Tag: blogger

“How do I start blogging?” – Blogger Question and Answer Series

by Madison

 

 

Thanks for stopping by Vogue and a Latte – your place for all things lifestyle & blogging.

I receive questions on my Instagram weekly about how to start a blog and how I started mine, what my tips and tricks are, who I host with, etc. First, I will say that I am not an expert. I have been blogging for two years – crazy, I literally can’t believe it – and I might do a post summing up things that I learned over the past two years, but I am by no means the SEO and HTML expert. That being said, I want to start a mini-series highlighting all of the questions that I get about blogging and answer with the knowledge that I have currently.

This question / answer blog post will kind of cover just the BASICS of blogging. How do you start blogging? Where do I start blogging? How did I start blogging? How to start a blog?! All of those questions. 

So, how do you start blogging? This is an excellent question! One that I had myself two years ago at about 11 PM in my room in Georgia after I found Payton Sartain’s blog while searching for an LA guide on Pinterest.

–> BLOG TIP: Pinterest is your literal best friend. I get more traffic to my blog from Pinterest than Instagram or Facebook. Pinterest is a search engine, not a social media platform.

I landed on her blog and started reading her other content and falling in love with her style. I then found her Instagram and was like omg this girl is so COOL.

I thought to myself, “Could I do this? Could I start my own blog?! Would anyone care what I have to say about denim?”, not knowing an ounce of what that meant or what my end goal was. And I think THAT is the key. I didn’t even know you could make money from blogging. I had no intention of taking this “all the way to the top” (I am nowhere near the top, or the middle lol) or that bloggers and influencers would start to take over Instagram and the fashion world. I simply wanted to share my love for style and photography combined with writing on a website. I have always loved writing and my friends have always come to me for fashion advice so I figured I could combine the two online.

I was just watching Payton’s latest Weekly Video on YouTube ( because being a blogger in this season means also having video because video is the way of the future – you must be adaptable ) and she made a few really good points about blogging and what it entails. You can’t start this if you want someone to do half of the work for you. I knew nothing, zero, about blogging when I started. I knew that I wanted to share my life and help others and I knew that I loved to write. And I knew that if I wanted to do it, I had to figure it out myself.

So, I headed straight to Google. I Google’d everything. I mean EVERYTHING. I said Pinterest is your best friend, and that is the truth, but so is Google. So, I am going to sum up a little bit of what I most likely Google’d and then found during those wee hours of the morning. If there is something you don’t understand, Google it! You have to be a self-starter and a self-motivator to be a blogger.

★ Hosting: (Definition: Hosting (also known as website hosting or Web hosting) is the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more websites. In a sense, you rent space on a computer to hold your website. Source. ) I host with Bluehost. This is where I bought my domain. Bluehost is also where my email inbox lives, which is important because having an email address at your domain ( ex: madison@vogueandalatte.com ) makes you seem professional. It’s a popular service and I know that you can buy through other hosting sites as well, Bluehost just came very recommended to me for blogging because of the email feature and the flexibility it gives you. It was also really helpful when my website got hacked. You can do your own research and figure out what hosting site works best for you and where you want to buy your domain. Google is your key!!!!

★ Platform: (Definition: A blogging platform is the software or service that you use to publish your content onto the internet in the form of a blog. A blog platform is a specific form of a content management system. Source.) I use WordPress.org ( not .com – there is a difference!!! ). This is where I am writing this post, where I upload all of my images, where I make my menu, where I instal plugins, where I create all of my pages, etc.

★ Domain: My domain is my blog name ( this is obvious but key ). Ex: www.vogueandalatte.com. Buy yours through your hosting site!

★ Theme: I used Bloom Blog Shop for my theme. You can find all kinds of free themes on WordPress or SquareSpace or wherever, I just wanted mine to not be a theme that everyone else was already using. Being unique is also key and sets you apart from everyone else.

