Blog ¦ Do I need a product directory?

 

So I have had a product directory on and off for about 2 years so today I though I would write about it for all you lovely bloggers who are thinking about creating one. So first off if you aren't sure what a product directory is, it is a collection of links from all the products that have been reviewed on your blog. I currently have mine backdated to January 2016 as I'm pretty rubbish at keeping it updated.

 

One thing I do find it really useful for is to track what I have reviewed and when I go back when writing a post it makes it very easy to find a review if I want to link it in a post I am writing, in terms of increasing traffic I don't find it has a massive impact however I do find that when I first go onto a blog if I enjoy the posts I always check to see whether they have a product directory.

 

Overall I think if you are able to keep up and remember to update your product directory I think it is a really fab way to both keep track and to help drive a little extra traffic to some old posts. Mine is //here// if you fancy a nosey. I'd love to know if you have one and if you find it to be useful or just a pain!

 



Blog ¦ Do I need a Niche?

I feel like the word niche is a term that bloggers throw around a lot. I have read so many posts about how to start a blog and so many of them suggest that you MUST have a niche and I have to say I'm not sure I agree. People say that without a niche you won't gain a loyal group of readers and then in the next breath say that it isn't all about stats.

 

What I don't understand is why some people think that people shouldn't mix topics on their blog, I understand that some readers like beauty and some like lifestyle but surely by writing posts that fit under both those categories you are widening who's reading your posts. Maybe those readers might not follow as you don't post enough lifestyle content for them but in the grand old scheme of things does it really matter. It doesn't matter what you post in my opinion if I like the style of writing, the photos and the personality of the blogger I follow, fair enough I might not read every post that they put up like I do with some of my favourite bloggers however surely my irregular reading is better than me not reading at all.

 

So when starting a blog if you want to start with a niche then that's cool but don't ever let that niche define what you post and force you to churn out content that you hate when there is something that you feel you could write so much more passionately about however you know it doesn't fit you niche.

 

I'd love to know what you guys have to say about having a niche! Let me know in the comments.

Blog ¦ Do you need a media kit?

 

So recently after seeing a post from the lovely Krystal Marie I decided to send her over a message as I've been thinking about making myself a media kit for ages however me being the technophobe I am I had no idea how to go about it. Krystal is currently offering a free Blog kit template over on her blog //here// she also offers a fully customised two page blog kit like mine for just $20. However if you aren't such a technophobe today I thought I would share with you all the things I think you should be putting in your blog kit!  

 

 

So first off on the first page I'd suggest popping all your social media links and a little bit about your blog including your average pages views and a little bit about your blog. I also included how many times I post a week. On page two I'd suggest speaking about your previous work experience and the opportunities that you are willing to offer on your blog. I'd also suggest making sure there are lots of images from your previous blog posts and a picture of yourself.  Overall however I'd definitely suggest that you keep the information clear but short as you want to keep people interested.

 

So if you'd like to get in touch with Krystal about a media kit you can reach her here on Twitter //here// and Instagram //here//

 

Do you have a media kit? What do you include in yours?