue and did not read the posts properly, else they would have read what my exact stance on certain things were. I don’t put up with people treating me like that in real life, nor do I put up with it on the internet. Hence my zero-tolerance policy from now on 😉

      As I said in my Instagram post I linked to, I almost long for the days of just posting my outfits and having people telling me I can’t dress myself… those comments always give me a good laugh!!

      Goes to show how important doing the things in this post are, doesn’t it… without them the blogosphere would be a HORRIBLE place…! xo

  20. 15 February 2018 / 7:58 am

    A few things here I haven’t thought of before. I didn’t know that about the Bloglovin! Another great helpful post Catherine.
    laurie xx

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:04 pm

      I don’t know how much difference it actually makes, Laurie – but that’s what I’ve read. As it’s something that only takes a split second it certainly doesn’t hurt…! thanks hon x

  21. Christine D
    15 February 2018 / 7:57 am

    Thanks Catherine – a great post. I have only started reading blogs about a year ago & luckily found you not long after. I ‘m still learning the what’s what of the blog world but one thing I found out early is how interesting, helpful & fun your blogs are. I really enjoy & look forward to them. This one is so informative. You are very generous with you knowledge & advice. Best wishes & thanks again.

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:03 pm

      Christine that’s a wonderful comment, thank you SO much!! I’m really glad you love the blog, and yes blogging is so very, very complex and the learning (for us as bloggers) never, ever stops because everything changes so quickly and so often. Engaging is really the number one thing any reader can do to help a blogger – you’ve done that and I thank you!! x

  22. 14 February 2018 / 11:59 pm

    You are the kindest blogger out there. Thank you–and I wish you more and more and more success with each post!! XOXOXOXO!!!

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:01 pm

      Cathe THANK YOU!! Your comments always make my day 😉 x

  23. 14 February 2018 / 10:51 pm

    I love this post Catherine – spreading the love on this special day. I try to do many of these already, but will make an effort to do more. Jacqui
    mummabstylish

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 12:00 pm

      Thanks Jacqui – I too need to practice what I preach! x

  24. 14 February 2018 / 10:05 pm

    Aha… Yes I have mentioned you in a post, Catherine. Will drop you a line x.

    • catherine
      Author
      14 February 2018 / 10:09 pm

      Emerald that’s so nice of you… thank you, I look forward to reading it!! x

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 11:59 am

      Oh bless you Bettye, thank you! x

  25. Heide V
    14 February 2018 / 9:17 pm

    For those of s still reasonably uneducated on blogging and the benefits to following someone, this stuff is great to read….thanks!
    ps. glad you’re able to move around and sit much more comfortably, you’ll be running again soon 🙂

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 11:59 am

      Thank you Heide, yes it’s like the subscribing by email thing… many people don’t know you can even do that so it’s always up to the blogger to advertise the fact to readers, then they can choose to follow that way if they wish!

      And thank you, things are much better now. I’m holding off on the running till it’s a *little* warmer…!

  26. 14 February 2018 / 9:15 pm

    This is like your love letter to the blogosphere Catherine. Damn I adore you woman! xx

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 11:57 am

      Aww that’s a lovely way to describe it… thank you MT!! Love you right back MUAH xo

  27. 14 February 2018 / 9:14 pm

    I am more and more aware of the fact that I should share a blog post from another blogger. If I like it of course. But it’s not yet in my system, I just forget it! Well, let s start with you and share your post! It’s a start right!

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 11:56 am

      I’m the same Nancy – I certainly could also improve in these areas! That’s why I’ve been subscribing to my fave bloggers’ posts by email and making a concerted effort to comment as WELL as read them. And thank you for sharing my post, I really appreciate it! xx

  28. 14 February 2018 / 9:13 pm

    Catherine what a super kind and caring post!
    You have helped me with advice and suggestions in the past and so I’m sending a big thank you and hoping to in turn help some one else?

    Pass it on that is what I say !
    Ashley xxx

    • catherine
      Author
      15 February 2018 / 11:47 am

      Thanks lovely Ashley – yes passing it on is ALWAYS the greatest thing we can do! A year or two ago I did a very little something for a blogger who I didn’t really know, I just responded to a very sad tweet… it wasn’t much for me but it meant the world to her. She kept saying she needed to pay me back but I just said she only needed to pass it on and help someone else in some way. If only more bloggers were like this and less competitive, it would make blogging a HUGE force to be reckoned with!!

      I’m only too glad to have helped you – I’m thinking of one particular thing that turned out really well for you, it made me so happy that it worked out the way it did! That reminds me, I must contact you to see how it went (has it happened yet)?! xoxo

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