★ Name: Make it something searchable that sums up what your blog is going to be about. I renamed my blog about a year in because I was tired of describing my name and telling people why I chose it. I loved the name and what it stood for but people couldn’t tell what they were getting from my blog by the name. I think that was an important step in my blogging journey though, diving more into what I wanted it to be about. So go with your gut. I started out by simply taking pictures of my outfits and describing them in detail. I can’t remember the last time I did that on my blog. Your blog evolves and changes with you, and that’s the point! I have learned so much about myself through blogging and I think that that is enough for me, even if I never get to do it full-time. You could also make your blog your full name. I know a lot of people who do that so if that is the direction you are leaning towards, more power to ya!

★ Find bloggers who inspire you and take notes: There are a few bloggers that I LOVE and I tried to get to the bottom of what I loved about them. Realness of every-day-life, authentically themselves, style inspiration, non-intimidating lifestyles, and then tried to replicate that in my blog. I always want me blog to be a real portrayal of my life and what I am going through. I always want to be authentic with my wording/verbage and how I talk about products. I want to inspire other peoples outfits that make them feel confident. I want to show the parts of my life that are glamorous and definitely not glamorous. What do YOU like reading about? Chances are that’s what you’re passionate about and will like writing about too. If not, you will figure out after you have realized what you hate writing about. I realized after a while that I didn’t want to just describe each detail of my outfit in posts and call it a day. I wanted to provide value. Be a place where people could gain something and find information beyond what shirt I am loving. Not that that doesn’t have value, it’s just not what I enjoyed writing in detail about anymore.

★ Get a few posts up and running before you launch so that you have a few things prepared to post: What are you going to blog about? I think this is a really important step to dive into early on.It’s always good to have a few posts up lined up when you first start a blog. Just like when you launch a new Instagram account or social media campaign, you always want to have a PLAN. Sit down and brainstorm the top 5 things that you want to talk about on your blog consistently. Write a post on each. I don’t have a specific day that I post because my full-time job is pretty time consuming ( yes, most bloggers have full-time jobs!!! ) and I write when I can, but if you can tell people exactly when you are going to be posting ( once a week, twice a week, etc. ) that is really helpful!

★ Social Media: Social media drives traffic to your blog. Simple as that. It is important to have a heavy social media presence to be a blogger. You can rely on SEO only, if that’s how you want to go, but make sure you do your research! Socials allow me to personally chat with and relate to my followers and readers. I get to be a micro-blogger in my captions and growing a social following means more eyes on your content that you have worked so hard on. I made my personal instagram into my blog/personal instagram. I know that most bloggers make their instagram handles ( Ex: @MadisonCrowley ) their blog names ( Ex: @VogueandaLatte – not a real thing lol ), that route just wasn’t for me. I really like the lifestyle/reality aspect of having my name be my Insta handle. Occasionally it has been confusing but never a huge issue.

★ Things to Google:
SEO ( Search Engine Optimization )
Analytics ( Google Analytics, Jetpack plugin )
HTML Basics
*Any term in this post that you didn’t understand!!!!

Depending on how detailed I plan on making this series, I may go into each of those topics individually or in a post. But they are some important things you need to know about before starting. Maybe not HTML basics, but for SURE SEO and analytics. I use JetPack with WordPress.org and I also have the Google Analytics Plugin installed so I can look at all of my analytics that way.

Don’t compare yourself. Your blogging journey is yours and no one else’s. You don’t know what you are doing that they aren’t and vice versa. You are never too old. You are never too young. You are never going to make your blog perfect. You are never going to feel like it is ready. You are never going to be 100% satisfied with a post or your homepage if you are a perfectionist like myself. DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU. Find your niche and dive in. Blogging takes hard ass work and determination and if you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can reach your goals. You also need to grow thick skin to be a blogger. Haters are just a part of the biz. And you have to be able to laugh at yourself. Like I just said “biz”??? Who AM I!

