1: Follow for follow.
It was awful. I followed way too many blogs, leaving my link in my generic comment and stopping just short of begging for a follow back. It was terrible and humiliating.
There's a difference because a mutual agreement of "You follow me and I'll follow you and we'll support each other", and a "I'm following you, please follow me back because you owe me".
Focus on relationships, focus on writing strong content, and followers will come. It takes time, it takes hard work, but it happens.
Don't do what I did and act like you're entitled to a follow back simply because you followed a blog in the hope of getting it.
2: Readability matters.
It just looks abstract and untidy. Not the look I should have been aiming for ;)
3: No rule of thirds.
Here's a look at one of my early blog graphics:
It's so, so bad.
The rule of thirds exists for a reason: it gives dimensional, it gives structure, and it gives quality. 2016 Amy just threw text and image and pretty backgrounds in a heap and was content with posting a hot mess. It's hilarious.
4: Cluttered sidebar.
5: Not replying to comments.
But relationship is key when it comes to blogging, and nothing is more offensive or off-putting than a blogger who ignores the comments they get on their blog. Even a simple broadcast like "Thanks for the comment, I'll reply as soon as I can!" or "Sorry I haven't caught up on my comments yet, life has been hectic" goes a long way when it comes to earning readers' respect. It shows that you're at least making an effort.
6: No option to follow.
You want people to follow you and read your content, right? So put that follow button right where they can see it! They're unlikely to stick around if they don't see a subscription option in the first few seconds they're on your blog homepage.
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