There are a variety of different tools and resources that can help you with sharing killer content and building a successful blog. There are some key essentials that you should definitely be utilising to help develop your blog.
Using these essentials will help you as a starting point especially if you are still new to the blogging community or if you are thinking about starting a blog. I am sharing 5 of the top essentials you should be using to be successful in your blogging journey.
1. A notebook
Having a notebook handy is a great way to brainstorm blog post ideas and jotting down prompts. You have all the ideas saved for when you need some inspiration. You can always write draft blog posts before you type and schedule your content. Ideas come at all times and even when you are on the go, so having a notebook you can carry in your bag will be really helpful to utilise those thoughts.
I like to write blog posts in my notebook first before typing as in an industry that is so technology heavy, I like to put pen to paper. If you are looking for some great notebooks to write your ideas in I have shared Say Nice Things and BusyB notebook reviews.
2. Phone and laptop
When blogging you can use your phone or laptop to upload a blog post or media files. You can use your phone and laptop to market your blog posts, connect with your audience and network with other like-minded people. Although sometimes you see some bloggers with expensive equipment, but that is not the case to get your blog started. Your phone allows you to work on the go and be present on your platforms. If you are thinking you need a fancy camera to take blog photographs, that isn’t true you can take all your photographs with your phone. I am with WordPress and I use the app which makes my blogging work a lot simpler, I would recommend using it.
Photo by Andrijana Bozic on Unsplash
3. Social Media platforms
Setting up social media platforms are a must to help make your blog successful. Having those platforms allow you to share your blog connect, network with other creators and build a following. The most popular platforms to share your content and connect with your audience are Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. These platforms help you boost your blog traffic and for your blog posts to have a bigger reach. Brands will often use social media to reach out to bloggers, so get set up these platforms and get the chance to pursue these opportunities. If you have these platforms and are wanting to grow your audience I have shared 9 easy steps you can build a bigger following.
4. A planner system
There are plenty of planning systems available that can suit everyone’s needs. Finding a planning system that works for you is a great tool to help you stick to your blogging schedule. Keeping a blogging schedule is important to consistently share content and grow your brand. Planning your schedule and blog posts can help you stay organised and it means you do not become overwhelmed.
I use a calendar schedule for my blog posts as I plan my blog content ahead of time. Having a blogging schedule definitely has helped me stay organised and I have been posting consistently on my blog ever since I created the schedule that works for me.
5. A scheduler
There are many different scheduling apps out there, Buffer is great and the one I use for my blog. Using an app like this is so helpful especially if blogging is not your primary source of income. If you are working scheduling content and promotional tweets are important to stay active on social media to help boost your engagement even when it is not possible to be on social media. If like me you have followers around the world scheduling content or promotional posts at varying times will help reach a wider audience.
These 5 essentials will help you in starting a blog or helping to boost your engagement and your blog traffic. If you are struggling with your engagement, check out where you may be going wrong.
Have you got other essentials that you can recommend to bloggers? I’d love to hear in the comments.
and commitment haha
Massive yes to all of these! I find having a planner (or for me content calendar) makes my life 1 million percent easier and means I can *actually* stay on top of what I need to do!xx
Me too! Thank you for reading and commenting x
Is that your blog planner? It looks so cute!
Yes that is my planner. Thank you.
Your blog planner is awesome 👌
Interesting post ☺️
Never underestimate the power of social media. Everybody need to know what are you working on. That’s important
The essentials – I only wish I had journaled more when I had my own blog. Now i blog for someone else. I didn’t realize the value of it until I had already decided to end my blog
How come you stopped blogging?
Thanks for the tips!
I am a sucker for a notebook! Haha. I’m running out now but usually have like 10 in my room ready to go 😂
They’re so handy for everything!! And awesome for when you get some last minute ideas for content.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Definitely. I have lots of notebooks too. Can you link your blog so I can read.
These are all such great tips! One essential for me is my iPad and Apple Pencil. It’s so helpful with ideas!
These are such great tips! Something that is super useful for me is my iPad and Apple Pencil. It’s so great for jotting down ideas!
That’s awesome!
I’ve been wondering if I should try out Hootsuite. I’m glad to see that you really like it and it is helping to save you time.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you link your blog?
Thanks for sharing your tips, I find spreadsheets useful to 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Great post! I agree with all of these things! I use my laptop all the time for blogging!
That’s great!
I started using Trello recently (I was introduced to it at work) and I find it really helpful. You can sync the desktop version to your phone app version and have as many boards as you like – really helpful for when inspiration strikes and you don’t have a pen to hand! But love all your tips, Lauren, you can’t beat a notepad and calendar for blog content planning 🙂 Lisa xx
That’s a great tool to help, I haven’t heard of that before. Thank you for reading and commenting xx
Great tips. I think a good tool like Canva to improve your images is a must, too. I only recently started using it.
And I agree with you on the notebook. I always jot down my ideas and an outline of my posts in my notebook before writing.
That’s great. Canva is so useful!
Great tips there Lauren!
No matter how simple and basic these tips seem, I consider them the foundation of every successful blog. I would add a stock image website where I can find free images for my blog and Canva for making my own images.
I think those llamas are too cute. I digress. Anyway, I think a schedule leads to consistency. I love your tips. These are so useful for bloggers.
Thank you very much.