Not everyone continues blogging. So if you are concerned about “over saturation of bloggers” ( not really a thing but people think it is ), don’t be. There are plenty of bloggers that started at the same time I did that are not still blogging anymore. Blogging is hard work and it is not for the faint of heart ( or the lazy ).

An important point to note: Eventually, those who don’t want to put in the work will fall off. Not everyone finishes the race. STAND ABOVE everyone else. Put in the extra hours. Be relentless.

Up next I am going to write about everything that goes into a blog post and then what you need to look for in your analytics. There will be more to come after that! Tell me if there are specific topics that you want me to touch on when it comes to blogging.

Follow along on Instagram ( @MadisonCrowley ) and comment on my latest post letting me know what questions you want me to answer in this series!

‘Til next time,

Autumn in November

What I do to get inspired.

by Madison

We all get into creative ruts as bloggers or entrepreneurs. It’s hard to continue creating new content when things in your life are off or you’re just not feeling it. SO, this is my go-to list. I love to write and sometimes I just need a little push in the creative direction. Follow me on Instagram for more day-to-day creativity tips and to see what I’m up to – @MadisonCrowley.

★ Go to spin class. 
Are we surprised this is my first response? Nope! Spin class is my go-to for endorphins and a high. I am always ready to conquer the day after spin class.

★ Get off of Facebook. Go to Pinterest and search something SPECIFIC that you want to learn or write about.
For me lately, I have been searching “branding”. I love learning about the branding process and how I can take details of my brand to every aspect of my blog and Instagram or YouTube. I like learning about new fonts. I like seeing new color palettes. That gets me inspired to finish writing a blog post that I have been saving as a draft, and working hard so that I can expand my brand.

★ Go back to the page/website/person/Instagram/whatever that made you want to start blogging. For me, this is reading Payton Sartain’s blog or watching her YouTube videos. 
I gain a lot of inspiration from other people. I think that if you want to learn how to be great at something, study other people who are succeeding in the area that you are trying to succeed in yourself. Take notes. Watch how they interact. How they post and when they post. If they are killing it, chances are you can learn from them. NOTE: This does not mean copy. Don’t plagiarize. Don’t steal people’s ideas. Don’t copy their outfits. Don’t make your blog or vlog the same as theirs. Simply gather ideas, see if you could do a similar post in your own voice that will speak to your own personal audience. And then remember why you’re doing that you are doing. Write down what you take from their blog. Write down how it makes you feel. Not figure out how to make your audience feel that.

★ Watch Danielle Carolan’s YouTube videos.
I have been watching Danielle Carolan’s videos for a while now and they bring so much light into my life!!! I love that she is in Athens and I get to reminisce about my days at UGA but I also just love her hustle. She inspires me to get my butt up and go after what I want. It’s not going to just be handed to you!!! I think what I love most about her vlogs and Insta is that it’s literally just her life. Payton’s life is kinda dreamy, like a goal or farfetched at times. Danielle is just a college gal living her life on trend and with passion. Kinda how I want to live my life. We can’t all be glamorous all of the time ( not that Payton claims to be, it’s just sometimes the pressure that I put on myself as a blogger ) and I think it’s important to not lose that.

★ Read The Skinny Confidential or listen to The Him and Her Podcast.
Lauryn Evarts is SO INSPIRING. Like everything that she does. Google her blog and podcast. You won’t regret it.

★ Go to a coffee shop.
Pretty sure nothing inspires me as much as going to a coffee shop. If you know me and have been following me for a while, you know that one of my favorite things to do is to find new, cute coffee shops. Coffee shops have an atmosphere that promotes hard work and the coolest vibes. I write some of my best posts and short stories in coffee shops.

