20 of the Best Tools for a Winning Blog Strategy!

I’ve been blogging for several years now, and have really stepped up my social media game in the last 2-3 years. It has been a great way to express my creativity, write about things that matter to me, and of course - make money! If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, there really is no better time! We all have a lot more time on our hands since Covid-19 cancelled our social lives. Plus, if you are able to use this time to build your audience and grow your blog traffic, you’ll be in a great position to maximize your earnings when things get back to normal.

I’m outlining some of the tools and resources I rely on to run my blog. These have been my go to resources for managing my business, staying on top of my content, and getting support on the areas that are not my expertise.

Tools You Need to Get Started Blogging

It may seem obvious, but the first thing you need to get started is your website! I purchased my domain through GoDaddy and setup my site on Squarespace. Wordpress is another pretty popular option for bloggers, but I find Squarespace much friendlier to work with. They have lots of templates and design features that are easy to use yourself, and their customer service is readily available. Wordpress is great if you are a little more tech savvy or can invest in a developer. If not, I recommend Squarespace. Once your site is up and running, be sure to integrate Google Analytics to get data on your visitors and top performing content.

You may also want to set up Dropbox for storage. Bloggers use a ton of photos and you need a system of keeping it organized. Mine is organized with seasonal fashion content and an assortment of stock imagery that fits topics I frequently post about.

How to Find Free Stock Imagery for Your Blog

Stock imagery is a blogger’s essential. In my first year of blogging I tried to create every image I posted. That meant shooting and editing full body, lifestyle, and styled flat lay imagery all on my own. It was time consuming, exhausting and expensive! I started using stock imagery more in the last year and it has been a savior. You can subscribe to a stock image service like Adobe, which is my personal fave. They are a little pricey, but way less than trying to style, prop, and shoot all your own images. Pexels, Haute Stock and Ivory Mix are also great for getting a variety of stock images for free!

Essential Apps for Editing Blog and Instagram Photos

You will of course have to create some original content, especially for Instagram. I create content using a mix of professional photographers, self-portraits, and just making my husband do it! Professional photographers usually edit photos for you, but you want to make sure your look is cohesive. Presets are the easiest way to edit photos and keep the overall look from clashing. That is a major key to building a beautiful, stylish Instagram feed. I use 123Presets and stick to the same group at least for the season. I started using them about 6 months ago and it has made such a difference in my feed! Presets also save a ton of time when photo editing, since it’s usually one tap instead of a series of multiple edits.

I also regularly use FaceTune for beauty imagery and making a product or detail pop and Snapseed for removing objects and basic adjustments. If you are trying to create more video, I recommend checking out Vimeo pro! They make creating stylish videos a breeze, with lots of different options for templates and a library of music. Use the 30 day free trial to get started.

Free SEO Resources for Bloggers

SEO is a pain but it is essential for any website to succeed. This is still an area that I struggle with, even after several years blogging! I have spent more time working on my SEO skills since I’m spending more time at home due to coronavirus. When I first got started, I had a consultant help me with the basics, and now I rely on a few free tools for SEO maintenance. The Coscheduler Headline Analyzer helps you write blog titles that will rank, and SEO expert Neil Patel has a host of free SEO resources to help you boost your traffic and rankings.

SEO is pretty complicated so don’t stress out if you don’t ace it right away. Spend some time educated yourself on SEO best practices, monitor your traffic sources and best performing content, and update old posts periodically to keep them fresh.

Affordable Freelance Help for Bloggers

Remember, running a blog is the same as running a small business and no business owner can do it all alone! There will be times you need to enlist the help of a pro to keep things running smoothly. My go to for affordable freelance help is Fiverr. I’ve found everything from SEO consultants to Photoshop pros for complex edits. Everyone charges different rates, but there are a ton of people offering similar gigs so you can easily compare prices and reviews. E-lance is another great platform for finding freelancers and consultants.

I’m also a member of a few blogger Facebook groups that are amazing! It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers, share resources and get inspiration. Check out Boss Girl Bloggers and browse similar groups in your niche .

Hope these tips help! I know blogging can be a very time consuming side hustle, but has the potential to turn into an amazing full-time career. If that’s your goal, stay focused and invested in your audience and your content. One day it will pay off!