Great tips! I’m a sucker for a notebook and probably have far too many 😂
Thank you! You can never have too many ha ha!
A notebook is my absolute best friend! (Just don’t tell my actual besties!)
I couldn’t be without them, plus I can indulge my stationary love!
I definitely need some kind of blog planner as I always think of post ideas and forget to jot them down and then they’re forgotten forever. It would also be useful for me to plan out my posts as well!!
Roni🖤
http://www.myelevatedexistence.com
Definitely do it, it makes such a difference.
I have far too many notebooks so blogging has certainly meant I’ve made use of them! I’ve tried a number of times to plan my blogs on spreadsheets and stuff but it’s just not as satisfying as using a notebook/planner! Plus, you can get creative with the layouts a bit more which I’ve been loving! x
Yes I love putting it down on paper too. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Loved this ! I use absolutely all these things and they’re definitely essentials for a blogger 💕
Thank you for reading and commenting.
A planner system and schedule is definitely what I am missing!
It helps so much!
Loved this post 😍 I adore notebooks, I have a massive pile of them all on my desk and each are used for different aspects of my life! Where did you get the stickers in the photo from? Feel like they would help even more 🙂
The llama ones are from paperchase for £1.75 😊
aw cool, i might have to get some!
Canva is great for getting the word out when you have a new post. I like putting eye catching posts on there to catch peoples attention.
That’s great!
Planner and notebook are my mistakes I always have my pen handy! I just wish I had more time! A great post and tips thank you!
Sarah
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I definitely think having a notebook is handy – I always jot down notes on paper before I type up my posts!
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you link your blog so I can read.
A notebook honestly is the best way to get organised with your blog!
Love, Amie ❤️
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great post! I love having a notebook to help with writing down all my ideas and goals for my blog. I’ve recently been trying to get into Pinterest too, as I know how important social media can be for your blog. I love your planner, its so cute. I wish I could be a bit more creative with a blogging planner haha.
Chloe xx
Pinterest is great for traffic once mastered. Thank you for your kind comments about my planner. Stickers are an easy way to do that 😊 xx
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I’m honestly obsessed with a physical planner. I feel so much more organized and put together with one!
Me too! Can you link your blog.
Thank You Lauren.
Well, the simplest tools that anyone needs to start their blogging journey.
Couldn’t agree more!
Excellent tips 🙂
It’s been so much easier since I started a bullet journal to keep track of everything. It’s a notebook and planner in one for me.
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
That’s awesome! 😊
As someone who is just starting out a blog, this is very handy! Thanks for sharing <3
Glad it is helpful! 😊
These are some great tips here – and a fantastic starter blogging kit! I always use my phone for jotting down all ideas but I should really move it into a designated notebook. Thanks for sharing!
Paige // Paige Eades
Thank you for reading and commenting Paige.
Thank you so much. I am doing this… You really need time and commitment for it. Your posts are so helpful. I am glad and happy to learn new ways…
I love this list, blogging does require a lot of organization in order to work out.
Lindifique
Yes, I totally agree with the essentials you’ve listed here. I use my lap top and phone to create and promote content but I think a notebook is extremely important. I love jotting ideas down before typing out the first draft of my post. There’s nothing like pen and paper, am I right? Lol. And I definitely agree…you don’t need to break the bank to get the latest and most expensive gear.
Des
I love putting pen to paper. Definitely do not need to spend a huge amount. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Oooh! I love all of these blogging essentials you’ve shared! Notebooks are great for visual brainstorming!!! I used to go crazy with diagrams when I needed to brainstorm with some tag clouds. I love your planner system too. Looks gorgeous. I need to try that! Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ✨
Thank you so much Nancy.
Definitely!
A calendar and a monthly planner are my essentials as almost all my content is preplanned and prewritten, thanks for sharing these x
Thank you for reading and commenting. X
I just wanted to say your planner is so adorable! And thanks for the tips 🙂
Thanks so much!
I haven’t heard of that. Can you link your blog so I can have a read.
OMG I need to get me a planner system! I always just write points in a notebook and never stick to them or set deadlines, thanks for this idea!
A planner system that works for you will really help.
I love your planner! I really need to make a return to pen and paper and start to plan on paper. I must say my notebook and some nice pens are a must for me to make some doodles or to jot down some random ideas I might have xxx
Yeah me too! I always feel so organised when I have that
Thanks for sharing these super helpful tips Lauren. I am lacking in planner and scheduler department.However social media is taking a lot of time and when I spend more time on one the other one suffers. My FB is almost stagnant. Rest things are fine and a notebook and a good pen is a must for me 🙂
Via | https://glossnglitters.com
Yeah that’s why I love Hootsuite it allows me to stay active even when I can’t be. Facebook is the one I struggle with the most. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Couldn’t agree more with these tips! I’d be absolutely post with my trusty notebook and planner! I also need to check out hoot suite! Thanks for sharing lovely!
It’s definitely worth using especially if you have a job other than blogging as it can keep you active on your social media platforms. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I think I need to adopt a planner system as I tend to just write down my posts schedule on random bits of paper (and then lose them)! Thanks for sharing!
Tash // A Girl with a View
Definitely find a planning system that works for you, it is so beneficial.
Nice post. I also like writing down in a note book before typing on my phone
That’s great. Thank you for reading and commenting.