Read More

Good Morning! I’m Faith. – Morning Routine Series

by Madison

Happy Friday, babes!
We are continuing this Morning Routine series for a couple more weeks because there are so many awesome bloggers out there that I want to be able to share with you. This week’s is no exception! Today I am chatting with Faith from the blog Articles of Faith.  Her blog has such a clean, pretty design. Her Instagram is always so beautiful and, you guessed it, REAL. I love following Faith because I get so many style ideas from her outfits and she shares so many fun parts of living in Atlanta.
Fun fact: Faith used to design wedding gowns! How cool, right?! She understands all of the sides of the fashion world which is super helpful as a blogger. Make sure you check out her blog to find out so much more about who she is and why I love following her!
Let’s get to the good stuff:
________________________________________________
Bedroom scene: I like white bedding and keep my room fairly organized. I can’t stand to wake up looking at a mess. My nightstand usually contains books I’m reading, nail polish, a water bottle, my phone, iPad, and a candle. I sleep in a tee and some soft shorts or leggings depending on the season. My 3 year old likes to climb in to bed with me in the middle of the night so I usually wake up to his foot in my face. Ha!
7:00 am: Alarm goes off. I wake up hungry so first thing I do is grab some breakfast. I like the kitchen to be clean in the mornings too, so the counters are usually clear and sink is emptied of dishes. It’s just so refreshing to have everything CLEAN in the morning! Some mornings are quick and I’ll do toast and banana or an RX Bar (chocolate coconut and chocolate sea salt are ALWAYS stocked in my pantry!) if I need to get out the door quick. If I’m working from home for the day, then I’ll make eggs, smoothie, oatmeal, or cereal. My toddler likes banana pancakes or toast with Nutella. I get bored and switch it up. I pair breakfast with a cup of coffee or iced chai latte that I make from a mix. It’s so yummy! I usually empty the dishwasher at this time too. I try to start my day with some quiet time and just setting my mind up for the craziness of the day. It doesn’t always happen but if I try to make it a priority.
7:30 am: I finish my coffee/tea while I get ready. First thing I do is wash my face. My bathroom is somewhat small and I keep everything stored away in a cabinet. My hair dryer and curling iron rest on a stand next to the sink. I do a more in depth skincare routine at night so mornings are just a quick cleanse. Again, I switch it up but right now I cleanse with Shea Moisture Sensitive Skin Facial Cleansing Oil, pat my face dry, apply Pixi Glow Tonic with a cotton pad, and finish with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. I try to remember to apply a tad bit of eye cream but most of the time I forget. After my face is cleansed, I brush my teeth (and my 3 year old’s) and put my contacts in.
7:45 am: Time for makeup! I don’t like a heavy face so I try to stay minimal on my makeup unless I’m going in to work. Most of the time I’m home and stick to concealer (Elf), CC cream (IT Cosmetics), bronzer (varies – currently using Tarte), blush (Tarte), and mascara (varies – currently using L’Oreal). I have a hard time getting makeup to stay, so I always, always, always use a finishing spray (Elf – Clear).
8:00 am: If I’m going to be home for much of the day, I usually put a hat on or throw my hair up. If I’ll be working somewhere else or have other things to do, I’ll curl my hair next.
8:15 am: Get my toddler and myself dressed and either get to work at home or head out the door for the day.
________________________________________________
What a morning routine! Make sure to let her know if you loved this post by giving her some love on Instagram ( @ArticlesofFaith ) and on her blog.
I have loved getting to chat with so many bloggers and get to know them through this series! It has been a blast and I am excited to continue for a few more weeks.
Follow along with my weekend plans on my Instagram at @MadisonCrowley! 
‘Til next time,

Autumn in November

Good Morning! I’m Peyton Baxter. – Good Morning Series

by Madison

Welcome to Vogue and a Latte! Thanks for stopping by my piece of the internet. Today I am bringing another boss babe to your screen and I am SO excited for you all to learn about one of my major blogger inspirations, Peyton Baxter.

Peyton is the creator of love ‘n’ labels, a lifestyle blog filled with bright colors, happiness, ideas, and transparency.

Peyton is SO inspiring and her words bring such truth. She recently wrote this post that brought me to tears! I am so grateful for bloggers who share the deep stuff, the real stuff that grabs you and makes you think. She also talks about her faith on her blog and that brings me so much joy! Jesus is light and he definitely shines through Peyton.

On top of being so real, she has the BEST outfits and photos. She mixes high-end and low-end, which is my kinda vibe. She has such a girly and fun style while still being on top of all of the latest trends. She is super active and engaging on Instagram, which is key. She also has lots of blog posts on how to become a successful blogger and what her personal journey has looked like so far. Basically, Peyton does it all and she is must-follow and must-read babe!!

Enough chit-chat, let’s dive into Peyton’s morning routine:

___________________________________________________

I’ve never been a huge morning person … Actually, when I was a little girl, I was a bear to try and wake up for school (LOL!). I’m a complete night owl, and my most productive hours are typically later in the day. That being said, I LOVE my mornings when I can just ease into the day with a hot cup of coffee in one hand and my devotion in the other, not having to be anywhere at the crack of dawn. My ideal morning consists of waking up around 8:15-8: 30 am and easing into the morning for about an hour before I get my work day started. Ideally, I’m in my favorite pajama set from Nordstrom. I’ve gotten out of bed to brush my teeth and wash my face with my favorite Tula products. I’ve made coffee for my husband, TJ, and kissed him goodbye as he’s out the door on his way to work. Then, I make myself a massive cup of coffee from our Keurig (I drink it black). While my coffee is brewing, I go around my house and open up ALL the blinds because I love nothing more than the natural morning light shining through. (I don’t even turn on any lights in my house because I love the natural daylight so much better. It’s so energizing!) During this time, I also light candles around my house and in my office (#candleobsessed). I, then, go back upstairs and cover up with my favorite blanket (#ALWAYScold!), turn on some light music (usually my favorite worship songs or instrumental playlist) and dive headfirst into my devotion for the day. I try to start every morning off with some quiet time and meditation, just to clear my head and get started in the right direction. It’s so easy to want to jump straight into my emails first thing, but I’ve found that on the days when I skip my morning quiet time and get straight to work, it’s like I can’t get ANYTHING done, and I just feel so anxious all day long. It’s sooo important for me to spend time in the Word before I start my workday. Since I became my own boss, I’ve learned just how important it is for me to allow myself a slow, easy hour of my morning to focus on ME and get my day started off of the right foot. Here’s a closer look into my step-by-step morning routine:

8:15-30 am: Wake up the same time that TJ gets up

8:30 am: Brush my teeth & wash my face (or shower)

8:45 am: Make TJ’s coffee

9:00 am: Send Teej off to work, start my coffee & open all blinds / light candles

9:15 am: Turn on light music, dive into my quiet time & sip on my coffee

9:45 am: Make a schedule for the rest of my day in my planner & schedule out each task’s time slot (I just recently started doing this & it really helps me to stay on track with the day’s most important ‘to-dos’ which leads me to getting all my work done in a timely manner. As my own boss and someone who works from home, it’s SO challenging to make myself stop working at the end of the day. There’s always more that could be done, and since my home is my office, there’s no “leaving the office at 5:00”. This is why it’s so important for me to take 15 minutes of my morning and schedule out exactly what I need to do for that day and exactly what time I need to be working on those particular tasks.)

10:00 am: Start with emails & begin my work day (which is pretty much different each day ha!)

___________________________________________________

Let’s all give a big shout out to Peyton for chatting with me about her morning routine so that I can share with all of you! Check her out on Instagram or on her blog. If you loved this post, let her know on her Instagram! She is seriously the sweetest human.

Let me know your thoughts on this post! Share it with friends, send it your bestie who loves morning routines, or post it on social media!

Follow along my jam-packed weekend on Instagram  ( @MadisonCrowley ) – it’s going to be a fun one!

‘Til next time,Autumn in November